Theatre projects!

I have been meaning to write this for quiet sometime! I am currently working on three theatre projects all of which are very exciting and very different from each other.

The Grunt Work

Since January I have been interning with Ensemble Studio Theatre working as the assistant to the season producer, Annie Trizna. I have been learning how the administrative end of a theatre runs and making lots of connections. Of course it is not all producing, I get to take out the trash, make copies, and run lots of errands but I am learning a lot.

It is a part time internship so I don't get paid but I do get a three hour class once a week in return for my services. Our class is based around the needs of the interns. Some weeks it will be a master class with a member of the company, while other weeks we will have a lecture on managing an Off-Broadway theatre. It all depends on what we want more of and want to learn more about. Also, as an intern class we are developing our own theatre piece. Each intern has a hand in writing, directing, producing, and performing in the piece. At the end of our internship we will present it as a showcase for the company and friends.

Trying Something New

A close friend of mine, Jessica Pearson, a director residing in DC and founder of the Hobo Jungle Theatre Company, has written a play that is going to premier at this summer's Capitol Fringe Festival in Washington DC. She was looking for artists to get involved in anyway possible. So I tossed my hat into the ring! I am going to be her head of marketing!! Marketing is something I have not done before but would love to try it out. My sister has offered to give me pointers being an experienced PR agent. And since I work close to the head of Marketing at EST, he has also offered guidance on my endeavor. I am planning on really diving into this project later in the month.

Directing... as I tend to do!

A couple artists who work at the Henry Miller Theatre with me have been itching to do some work. I asked around and found a great script written by a good friend of mine Steven Spotswood. The play is called Fire Burn and follows three spirits who are closely connected to the fabric of time. These characters are first presented as the three weird sisters from Macbeth. It is a interesting and fun script, SO much to play with! We are going to try to present a reading of it before the end of March. If not we will then try to present it at some point over the summer.

Still more

I have been interviewing, auditioning, and applying for a whole mess of things for the summer and next year. Everything is kind of up in the air at the moment but I will keep everyone informed as I go.

All the Best,

Kosmo

Adventures in the City

As promised I will not only write about my projects but my adventures! I have been in NYC for 1.5 weeks and I thought it's about time you all heard about it:

The Casting Call:
My roommates are both primarily actors and have been looking at all these auditions and getting in touch with casting directors while I, the aspiring director, sit at my computer researching theatres and sending out resumes, cover letters, and proposals. I was feeling a bit of cabin fever so I approached my roommate, Angelyn, to see if she wouldn't mind if I tagged along to Central Casting.
I get all dolled up, even wear contacts (I know!), and head into the city. We get there with about 40 other women, information packets in hand ready to stand out, in a sea of women who are too trying to stand out. We sit for a while so that everyone has every bit of information from hair color to distance the between their toes, copied down. Finally the information session begins: who is Central Casting, how do they help you, how can you help them, etc. It sounds a little boring but it was rather exciting to hear that you might be on Law and Order, Gossip Girl, or Drew Barrymore's new movie!
Right before they take our picture a women walks in asking "Is anyone free tonight for a movie shoot? We are shooting a roof top party near Rockefeller Center and need model types." Of course my roommates and I jump all over that!! The shoot was supposed to start at 4pm and they would call us if we got a part as background. At 3pm we realized it wasn't going to happen. I blame it on one inch. See I am 5'7, runway models are 5'8+. That stupid one inch.
Well, I am now in Central Castings database and I call the hotline everyday abouts so I will see if anything comes of it. A rather exciting day if you ask me!

Exploring Brooklyn:
When taking a break from new apartment errands, theatre researching, and job searching we go out and explore. Manhattan is fun and filled with so much but as I have learned so is Brooklyn, not to mention it's a lot easier getting to (since I live there). The first times adventuring in Brooklyn we have explored WIlliamsburg. There are some really cute areas to walk around, cheap eats, and vintage stores to shop in, you can find a lot of hipsters which aren't bad but on occasion get a bit annoying.
However, I really liked the Fort Greene/Prospect Park area. We originally went there because I had a Target gift card with $10 on it. Then we started walking and really enjoyed the area. We passed a huge shopping complex complete with the Target, which was only a few blocks away from BAM: Brooklyn Academy of Music. We had lunch at this ecofriendly, highly spirited, cafe/bar/artist center called Habana Outpost. You walk in through the main entrance to see beautiful floor to ceiling murals, lively bar area, and brightly colored everything! I ordered my white cheese and avocado sandwich from the counter and the women hands me a ticket and says "take this to the truck."
Being a little dumbfounded I walk outside. The patio is the main area filled with picnic tables, vendors, a DJ, and the truck. The kitchen is in this truck, powered by solar panels, and the cooks make the food right in front of you. It was charming and very exciting. We got our sandwiches and delighted in our choices of condiments! It was very good and a great atmosphere; I highly recommend it!


Working Hard:
Tonight I start my job at Henry Miller's Theatre. I will update probably at the end of the week to let you know how it went.

Over and Out
Kosmo