Friday Morning Impressions

As the actors start to roll in, directors and writers have been reading the plays, mulling over the characters, moments, and their breakfast choices. In some corners of the room, writer/director pairs are still talking, and in other corners, directors sit by themselves, reading the script over and over.

Andy Jensen and Lisa Koch discussing Show #1
Photo: Agastya Kohli

The fullest table is the table with all the designers. Everyone, seriously, studiously reading their scripts.

Omar is lurking in the shadows, taking pictures. "Taking pictures in hiding?" I asked. "I have perfected the art", he responds.

Peggy Platt spots his camera and asks, "Are you a photographer?"

"That's what they claim", he responds with his usual sly smile.

"Well, I saw the camera and make the leap."

"You know, a man who keeps a piano in his living room is a man with a piano in his living room. A man who owns a camera is a photographer", Omar Wiley puts it in perspective.

Actors draw just finished - Brett is posting the line up. As everyone makes their way out of the room with their food and suitcases, the designers are now the only ones in the room. I think I'll give the casts a little time to get settled in their new spaces, and then go walk around the building for some juicy updates.

Shawn Belyea getting ready to start the Actor Draw
Photo: Agastya Kohli

Quotable Quotes from Thursday Night Meeting

Shawn shares pearls of wisdom with directors.
Photo: Agastya Kohli

Speaking about beer during the introduction - 

"The most important thing about beer, is no f***ing whining about the beer. Just ask about the beer in a normal voice." - Shawn Belyea

***

As Alyssa Byer talks about caring for our wonderful space, she requests -

"This building attracts many fruit flies. So please don't leave half full cups of beer lying around Friday night. Drain your beer and throw away the cups."
Jodi-Paul Wooster interrupts Alyssa with a strong, insistent voice -

"Finish your beer!"

The idea of throwing beer down the drains... jeez people. This is 14/48.

***

Jodi-Paul asked Shawn for an explanation - 

"What is a play?"

Two of your virgin 14/48 visual artists
Photo: Agastya Kohli

Shawn obliges -

"Well... I have an opinion. Others may have their own. But for me, a play has characters, and there is a conflict, and as a result of the conflict, maybe one of those characters undergoes a change!"

Apparently this was a problem last weekend.

this is how this is done

Okay, the Director's meeting was just too overwhelming for me and my fellow Blogess, Rebecca Goldberg, has that covered so I left.  I was given a bunch of fabulous pictures from yesterday by our spectacular photographer Joe Iano so I thought I was take a few minutes to celebrate what happens behind the scenes.

It takes a lot of people to make this happen.  In fact, last night, this is how many people were here as artists and volunteers.  Yeah, that's right, we nearly fill up the theater.

The many faces of 14/48.

View from the sound booth.

Badges for the Virgin weekend participants.  SO many people to make this happen!

Producers Shawn Belyea and Jodi-Paul Wooster-Brown

As I wander around the Erickson, trying to decide what to tell you about, I think about how Shawn Belyea and Megan Ahiers seem to be everywhere, answering questions, making things happen, and always smiling and offering encouragement.  You hear, "Good job," and "thank you," a lot around here.  I haven't seen anyone who acts important.  Decisive, yes.  Important, no.  It's a necessity in the theatre world to be a little bossy sometimes.  Feelings can't be managed but there is a pervasive feeling of goodwill and respect here.  There isn't time to take things personally, everyone is very present, very focused and very collaborative from the front office to the band to the kitchen. 

We now have 4.5 hours until show time and tech is happening.  The band sounds cohesive. There's a guy on stage in a flirty skirt with some really great socks (that Brandon Ryan helped me noticed when he stopped by) and the energy is high.

Last night at the meeting, Shawn told us to "Take care of ourselves and each other."  That is happening.  People are asking for what they need and giving what they can.  This is what equality feels like.

This seems like a good model for living right here:  Risk-taking, respect, care and collaboration. 

