THE UNIVERSITY THEATRE PLAYERS CHAPTER OF
THE TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY EX-STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
GREENROOM NOTES
July 18, 2008
"Green Room everyone! It is time for notes"- Ron Schulz
GOOD HEAVENS, PEOPLE! HAS IT REALLY BEEN TWO MONTHS SINCE I GOT OUT AN EDITION OF
THE NOTES?
My stars and garters, this whole Jimmy’s Traveling Equine and Canine Extravaganza (Jimmy’s Traveling Dog and Pony show, for those of you who are a little more down-to-earth)has gotten completely out of control. Since last I wrote I have been to New York City twice (I’m currently writing to you from my office in Times Square), Los Angeles, San Francisco and Philadelphia. Not to mention dealing with my duties in Chicago – which include one or two of my “saloon singer” gigs each month.
And at the end of the month I go to Seattle. I can’t wait to go back to work (which happens on August 4) so I can catch my breath and relax a little. Yeah, that’s going to happen.
Well, let’s see if I can help you catch up on what the other Players are up to. I’m not the only one who’s busy. First, a belated (my fault) announcement from Cole Cantleberry.
Jimmy
Well, believe it not, I made it. I graduated from Texas Tech University this May. And I have a job. I just saw Patrick's post for the Majestic Theatre and I don't know if i am the first, but I also hopped on that board. So, I am gratefully employed and happy as a clam in San Antonio for anyone who wants to visit. Plus, this also proves that the network works.
Thanks again, Players,
Cole
Happy Alumni of May ‘08
Congratulations, Cole! I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get back to the Hubopolis for the festivities, but now I have an additional reason to visit San
Antonio.
Next, Judy Blue trots out her memories of the Irene Ryans.
Well, here's what I remember – and it’s STILL damn well on my resume (in teeny letters, at the bottom, don't worry) so it better be true! Please let me know if I dreamed it! - in discussing the Irene Ryans at the Kennedy Center - The brilliant Matt Posey kept me as his partner in our CRY OF PLAYERS scene at the '78 or '79 Kennedy Center IR Awards and I won the (what was for the partners of the contenders) Honorable Mention award. I walked up to Lynne Fontaine on stage, and she had to ask
the fellow pushing her throne forward (she could not have been walking) "now, what did she win?" She peered at me from her amazing blue eyes and I think touched my hand. I was in awe. Matt was brilliant - Dr. Sorensen was brilliant. It was all very cool - except the (what were they called?) the All American Singers or something. Please someone tell me if I dreamed all this - but as I recall it was a very special time for all of us- ...and thanks for asking...
Love,
Judy Blue in Chicago
Cry of Players was after my time (just barely) but I remember preparing a couple of auditions with Judy in my probably best forgotten role as pianist. One, I believe, was Send In The Clowns – with Cindy Melby Phanuef “image dancing”. The other was The Millers Son. Both, of course, were from A Little Night Music. I probably played Clowns fairly well, it’s just within my skill range. But I cannot imagine how I ever got through the allegro section of Millers Son. Judy, do you recall that at all? Or has God, in mercy, stricken it from your brain?
Bill Kerns checks in.
Hi Jimmy,
I just wanted to say thanks again for ramrodding these updates and letting us keep up with all the familiar names from Texas Tech stages.
Wow, Fred says HE feels old? I think -- think -- I was talking to Tawny Mertes before she even was old enough to enroll at Tech. (Wait, you may want to rephrase that for me; I sound like a stalker.)
And good for Patrick! His news is great enough to warrant the sharing of martinis, although I would nominate Patrick to make them!
I have no huge news. I am still following Lubbock theater, a bit bummed out that there will be no Summer Rep this year.
I have knee surgery coming up soon, which bums me out even more. But I'll be back with my pen and notebook soon enough.
I'm really proud of everyone mentioned.
