Tag: ACT1 Theater

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A Christmas Story and Kudzu’s final days.

After 3 weekends, A Christmas Story is finally getting light and sound tech whipped into shape. We are over halfway though with the run. The problem with tech has been that so many different people have been doing it and we have not had a consistent crew.  There is nothing more frustrating to an actor than to be standing in light or darkness waiting for the lights to go down or up. During the first couple of weekends there were times when I had to give lines in complete darkness. I had no choice.
Of course A Christmas Story is a very complicated script. Lots of lights up and down with indoor, outdoor and fantasy scenes which take place all over the stage. The techs really have to pay attention and be ready with the next light and sound queues.
This is the second time I have done this show. The first was in 2007 at Act1 Theater in Alpharetta. I think I would like to do this every year but unlike A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story is not done every year in Atlanta.
A Christmas Story and A Christmas Carol will be the last shows Kudzu will produce. Due to financial troubles (and who doesn’t have them), Kudzu is having to close their doors after 20 years.

It is with great sadness that we announce that Kudzu will be closing after our Christmas shows this year. We have to be out of our current location by January 14. We have survived a lot over the twenty four years we have been doing theatre in Georgia (20 years in Roswell in 4 locations) but this time, the economy has just been too tough for too long and we are unable to keep our doors open past the end of the year. We wish to thank the many patrons, season ticket holders, actors, directors, donors, volunteers, and many others who have become part of the Kudzu family through out the years. It has been a great run and we have loved every minute of it. It saddens our hearts to have this happen, but there are many great and happy memories that will live on in our hearts and we hope in yours also. And knowing that we have added to the arts and the hearts of so many gives us great happiness. But we want all of you to know we have truly been blessed to have had the wonderful relationships with all of you. Many of you are more like our family than friends. Thank you to everyone who has ever crossed our doors, and may we see each other in the times to come. Your outpouring of good wishes and love is the only thing that is keeping us going right now. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
We love you all,
Wally & Jeannie Hinds

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Auditioned for Driving Miss Daisy

I was able to audition for Driving Miss Daisy last night at Act1 Theater. There were a total of 3 people who auditioned for DAISY, 2 who auditioned for HOKE and only me for BOOLIE. That’s pretty good for me.

The director Rebecca Coffee, who also directed A Christmas Story, admitted that she has already additions “some” people already who could not make it to the two scheduled audition times. And she may already have someone she wants for BOOLIE.

And there is still Thursday’s audition.

Still, if there is no one else, I got a pretty good shot at having the role. There is never a guarantee until you receive the call. Rebecca could actually not want me at all.

After the audition, I had a discussion with one of the actresses about character development. Her thought is to “steal from the best” and by that she meant, look at what has already been done and use it. I have only seen bits-and-pieces of the movie but after watching this actress for a few moments, I realized she was, I believe, doing exactly what Jessica Tandy did in the movie. Her thought was that it is still her doing the acting and herself will be part of the role to make it unique.

I try to avoid watching some movies for this very reason. I want to be Jay Croft as BOOLIE, not Jay Croft as Dan Aykroyd as BOOLIE. I want to find my own character, feel the character for who he is. That does not mean that I won’t add little things from what other actors have done, little mannerisms etc, as it feels right.

I am not saying ether way is right or wrong, just that it is not what I want to do. Besides NO ONE can do themselves as Jimmy Stewart as GEORGE BAILEY in It’s a Wonderful Life and be taken seriously.

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First full week of 2009

Today, I mailed off the application with headshot and resume for the Unifieds. Deadline is January 16th. Hopefully I will be accepted again this year. Last years attendance got me auditions at The Alliance, Theatre in the Square, Marcus Jewish Community Center Theatre and with Tyler Perry Studios. This year, I plan to work with Pat Hurley on a couple of monologues in preparation for the Unifieds.

