Onstage...kind of...

This last weekend I had the honor of playing the lead in my dear friend Brenda's Staged Play Reading of Daughter of Genius.

You read that right...Genius.  I was the genius.  HA HA HA HA HA HA!  At least I'm a good actor.  This took place as part of the Page to Stage (And that's what she said...) Festival.  It took place at Curtis Theater which is a really cool spot.

I was actually quite nervous for this, even though it was a staged reading, the fact that I had so many lines and most of those lines were talking about math and words I didn't even know how to pronounce or what they friggin meant!  Pat helped me with a lot of the math stuff.  I Google Pronounced a lot.  And the cast helped keep me on track.  We only had 2 rehearsals and good lord I could have used a couple more to get those damn lines down.  (I mean there were lines like infinitesimal and Themestoclea and Pythagoras....WTF!)

But once the performance was up I was told I did fantastic!  Sounded like I actually knew what I was talking about!  Yay!!  Brenda seemed super happy with it and the crowd really enjoyed it.

Right before we headed out

Back in the lights!

Worked with some really great actors!

The director set it up as a classic staged reading, so we weren't blocked out like some of the others. 

The theater also had a Barbie Box!

Heather is the one that puts this whole thing together!

Look I'm a Barbie!

Theatre has been interesting for me lately.  About a month ago I was asked to audition for the title role of this really great show.  I was super flattered to be asked.  And honestly - I would have killed it.  But I just couldn't do it.  That many lines, Irish accent, I just don't have it in me right now.  After this damn hemorrhage it does seem my brain is a little wonked.  I was super crushed and found myself crying as if I lost a friend.  I talked to my friend Amber who was very empathetic and validated how I was feeling.  I realized this was the 1st time a really great opportunity presented itself in something I used to love doing so much and I had to say no.  But then another show popped up - looked fun.  Physical comedy!  Right up my alley!  Plus it was an ensemble piece.  I researched the show and realized there was a perfect part for me.  Less of a line load but all kinds of funny stuff to do onstage.  I went out to audition and when I got there realized the role I wanted was basically already cast.  I almost left, but thought I should still audition just to exercise that muscle. I wasn't feeling 100% that night unfortunately and pretty much knowing I didn't have the role made it a bit of a rough night, but it actually felt good to be onstage again - at least trying.  I truly do miss theatre so much and I hope another show like this one pops up again that I can audition for.  

This reading followed right after, so it does seem the Universe wants me back out there.  Now if I can just get the chance...

War of the Worlds...

So.  I did a play.

I had agreed to do this play during my favorite time of year for a multitude of reasons:

• I knew and loved the director
• It was only one weekend
• I had back to back weddings during my favorite month so I was losing Halloween Fun Time anyway, so maybe this was just to be a limited Halloween Fun Time Year
• I loved the concept that the director pitched to me
• My good friend Tully was in it
• It was a radio show - so we'd have our lines in front of us, hence - less anxiety
• The theater was freakin cool!
• I've been dying to get back onstage again

Unfortunately most of this did not pan out and it was actually not a very good experience.  I will not go into specifics here, but let's just say the concept didn't happen, there was a lot of miscommunication between everyone involved and there was lots of offstage drama, among some other BS and blah blah blah.

BUT - there was some good stuff and that's what I'm going to share here.

1st of all - the people who did get out to see it - really enjoyed it!  I'm not going to lie - I didn't promote it as much as I normally would have because of all the frustrations and it wasn't what I signed on for, but I did promote it a bit towards the end and a few peeps came out.  A bunch of co-workers, my mom (of course - she'd come even if I told her not too) and Keri, Pat, his mom and his little and my friend Noel!  There were a few other theatre friends that knew bunches of us in the show that came out that was nice to see as well.  And everyone who came seemed to dig it, so that made me feel alot better about the end product.

And there was a photo booth....

How cute is my mom?!

2nd - our costumer used to work with us back in the old Rude Guerilla days and would bring her little girl when she would do costumes.  This little darling Bailey would run around the dressing rooms and play with us when Heather would be there and guess what - SHE'S NOW 18!  And doing hair and makeup!  So guess who did our hair!!!?  Yup - the little girl who used to run around the dressing room.  And she's damn good!

That's gonna be my hair!

So rad!!!

I did meet some very cool peeps - especially this one -

Roxanne

We pulled it together and ended up putting on a cute show.  People dug it.  I did enjoy moments for sure.  My favorites were the folks that were super familiar with the original broadcast and you could here their responses during the show.  I'm always going to love live theater.  What can I say :)

Amber shot these great photos below! You can follow her IG at @claudiusthegod23

I think this is my favorite picture

I'm glad it came together and that people dug it and I'm always glad to get back onstage!

