Something stressful this way comes…

Sam Valenzuela and Lalo Lopez acting like hams!

We had a designer run-through last night and the work was very, very rough. There were a lot of questions from people, usually starting with the words “In the script it says…” and then adding a detail that hasn’t been spoken of, or addressed as of yet. It’s funny how many things can be accidentally overlooked when focus is on one aspect of a play.

When we get into the last few weeks before Opening Night, things begin to get stressful sometimes. Everyone begins to intensely focus on the task at hand. People begin to “wear” their characters in the hallways and in the wings while waiting to go on stage. The usual lively jokiness that abounds in the hallways may cause the actors to break concentration.

One of the many things that I try to do is be respectful of my fellow actors and before performances, I try not to fool around if I see them focused on their entrance. One of the worst things that an actor can do is either miss and entrance or come onstage late. I would hate to be the cause of something like that, so I do my best to stay out of the way.

Since we open in two weeks, things are going to be tough and a wee bit on the stressy (yup, it’s a made up word) side. One of the best things that we as actors can do for each other is to know our lines, our scenes and entrances, and to keep the silliness to a minimum. But I have to emphasize that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t stop laughing.

And with these people, I don’t think that will be a problem.

Lalo Lopez, Sam Valenzuela, Jay Vera, Anees Guillen, Maya Malan-Gonzalez, Jessica Castaneda

What a lucky lad am I…

Can you believe after 6 long weeks of silence, I am back on the podcasty waves?

Episode 16

(Click to listen, then do the Muppet dance. YAY!)

One, one run through of Act 1, ah ah ah…

We did an actual run through of Act 1 today, and I was very nervous, because I am not off book as well as I would like to be. So during the scenes I was off stage, I would study the pages in a panicked fury. I think I did alright, but I think I am infused my “villain” with a little too much of the character of Igor. Well, crap!

Elisa says it’s good thing, because it shows that only the most “defective” of people would befriend our main villain. I am just hoping that it doesn’t come off like a big caricature. I want the guy to be slithery and dirty, but still have a touch of humanity.

I was a wee bit excited because some of the people say that my Spanish is getting a lot better.

The run through itself was great to finally do. It’s nice to get an idea of consistency. The musicians of the play were creating a score on the spot. I definitely found that the music added to the overall feel of the play. There was one problem with having the musicians in the rehearsal hall. That little problem has to do with echo. As the music is being figured out, they play at a volume that is much louder than the scene that’s being performed. It occasionally made it difficult to focus on the scene at hand.

The great thing that came out of the run through is that there are some gaps that I had from having to work during some of the rehearsal times.

We have tomorrow night off, so you can surely bet that I will be studying my script.

I should get started on that right…about…now!

South Park creators preview on Broadway!!

Hey look, more religious stuff! Albeit, funny and offensive in all the best ways, Matt Stone and Trey Parker have finally made a musical that is on Broadway. Previews began this past Thursday at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, so you know it’s gonna get some hate mail by Monday. When you check out the website for “The Book of Mormon” under the cast list, there’s a long list of young hungry Broadway veterans and also on there is one Bay Area native, Nick Spangler, who makes his Broadway debut with this show! Congrats to him!!

I never understood a devout person’s need to force feed their beliefs on other people. I am so happy to say “More power to ya for believing as completely as you do.” and mean it, but its not an invitation for you to try and convert me. I love that these guys are brave enough to take on the Mormon corporation and poke it with a stick. Yeah, they are gonna get a ton of angry people and a lot of threats probably, but if anyone can shake it off it’ll be these two.

And so to Mr. Stone and Mr. Parker, your work on South Park always reminds me that we shouldn’t take ourselves so seriously. In doing that show, you also smartly point out the ridiculous things we, as a society, tend to revere. As a fan of everything you’ve created so far especially Orgasmo and BASEketball, and except for Team America (the puppets were creepy), I wish you incredible success with this show. AND I can’t wait to see it!!!!

The more you know…

I love when I talk to people that I am working with. And I don’t mean the usual “Hi, how are you?” kind of stuff. I was so lucky that I had the opportunity to chat with Teatro Vision’s Artistic Director Elisa Alvarado. I am currently working on editing the interview for a podcast, so YAY!!

During my talk with her, I feel like I learned more about why I want to open my own theatre company some day. I doubt that I would be lucky enough to have the same sort of eventful career that she got to have. I think in my head, what I picture is, as Elisa explained to me in the interview, more of a collective than a “company.” There’s something to be said about surrounding yourself with people that you truly enjoy working with and creating good times and experiences with. I hope you enjoy the interview when I get it posted.

The other thing that I love about doing these interviews is that it just inspires me to keep going, to keep working, to keep dreaming, to keep enjoying, and to keep protesting. To make sure that I should do everything I can to help companies that I believe in and to promote the artists that I admire and enjoy.