Across the Pond

I had a dream last night that I was living in London as a guest in some family’s home.  What is really strange is I was just having a conversation with my roommate about only having realistic dreams, as opposed to her epic dreams that typically include flying and celebrity sidekicks.  I tend to have slightly twisted dreams involving places I’ve been or a random collection of people I know, and the occasional actor’s/designer’s nightmare.  I hope this means I’ll be traveling to Europe in the near future, because it’s something I have thought about for a few years.  I have no problem using a random dream as motivation to do something new.

The West Wing

I did it.  I watched the complete series in just over two months.  And I have an unhealthy urge to watch it all over again.  But I suppose I’ll knock out some of the reading thats on my list of 101, tomorrow…

November Update

This week is all about substitute run crews.  I’m running followspot for Grey Gardens at Northlight Theatre and Stage Managing for Chicago Kids Company.  Both are short runs, but is nice to have something steady for a couple weeks, and I’m enjoying all the people that I’m meeting at each job.  December is all about load ins and focusing, the big one being the Scottish Play at Chicago Shakespeare.  Should be fun…

Big Step

The craziness of the last week has finally calmed and I’m settled into my new apartment.  Things are slow for work this week, but that will pick up next week.

I started up a Netflix account so I can catch up on movies I’ve always wanted to see, but more importantly finish The West Wing.  I started off the account by finally watching Scarface.  It didn’t live up to hype for me, but Pacino gave one hell of a performance and the last 20 mins offered up the intensity I was waiting 2 1/2 hours for.  My roommate is letting me read Watchmen, and already hooked after reading only one chapter last night.  And now I’m pumped for the movie.

Here and Gone

Opened A Wonderful Life last night.  It was a long process but I was ultimately happy with my work and the production. I’ll delve into more after the big apartment move tomorrow.

Last Night in Lincoln Square

After a very slow transition to Chicago and an equally slow first few weeks here, my time in Lincoln Square has certainly served its purpose.  When I get back I’m moving to a nice place in a better location and I have made a lot of new contacts and job opportunities that I will take advantage of when I get back.

Tomorrow I leave for a short stay in St. Louis before I head up to the Quad Cities to design A Wonderful Life.  Going into this production I’m hoping to really collaborate with director and other designers to put on a quality production within the limitations of the space and production schedule.  I’m confident that the material and the artists will be strong, so I will do my part to enhance the audience’s experience and be a positive partner in the technical process.

I Miss My Sports

I’ve gone more than a month now without ESPN or my PS2 football.  That will all change when I really move into my new place, but for now I really miss my sports.

CPS Shakespeare

For the past week I ran a follow spot for the Chicago Public Schools production of the Scottish Play.  I had no clue what I was getting myself into, but I was pleasantly surprised with the students and the production itself.  Most of the students were not trained (or experienced) actors so the potential for a disaster seemed likely.  But the director and artistic staff did a great job shaping a quality experience for the students and an entertaining show for an atypical theatre audience.  The script was cut to just over an hour and many of the principle roles were played by multiple actors without gender rules.  Add to that excellent fight choreography, solid costume, light, sound designs, and a group of enthusiastic teenagers, it turned out to be a lot better than I expected.  A welcome surprise for my first show in the city.

I’m off to hang at the Apollo Theatre tonight.  GO RAMS!

The Highs and Lows of a Missouri Sports Fan

I’ve been in Chicago for almost a month now.  When I moved here the Cubs were on top of the league, the White Sox were fighting to hang on, the Blackhawks were supposed to be good, and the Bears were supposed to be bad.  Obviously being a fan of sports in Chicago has its ebbs and flows.

But I’ve been a St. Louis and Missouri sports fan for a lot longer than I’ve lived in Chicago.  I’ve followed Brett Hull and the short time the Great One called the Kiel Center home.  I was obsessed with Mark McGwire and I saw Ozzie Smith do a back flip.  For 5 seasons I watched every Rams game long before Kurt Warner was the MVP and Stephen Jackson lead my fantasy team to a victory.  I’ve also cheered for the Missouri Tigers and my alma mater, Missouri State.  Missouri sports have been really good to me for many years, and I’m trying to hang on to what I can as my life carries me away from home.

For the past two weeks my sports allegiances have been all over the place.  The Top 5 football program with the leading Heisman candidate went from the top of the football world to an overrated embarrassment.  The St. Louis Blues are having the best start I can remember and sit a top the Western Conference.  And bottom dwellers of the NFL dumped their coach and upset two powerhouses from the power division of the league.  The Rams and my top fantasy pick Stephen Jackson, finally showed up to a game and destroyed America’s team.  The game made me proud of my home town team, even though I was watching my new home town team outlast the Vikings.

This wasn’t a perfect sports weekend, but it definitely had plenty to make me a happy fan.

Picking Up Speed

After several weeks with nothing to report, its nice to finally have some good news.  Its only Wednesday and I’ve already had two job interviews, lined up a week long gig at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and started another round of apartment searching.  The rest of the week should jump start my social life with two big Timber Lake reunions.

I interviewed Tuesday with Chicago Shakespeare and was blown away by the company, the theatre and the incredible location.  It was my first trip to the Navy Pier (I almost called it the wharf…) and I could not have picked a better time.  The weather was amazing and there were only a few people there.  It will probably be a lot more busy when I’m working next week so its nice to have soaked it all up before its filled with people.  I also interviewed with the Boho Theatre for future productions.  Doesn’t mean much right now, but if I’m in Chicago for awhile I hope to have an opportunity to work with them.

WIthout much else to pull my focus, the election has taken over most of my non-sports brain functions.  I’ve watched almost four seasons of the West Wing in two weeks.  I’ve watched every debate and the follow up SNL sketches.  I’ve even researched the White House, the Constitution and speeches by FDR.  I probably should have researched FDR back in July when I was portraying him, but there were trees falling on cabins…