This is how this is done.

that's the sound of my hymen breaking

I'm sitting here at the Erickson watching Shawn Belyea setting up the playground to make sure it's safe for the hard games to come. Right now, the virgins, or "fresh meat" are all being introduced and rushed along. Seeing all the faces peeking out to say hello and watching the beer get sloshed onto the stage is like seeing an enormous piñata of goodness spilling out and creating excitement.

As I sit here trying to listen and type, I feel a little nervous and vulnerable. I hope I'll do well and capture the moments well. I hope I won't be exhausted. I can only imagine how the virgin talent must feel right now! Creating 7 fully-staged plays in 24 hours is not an easy feat. I am stunned by what they create each time and you will be too when you come see these plays this weekend. 

In the spirit of risk-taking and collaboration, I asked some people to give me words to sprinkle into my blog posts this weekend. You'll see them in italics. If it's your word, feel free to leave a comment and say, "Hey!" (Thanks for playing with me.)

First quote of the night from the lovely Erin Bryn Fetridge: "You don't have to pay the higher price if you flash your boobs." (It is what you think.)

From Shawn: "I whacked my thing." (It's not what you think.)

From Tim Hyland: "Be courageous. Be honest."

 While they are talking about all the rules and tips for success, I'll write a little haiku for you:

virgins everywhere
the sound of cherries popping
go big or go home!

Day 2 - Writers and Directors

Everyone looks surprisingly perky.  It's going to be fun.

Oooo - I'm eavesdropping on the director/playwright meetings.  So fun to listen to Tina LaPlant (playwright) and Tim Hyland (director) reading her play aloud and discussing - so intense.  I think I heard her say "Sister Pig."

Maggie Lee, The Picture of Inspiration, Suzanne Cohen

Moving on to Suzanne Cohen and Maggie Lee who are doing drawings of the space.  Suzanne looking for guidance from coffee drinking Maggie who has a picture - oh I must get a picture of that picture.  I got a picture of the picture - well kind of - where's that awesome photographer.  Maggie says the picture is "inspiration."  I don't know what it is.  Maggie says, "Does that sound crazy?  I know it's crazy?"  She is giggly when exhausted and says, "Michael Mowery is going to be mad at me."  In other news, it's weird that she has a picture of a pig on her t-shirt.  What's going on with pigs in my morning.

Peggy and Brendan.  "Everything is lies!" says Peggy.  Mr. Healy has those sexy man bedroom eyes which are brought to us by sleep deprivation - ohhhhhh bring on the hot hot hot playwright love. Talking it up with a big Diet Coke.  Peggy says, "I don't know how I feel about that now that it came out of my mouth." Yet Brendan responds, " Uh yeah - I see what you mean but I think it will work either way.  Being the chief ham that I am I think it should say..... " (OH MY GOD!  Another pig reference!)  I'm outta here.

Jose Amador and Teri Lazzara
Photo by Teri Lazzara

Wisdom from Big Cheese Belyea as he peeks in on Peggy and Brendan, "The writer can imagine it to be a certain thing but the director has to make it real and make the experience for the audience." Brendan adds, "and for your mom."  (I'll be his momma.)  As Tim Hyland approaches, Shawn Belyea adds, "Mazen award winners - I think you know sh&*%t!."

Continuing the eavesdropping with my boyfriend (let's make out!) Jose Amador.  Crickets.  Where is his playwright Jim Moran?  I can report that Jose is very quiet and writing things on paper.  He looks intense and maybe a little crabby but definitely dreamy.

I plant myself under a cafe table where director Paul Budraitis and playwright Matt Smith are intensely discussing Matt's play.  Paul says, "There's a cat under the table."  Golly, I would meow at him any time.  Hot director in the room!  Woot!   Matt Smith heating up the room next to him.  I love the collaboration at the beginning between the director and playwright.  This is fun.  The playwrights are surprisingly communicative about what their dreams and aspirations for final production are.  Matt says, "Exactly, exactly" and "I see what you mean!" in response to Paul's suggestions, requests for clarification and questions.  Matt:  "I think that what is important to this is THIS.  Getting the idea from HERE."  He's pointing at the script so I don't know what they're talking about but probably because I'm distracted by their cute shoes.  Gotta go.  There's a film crew surrounding me and I should be doing something to distract them from my cleavage which is HUGE today.