Tonight will be one of two things: Ether voice over for on the short film I did in August (The Interview). And/Or rehearsal for Bright Flames TV. Let’s talk about The Interview. My understanding is that this is nearly complete in post-production. Matt McGahren is hopping to submit this for the Atlanta Film Festival. Deadline is this Friday. I assume the voice over is for my part. I guess the sound is not what they wanted when originally shot. If not tonight, then tomorrow evening.

On the Bright Flames TV front, apparently Robert Howell has found a crew with equipment so we are not dependent on the local community TV studio. The local community studio never could get their act together, so this will be good. Robert wants me (and I assume the rest of the cast) to do a voice over for a trailer. And the new shooting location is at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Looks like a very nice place. If The Interview voice over is tonight and early enough, I can make tonight’s Bright Flames rehearsal.

Tomorrow AM is a stress test with the cardiologist to see if I can exercise without killing myself. I have been on medication for high blood pressure now for 6 days. Not fun. I have to drink plenty of fluids so my pressure does not drop too low. It did Saturday night, not enough intake during the day. So light-headednes kept me from going to the Gladiators game that night. Last night I did not sleep very well. Due to fluid intake/output, I believe I am short on Potassium. My back of my legs really ached. Very painful.

Tomorrow PM. Depending on if I do not have to do The Interview voice over tomorrow night, I plan on auditioning for BOOLIE WERTHAN in Driving Miss Daisy at Act1 Theater. BOOLIE is the son of DAISY WERTHAN. But if the voice over is tomorrow night, then I will audition on Thursday night, missing another Gladiators game.

Wednesday PM is an audition for Sabrina Fair at Kudzu Playhouse. I think I would make a good DAVID LARRABEE. DAVID is the younger brother of LINUS LARRABEE JR.

Thursday PM will hopefully be a Gladiators’ game, but that depends on … well, see above.

Friday PM is supposed to be another Bright Flames rehearsal.

So everynight this week is something. <sigh>

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What I Did On 2008-12-16

  • Just got a call from my audition for Out Town at Lionheart Theatre. Did not get the role I wanted, but the director called anyway. very nice #
  • OUR TOWN, not Out Town. Out Town is that _other_ play. #
  • Planning ahead, I want to audition for Sabrina Fair at Kudzu (Jan 6,7) and Driving Miss Daisy at Act1 (Jan6,8). Wit at Onstage Atlanta (???) #
  • I think I can get back into Pat Hurley’s Advanced Scene at the Alliance in January as well. Will be working monologues with him in any case. #
  • But if I win the lottery, travel will be first order of business. Somewhere with a hammock and an ocean breeze. #
  • Yes, Alaska does have an ocean breeze, but I am thinking somewhere more tropical. #
  • DO’H! Arena Football League suspends the 2009 season. Double DO’H. At least we get our money back for season tickets. #AFL http://is.gd/c0TR. #
  • So ready to leave work. 23 more minutes to go, then off to a @gwtgladiators game tonight. #

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Nominated for a MAT Award

The 2008 Metropolitan Atlanta Theater Awards nominations were announced yesterday. The two plays that I was in and reviewed were Breaking Legs and A Christmas Story.

Breaking Legs at Kudzu Playhouse
Best Major Supporting Actor in a Play – Chris Arapoglou –  “Mike Francisco”
Best Minor Supporting Actor in a Play – Jay Croft –  “Frankie Salvucci”
Best Set Design in a Play – Wally Hinds

A Christmas Story at ACT1 Theater
Best Minor Supporting Actress in a Play – Martha Kennedy –  “Miss Shields”
Youth Award in a Play – Bobby Cookson –  “Ralphie Parker”
Youth Award in a Play – Andrew Hudson –  “Randy Parker”
Best Costume Design in a Play – Anne Voller
Best Set Design in a Play – Rich Vandever & Gayley Crockett
Best Lighting Design in a Play – Murray Mann
Best Sound Design in a Play – Murray Mann