GRN 03-08-08

Needless to say, I’ve been a little busy. I won’t bore you with details, primarily because I don’t want to add to deforestation, even if it is cyber/virtual-deforestation, and there is far more than you ever thought you might want to hear about me. I will say that I am writing this standing up because I have worked my butt off. And I’m breaking one of my primary rules and working on something else in the middle of a performance in order to finally get this out to you. Even as I type, we are in the intermission between Acts II and III of Verdi’s “Falstaff”. The more observant of you might recognize this as having been, at one time, Mr. Shakespeare’s “Merry Wives of Windsor”. On the other hand, you might not. The names are the same, only the plot has been changed to confuse the innocent. In any case, I decided I had to do this because I had a sudden, quite vivid, mental image of Deborah Bigness standing with phone in hand, about to dial my mother to see if she had heard from me. I am sure that only Deb’s knowledge of the maelstrom such a call would engender has kept her from setting loose that force of nature.

But enough about me. Let me wipe the virtual dust off the cyber mail and start sharing. First I have a birthday note (sent in November – you can’t imagine how embarrassed I am) from our beloved Producer, Stuart John.

Another birthday rolls around and its time for my 'State of Stuart' message.

My last b-day (belated) note was just before I started a film last spring for Sony Pictures called "Tonight He Comes"(retitled 'John Hancock'). The project, featuring Will Smith and Charlize Theron, was filmed all in Los Angeles. I ran one of the sound stages at Sony and we had location shoots all around. We blocked up sections of downtown and Hollywoodfor weeks. Scheduling was very erratic it seemed like we were running crews 24 hours a day for the whole project. It seems like each film project is more difficult than the last, so god help us on the next one. We wrapped mid- October and not day to soon. I then was called for 'scene augmentations', for the film I was doing this time last year, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons'. Since the scripts were already done we weren't effected by the WGA strike out here. We were on the last day of shooting when I wrenched my right knee so I spent Thanksgiving and my birthday recovering from surgery on said knee. I hope to be up and around byChristmas. It's been a hard year but what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Don't get me wrong, I still have plenty to be thankful for, family, friends, good memories, future opportunities, and as Jimmy O has said, "We're still here".

I do regret that for the last three years I have not been able to participate with the Players network as much as wanted to. Numerous events, public and private, has demanded my attention but, hopefully this can change. I again want to thank Jimmy O for keeping the ghost light burning on the Player stage so all Players can find their marks and rejoin the show. To help us grow I am sponsoring a Website for us. Check out http://www.greenroomplayers.org. We will keep the GRN going as it has been and the website will augment it. We will keep it going as long as The Players want to use it.

Let us know what you think?

Huzzah! The new website is up! Believe it or don’t, I am working on organizing The Notes Archives. I have every edition since I started editing and they are almost in order. They’ll be posted there. I also have some pictures from days gone by that several of you have sent in, so I’ll get those to Stuart as well,

Next on the program is Gary Walters with a report on the “mini-reunion” that he planned – again, back in November. Oy! Is my face red!

Well we pulled off Mark's 50th surprise birthday party like a charm. From the bogus announcement in the Notes, to a fake show that Mark thought he was going to do, he never suspected a thing and a great time was had by all.

Lots of players showed up and several more sent audio wishes we

played at the party, including your hilarious contribution.

I've put together a website with some video, a slideshow and the

audio well-wishes. Those players from the 70s-80s will recognize some

of the names and faces. I'll continue to update the site with more

video clips from the "roast" but for now check out

http://4outof5doctors.com/walt50.html

I checked the link, it’s still good. I will warn you that my audio greeting is rated R for adult language, but it does contain a musical tribute. I know, you’re all shocked to learn that, on occasion, I work blue.

Ooops! There’s my call to the stage. I’ll be right back.

Okay, I’m back, but now we’re in the middle of Barber of Seville. And up to a note from Julie Jones Michaels.

Okay, it's scary how backed up my email is - I haven't read about 10 of the greenrooms!

I have now missed two birthdays ~ we will catch up on that later, it is true I am still 38 tho' in Dog Years I am entirely something else... ;-) My life this last year is one long whirlwind of travel, workshops and lectures, phone calls and email blasts...

The BEST news is that it has become clear I am to return to the THEATATAH and the Ent. Industry this next year! All my Personal Development work is now going on the side and getting the sitcom produced, as well as my Chris Durang type play - The Office of Christ, my new empassioned commitment. (a large 'wahoo' was heard!)

More on all that later.

Say, I have an opp I want to share on the Green room for those who are particularly involved in film and video depts.

Working a little gig for the Geena Davis Institute for Gender in the Media. There is a conference in January we are inviting educators to attend, and also a video PSA contest in particular to all student bodies, focused more directly on arts depts. Very cool prize winning gets to come to Hoooolllywood, dah, dah, dah, dah Hollywood!

The link to check it out is www.thegeenadavisinstitute.org They can write me at info@ to be on the invite list or for more PSA Video Contest info.

To write me personally, please let everyone know my business email is: SacredEleven@aol.com.

