New Leaf Theatre

For those of you who haven’t seen it: a view of our space from the rarely-used stage:

Circle reading at the beginning of rehearsal: Kristina Johnson in the foreground; PJ Schoeny, Marsha Harman, and Sean Fawcett in the background:

Marsha and Sean rehearsing Jon Steinhagen’s ‘The Mailman Knows Who Shovels’ …:

…with Jess Hutchinson directing:

Erin Shelton, reading in Bilal Dardai’s ‘Reading Habits of the Drowned Novelist’:

And also reading in ‘Novelist’, PJ and Kristina:

I’ll be honest - for me, about 80% of any given general audition is about getting to know the person who’s just walked in the door.  Because process is so important to me, because I really do believe that theatre is about bringing out the humanity in one another, because I will have to spend at least six weeks of my life working intimately with the folks that I cast - all these factors play into that conviction.  It’s kind of like going on a whole bunch of blind dates all in a row - maybe it’s what speed dating is like?

I mean, of course I’m also trying to determine a lot of other things at the same time - is there anything in the season for this person? how’s his diction? how’s she adapting to our non-traditional space? where might he fit in to the ensemble I’m trying to build? what does the monologue she chose tell me about who she is? all within the same two to four minute time-span.

But, again, I think the biggest one is getting a sense of who this actor is as a person.  Which is why I am pleased as punch with the new option we’ve given as part of our generals this year.  We asked the folks we scheduled (what feels like a paltry 160-some in comparison to the over450 submissions we were lucky to receive), to bring either their favorite two-minute monologue or a story to share.  We just had our first day today (with two more evenings to follow Monday and Tuesday) and I think I can already say that allowing for stories was one of the best ideas we’ve ever had.

The seed of this idea was planted last winter when I was having breakfast with the Touch bunch before a rehearsal and we got to talking about auditions.  They said how working with New Leaf felt unique to them - and how it was interesting that our auditions were still basically the same “cookie cutter” monologue call as a bunch of other companies in town.  How could New Leaf make the very beginning of our process more reflective of a full process with the company?

This got me thinking about the reason we hold generals and wondering if there was a different way to go about them.  The tricky thing is that traditional generals allow you to see a bunch of people quickly, where having something that feels more “Leafy” like a workshop or similar would give us even fewer than 160 opportunities to see new faces.  Kyra (who’s also directing next season - yay!) and I chatted about this when it came time to send out the call for submissions, and decided that even opening the door to something non-traditional in this small way might shake things up in a way we liked, while also giving folks who are more comfy bringing a traditional polished piece the opportunity to show themselves off that way.  But truth be told, we had no idea what would happen.

If I had a dollar for every time today I said to K “that story thing was the best idea ever” - well, I would have at least enough to buy me a drink or two later this evening.  We heard some fantastic stories from some really lovely people today - and the scope and scale of these stories was a little surprising: from guinea pigs to milk cartons to scars to Thai boxing - I’m so grateful for what these folks shared today.  And really pleased we were able to get to know them a little bit better.  We also saw some fantastic, honest, engaging monologues - and had some great convos with those folks on subjects ranging from common friends in the community to those cheddar biscuits at Red Lobster (I freakin’ love those biscuits…).

I love generals - I really do.  I love being told stories - whether in monologue or personal anecdote form.  I’m eager to see what and who the next two days of generals bring us.

Jess wrote last week about our plans for the Mid-North Association’s annual Summerfest.  If you’re just joining us, we commissioned local playwrighting geniuses and Friends of New Leaf Bilal Dardai and Jon Steinhagen to each write a short play based on memoir texts generated by long-time Lincoln Park residents. 

The two plays could not have been more different:  Jon’s  ”The Mailman Knows Who Shovels” follows Jean and Gene through 50 years of marriage and life in the neighborhood in the space of 15 minutes.  Bilal’s “Reading Habits of the Drowned Novelist” involves a time machine in a linen closet, a love triangle, and a reference to Occam’s Razor.  Strangely enough, both plays included a mention of a haunting message on a headstone — “As you are, I once was.  As I am, you will one day be.”   

So as we wrap up our 2008-2009 season, closing the books for the fiscal year, gearing up for 2009-2010, I got to thinking about the cycles and patterns that repeat over the course of a production, a season, a lifetime.  

One of the great joys of a small-scale event like Summerfest is that we get to experience the whole life-cycle of a play in a single day.  10 am - Readthrough.  Encountering the text out loud for the first time.  10:30 - Blocking, tablework. Walking in the world of the play.   11 am -  Run-through!  Can we remember our blocking, even though it’s written down in the scripts we’re still holding? Meanwhile, Nick is watching and listening, creating sound effects and music cues, so we’re ready for 11:30 am - TECH!  After lunch, it’s 1 pm - Opening!  Some nerves, some moments feel rushed.  2:30 pm - Closing!  I have finally relaxed in to the role.  I can enjoy the words, the story, savoring the moments because I know this is my last time with the play.  

