Photo A Day 57

So this truly looked cooler in person. And the camera snapped a second late.  It was even more impressive right before. But still...Let's here it fr Robbie and Brandon fightin' away.

R&J fight rehearsal

Macbeth rehearsals, 1918 the radio show, and just a nice little update.

So much has been going on, It's hard to know where to start. This year started with a bang, then a pop, but now we're up and running again.
Real quick..survival job laid me off.  But don't worry.  I'm elated.  My time is my own again.  And I have a few things in the works/on the horizon that could garner me some funds.  It's not all terrible.  And I'll pimp myself out as back ground for an easy day's worth of work.  I hate it...but I'll do it.

So in the land of Patrick the actor, this is the first full week of rehearsals with American Globe.  I cannot tell you how much fun I am having.  I've railed on this before and I will again I'm sure, but its sad that being treated as a professional is such a rare thing in this artistic world.  I hate having to point out those few times when I'm appreciated and not treated like second class.  American Globe is amazing to its actors.  The small staff that runs it can not be anymore amazing.  I hope hope hope that I do not screw this up in some way.  I want a nice long loving relationship with this company.  I walk into rehearsal and instantly feel..."ah, my people."  So yes, rehearsals have been going really well.  And the combat rehearsals....hello thighs on fire.  But it's a good pain.  Stage combat, and maybe more specifically, weilding a sword really does come back to you after a few minutes.  I can hear my mentor's voice in my head yelling obscenities when I make juvenile mistakes.

also..I like that my internal combat voice is that of my mentor.

But it's a good sign that I know when I'm wrong.  I didn't forget this stuff, and it wasn't tainted by some crazy outdoor fighting styles.

So we dove right in learning the final fight between Macbeth and Macduff.  There is a bit i'm rusty on, but it's coming up.  Some things just feel natural, you know?  I just have to get these moves into my body.  That, and learn how to handle the hilt of the freakin claymore.  It's more sword than you need.  But then again, Macduff defeats Macbeth...I should have a badass sword, no?  I should name it.....anyway.  The first fight rehearsal I left soaking wet.  Drenched with sweat.  And I loved it!  I hate the gym.  I've tried.  but I just can't go.  Put me in a studio and work on fight choreography and I'm your man.  I'll take fighting over gyming any day.  So far the fight is a rough skeleton that will be filled in with so much good stuff I can't freakin wait.  There are some great moves to show that these two guys are seasoned combatants.  They're just hacking away at eachother.  Good time.s

And scene work has also been going really well.  It's mainly been some basic blocking rehearsals, but we've been able to delve into character fodder as we're looking at traffic patterns and going over the text in these.  I know the real work hasn't come yet, and I'm both scared and excited.  Macbeth is so well known and people think it's so easy.  Um..Macduff's children and wife are brutally murdered.  He also is the first to see the king in all his dead gorey goodness.  There is this horribly sad rage behind his eyes.  I'll find it.  Along with getting my mouth around the line "Oh Horror Horror horror."  Yeah, good luck with that.

In other news, the trailer for the radio show I'm in dropped this week.  You can download it for free here...ITUNES!!!!  or you can go watch the video version of the trailer at the website for 1918.   Just click on the "episodes" link.  This is the amazing project that elevated me to AFTRA status.  So thank you!

The episodes themselves will come out on March first...we're getting so close to the deadline and I cannot wait to hear the finished product. I believe our director and producers are working on some final edits this weekend.  Support radio theater people!
At least check out the website.  There is some great content on there and hopefully will be more soon.  Like the episodes themselves.  Exciting times, I told you.  In case I never mentioned what it's about fully, here is the blurb about the show:

It’s 1918 and aliens have crash landed on the planet.  At the climax of World War I, Axis and Allied scientist are racing to find uses for alien technology.  Triplanes and Sopwith camels are rigged with laser systems.  Believed dead after being shot down, Manfred Von Richtofen, the infamous Red Baron is restored to health as a cybornetic robot and enlisted to aid Germany in it’s quest to fight the return of the aliens.  But the key to their quest lies in the hands – or rather the voice – of a talented, capable and tenacious vocalist, Evelyn Ceriwyn, and the bumbling, but charming scientist, Dr.Henry Isotope. 


Guess who I am....The bumbling but charming scientist, Dr. Henry Isotope. I like it.  It's a good name.


Also this week I've been working on my first website commissioned by dancer/choreographer Seth Miner.  I really do love working for my fellow artists.  Dancers, actors, anyone in our field.  I've never worked on a dance site though so I'm doing my best to try to instill a sense of movement.  Because after all dancers move.  Right?  So you'll be seeing a link to the finished product shortly.  I hope to have it finished by the end of the month as long as we can get all the information in on time.  The only problem with artists is that we're all so busy.  So deadlines sometimes come and go and are replaced with projects.  It's all good.  The interwebs aren't going anywhere.


