Really, it's interesting, READ IT!

Screw you guys, I am going home

Its the end of the summer - and I am exhausted.   

11 weeks in Whitefield, NH as the PSM of the Weathervane Theatre, doing 7 shows in rotating rep, and having a nervous breakdown all at once was not the easiest summer vacation I have ever had.  But the temperature has dropped drastically and the company has already scattered to the four winds,  the handful left here are the old timers who are doing the clean up that is needed when 30 people live, work, and play in one house.

Just want to send out a thank you to you folks who helped me this summer,  Brian and Aimee, without whom the shows would have been ass, Jay, for coming out to the middle of nowhere to pick my lost ass up in the middle of the night.  Molly and Jacques for being there when i was on the figurative ledge.  Chad, Nate, and Ted for getting the shit done, and Betsy, Claire, Rien, and Anya in the costume shop for pulling all night pants and bloomer parties, when sleep would have been so much better for them. 

And thanks Anya for being a touchstone for me, giving me perspective, showing incredible faith and trust in me, and always having my back

Next stop, the Bronx and another PHANTOM concert event

I have not given up

OK,

I know  the last couple of blogs have been a bit, well   dramatic maybe? 

I have had a a bit of a manic summer.  Lots of different issues coming to a head in my brain. Those of you who really know me, know that when I get thoughts in there then tend to just bounce off every stray neuron and synapis.

I have been considering some very drastic changes in my life,  including a stray thought to some permanent changes

Through all this I am glad I have had the support of my friends bit here in Whitefield,  and at home in NYC and NJ via email

I am not giving up yet.

Been Real busy

Hey there gentle readers

I know I know I know, I haven't blogged in almost a month.   Well I don't have much time now, but by this time tomorrow I will be putting up what I hope will be an interesting bit of news to share,

Hope you come back for it

ACTORS BEWARE UNDERSTUDIES BEARING GIFTS!...

Now I know its very hard to get work in show biz and acting is a very competitive field,  but this story takes the cake

Dosing the Dew

Thanks to Warner over at the Wayside Theatre for sharing

Theatre is art...

but art can be commerical.

I just finished up a corporate gig.  And I have to say, its pretty lucrative work.   a 35 minute concert of broadway music with a cast of 11 thrown together in 1 week, with all original arrangements.

It was no small task either, but it was amazing the talent we pulled together on this one.  It always amazing to watch talented people work for me.  I don't know what it is about it.  But when I see talented people working, and I know I had something to do with the show coming together, it makes me feel like I am with them there on stage.

They were all also very generous and kind people (so those of you out there who think I don't appreciate and respect actors from things Ihave said here before, see this,  I have said something nice about the talent.)

Every gig is different, there is no way to recreate the factors of any given performance, I have been amazingly lucky to get surrounded by talented people so often.

Everything Old is New Again

OK,  its way to late and I need to be up way to early but since i can't sleep i might as well do something,,,

I have had a recent spat of very sophmoric behavior.  That is not a bad thing, In fact it has been pretty cool, I have recently re-connected with a lot of folks i haven't talked to in years. decades (gasp) even.  And talking, hanging out with, them brought back a lot of memories and feelings,  too be honest I was never really fond of High School. I didn't dislike it  but it was never a place that i felt fostered any of the talents, skills or loves that I had

And since I have talked to some folks, i realized,  It was that way for everyone.  No one could possibly come out of high school with any sense of self.  In fact I am amazed that I am still working in the same field i began studing in 1990 in college.

Anyway...   Its been fun chatting with and making friends again with these folks, even you Paul LOL

Getting off the Merry Go Round?

Hey

I am really thinking about taking a break.  I have been getting a dimishing reward from my work lately.  Its not that I don't enjoy this show, or the people I am working with, who for the most part are great bunch of people.  Its just that it is not really fulfilling, i am not getting excited about going to work.  I want to be excited by my work! I need to be excited by it.  So I think I need to take time away from stage management.  I need to be sharp to really get work in NYC and I just feel so drained.  I want to do a third season at WV this summer and with the season on tap there I need to be at the top of my game, assuming they want me back.

I want to stay in the business,  my skills are mostly techinical, but I want to start working more on the producing end of production.  I want to be challanged, engaged.  i am looking for a position that allows me to be adaptive, use my mind, my skills, my passions.

So what do I do?

Do I explore other long term employment options outside the business?  Can I make a career change out of the business at this point in my life?  35 is on the horizion.

I don't admit to this often, but I am a little bit afraid of where my life is going, because its not going anywhere near where I want it to, not professionally, not personally

I don't fear the future. I don't want to.  I know something will come up,  something always does for me,  something to get me by.  I have a knack of taking care, getting by. 