And, thanks for all you do for us!!!

Julie Used-To-Be-Jones

Okay, Julie, I’m sorry that I missed getting out your January conference info, but at least Players know that you did it. I haven’t gotten my thirty minute warning yet, so we’re going to go on to (will the humiliation never end?) a holiday letter from Will and Cat Bigham. For my sake, could we pretend that this is a St. Patrick’s Day letter?

Hi friends and family,

Happy Holidays! We have had a very exciting year. Thank you to everyone for all of your love and votes this summer. I thought you might like an update on what Will has been up to since winning "On the Lot". We both feel like we are still on cloud 9, even all of these months later.

Will has an office in Dreamworks. It is really nice with a beautiful view of a fountain out his window. The way his contract works is that it sets him up as a little production company working under the Dreamwork umbrella. He named his company Shamrock Motion Pictures, and he hired a creative executive, Justin Sheehy, to be a part of his team. Justin is a great guy and together they are searching for the next project Will would like to do. He's looking for something with a heightened sense of reality and a little bit of fantasy, sort of like an early Tim Burton film. However, as you have probably heard, there is awriters' strikegoing on. So things have been a little slow as he must abide by all of the strike rules. But this is working to his advantage as it is giving him a chance to make connections with other production companies, producers, directors, etc in town who have the down time with the strike to meet with him. We are hoping that the strike will be over very soon, however, as he would really like to get down to business!

We feel extremely blessed that with his new job we were able to purchase a home, which we never thought would be possible here in L.A.! But we got a great deal on a home in Sun Valley.

The kids are great. Khara is 3 (turning 4 on Christmas) and loves her preschool. Lily is 1 and extremely cute. Cat is enjoying getting the house set up and auditioning and marketing the exercise video series we produced earlier in the year.

Well, this is our unofficial Christmas letter. But we probably will send out our traditional Valentine's Day letter next year. So be looking for it!

It’s always nice when good things happen to good people. The strike is over, so I’m betting that Will will have a project out for us in about twenty minutes.

Still no call, so I’m good to go onto the forwarded updates that Jonathan Marks sends me. He sends news of Adam Zarowski and D’Lisa Holland.

Just because I guess this is where we send info on what we are doing, and I've been working hard and wanted to let you know. I am still teaching High School in El Paso TX, I came into a Ghetto school and developed a theatre department from nothing, where we have already done 6 full shows. I was just named Teacher of the Month this last November. I am also the Speech and Debate coach for the school, and have had three duet acting teams qualify for state. Just to keep up my craft I was also just cast in UTEP's production of Macbeth where I will be playing Macduff. Thanks for everything as always Dr. Marks

Haven’t seen D’Lisa (chocolatedancer) Holland around lately? That’s because she’s teaching Spanish at DeSoto High School in DeSoto, Texas (near Dallas), and directing its show choir.

Dr. M also sent info about Tawney Mertes’ Hollywood Christmas show, but I’m just too embarrassed to put it in here so late after the fact. So let’s just acknowledge that Tawney’s doing well and working out in LALAwood.

Next we have a request from Linda Donahue.

I'm on sabbatical this semester, working on my book about theatre founders and their best advice to those who want to start their own theatres. The book is similar to "Actors on Acting" and "Directors on Directing," but since “Founders on Founding” is a really dumb title, the tentative title is "Starting Your Own Theatre: Best Advice from the Pros." I have a preliminary list of founders, and I will be asking them to submit essays dealing with their personal experiences in starting their theatres. I am looking for those artists/managers who successfully founded theatres between 1960-2005. Can you shoot me an email with any names of founders who might be interested in submitting an essay to the book?

Any contact info would also be greatly appreciated. My e-mail address is below. As an incentive, I will even mention you in the acknowledgements!

I truly thank you in advance for any help in this endeavor!

Note: I previously sent out this plea to current and former students, and I was amazed at the response and how well-connected our students are! TTU is well-represented across the country at a lot of really great theatres. As Graduate Advisor, I keep an e-mail address list on alums. If you didn’t receive my e-mail plea about founders a couple of weeks ago, then you aren’t on my e-mail “Alum List.” If you would like to be, please shoot me an e-mail.

Associate Chair, Graduate Advisor, Head of Arts Administration

(956) 467-0035 (sabbatical phone number ‘til May)

linda.donahue@ttu.edu

Thank goodness I got this out before Linda’s phone number changes in May. I just got my thirty minute call, so I have about fifteen minutes before I have to change my costume and get ready for my next entrance. So let’s see if we can get to an announcement from David Graham.

This summer marks the 40th anniversary of Canterbury Summer Theatre in Michigan City, Indiana, and many Players have worked there over the years. We are creating a "Where Are They Now?" section on our website, and would like to gather short updates on lives/careers.

Please send me your name (include name used at Canterbury, if different), the season(s) you were there, and a short (50 words max) update on what you're doing these days. Include anything you'd like, and it doesn't have to be theatre-related at all. We just want to recognize the many wonderful people who have worked "at Canterbury" during the past several decades.

