Drawing a Blank

I think I've reached my mental limit. I had my first official breakdown yesterday, so you could say I'm defanitely feeling the pressure! AH!

What is scary now is that I'm having moments while acting of complete blankness. For example, during my Theatre Projects audition, while in the midst of a monologue I'd been working on almost everyday for a month ... suddenly nothing. Couldn't even flub my way through a dropped line. I totally just stared into space for what seemed like 5 minutes (probably 5 seconds - 5 excrutiating seconds!) Of course I recoverd and carried on and my second piece went better than usual, but still - BLANK! This has also been happening while working on my plays - On Wallflowers I'll just jump ahead 5 pages, it's freaky. So, when rehearsing for Stratford on Monday and I drew a complete blank in one of my monologues I just lost it. I'm freaked that I'll blow this audition, because I've worked so hard. But that's the thing, I've been working so hard on EVERYTHING and it seems like I am barely keeping it all together ... Now I'm ranting. It's just freaky, mostly because Alzheimers runs in my family, so when I have memory loss I do worry probably more than I have to.

Ok, now that I'm done the rant, it's time to pimp Comedy of Errors - Comedy 101. We decided not to present the whole play on Thursday - both to save some highlights for the official run in August, and also because some scenes are weaker than others, and we don't want to show anything below par. So, come out and support Theatre by the River and see an interesting interpretation of The Comedy of Errors on Thursday, and enjoy some tasty treats courtesy of the cast as well! (Show details in post titled Measure some Comedy!)

2 fun things to do on Friday:

SubCity Dwellers Tour 2006 Kick off! at Shannon's Irish Pub, from 10pm - 2am. Bring your Pub membership card to get in the door!

La La LA Dispute Fundraiser upstairs at the King's Head. $6 and there is a silent auction as well. La Dispute is the UofW Fringe show that will be at the Warehouse this summer!

I'm not sure what I'll do - support my friend's band or Fringe show ... maybe I'll just stay home and sleep, and desperately try to increase my momory space.

Save the World in Your Spare Time!

Went to listen to Elizabeth May speak yesterday. She's a lawyer, activist, recipient of many awards, including the International Conservation Award, United Nations Global 500 Award, 2002 Harkin Award from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and was named Officer of the Order of Canada in 2005. She's the former, I believe, Executive Director of The Sierra Club of Canada, because she is now running for leadership of the Green Party, and I don't think that you can't be on boards and stuff, b/c that's apparently against the rules. Oh, politics.

I must say that it was a great event hosted by Manitoba Wildlands. She is a very engaging speaker and I believe that she will be able to bring the Green Party to the next level of government (mainly, not just being on the radar, but stirring the pot! I'm rooting for her to be part of the next debate, because her style will defanitely throw off the other suites fishing for sound bites to say the least). Her strength is that she is extremely knowledgable in not just facts about the environment, but also poicy, as she has been at almost all of the major environmental conferences around the world. This first-hand experience enables her to connect to the public and to explain in plain language why "Someday is now!" and that "Global Security" means more than defeating terrorists.

I did finally put my money where my mouth is and bought a membership to the party. If you've ever voted Green or are thinking about supporting the party, I defanitely encourage it. And buy those memberships right away, because you have to be a member by the 29th of June to vote for the next leader (guess who has my vote!) All you have to do is go to Ms. May's page, and click on the big green button!

Right now I think the Greens have a long way to go, as they're still pretty unorganized. But I believe as they gather members and support, they will inevitably get all they're eggs in one basket and be able to make a run and getting some seats in parliment. To me, it seems they party is at a cross-roads, trying to show that it's more than a bunch of one-issue hippies. Of course, this is the same problem the liberals are having trying to convince the country that they're not all elitist, wealthy business people. So, I've decided to stick with the party and vote for Elizabeth May!

A Message from Thailand

My roommate last year, Nichole Huck, has been in Thailand this past winter. She is a journalist who just graduated from the University of Regina. She's worked for the CBC in the past, and now she is doing some freelance stories for them on her experience working with street children in Thailand. She was interviewed on CBC Saskatchewan morning news a few days ago. Click on the link to hear her interview! http://www.cbc.ca/morningedition/. What I loved about the interview was that so much of what she is learning across the ocean is applicable here. For example, giving money to these young children on the streets is not a good idea, as it encourages more parents to send their children out begging, exposing them to a greater risk for pediphiles and violence. BUT, tourists should instead support local agencies that are helping these children to get off of the streets and to get an education. A great organization here in Winnipeg is RAY (resource assistance for youth - their link is on the right).