I want more.

New York Renaissance

Hey there!

Sorry for the long time between posts.  I have been a bit busy of late.

For those of you who haven't heard, I have finally got a place in the city.  I live uptown at 173rd and Fort Washington,  right off the A-train!  Its only a sub-let til the end of November, but by then my buddy Steve should be up here and we will be getting a place (probably Brooklyn)

Anyway... first off.  Thanks all for the birthday wishes,  another year older.  I didn't do anything like last year tho since I was in the middle of closing a show. (CONSTRUCTION)  It was a great run there at Theatre on 5(the old Mint Theatre) and  there may be more to come.  I am not going to jinx it by saying too much, but here is hoping.

So what I am doing now is a show called "STUMPS".  Its by Mark Medoff, and deals with to disabled Vietnam vets who want to make an erotic film in the beginning of the 80's.  It is not anywhere near as funny as it sounds.  It's actually a drama.  It is being produced by Nicu's Spoon and  it will open in late October and run into November.

So what else am I doing?  I am just enjoying NYC.  Right now I am sitting out in the park behind Dodger Spaces (lots of open wireless connections out here).   Plus its New York,  you never know who is going to walk by. 

In fact the director of CONSTRUCTION just walked by.   He told me things are moving forward for the show,  but its still too early to say much.

I just need to say this,  DAMN THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD LOOKING WOMEN JUST WALKING AROUND THIS CITY!

OK well  I leave you with this thought.   

If it's Half Hour,  who does the other half belong too?

GO YANKS

Knave

Its a Small World...

This is not news to any of you, but damn is NYC a small town.  Especially when it comes to the Theatre Community.

So I have been working on CONSTRUCTION (running through 10/2 at THEATRE 5 311 W 43 St, 5th Floor) for two and half weeks now.  Of course I got this gig through Lynne (Thanks again) and since I have been working in the city everyday, I have managed to run into someone from my past just about every day. Now I am not gonna drop any names of the TONY (TM) winners and Nominees, or any TV Stars I have the met.  However, I am going to tell you about the last few Blasts from the Past I have had.

The University of Michigan, in recent years, has produced a great number of successful Theatre Professionals, (makes me wish I was a bit more social back in the day) And of course I had my share of crushes on the many beautiful actresses over the years.  Had a lot of wonder where they are now thoughts recently. 

The first is Brooke,  Brooke is a musical theatre actress that I found with the help of FRIENDSTER(TM).  Its your normal, looking through your friend's friends story.  A couple of emails, and a acquaintance is renewed. Hopefully we will get to meet up for a drink and catch up properly...

The next story is part of the nature of the Theatre Community of NYC...

So I am at the theatre where my show is performing (one of those converted spaces in midtown) I got there a little early and got my work done, so I sit in the green room, reading a magazine, eating a sandwich, and this attractive woman comes in to use the photocopier (our green room shares space with the MINT THEATRE down on the third floor) Now she is very pretty, and of course I babble around pretty women, so I make a conscience effort to not to do that...

"Don't I know you?"

I DID NOT JUST SAY THAT

"Yes, David, we went to college together."

As I look into this woman's eyes, I notice the smudge of brown in the blue and green sparkle of her right eye.

"Danielle?"

Oh my gods, I had such a crush on this woman during my sophmore year.  So after the requist resume catch up...

"So do you want to get a drink"

I DIDN'T JUST SAY THAT

"Tonight is not good, I would love too..."

YEAH. OK MM-HMMM ...

"Here is my number, call me next week"

So the next day, on my way into the theatre, I decide to stick my nose in at the MINT, see what the deal is there, maybe happen to bump into Danielle...

Oh look headshots of the cast,  uh  CHRISTINE ALBRIGHT? wow,  the Bianca, from the second production of KISS ME KATE that I did ( the one in Virgina).  So wow what have you been.....

It was just so weird running into so many people from my past in the last two weeks...  I wish I had the time to find a few others, maybe.  If your an old friend of mine reading this and not already on my friendster... send me an email, let me know!

Oh a postscript to the whole small world/Uof Michigan theatre thing...

One day on the bus this week, I glanced through the NY Post (it was there, I didn't buy it) After reading the sports pages, the comics, and the TV sections, I began to flip through the rest of the paper. I reach "Page Six" and glance over the bits of celebrity gossip, There I happen to read a piece on David Schwimmer out for a romantic evening with an actress, Sabine Singh, and I am like Oh my God, I remember sitting in Helen Newberry Hall talking with her for hours. 

