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 want YOU!

All right, playwrights. I know you're out there. I might just start naming names...maybe. Maybe I'll just tag you on the book of face. We still need your submissions here at Monologue Mania! We will TAPE our rehearsals! We will put a voice to your story! Submit at monologuemania@gmail.com. Do it. :)

Anyhoo-I've got an audition tonight. I'm using the Cow poem again in a more edited and concise version (because that's the process my friends: find, edit, perform, tweak, edit again, and test), and I'm singing (because this audition is for a musical!). I'm not going to reveal what I'm singing quite yet, but I'll give you hints: Its a newer rock musical, its by a man with only one name (because he is as cool, if not cooler, than other one-name wonders-ie. Prince), and the musical is about his life. Can you guess the musical?

I'll tell you the answer in my audition update, but otherwise, get thee to an iTunes store and download this music (if you've guessed what it is yet). IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND. Well, I loved it anyway.

Happy Monday!

The Results Are In!!

Alright, I want to send a hearty thank you to the 10 or so people who voted.

There was a definite winner for our poll-An Awesome New Play.

Alas, if only I knew some playwrights that could submit some awesome new works for us to play with...WAIT A MINUTE! I know many of you write (and write well) so don't be shy.

Playwrights are the most important people in theatre-without them, there would be no story. And without a story--there'd be no point to doing theatre. Who wants to stare at a blank stage with actors staring blankly back at you. Not me, no sir.

So come one, come all. CALLING ALL PLAYWRIGHTS!!
If you'd like for us to use your work in an upcoming audition, or just to workshop it, please email us a PDF document to monologuemania@gmail.com. We can give you feedback on our experiences with your work, we'll even video our rehearsal readings. Isn't that just what you're looking for? A way to hear your beautiful new work??!!?!

Happy Writing!

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

A Poll

Hello friends,

In the spirit of election day fast approaching, I thought we should take a new spin on the content of the blog. After all, we're writing for you in addition to documenting our trials and errors for ourselves.

I want to know where you want us to look for the month of November. Have you heard of a great play? Have YOU written something brilliant we could test for you? Got a great article to edit, a TV show to record, a dream that was amazing and you wrote it all down on a pad of paper next to your bed? We want to hear about it!!

Please, fill out the poll below (it will be open until Nov. 8), and post a comment to elaborate on your choice. Part of being a non-lazy, procrastinating actor is to have support that gives us a swift kick in the you-know-what. Don't worry about not knowing our "type" or what kind of material any given audition would call for. Just tell us what you like.

Because we like you. And we hope you like us. :)

What material do you think we should work on next?


Please comment below to elaborate (we'd love titles, links, etc. but we will decide what is appropriate and what is spam. Don't you dare, spammers. I mean it.) or email us at monologuemania2011@gmail.com.

You're awesome. Believe it, and have a safe, happy Halloween.

-Whit

M.I.A.

No, not the singer.

Sorry I have been absent from this blog for so long! I have been sick-o. I'm just now starting to get over something I came down with about 2 weeks ago. It started small and thenknocked. me. out.

I just wanted to let you all know I'm still alive and that I'll be back next week with a fabulous update!

In the meantime, enjoy your Halloween weekend! I am going as Mother Nature. What about you?

--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?