Ah, yes.  And I also picked up some more headshots.  I went with my alternate look this time.  Something new for a while.  Thank you reproductions.  They really are the best when it comes to printing.  I tried to go to my corner copy place....don't ever do that for headshots.  ever.  I'm not sure what they printed out, but it sure didn't look like me.  So yay reproductions and thank you for all you do.  The photos look awesome and i'm looking to trying them out for the first time physically tomorrow at an audition for an Independent.  We'll see how that goes.


And now I must be off to memorize some more lines.  Our script is cut.  A lot.  But that doesn't make memorization any easier. 


longest blog post ever..methinks.  you're welcome.

Globe, American style!

Shakespeare has been good to me.  I'm sure, like a lot of other actors out there, there is a debt of gratitude to the bard for all he left us.  My career is quickly being shaped as a Shakespearean actor.  I don't mind.  It worked for Captain Picard.  Might as well ride his coat tails, so-to-speak.  I also seek out auditions for Shakespeare.  Also not a bad thing.  Go with that you know, right?  It's worked so far.

Granted I've messed up my fair share of auditions.  I recently auditioned for the Adirondack's Shakes Fest. Yup, blew that one.  Score for me.  I have no idea why either.  I just got up, started talking and realized, woa, that horrible stench is me.  Yup, stinking up the room alright.  Follow THAT all you other auditioners. Well, I know one place that will not be hiring me this summer.  Oh well.  It happens.  An off day.

I've just been feeling a little restless though.  I have a few tiny projects here and there, but nothing of any real merit on the horizon.  I guess its the nomad or gypsy or mummer that's inside all of us performers.  Its hard to stop and sit still for too long.  And after too long you start to go to this scarey place in your head.  Keep Out damnit!

So anyway, I've been tiptoeing near that door.  Fringe left me with such a high and recording the voice for a radio show just added to it that now i feel...AHHHHHH Nothing is going on and I'm bombing auditions!  Enter, American Globe.    I auditioned for them in the spring and then played the waiting game all summer/fall. I knew this of course.  They told me they'd maybe be in touch for callbacks in the fall.  So I wait, patiently.

and wait..
and wait...and Ring!  Called in for a call back.  They're casting their school tour of Macbeth and I was called in to read for the Porter, a witch and Rosse.  I'm all prepared like a good little Shakespearean actor, I get there early, greeted with such warmth..(they're really good people)  So I read and I'm asked to read some more, Macbeth even!  It's a good day.  Call back goes better than can be expected and I'm kinda riding a little high.  I'm invited to the fight call the following weekend.  I feel like as long as they can see that i can swing a sword and pick up choreography, I'm in.  (yeah, I was pretty self confident.  Sometimes you need that) The only issues, we were told we'd be off for a week in April, a week I've already made travel plans for.    And apparently there is 1 performance that week.

Well I get to the fight call, no one said not to come, so I'm thinking they moved that day or something miraculous has happened.  In fact they emailed me more sides to read earlier that day prior to the group call.  Fight call happens.  Great stuff.  I'm very excited, good work out and they all looked pleased at not only my work, but the work of all the combatants.  They keep us all a little after just to give us some info about the tour and guess what?  That one conflict has been rescheduled.  Now of course i'm thinking...they want me.  But I'm sure its been moved so the whole cast, whomever it may be, gets a week off.  but still....Happy dance.

So I go on my merry way for the day. About 2 hours later my phone rings and it's the Globe, I'm in!  I was on the subway laughing to myself.  A happy weekend indeed.  So now I know I have a job coming up in the new year.  And with a company that I've been wanting to work with for far too long. So hooray and thank you Will for yet another role.  Oh, who have I been cast as? One of the murderers, Duncan, and Macduff.  Great fights abound!  I am definitely looking forward to this.

Stage Combat

This is such a long time coming. A few years ago I had the pleasure (?) of working at the NY Renn Faire. I know I know. I only did it for a year then flew the coop. I was hired as a fighter. Thankfully there is some video that survives of those fights. They're not the best choreographed, but when you're playing in the round it's really difficult to make a fight look THAT good to everyone. Some one is going to see a feint, or a knap, or notice that your blade goes nowhere near your opponant. But it's still good fun.

I started trying to compile all the video I have of me in order to piece together a reel. This will not make the cut...see what I did there with the sword fighting pun? But I stumbled on it. It simultaneously made me cringe from memories of bad pay, over acting, and mead; as well as smile because of a very small group of friends I did make while I was there. You five know who I'm talking about. So without further ado.....

Fight Fight Action World Go!

** Updated and made the video NOT private. I'm smart I am. Thanks for pointing this out Mr. Schwabe