Oh by the way..

Just for all of you who worry so much about me

I HAVE NOT WORN MY STOPWATCH IN OVER 5 DAYS!

I am still shaking a bit from the withdrawl

And now its time to say goodbye

ltIts 1:40 on Wednesday morning, and barring a sudden creative urge while waiting for my ride,  this is most likely my last blog from the Spruces in 2005. 

its down to the last half dozen or so,  with a 3 of us leaving by noon tomorrow.  Nate Jordan is teaching now, but still helps out when he can after school with the last bits.  Chad (who is still on Pacific time, and I just cleaned out the company fridges,  Man you people left a lot of crap in there.  Luckily  I was never at a loss for something to eat,  Since there were plenty of deli meat left (thanks Barrett) Cheese and a bag of Turkey Pepperoni.

Looking ahead,  my next project is called CONSTRUCTION,  its a showcase written by Victor Hawks, from Urinetown.  I am only just reading the script,  the version I have is actually and earlier draft, so far so good,   i will let you know more when I am done.  After that finishes I go to Nicu's Spoon for their production of STUMPS,  which they are doing with a double cast,  one right behind the other performing in ASL the other speaking. 

Going back to NY means picking up my personal life,  reminding my causal social friends who I am, perhaps actually have a second or third date with someone (by the way,  feel free to set me up with your single female friends,  Just make sure they don't break two of the three rules I have for dating (http://daveknave.blogs.friendster.com/my_blog/2005/06/post.html)  yes I have decided, that if I ever date again, that I have to accept the fact that I rarely meet anyone who doesn't break at least 1 of the rules, and the ones who don't break any the rules, are usually not available.

Ok  I could go on and on about the great people I worked with this summer, but they all have big enough egos, so I will just say goodnight to you all

See you in New York

Oh-bla Di, Oh-Bla Da

Life goes on...

here at the Weathervane. There is only a dozen or so of us left here,  including Chad Rowe, who just returned for a few days to close up the theatre.   By Friday I think just about everyone who is leaving New Hampshire will have left.  The mood here is raucous while also sometimes sullen. 

I think I had a really great summer,  Got to work a bunch of people i like, doing something I love.  How lucky is that?  Seriously,  how many people out there working in some office, with a boss they can't stand doing nothing but generate paperwork for someone else to file. We touch a lot of lives here in the North Country this summer, including each others. 

I spent the last week of the season trying to really listen to everyone, I met one on one with many of the staff, and with as many of the actors who would/could spare the time and relate to me their experience this summer,  and I hope that the ones I haven't still will sometime over a pint at McHale's or Kevin St. James in the next week.   I hope that with the feedback I got from this company, that I can make the 2006 company's experience that much better.  Plus I really appreciate the feedback you folks have been giving me on me personally.  It's good to know that what I do is respected and appreciated.

I know that I will be in touch with all of these folks again,  and those who want to stay in touch will keep in touch. 

Oh  and   I am working on throwing another midtown birthday social event in the beginning of October and I hope Jim Bray, Bianca Carragher, and Raina Saul join in (We all have the same birthday) So keep your email boxes peeled for an invite as soon as the details are set.

A quick shout out to KSK - Good luck to you at the NY Innovative Theatre Awards

A quick shout out to Joe and Kate,  congrats on the engagement!

A quick shout out to Lloyd Carr - BEAT NOTRE DAME

Thanks again WV'ers for a great summer

DKnave

The end is here, but the momemt has been prepared for....

...Or maybe not.

So its the end of the season... 

The last show, West Side Story opened well, and in Weathervane fashion, just got better with each run.   We had to have our electrics hand go on for one of the Jets (Nate),  He did very well all things considered, Thanks Alex!

This weekend we had the traditional Weathervane Christmas Party (after a week of Secret Santa gift exchange.)  I figured out my Santa on the 2 day (Thanks Lyn!) I got Sharon, a member of the Intern Co.   I did a lot of little things, sort of like last year. Since we didn't have as much time this year I couldn't do a lot of what I wanted to do,  but I managed to make the Intern Co. T-shirt, which is always a big hit.

Then I got very drunk.  But I heard there were a few folks worse off than me.

So   We got the end of the year coming up,  it doesn't look like there will be problems closing up. 

I have to say,  I really like this group this year (not that I didn't like last year's group, mind you) 

I think I freak them out a little tho -  I mean I know I can be an odd duck,  and I have issues with casual conversation,  I just can't small talk,  i don't know why?  Anyone else notice that?  I also think sometimes I talk too much(yes i know I ramble, but that is not what I mean) I mean sometimes I catch myself dominating conversations with information that may or may not be interesting to the person I am talking too.  But its not like I like the sound of my voice or anything.  And Its not like I am not comfortable with comfortable silences. 

