You Have Five Minutes #4

Starstruck: a Benefit for “Gentleman Gene” Colan at The Henry Miller Library, Big Sur. Saturday, August 15: 6:30pm reception, 7:30pm performance. $12.80 advance admission, $20.00 at the door. Featuring Lance Roger Axt, Victoria Blaszczak, Arden Eaton, David Manchel, Geoff Mutch, and Barbara Smythe, with Lance Roger Axt, Rob Eaton, and David Manchel on SFX.

Our first rehearsal last night in the space, focusing on Heart Has No Location, Heavenly Shades, and Outskirts, done before 9:00 (y’know, because these are five minute plays). The goal, as far as I can see, beyond putting on a technically perfect piece in front of a live audience, is specificity. My acting teacher, Brian McEleney, always encouraged us to go further, never settle for halfway, and that’s what I in turn encourage: make big, but realistic choices. Do what you have to do and say what you have to say based on what the playwright gives you, otherwise you will sound completely disconnected from the action of the piece.

Oh, hang on a tic – Beth and David’s dog wants a quick game of fetch…

…and we’re back. Also met with our pianist – yes, we actually have a pianist; this is a classy show, y’know – the awesome Ernie Sturdevant, who will supply us with original tunes for Algernon’s plays, and possibly a few SFX here and there. Also have a guitarist, Mike Weaver, for Drink Before the Dark, Fred’s tale of the weird, weird west (which seems to be a trend these days in audio…I’ve written a weird west piece, as has Andrew Davis and Sonia James’ company…huh…). Oh yeah…we got a wind machine!