Showing posts with label Theatre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Theatre. Show all posts

22 December 2011

Costumes (teaser)






Some sketches from the development of the as of yet unannounced possibly not
going to actually happen show. I'd like for it to happen though. Knock on wood.

On a bright note. Since my incredibly depressing second to last post I have
acquired three shows for which I will be coordinating props. Feast or Famine.
I can hardly bear it. I also applied for a position with Bloomingdale's as an
associate visual merchandiser; that is the one we hope goes through.
Still, it is nice to be employed again.

16 September 2011

Nothing But Show

Brief glances caught of the outside world while out collecting
odds and ends for this round of shows. Before the onset of post
Labor Day chill crept into the NYC air, making shorts and A/C
units disappear by the hundreds.








These shows are lovely though, and quite different from
each other although oddly linked.


LEMON SKY is an autobiographical-ish play by the recently late Lanford Wilson,
and the first of his plays to be produced since his death. It deals with his
experiences living with his estranged father and step family in San Diego in
the 1950's. A sort of fever dream coming out story where you are never sure
when the characters are talking to you or each other as the premise is he has
gathered these actors together in order to present the goings on of his past.


Bill Clark's amazingly minimal set.
Shopping Mid-Century with a 1100$ budget was anything but simple.





My hands still hurt from webbing these damn chairs, which was
necessary as you I couldn't find them anywhere for a reasonable price.
So of course we made them.



Play It Cool is also set in 1950's California but in Hollywood. This is the
story of Mary, a butch lesbian bar owner trying to keep her lady from running
off with MGM while keeping her bar open by paying off the cops. All set to
stunning jazz arrangements. I'm not usually one for musicals, but this one
is truly great, and the company and crew are fantastic to work with.




Tom Walsh's amazing bi-level set.
Can you believe this is in the same space as
The Shoemaker & The Pretty Trap?
(see previous post)




27 August 2011

Showing the Work


Installation of The Pretty Trap.


Shelving unit for The Shoemaker.





The Shoemaker, as seen from the operations booth.


Wallpapering for The Pretty Trap.


The Shoemaker set behind the set of The Pretty Trap, which was disassembled
weekly during Shoemaker performances and stored behind that set.



Assembled Props waiting to be placed for The Pretty Trap.




The finished set, complete with actors.


Rex Reed telling stories about Tennessee Williams and New Orleans
on the opening night of the Pretty Trap, which is one of two rough
drafts of Mr. Williams' The Glass Menagerie, at The Acorn Theatre.




15 July 2011

Where I've been...

Shopping for shows.
Endlessly Shopping. For shows.

What is the big deal with gramophones and
shows recently?! Yes, I can find you a
gramophone but you will not want to pay for
the type of gramophone you are wanting.


Show #1.



Stunning. 20 foot projection screens, puppetry, solid writing.
When it says it's like watching a film onstage it is telling the truth.
It rehearsed here in NYC, came from Japan, and is in crates ready to be
sent to Edinburgh Fringe in August.

Show #2.

The Shoemaker, by Susan Charlotte.

This one is now in previews, sold out previews at that. Not surprisingly
everyone loves Mr. Aiello. The stage managers have to come close to
physically removing people from the theatre after the show's talk backs
as he will talk for hours if you let him.

BTW, recreating a Shoe menders shop on stage is no easy task. Especially when
it has a whole other set hiding behind it. Which would be ...

Show #3.

Tennesee Williams' The Pretty Trap. An alternate version of The Glass Menagerie.
Choc full of antique furniture, real wallpaper and lots and lots of flame
retardant spray. This one opens next month and runs in rep with #2. In the
same theatre.

Next up: Production Design for a small film....we'll see how that goes.

25 February 2011

Its been a minute....I know.

I was unemployed for so long (2 and a half months)
and then suddenly I have three jobs, all wanting
my time. I'm doing a properties scavenger hunt for
Benefactors which opens way too soon at Theatre Row.
I'm scheduled to do some scenic painting at the York
Theatre soon, though what I have no idea.
And perhaps best of all, I am in concept design stage
for what looks to be a fantastic, demanding, arduous
and breathtaking spectacle whose name I cannot release
yet. I very much want to take a home office pic and
post it but I'm certain that is a no no. For now.
I will say that is loaded with fur and sequins and
there is hardly a straight bit of tailoring save for
a tuxedo. That is until I figure out how to adapt it
to our needs. Mink crinoline anyone?

Some things that have been on my mind recently:

1. What are you?
I get asked this constantly, and usually in a seeming
non-threatening way. However, asking this question to a
person of mixed heritage usually makes us feel like you
are asking us to qualify ourselves. I am a person first
and foremost leave it at that.

2. Theory and Practice:
To truly excel at art, just like sports or law, you
have to work at it tirelessly and daily. Talent may be
something we are born with but it requires upkeep or it
becomes stagnant and rots a little. A few of my friends
are having this issue having taken jobs out of school that
don't really call for drawing or painting capabilities, just
long hours that leave them unable to make any work due to
exhaustion or apathy (her word, not mine.)

3. The end of an era:
What a sad end to the tenure of John Galliano.

4. Asshole Magnet:
That would be me, Ladies and Gentlemen. I managed to
fall for the fleecy exterior of yet another wolf in sheeps
clothing. I believe the deciding factor was on the third date
when he tells me, after I voice a few concerns of mine that he
might be a player and how I don't need that,
"It will sound arrogant, but I've been avoiding calls from
a twenty-one year old boy tonight. I've been ignoring him
to be with you." Am I missing something? Was this meant to
somehow reassuring or complimentary? Where HAVE all the good
men gone? I need some gaurds, all my friends are too busy
with decent relationships to make sure I don't fall in the well.

Some pictures:

At The Demolition Depot in Harlem.
Four floors of the accumulated insides
of Manhattan Mansions Past.



Atop some two by fours rests an enormous oval miracle.



Rain outside the theatre, sideways. At night.

The Menu @ Julius NYC.


This man will get you drunk. Beware.



mon lit. il me manques.

24 February 2011

Wow.



As Found by Richert S.

I promise to type more soon.
Been a little overwhelmed and
a little in a blog rut recently.
As soon as I can filter my
thoughts into cognizance I
will type it all out.

As a juicy tidbit,
I am now the Costume Designer
of a fairly enormous show opening
Off-Broadway this summer. My
foot is officially in the NYC
design dream door.

19 February 2011

je travaille...



I'm not going to type anything
for fear of jinxing myself.

But this could be huge.

Potentially life changing huge.

28 October 2010

The World Outside Exists

...but I'm not aware of it
.
Still ensconced in the land of make believe.
Wallenberg opens Saturday.
Which also happens to be my birthday.
I plan on getting a bit into my cups and
possibly hitting on some actors before
dragging myself onto Metro North back to
the city at one am. This show will conclude
the nine shows in three month spree.
Not sure what is next.
I'm sure some sleeping in is involved.

Still need a Halloween costume...
I'm thinking Mummy.


Quelques Photos...
Adorable, non?

Near the Flat Iron Building

Southern comfort dinner of Veuve Cliquot and Popeyes at 2am.

Props!

At work during Technical Rehersal at Wallenberg

Waiting for the train in Harlem

Night falling on the Upper East Side

An A for effort

The awesome Hobnail glass I did not buy last weekend at the flea market