(long comfortable silence)

See?  So like I said,  this has been a very cool group to work with,  they have bonded together  nicely.   I wish I had gotten closer to them when I had the chance (in fact that always seems to be the case) I get so hung up on keeping a professional distance.  Some of you know, I can lose objectivity if I get too close. 

OK, well I have to call it a night,  lots to do tomorrow...  cause when I get back to NYC I have no job, no car and no place to live yet.  Anyone know someone  who needs a subletter or a roommate?  spread the word!

Hey Yankee fans,  when I get back I wanna do a ballgame,  who wants to go?  I am thinking either the Baltimore or Toronto Series.

Seriously, what is it about us?

I am writing this to know genuinely your thoughts. So please feel free to post them here on my comments, start a discussion.

Are Human Beings truly capable of monogamy? And are people in the theatre community more prone to infidelity?

OK, for starters, this is not an indictment of anyone in particular, this is something I have wonder for sometime, since it has been something I personally struggled with, and as I reach a point in my life where I do want to think long term, I want to know if I am deluding myself.

Now of course, infidelity is not anything new, and I know it happens out there in the world in general.  But "the life we lead" in the theatre seems to create many more opportunities, i mean look where I am now,  living, working, playing with a group of people in close quarters.  And its a group of mostly above average looking people.  We have all put our lives on hold at home, leaving behind the day jobs, and the families and for most, a "significant other" (gods, I really don't like that expression)

So you have all these pretty people spending almost every waking moment together, sometimes under a lot of pressure to get the show up quickly and that pressure has to be vented out someway, right?

Do I need to draw you a map here?

I used to think it was perfectly normal to "recreate" that way.  I mean, its physical right? You like someone one, and you attracted to each other, why not? I have only been in what most would call an ongoing monogamous relationship once or twice in my life. I was seeing someone once for almost a year and a half, and while, i was only seeing her, I knew she was seeing at least one other person,  but  he didn't know about me (well he knew me, but at the time didn't really know, or didn't want to know the extent of our relationship)

Since that ended tho - my relationship barometer has really been knocked out of whack, so I forced boundaries up.  I swear, I used to be a very charming, dare I even say it, I was pretty damn smooth.  But in the past couple of years I have been wanting more, and so I have put down the airs, as it were, just trying to be myself, so that when I meet that person out there, they know what they are getting into, (obligatory evil laugh)

Wow  that went an entirely different direction than I started with, which was Monogamy, So I want to stay on that topic, lets explore my own self confidence issues another time huh?

So why do theatre people have such issues, keeping it zipped up, huh?  Especially on tours, summer stock type situations?  Is the forced isolation to blame?  Really can we blame boredom? Loneliness? Alcohol?  Or is it something in the artistic character, Our need for love and attention on some level that drives us to fill ourselves with the emotional placebo of the hook up? 

Is this just a rant from someone who is not getting any? Maybe?  I don't begrudge anyone their fun? I have been there. Is this age and experience talking?  I have had all these experiences, and I am watching people make the same mistakes I made in my youth, should I tell them directly what I think?

Anyway,  just wondering your thoughts on the matter....

discuss!

UP NEXT...   BACK TO THE STAGE, ANOTHER OPENING AND...  CHRISTMAS?

The Good, The Bad, and the

I was all set tuesday morning to write really great Blog about the opening of ALL THAT JAZZ this past monday.  And it went very well.  JS was not 100% thrilled by it,  but of course he never is,  what director is?  Anyway  Tuesday, we began rehearsal for AIDA,  which, actually will have the most rehearsal time,  the smallest cast of all the musicals and its also the shortest of all the musicals,  but after one day of rehearsals (which honestly was not that hard a day, we actually did a table read!)  and I am just feeling listest,  already taking ginko baloba,  guess I have to start Echennessa too

Re-invigorating

was talking to a friend of mine tonight

She is an actress who has been working at the trade for a few years now, and she was telling me how she was feeling a bit discouraged about the way her career was going,    We talked about how long do you wait, could you leave the life and really be happy doing something else?

Well she booked a show this summer and now she is re charged ready to go back out to that audition machine

it makes me wonder how addictive is this biz called show?  we get the slightest taste  and a ready trade years of our lives for it

its been years since i did anything not even slighty connected to the gig, i can't imagine life on the outside anymore (Help!I'm an institutionalized junkie of the theatre)

THERE HAS TO BE A 12 STEP PROGRAM OUT THERE