Uh oh - I neglected my new boyfriend Manny Cawaling.  He's already completed his playwright collaboration.  He confirmed that he was excited about his conversation with Eric Lane Barnes.  "We talked about his script and he gave me license to add new dimensions (no details of course we don't want to give anything away) which excites me.  Balancing the telling of the story to serve the playwright yet adding my creativity to it."   I ask, "Will there be balls?"  "There are always balls, Teri, always."  Excellent!

I left out the collaboration of Jonah Von Spreecken (playwright) and Stan Shields (director).  Stan got locked outside and therefore I missed talking to him prior to the draw.  Jonah just came by and indicated that he is thrilled with the casting - see separate post for cast info.  And I would like to meow around with both Jonah and Stan.

But will they all have pigs?  What's with the pigs?

Pictures Round 2

Here are some more wonderful shots from Joe Iano of ianophotography.com

Tim Hyland directs Zoey Belyea, Heather Persinger, Ashley Flannagan, Amanda Lee Williams and Sarah Winsor

The 14/48 band!

David Brown King, Ben McFadden, Carolyn Marie Monroe and Lantz Wagner with director Paul Budraitis 

Artist liaisons

Dudes and babes

Sara Coates finds a moment of solitude

Rehearsal space on 8th Floor

Smiley Happy People in the House

Here are three pics taken by my 14/48 photographer boyfriend, Joe Iano.  www.ianophotography.com

Shawn Belyea, Peggy Gannon, Jodi-Paul Brown-Wooster

 Shawn Belyea, Jose Amador, Jodi-Paul Brown-Wooster

Lantz Wagner, Carolyn Marie Monroe, Unknown (I'm working on it), Ben McFadden

Miracles are for suckas'!

What happened at the meeting...

* Erin Stewart walked in wearing something sexy and then hit on Jesus Christ.
* Deb informed people to puke outside if they have to puke. Apparently last weekend we had a puker who missed the toilet... I blame Heather Gautschi.
* Belyea told me to 'Shut the fuck up.'
* Otherwise, the standard 7:00 meeting... clean up your shit and have a good show.

I'm going to get another beer.

Tech - Show 3

I love how everything in this show has signage informing us as to what it is. Police Department, Visitor's Check-In, Holding Cell, Peter Dylan O'Connor, apple... in a moment I've been transported to a different world. Thank you, live theatre!

I need to check with Shawn Belyea, but I think the Visitor's Check-In can get free beer at the bar if it flashes the name badge.

I sure hope they leave the ladder in the middle of the house for when the audience arrives. Damn, I can see the look on everyone's face, "What's this ladder doing in the middle of the flerging house!" Ha, ha... and they should label it ladder.

Loud noises...

PLAY 2

"Dude looks like a lady... you'll know what I mean later."

- Lisa Viertel (ACTOR)

PLAY 3

"Pull the audience into this world by finding the stillness... finding the danger of this world and how we can live in it."

- Carol Roscoe (DIRECTOR)

PLAY 5

"Word to your mother."

- Troy Fischnaller (ACTOR)

PLAY 6

"I think we should do an improv game."

- John Farrage (DIRECTOR)

FROM THE STAFF ROOM

"Good thing I'm not tired because then I don't say stupid things."

- Tim Hyland (after saying he spent some time with the pork roll)

"Do these people really need breakfast?"

- Alex Samuels

"That's some good pig right there."

- Shawn Belyea (upon eating some of the pork roll)

heyyy yeah... just woke up

As I entered my PRESS ROOM, nerves shaken from a long day marinated in coffee, Shawn Belyea handed me an e-mail sent by Celene Ramadan (writer for Cafeteria Blossoms) informing 14/48 she had just woken up... one and a half hours after she was supposed to be present. This is what I gathered from the e-mail (facts may have been adjusted slightly):

Hi, sorry... I just woke up (insert emoticon)

I was battling unicorns in my dreams with a saber made of magical ice cubes. Once I defeated the unicorns the town of talking chipmunks had a parade in my honor. Around block 15 of the parade I awoke... sorry.