1930's Olive Thomas

Another one in the books!!!

Project #WomenGetLoud...

I did a one night show!

Some of my girlfriends have started a really great group called Project Le Femme.  They decided to do a show on Thursday March 8th, which is International Women's Day.  Stages offered up their space and BAM - a show is ready to go.

They gathered a few different female artists and asked me to be a part of the scene and the movement piece.  I was more than excited to partake.  They sent me the script and said "You're playing Anne!".  I panicked.  Basically an 8/9 page monologue! I also had less than 2 weeks to memorize this.



Now the gal who wrote and directed it did have 8 rehearsals scheduled.  This is a lot for a one night show, but I was totally down since I had the biggest line load.  These rehearsals ended up being a combination of the movement piece rehearsals and rehearsals for the scene, so let's just say it got a little hairy there for a couple of weeks, but it came together.  Everyone in the cast was super sweet and supportive of my anxiety shooting through the roof.  And the gals running the thing were always very encouraging.

Show date came.  I got there way early to run over and over the scene in the theater (we weren't in there until the day of) and it was time!!!

It ended up coming together beautifully.  Almost a full house.  I only fucked up a couple of times but most didn't notice.  And I can officially put "Movement" on my acting resume!  Ha!

The proceeds of the show went to She Should Run, a fantastic organization and we raised $500!

I have to say I was so honored to be a part of such a great night of theatre!  Equality and Human Rights are a huge passion of mine, and being able to be a part of something like this was awesome!

A huge thank you to the folks who came out to support me.  My mom, of course - she's seriously probably my biggest supporter.  Two of my best friends Robin and Taylor.  My boyfriend Patrick (who brought me flowers!!!!  Squeeeaaaa!).  Then Pia and her mans and Jen and her mans from my work!  Plus of course all the theatre friends.  So rad!!!  Taylor took a bunch of pictures that you'll see below.

It opened with "No Longer" original movement piece by Emily Brauer Rogers, choreographed and directed by Sandra Moore.  We all wore red bandanas symbolizing our loss of our voice.  Then we come together as sisters helping each other find our voices.  It was pretty cool to be a part of!

My screwing around on Insta picture

 Next up was  "Bad Feminist" by Roxane Gay, read with permission by Jeanetta Rich.  Jeanetta was lovely, and her littles joined her onstage, although they weren't as into it.  Ha!

Kids were over it

Then came "Labels" original monologue by Amber Scott.  Now this one was the highlight for me because Amber is one of my dearest friends.  This piece was raw, real and beautiful.  I'm so damn proud of Amber for putting this piece out there my heart could just burst.  She got wonderful well deserved feedback!  Go Ber!!!

My girl

Then was my big scene "Coffee Clash" original script by Andrea Marie Freeman.

Trying not to pass out

Heather Enriquez, Jami McCoy, Wendy Karn and Amy Lauren Gettys

My favorite picture

After this was "Dedicated" original spoken word poetry by Jeanetta Rich.  

Then "The Ugly Files" conceived by Jenni-Lynn Brick. Performed by Heather Enriquez and Patti Cumby.

And last but definitely not least was Selections from the original show "The Common Denominator" and the original book "This is Me" by Tina A. Burkhalter.

Tina was wonderful and passionate and I loved watching her.

Curtain Call!

Then of course I had to share my beautiful flowers from Patrick:

So pretty!

 All in all it was a fantastic night of theatre, poetry, movement, spoken word and all around awesome-ness!!!  Such an empowering wonderful event!

DeathTrap Run...

This will be posted after we're closed but I'm starting it now.

We opened!!!!

We had a helluva rough and frustrating Tech Week but that's why it's called Hell Week right?  Anywhoo - the damn thing is up and seems to be well received so far!

Here's our publicity shots:

Michael Keeney as Porter and Thom Gilbert as Sidney

Myself as Helga Ten Dorp, Jackie Melbourn as Myra and Thom as Sydney

No, I'm not grabbing her boob

Die Keeney!

Will I predict your future?

Thom as Sidney and Lucas Gust as Clifford

I don't know why I love this picture so much

I kinda look high

DeathTrap Cast

What stunned the hell out of me was opening weekend was pretty much sold out!  What?!  Right?  Opening night was great.  Yes, there were stumbles and line flubs but the crowd loved it!  It was so awesome to hear laughter and the oooos & aaahhs as the reveals happened.  My friend Noel surprised me and came that evening.  He loved it!  Sat night Jill Carey (Our Gertrude in S&A) came and supported and Sunday our friend Christine came!  So that was awesome.

