A Quick Update

Hi all!

I've been slightly absent from the blog recently, but I'm taking a break amidst the Thanksgiving festivities to pop in and say hello! Rehearsal is keeping me super busy, but our show open next Saturday and I'll have much more time to shift my focus back to the blog.

I've recently been given some suggestions for new monologues, so I'm really excited to look them up and tackle them when I get back to Chicago. That said, I echo Whitney's post below...

We want YOU, playwrights!

Don't hide behind that computer screen because I know you're out there! We went to college with some talented folks AND I've met some talented folks since moving to Chicago, so...send us your stuff!

Speaking from the heart, new material is my favorite material to perform. One of the monologues I've been doing since I moved to Chicago was something I wrote and it's always gotten a good reception. Casting directors get tired of hearing the same monologues over and over and I get tired of doing them. It's great to have some "standards" in your repertoire, but the new work or the in-development work is the work that gets an actor remembered. And more than once I've had a casting director ask me what the monologue was from and write down the title and author. So they're not just paying attention to the actors. They are paying attention to the material too!

Okay. Enough begging. Time for some coffee, some breakfast and a shower. My family and I have a busy day of museum going and I've got Christmas gifts to finish later.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend and make sure not to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the next 4 weeks. Take some time to enjoy a warm cup of cocoa by the light of the Christmas tree. (Or the lights decorating your windows if you live in an studio and have no room for Christmas tree, like me. :) )

With gratitude,
Kristi

We Suck.

Let's just call it like it is. We suck at updating this blog.

Speaking from my end, I know I toy with your hearts. I promise you update after update and then no update comes. I tell you I'm working on things, but keep you in the dark. Well, I'm turning on a light because here's what happened to me.

I got cast in a show.

First, let me just say...about damn time! Second, let me apologize (again) for not sending more updates. I'm trying to figure out how to manage my schedule between working a full time job, a part time job and rehearsing a show. Quite frankly, at the end of the day, the only thing I want to do is read a book or watch TV.

This show has been especially challenging because not only do we sing the entire show, but we're also using puppets. And having never done any puppetry before, I'm learning a whole new skill. For instance, did you know puppets breathe? I sure didn't.

So, although I know our relationship is hanging on by a thread, stay with us! Even if we don't blog about it, we are definitely still working toward our goal of 50 monologues found, cut, memorized and blocked by Memorial Day 2011.

And a great big thanks to everyone who voted in our poll! Looks like we're going to be on the hunt for some awesome new plays. (I actually have one in mind already, I'm just waiting for it to be published)

Also, if you're in the Chicagoland area and want to see my show, Blue Nativity, visit Quest Theatre Ensemble's webpage for more info. Info on the show should be up this weekend.

Thanks all for sticking with us.

With gratitude -
Kristi

You want me to read for who?

I learned something at my audition last night.

I need to stop typecasting myself.

type·cast

 [tahyp-kast, -kahst]

–verb (used with object), -cast, -cast·ing. Theater .

1. to cast (a performer) in a role that requires characteristics of physique, manner, personality, etc., similar to those possessed by the performer.

2. to cast (a performer) repeatedly in a kind of role closely patterned after that of the actor's previous successes.

3. to stereotype: He realizes now he's been typecast as an executive errand boy.

At my callback, they asked me to read for the “dumb blonde” character. I have never in my life been called back for the dumb blonde, Valley girl, head cheerleader character. Ever. They didn’t tell me who I was being called back for in advance and when I found out, I was so shocked I basically blew the audition.

But why was I shocked?

Just because I’ve never been cast or asked to audition for that type of role before doesn’t mean I can’t do it. Shouldn’t an actor be able to play all types of roles? Why am I pigeonholing myself?

I’m noticing that I’m choosing the same types of monologues too. They all tend to be kind of quirky or funny; characters that I usually get cast as and identify with.

At my first audition, those directors saw something in me that told them I could be right for this character. I should take that as a compliment. They saw abilities in me that I don’t see in myself and had confidence that I could perform in that role. (Too bad I blew it…) Funnily enough, I've actually been told by more than one person recently that I have a look and a personality that could go either way; ingenue or character.

I think the problem is that when you are in high school and college, you tend to get typecast as one role. Mostly because directors need someone who can fill that part and they have a limited pool to choose from. So you don't always get to flex your acting muscles and work outside the box. The trouble starts when you break out into the real acting world and all of a sudden discover (like me) that if you only audition for a certain role or with material that leans toward a certain type, you have seriously limited the amount of opportunities that you are going to have.

So what do I do about this?

Well first, I need a little self confidence boost. I am a strong, smart, well rounded, capable actor. As long as I can tell the story, I can play the role. (Maybe I'll start saying this to myself in the mirror every day. Jessica, anyone?)

Second I’m resolving to pick more monologues that are out of my comfort zone. Let’s say the next 3 monologues I chose must be against "type" for me.'

But……

……hold me to that, would ya?

*thanks www.dictionary.com for the definition of "typecast"!

PS: While the video blog was fun times, don't get spoiled! Do you think free time grows on trees?

Positivity

I had a great audition this morning.

Nothing puts me in a good mood like having a smooth audition. I did not have to do a monologue, but I did have to sing. I felt I sang well and I was asked by the auditor to sing the song a second time, with some direction he gave me.

I love getting constructive criticism in auditions. It really helps to hear people's impressions of what you are doing and what they feel you can improve on. I wish there was more time in auditions for people to give feedback. Everyone would get so much better at auditioning if this was the case.

On the monologue front, I haven't done much this week. I just sort of dropped the ball. But I have to get back on the wagon because it's audition season in Chicago!

More on that later...


-Kristi