I'm so proud of Nichole, she's such an amazing person. She's finishing a documentary now, and hopefully I can get my paws on it in the future and somehow find a way to upload it to my blog (all of my computer savy friends, send me your knowledge!)

I decided that I had to share some of her pictures as well, because they're spectacular!

Jazz Fest etc.

Went to check out some Cool Jazz at Old Market Square this evening at the Winnipeg Jazz Festival. Defanitely go check it out! Alas, I once again missed my bud Alain's band, The Subcity Dwellers, last night in the square because of rehearsal, but I heard them from the car when we were driving Theresa home. If you like some wicked ska, check out their link on the right - you won't regret taking in a show!

I feel I've been totally selfish for these past few weeks. I've been so busy working on my own projects that I'm not really up to speed on what's going on in the world. Not that this blog is an every few days leftist rant on the world, but I take pride in the fact that it's not just a "look into my neat life". But, sadly, that's all I gots for now folks. Oh! Except I did see the live interview with G.W. Bush after his suprise visit to the President of Iraq. All I can say is that Bush is one pompus ass. "I went there to look him in the eye and to see if he has what it takes." And you do? Holy mother of god.

I'm in the midst of some intense rehearsals. We're doing our first stumble through of Wallflowers Sunday, another run of Ugly Ducks, Matt and I have had 2 sessions with David Warburton to work on our 3 Stratford pieces, Theatre Projects audition coming up, Comedy of Errors fundraising show approaching RAPIDLY, and there is one giant ASS HOLE that I have to work with every day that is driving me crazy!!! I finally went to the Doctor today to see if I actually have broncitis because I've been hacking up a lung for 2 weeks now, but I think I just have some intense stress that's crushing my chest. Well, at least it's just stress, much cheaper than prescription medication. SIGH.

On the way home from Jazz Fest tonight there were about 6 cop cars around our building. Turns out some guy who's on the run from the cops barricaded himself in an appartment on the 1st floor. Nutso. If anyone sees anything on the news about what the heck is going on in my building, let me know. Do you think we can oppose a raise in rent due to a police standoff in the building? Shouldn't our rent go down? I think it's only fair!

Well, time for bed b/c I'm playing 4 ball games tomorrow. I'm going to be one stiff cookie on Sunday since I haven't played AT ALL this year. Ugh, this is not going to be good.

Peace out folks! And no worries to my friends out there who have faced the rejection reality at the end of this audition season. It was so funny, as Matt and I were chatting with David after our last meeting we mentioned CofE, and David was like "who's putting that on?" and I said "Well, Matt and I started a company this year to do it" and he's like "Wow, there's companies popping up all over the place, I wonder why?" It's so funny how working actors forget how bloody HARD it is to secure professional work when you're a young gun. I was thinking "Well, since only about 2 actors in our age range will get professional work next year, we kind of have to produce our own stuff or we won't work at all." Oh, the real world, how it smites us.

Measure some Comedy!

Upcoming show information!

Matthew is playing several character roles in Tom-Tom Theatre's Production of Shakspeare's Measure for Measure, directed by Ross McMillan. Go out and see it! Here're the facts:

When: June 9 - 18th. 8pm nightly, Sundays at 2:00, No Show Monday

Where: Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers. Crocus Building, 211 Bannatyne Ave

Cost: $12 / $10 students, seniors, underemployed.

Why: Because Shakespeare's the man! And you gotta do your own shows and not wait by the phone for someone to hire you (You might wait for a looooong time).

Now, if you do go to see Measure for Measure, keep your ticket stub because ....

Theatre by the River is presenting Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors in a "one-night-only" fundraising production. This performance will be a bit of a workshop, as it will be blocked and off-book, but not as polished as it will be when it is presented this summer in Assiniboine Park. Therefore we welcome any feedback! What works, is confusing, awesome, interesting, weird: any and all of the above! The facts:

When: June 29th at 8pm.

Where: Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers (see above).

Cost: $10, $8 if you bring your stub from Measure for Measure!

Why: Raise money for Theatre by the River, to cover production costs.

If you're interested in catching some Shakespeare, you know where to find it! Spread the word!

Class of 2006

Writing this bit from a computer in the library:

Just arrived at the school for graduation. First thing I noticed is that all of the girls have really nice black heels. It said that black shoes are "recommended" - I didn't take that seriously. It's hot and humid outside, so I went comfort all the way. Got my nice green and white striped socks and brown sneaks. But, I must say that I look quite put together with the ol' cap and gown.