I find myself now running backstage when the reveals happen to see if the audience reacts.  I love it!

I'm pretty bored backstage which makes for some fun photos!  Here's opening weekend shots:

Costumes just chillin

Scary Lucas!

Backstage Shenanigans

We're backstage the most.  We get bored.

Cast Wall

Great start!

Weekend 2 - another 3 performances of full houses!  Friday night was a little rough, but the 1st Friday back always seems to be.  A friend of mine from work and her hubs came and they loved it!  So guess the rough spots didn't show!  Saturday night was probably our best show yet - Lucas was on fire and it just felt good.  Sunday matinee brought my biggest crowd - Ma, Keri, Taylor, Rick and Justin and his roomie who came all the way down from Glendale!!!  Hearing Rick laugh almost through me a few times. Everyone really enjoyed it they said.  Afterwards we all went to Karl Strauss for a lovely dinner!   Another old co-worker of mine came on Friday night and she posted something really nice and emailed me:

Post: Saw a fun play, "Death Trap," at the small Attic theater in Santa Ana yesterday. Very well done and we thought the psychic did a particularly good job! This is one of those small local theaters that deserves to be supported. It's the friendliest place and no bad seats. We paid the modest full price because we wanted specific seats and like to support the theater, but you can get discounted tickets on Goldstar. Warning, it's hard to find with a Fairview address but the theater is facing Segerstrom and set well back from the street.

Email: You did a wonderful job in the Death Trap yesterday. My husband kept extolling your acting skills ("she's a natural actress") all the way home. That's a huge compliment coming from him as he's not easily impressed by anyone's acting skills.

Another bit of praise shared by Jack: Someone came up to me yesterday and said they saw it at Long Beach Playhouse and really didn't like it - couldn't even remember the cast or the plot. However, he loved our production.
Also, there is a man who has directed at the Attic many times and I got this email:
Wow!
We enjoyed the show so much. Acting, directing, sets -- all amazing. Please pass along our raves to the cast and crew. There have been so few small cast shows at The Attic. Wonderful the see The Attic do something different. And so well.

So nice right?! 

I didn't take many pics this weekend but did get a couple when I finally got all our cast together for a few min and convinced them to do a group selfie!

 
One more weekend to go!

And here we are - another show in the books.

Closing weekend shots:

Jackie always brought yummy snacks.  I may have gained 10 pounds

Backstage now adays.  Everyone on their phones.

Clifford getting murdered - or was he?

Last time Helga is heading out

Jackie's "I'm finished!" pose

My favorite picture of the entire run

Last weekend was fantastic.  Full houses again!  Friday night my boss and a couple of co-workers came.  We met for dinner at Seasons 52 beforehand but I jetted out early.  Then Melissa, Anna and I got drinks at Karl Strauss after.  They all dug the show!

Saturday night Libby, Glen, Glen's Sis Anita and Hailey all came.  I was a bit worried Hailey may be bored but they all really liked it!  When I was chatting with them about the play being a little boring for Hailey, Anita said "Maybe - but because you were in it, she dug it.  Her eyes got big everytime you came onstage.".  My heart swelled.  Then Lib said she was on the edge of the seat everytime I was out there.  So rad.  I love that she can see me in shows now!

Sunday close was lovely.
Dad, Terri, Robin and her date all came!  Yay!  Terri brought me an awesome little skull wine topper for my presie!  Almost a sold out crowd!  I think they may have been the most responsive as well.  Lots of laughs and gasps.  Terri, Dad and I hit up Pueblo afterwards which was delish!!!

Happy, Full and Tipsy!

This show was a bear getting up.  I'm not going to lie - the rehearsal process was not the best.  BUT - the cast rallied and kicked ass.  I really did adore working with these folks.  Everyone was super professional, super cool and did great work.  I'm thrilled to have made some more friends and contacts.  The show had a really successful 3 week run.  I'm sure the Attic Theatre is appreciative of the money we brought in for them.  Jack thanked us all on the closing performance as did Kathy.  Both of them very heartfelt and sincere.  We closed with a bang and I'm so glad the performances were successful and fun!  So long Helga Ten Dorp!  It was fun playing you and making people laugh!

Little notes from some of the cast.  Farewell Deathtrap!