Celene

You're a rock star, Celene, and we'll see you soon... unless Michael Mowery gets his hands on those guns.

One last night cap...

Before I go and dream of flying goldfish and a talking whale named Gus, I leave you with a few more memorable quotes and moments from the evening...

* Mazen Winner Elizabeth Heffron drew the final show for night one - 3 Men, 2 Women

* "Andy Jensen is drawing for Paul Mullin." -Shawn Belyea (followed by a delightful chorus of boos which is the only appropriate response if someone is unable to attend the meeting.)

* In the above picture all of the playwrights have just drawn and are viewing their assignment for tonight, except Celene who is using the powers of telepathy to reveal the mysteries within the folded piece of office paper (another reason to adore Celene Ramadan!)

* And finally, a FISCHNALLER UPDATE! As Troy was leaving ACT I asked him how he was feeling about tomorrow. Troy responded, "I feel like... ummm..." and then proceeded to trip and stumble his way up the stair way. This makes me very nervous... is the pressure of COLLATERAL DAMAGE getting to Fischnaller... is he dealing with Swine Flu... only time will tell.

Good night sweet, delicate actors/directors, don't stay out too late band members and burn blisters in those fingers our dear writers... we all eagerly anticipate tomorrow's product!

Looking back on what was...

I wandered into the 14/48 meeting shortly after 8:15, craving a free beer served by a virgin and hoping the "ten minute" run down was almost over. To my satisfaction, I would get both.
Shawn Belyea was on the DIRECTOR portion of his high speed, bullet point presentation when I took my seat. "YES!" I yelled within the canyon between my brain lobes, "They're almost done!"
Almost done and I didn't miss the most heartfelt piece (presentation of the Mazen) and the most pertinent to the next day's action (presentation of the THEME.)
BOOM - first came the Mazen. Belyea had a beautiful introduction to the first weekend recipient and the Mazen went to... ELIZABETH HEFFRON!
The crowd, including the likes of Troy Fischnaller and the beautiful Kate Parker, jumped to their feet (a standing ovation for those of you not up on the lingo) and began to slam their hands together. Elizabeth gave us some wonderful words to sit on this weekend. "14/48 is alive, with each breath in and each breath out."
This point sticks out to me because it rings with truth... 14/48 is all about the moment. Don't let the moment pass. Embrace and squeeze as hard as you possibly can.
BOOM - next came the theme and Elizabeth drew - "Collateral Damage"... my roommate believes this was a movie. In fact, it was a movie I never saw starring the Governor of California. Not sure how I feel about the connection to Arnold... never-the-less... HOORAY!!!
And HOORAY to all of those who were out tonight and birthing the first weekend of 14/48... this is going to be something to hold onto forever!

Morning Glimpses

I am here for my official first blog of the day, full of news.  I would have posted earlier, but I found myself suddenly without adequate computer access and couldn't figure out how to send my posts via 14/48 messenger pigeons.  

So, here are a few snippets of things that happened in the first few hours of the second day of the first weekend of the festival that is 14/48:

Shawn Belyea was woken up this morning by Peter Dylan O'Connor pounding on his front door because he needed a computer password and Shawn's phone was off.  

Lou Butler (stage manager extraordinaire) showed up with her glasses taped together with electrical tape and a bruise on the side of her face.  Apparently she walked into a wall last night during the first show.

Alex Samuels (food czar) made fresh potato pancakes for everyone (delicious).  

Chris Bell (actor) could not find his shirt (I am guessing) but did find his name tag- so he pinned it to his chest hair.  

Darian Lindle (playwright) brought videos of her highschool show choir to show Makaela Pollock (director).  (I saw some of it.  Its singing and dancing and sequins.  Oh, and jazz hands.)