It's always at these formal occassions where I realize that my idea of getting dressed up is drastically different than everyone elses. So I'm left thinking "well, at least I'm unique, just being myself" while the little voice in my head that reads the covers and first few pages of fashion magazines in the check-out lines goes "who in their right minds would want to be you? You're a dork."

Ah, well, whatever. Time to go line up and to remain in that position for the next 3 hours. Stay tuned!

Writing this bit from the comfort of home:

That was the longest f'ing thing ever. 8 pages of names, holy crap. I must say that, although I was quite casual about graduating, the meaning of the day didn't hit me until the grads started filing into the Duckworth, which was PACKED, and everyone started clapping. It was amazing! I got a little tear in my eye . . .

In short, the ceremony was too long, the gowns were polyester and didn't breath, but my partents were right there after I got my diploma, as well as Patti who gave me a big hug! So, it was totally worth it. Branigans after was great, as well as the par-tay at the King's Head!

Congratulations to everyone who graduated! We did it! We survived! All the papers, assignments, scenes, productions, exams ... it's all over. AH!

Now, into the world!

A perfect SUMMER night!

"O nature!"

Bloody Brilliant! I want to send a big GO SEE IT to everyone for SIR's A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Assiniboine Park Conservatory. Amazing script (oh Shakespeare, do you ever disappoint?), great actors, beautiful setting, and some clever direction make this a definite hot ticket. Therefore, get your tickets now, as they're selling like hot cakes!

To celebrate the fan-tabulous weather today, I decided to go plant shopping and get my patio all summered out. Now I just need some chairs so we can sit and enjoy it! Our last chair just disappeared one night ... that's a little disturbing since we're on the second floor. Hm...

Graduating tomorrow! I look forward to signing my name: Mel Marginet, BAH.

Isn't it inconvenient

I'm so excited that this film is finally out! I hope that lots of people go out and see it, because that would definitely send a message to the world's governments that the environment is at the top of the priority list of many people. Roger Ebert wrote: "The director, Davis Guggenheim, uses words, images and Gore's concise litany of facts to build a film that is fascinating and relentless. In 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are: You owe it to yourself to see this film. If you do not, and you have grandchildren, you should explain to them why you decided not to."

It is so true that so many people view climate change as being "terrible" but they make no effort in their everyday lives to make a difference because it's too inconvenient. For example, this past weekend a group of cyclists in the city staged another weekly demonstration along the downtown streets. They get together during Friday rush-hours and cycle as a group to promote alternative transportation as being both good for the environmental, as well as for health. Police asked the group to disband because they were holding up traffic, and when the group refused some members were arrested (there's a whole side claiming police brutality, bnothingg's beconfirmedend yet). Anyway, in the Free Press the next day, this guy wrote in that having these "yahoos" on the streets "slowing traffic" was annoying and they should just take their protests elsewhere. I recycled that paper, but I wish I had kept that letter to the editor, because it was a perfect example of why everyone needs to see films like An Inconvenient Truth, because the cyclists in the demonstration were not thinking of themselves, they were not out to ruin the lives of all of those driving around them - they were out to spread the word on an alternative choice for commuters that will help the environment as well as thewaistlinenes. Yes, stopping the mass abuse that we are causing the planet will probably cost a lot of money, but I think that making a buck destroying the planet is completely unacceptable. I would like my little cousin to grow up to be my age and still be able to go up north to see the polar bears, but if momentum keeps swinging against the environment like it is, that just won't happen. It's so sad, BUT PREVENTABLE!

Today was beautiful! I love summer! It was a bummer having to work, but as soon as I got off I went down to the village to get my hair cut and do some window shopping. I went home and made some pizza and knew that I had to get working on my audition pieces for Stratford, but I couldn't stay in side, so I decided to go to the library to hunt down some Arden Shakespeare's. To my suprise, the library closes early on Fridays (people don't go to the library on Fridays? What!?) But I had a nice walk, and then got down to some work. Matt and I met with David Warburton on Thursday to go over our audition pieces for Stratford. He's so hilarious, and a very generous fellow! Next week: Offbook for Wallflowers and Wildflowers, Offbook for Ugly Ducks, present 3 pieces to David Warburton, work on 2 songs that I have to sing in front of people on the 15th! This weekend: work, go see A Midsummer Night's Dream, GRADUATE! Busy busy!

I'm very glad to be busy though, I'm very fortunate! But hopefully I'll have time to head over to the theatre to see An Inconvenient Truth! If you're looking for something to do Sunday night, it's the grad party for the theatre grads at the King's Head. Woot!