In my role as Business Manger, this is the week I get to tie up all the loose ends from the season.  I have ONE more check to write, one more report to print, and then we can put this season to bed.  And as we keep moving forward on plans for next season, it’s interesting to think than in one short year, I’ll be putting that season to bed, too. The plays we we will soon announce will have been designed, cast, rehearsed, teched, marketed, opened, experienced, and closed.  As next season is, this season once was, and as this season is, next season will one day be.  

Raise your hand if you’re humming “to everything, turn, turn, turn” right about now.  Anyone?  Ok.  How many are singing the opening of “Corner of the Sky” from Pippin?  Uh-huh.  And that song from Rent?  Well, if you weren’t before, you probably are now.  You’re welcome.  

This weekend we’re turning something that started as an experiment last year into an annual tradition.  I like traditions.  They feel like checkpoints to me - which I think is why I’m feeling especially eager about this one, since it’s a checkpoint at a time when I feel like I’ve got my feet in two different seasons, which can make a girl a little wobbly.

Summerfest, which is the annual street fair thrown by our friends at the Mid-North Association, happens this Saturday and Sunday right outside our doors at the LPCC.  For the second year (see above re: tradition), we’ve commissed some great short plays from lovely and talented friends of ours, and are bringing in other lovely and talented friends of ours to read them out loud.

These short plays came about in a really cool way this year, too.  Because of our relationship with Mid-North, we were given access to some short memoir pieces written by long-time residents of our Lincoln Park neighborhood.  From a really great collection of memories, images, and reflections, I pulled three pieces of text and sent them to two of my favorite writers - Bilal Dardai and Jon Steinhagen - who promptly returned to me two short scripts that will knock your socks off and then tickle your feet.  And take a look at the actor-types who are going to be playing with us: Marsha Harman, Sean Patrick Fawcett, Erin Shelton, PJ Schoeny, and Kristina Johnson.  I mean, seriously?  These folks are awesome. 

So on Saturday morning we’ll meet for breakfast (of course) and then rehearse and then in the afternoon present two performances of both readings - once at 1 PM and then again at 2:30.  You should totally come check it out if you’re free - it’s free - and there will be corndogs and lemonade outside.  That won’t be free.  But it will be delicious.

And why do I feel like I have feet in two seasons you ask?  Because we are so close to finalizing next year - and because we are having season generals soon.  If you haven’t already submitted and you’d like to, you can check out our website for more info on how to submit your headshot and resume.

What we’re putting together for next season - well, I don’t want to say too much about it just yet, but let’s just say I’m really excited - and we’re poised to jump into another season that promises to challenge and stretch us in new ways.  Good stuff.  Real good stuff.

But in the meantime - seriously, come check us out at Summerfest.  I feel so fortunate to have such talented folks as collaborators, friends, and family, and we would of course love to see you there. 

 The delightful Layne Manzer - whose heart can be won by loyalty (or steak) - shared these thoughts with us right before we entered tech for The Long Count.  It was his first show with New Leaf - but we hope he’ll be back for more.

1. In a word, today I feel: Absorbent

2. I am a theatre artist because: I think this has changed as I’ve continued to mature in my theater experience. I remember it used to be because I needed to perform. It was a very selfish thing. I needed that attention. Luckily I feel that I have become a utensil to tell a story. I have the opportunity to be used to as a channel to tell a story that creates challenge to the audience and affects intellectually, emotionally, and/or spiritually. I am a theater artist because I am able to find enjoyment in fulfilling my piece in the theater “puzzle” for the projects I work on.

3. I am a theatre artist in Chicago because: Well, honestly it is close to where I was raised (Nebraska) which is why I am the most familiar with this city. I find Chicago the most approachable and least pretentious of cities to do theater. There is an amazing storefront appeal that is a recognizable voice of this city that I really am drawn to. The community is very tightly interwoven and allows for a lot of highly inspirational & experimental art to take place because of the very supportive artistic home we have here.

4. In regards to The Long Count:

               a) Today, I am most excited about:
Watching the technical elements play with what we have been establishing since day one. There has been an overseeing eye that has been taking into account all the lights, sound, music, set, etc. and we are finally getting the chance to bring each of these new characters into our process as another member of the ensemble. Because this show seems to be very fantasy and movement oriented the technical elements have the opportunity to really make bolder choices than in the realm most of the traditional scripted shows I have seen and been a part of and it really influences my work as an artist on this show. 

            b) Today, I am asking myself this question:
Am I going through a long count in my own life? Have I already been through a long count?

5. Five years ago, I thought: everything was the “end of the world” or the start of the “next best thing”. Now, as I have seen a few things cycle out and begin to recognize patterns in my life. I realize that everything has a place and nothing is really the end of the world. If things are not ideal now I just have to hold on and wait and the cycle will come back around. As for those things that I consider the “next best thing” I find out that there is always something bigger and better and I need to be wary where to invest myself.

6. Five years from now, I: will have a castle. Or at least I will have a place to call a castle. I would settle for a condo or a house.

7. In a word, how do we build a future from a present we didn’t expect? BOLDLY