Take care and God bless,
Bill (William's still the byline) Kerns
Oh, I don’t think we need to worry about rephrasing for you. We all know you well enough to know what you meant, and we do love trying to analyze what you really meant when you wrote (insert favorite phrase from a BK review here). I think by this time you should be well recovered from the surgery, so I hope everything is all better now.
I’m pleased to be able to tell you we have a note from our Distinguished Elder Player, Jeff Coffey.
Howdy James and all:
A few days late for my annual check in, Just checked in for my 87th year! Goin' on 88, expecting 100? My cardiologist has promised a party at his house at 90.
Guess the biggest things that have happened to me this year are falling down situations. Did not mean to, but it happened. One fall - lost the sight in my right eye (my good eye) for a time. Have macular degeneration in the left eye. Correctable vision has returned to right eye.
Next fall - just a couple of weeks ago. This time managed to land on both knees, hands and head. Too bad there wasn't more head and less knee - head is OK but have a fractured left knee cap.
As one ages different people do different things to keep excitement in their lives. These 'falls' were not planned, but put some excitement in my family's life as well as mine.
Break a leg!!!!!!
Jeff Coffey
Jeff, I’m thinking that maybe you should look at trying to pick up young girls in disreputable bars as a way of adding excitement to your life. It’s probably just as destructive, but a whole lot more fun. As I understand it. Yes, I’m thinking that might be a plan for you.
Next, a note from new Player Aaron McFarland.
Dear Jimmy,
My name is Aaron McFarland. I am a recent TTU graduate and hopefully in the next month I will be moving out to L.A. Dr. Jonathan Marks told me that there were quite a few Texas Tech Alumni out in California that might be able to give me a few pointers. Right now I am planning (as much
as I know how to) to move out there. Find a place to live, then get a job…etc. But really I have no idea what I am doing. A friend of mine is moving to Burbank with her sister and is going to look for apartments for me when she get’s there, but other then that I have no real plan. So I was wondering if you, or anyone you know could give me advice on how to find a place to live, and a job. Is it better to find a place online, then move out, or drive out then find a place.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Aaron T. McFarland
Okay, LA Players. I dispensed Uncle Jimmy’s patented advice on moving to a new city and getting your life started there. But I am not “in situ”,
as it were, in LALAwood. So anyone with ideas, let’s have them. Of course, it’s been so long since I got this note, Aaron’s probably running a studio by now.
Aaron Jennejahn has some information about an upcoming production for those of you who might be wandering the Rockies in August.
Hello friends,
Here is a little marketing publicity for the new show I am doing called "Pedro and the Captain" which premiers at the Boulder International Fringe Festival in August. In the event that any of you should happen to be in CO at that time, I can arrange tickets! (Long shot, I know!)
Anywho, thanks for taking the time to check it out!
-Aaron
There are worse places to be than Colorado in August. Maybe some of you should think about a little vacation away from the heat?
Finally, Zach Elms checks
in.
Hey James and GRN!
I am checking in and I will bypass much of the news about me for the past year. It has been a long, long year. I just wanted to ask if anyone out there has any connections, assistantships or other go-to jobs in film or other camera experience opportunities near the Dallas and North Texas area I have many students that are looking for some/any experience they can get working cameras or film. I work as a high school teacher in Plano for now and my students are happily working with me on large stage sets and other theatre experience; but I am coming up short in getting them some camera experience. The school does have a TV station and some of the students have been
working the cameras for the TV station, but they are seeking more experience. These students are incredible students, (all are "A" students and very eager) help me find them an avenue to meet their needs.
Thank you,
Zachary Elms
I can’t imagine some of you Dallas
folks don’t have connections with people who need interns and such. So let’s get back to Zach.
Okay, it’s 6:00, and the last of my office staff is packing up and leaving. But more importantly, it’s 94 degrees here in NYC, and the air conditioning in my office goes off in fifteen minutes. So I’m wrapping this up and getting out of here.
That’s it for this time.
Don’t forget to check the board as you leave!
Jimmy