THE UNIVERSITY THEATRE PLAYERS CHAPTER OF
THE TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY EX-STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
GREENROOM NOTES

March 13, 2009

"Green Room everyone! It is time for notes"- Ron Schulz

Oh, children, children!  I fear I have no recourse at this time but to quote scripture.  “Pride goeth before a fall, and a haughty spirit before destruction.”  Here’s what happened.  A couple of weeks ago I went to my doctor for my regular check-up.  For a person who has put as many miles on his chassis as I have, I’m in remarkably good health.  Some of you may recall that I have had a lifetime history of problems with upper respiratory complaints.  No, the irony in that is not lost on me.  What you probably don’t know is that several years ago I had a rather nasty bout of pneumonia and that lost pretty much half a lung to scar tissue.  So we were particularly happy about the fact that I hadn’t had any problems in well over a year.  The word smug might be applicable.

Well, see the above scripture.  Just days thereafter, I came down with a nasty case of what I call “old opera disease”.  This is that nasty upper respiratory complaint that seems to mimic consumption, without the flattering weight loss.  At least on the operatic stage, seemingly “robust” women die of it all the time, usually while singing things that require the lung capacity of a wooly mammoth.  It’s been two weeks now, and I’m still trying to cough up the lung and a half I have left.  At this point I don’t actually feel too bad, and I did lose most of my holiday weight gain, but all this coughing is just exhausting.  More for my colleagues who have to listen to what sound like my final death throes than for me, but still, I try to be considerate.

I’m sure I’ll pull through and be over this in just a few more days, but just in case – Deborah, you know where the spare key is hidden.  I have instructions everywhere for the authorities to call you first.  Get here before my mother can and get rid of the evidence. 

Okay, way too much more than enough about me.  Thanks to all of you who wrote me personal notes after the last edition.  I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such good friends.  I know that I owe some of you responses, and I swear I will get around to them.  Now on to the mail.

First we have a note from one of our younger Players, Millie Casillas.

Hey Everyone!

I am glad to read see the Greenroom notes happening again. I completely understand how busy it can get though. I myself have been really busy lately. It's my senior year and I am in my last semester here at Tech!! I will officially be an alumni after May9th hopefully, haha.
This January Script Raiders produced the 24 Hour Play Festival and it was a huge success! FULL HOUSE! Our actors couldn't even watch the shows because there were no extra seats in the Lab to seat them. I was very pleased with the turnout and will  hopefully put up the videos on youtube at some point in my life...I am still working on putting the clips together to make it a complete DVD. I am not good with that stuff, though.
I am in two of the RROAPS shows this semester and a Film Project being directed by Amy Kim and written by Dr. Norman Bert. It is called "Llano Estacado Blues." I will talk more details about that later.

FANTASTIC NEWS: I want to share my happiness and news that I have been accepted into Dell' Arte International School of Physical Theatre and will begin with their Professional 1yr Training program and hopefully keep going to finish an MFA there. I am thrilled about starting this October if all goes well. If I hadn't been an Irene Ryan nominee last year and gone to KCACTF last February, I wouldn't have been recruited into applying for them. I want to thank Texas Tech's Theatre & Dance Dept. for having given me such an opportunity. Luckily, a Dell' Arte recruiter saw my Final round performance, liked what he saw and got my contact information. :D I AM SUPER EXCITED!!

Hope everyone is doing great!

-Millie Casillas

P.S. Hi Becca!!!

Congratulations, Millie!  Players have a long history of doing well at the Irene Ryans, and it’s good to see that tradition is continuing.

For you folks in the Chicago area, I got a note from Scott Gryder giving me information about a show he’s performing March 22 and 29 at 3160. 3160 happens to be a club that I perform at on the odd occasion as well.  You can get more information at thescottgryder.com.  Click on “Desperate House Managers”.

And a note from Patrick Donnelly.

A big thank you to Jimmy for continuing the GreenRoom Notes.  I have missed them.

Things are going very well here in San Antonio.  The Majestic and Empire theatres are in the midst of a very busy season, and Cole Cantleberry and yours truly Uncle Patrick are cranking out shows with speed and efficiency.

Uncle Patrick recently got to live out one little fanasy.  We had Gordon Lightfoot at the Majestic for a one night gig.  While asking him to autograph our walls (the dressing room hallway is a virtual museum of graffiti from shows) I got to personally thank him for his song "Don Quixote" and thank him for turning me on to the book. His song has been in my heart and head, and the book has been a favorite, since the 70's.  I have seen and met Gord several times over my career, but this was the first time I had a really private moment to personally thank him for guiding me to Cervantes fabulous work.  A small dream come true.

We have a big season in full swing, take a look at (www.majesticempire.com).  The biggest on the horizon is "Wicked" for 32 performances in June, but we have plenty of other great biz before then.

Next week we are shooting a video having three live performances of  "Cheech and Chong".

My stoner daze are really coming back to roost.

What's happening with y'all out there?

And Jimmy: anytime you need a pinch-writer/Stag e Manager for the Notes......Uncle Patrick would be happy to step in.  We started the Notes over a decade ago.  Wow.

One other thing.  I have noticed a real change since coming back to the Majestic.  I worked here in the early 80's and was the "new kid." Now I am the old guy and everyone calls me "Sir."  Instead of being a young smart mouth now I am considered to be eccentric and high-spirited. 

Whoda thunk it?  I am respectable!  What a concept.

Uncle Patrick

Oh, Patrick.  In my heart you will never be respectable.  It’s why I love you so.

Remember, if folks are glad to hear from me, think how excited they will be when someone interesting – like you – writes in!

That’s it for this time.

Don’t forget to check the board as you leave!

Jimmy