Send your info to:

David Graham
dawesgra@aol.com

All contact details will be kept confidential.

Thanks!

David Graham
Associate Director
Canterbury Summer Theatre
www.festivalplayersguild.org

I believe that I just have time to get this job posting from Andrew Guapp before I start my change.

Hey there one and all,

Here's a new job posting at UT-Arlington if you or someone you know is interested.

OPENING FOR STAFF POSITION

DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS,

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON.

TITLE: SCENE SHOP SUPERVISOR

Annual position: Full Time. 12 months.

Salary: $31,000 +. Full benefits.

Official Start Date: Sept 1, 2008 .

RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to Technical Director/Production Manager (immediate supervisor) and Theatre Arts Department Chair.

Interfaces with: Students, Faculty, Staff, University Administration, and Community

QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum of B.A. in Theatre. B.F.A. or M.F.A. preferred. Knowledge and experience in all aspects of technical theatre including: scenery and property construction, scene painting, stage rigging, and drafting (Vectorworks). Knowledge of the set-up and running of light and sound equipment. Knowledge of health and safety issues. Administration/supervisory experience and capabilities. Communication skills, especially with non-theatre personnel/public. Facilities management experience.

Coordinate with the Technical Director to:

1. Organize and maintain scene shop equipment in good working order by conducting periodic inspections, cleanings and adjustments and by scheduling repairs when required.

2. Maintain scene shop cleanliness and efficiency.

3. Supervise, construct and finish design items according to designers’ intentions.

4. Supervise use of stock materials and inventory to assure effective and efficient use of materials.

5. Conduct and maintain inventories of shop materials and department equipment.

6. Supervise student work-study and practicum student workers in: Equipment operation and construction techniques; Shop cleaning and maintenance; Show maintenance; Proper storage of materials and equipment; Safety and security.

7. Supervise the theatre storage areas to insure that materials are properly stored.

8. Assist T.D. in supervising show load-ins, rigging and strikes.

9. Assist T.D. in providing rehearsal materials as deemed necessary by production.

10. Supervise, when called upon, the hanging of the light plot and the set-up of sound equipment.

11. Coordinate the ordering of materials for scenic construction with the T.D.

12. Supervise the training of stage crews for the purpose of supporting facility use other than the in-house production season.

13. Be prepared to act in a supervisory role as the “stage manager” for outside group use of the facilities. (Compensation for this would be in addition to salary as long as work time falls outside the normal work hours: 8am-5pm.) “Rentals” are minimal.

14. Work with the Chair of the Department of Theatre Arts in supplying support for faculty and other departmental projects.

Submit letter, resume, and 3 phone references to:

Mr. Kim LaFontaine,

Chair, Department of Theatre Arts, University of Texas at Arlington,

Box 19103, Arlington, TX 76019-0103

Phone: 817.272.2650; Fax: 817.272.2697

On a personal note, I'm about to start directing 45 SECONDS FROM BROADWAY in the Studio at UTA (opens in in 5 weeks), and then I will direct SCAPINO! on the UTA Mainstage in Sept. Other than that, I'm teaching, associate chair of the dept, Performance Focus chair, and so on (a LOT of "so on"). I think Jimmy is wonderful to try to keep this newsletter going for us all.

Andrew Christopher Gaupp (TTU 1972-76)

Let me just say that it makes me feel all warm and glowey when everyone says all these nice things about me. The Notes have always been a labor of love for me, and the only thing that I don’t enjoy is when my life gets so busy that I have to put them aside for a while. I hope that doesn’t happen again.

Okay, there’s the fifteen minute warning and I’m due in the make-up room. Be right back.

I’m back and I haven’t been called to the stage, so either I’m moving fast or the conductor has dozed off. But I should be able to get in this casting call from Angela Gant.

I've got a low-budget film shooting in Fort Worth March 6-17. I know we have alumni in the area, and I hoped you might pass the info on. It's a project I am producing. :-)

Backpage needs extras! Backpage is a mockumentary of four film makers checking out what happens on the old backpage ads of the Dallas Observer (though we won't call it that.)

Sunday March 9th at 3:00 PM. Try your improv skills. Men and women needed to improv monologues for callgirls and callboys from backpage singles ads.

7345 Aberdeen Dr. Fort Worth , TX

(Angela Gant's rent house. The house is unoccupied and only being used for location shoots).

Note: A selected group of four will be asked to reprise their roles for Ridglea Theatre in Fort Worth at 7pm on Friday March 14th. We will be shooting in the lobby and bar area.

Monday March 10th at 5pm at the Science Lecture Theatre at Texas Wesleyan University. Extras to play students.

Thurs March 13th at 6PM at Inn Suites at Beach and I-30 in Fort Worth- for wedding reception. Extra's to play guests. (Beer for those of age.)

If you are available or interested in participating please contact Angela Gant at angelagant@gmail.com.

I know that making the Sunday call is going to be tight, as it’s Sunday morning right now, but this business is all about grabbing opportunity. And I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to get this out sooner, Angela, but maybe you’ll get some folks.