The Rules of the Game -- Free Reading

I'm going to be directing a rehearsed reading/workshop of a new play this weekend, so I thought I'd invite pass along an invitation. :)

The reading is FREE!
Saturday, July 23rd @ 8pm
The HuB (First Building)
1413 Boulevard of the Arts
Sarasota, FL

http://www.hubsarasota.com​

*Warning: this play contains strong language throughout and adult material that some may find offensive.

**Please note: seating is limited and will be assigned on a first come first served basis.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE RULES OF THE GAME
by Philip Gawthorne

Cast: Sarah Brown, Megan DeLay, Jesse Dornan, Jake Staley and Lindsay Tierce
Directed by Angela Sauer

"Sometimes love is a contact sport..."

You are invited to a FREE rehearsed reading of 'The Rules of The Game', the new play from acclaimed British playwright Philip Gawthorne.

Gawthorne made his Sarasota debut in January with a reading of his play "The Thrill of the Chase" as part of the Asolo Rep Late Night Series. His previous work has been performed at various New York venues such as Atlantic Theater Studios, The Sanford Meisner Theatre, and Manhattan Theatre Source, as well as in London at the Old Vic, Royal Court, and Soho Theatres, amongst many others. Broadcast magazine recently listed Gawthorne as one of the top ten writers in the UK under the age of 30.

This is a rare opportunity to be the first audience at a special preview of his controversial latest play, a provocative exploration of contemporary sexual politics, which follows in the tradition of David Mamet, Neil LaBute and Patrick Marber.


Facebook event: The Rules of the Game

Presenting: The Class of 2011

(Top Row - Left to Right): Newbie, Thrill, D-Train, Wifey, Two-Shots-Up, Killer, All-the-Way
(Bottom Row) O.D., Iceman, Angela


(Top Row - Left to Right): D-Train, Wifey, Two-Shots-Up, Iceman
(Bottom Row) All-the-Way, Killer, Thrill, Newbie, Angela, O.D.

I thought you might enjoy looking at some pictures of my famously attractive class.

(Seriously, don't we look like the cast of a hip new show on network television?)

We are just now launching our Showcase Website. Check it out!

The photos were taken by Janna Giacoppo, who is an amazing photographer and a lovely person. Our website has been designed by Sean Patrick Henry, who has been super helpful, and a delight to work with.

Grief Splattered Canvas

Remember how Wifey's husband is making a film noir piece?

There's an article about him in the paper today!

Aspiring filmmaker says its noir or never

He's changed the title (to "Grief Spattered Canvas", which I think is AWESOME), and has decided to make the project into a short film instead of a feature.

To read more about his project, and to find out how you can help, check out his Kickstarter page here:

Kickstarter: Grief Splattered Canvas

You can also visit their blog to watch a teaser trailer and a test scene for the film.

Please help if you can! They have already reached their initial fundraising goal, so the film WILL GET MADE. But every little bit helps!

~A~

Here Sat Tori

Several of my compatriot students are involved in an upcoming film project called "Here Sat Tori". The writer/director/producer/visionary of which is the husband of my classmate, Wifey. (I guess we should call him "Hubby"?)

He has started a Kickstarter campaign to help get his movie made. If you're not familiar with Kickstarter, my understanding of it is this...

You pledge a certain amount of money towards a goal. By pledging, you get a certain level of reward for your participation by the projects founder if the project gets fully funded. If the goal is not met by pledges, then no one donates money at all.

Regardless of how you feel about the concept, or whether you have the ability to contribute, GO TO THE LINK AND WATCH THE VIDEO (because wow, it's brilliant):

Kickstarter: Here Sat Tori

The video in the link above is Hubby (with a cameo by Wifey) talking about his project. And I love it. So, so much.

edited to add: Look! I figured out how to embed it!

------------

This videos below are DIFFERENT videos than the one I mentioned loving a second ago. So don't miss out on the one above, because it's my favorite.

------------

The first is the teaser trailer, starring 2nd-Year B.B.

"Here Sat Tori" Teaser Trailer from Nick Tierce on Vimeo.

The second is a test scene, starring 2nd-Year B.B. and 2nd-Year K.C.

A test scene from "Here Sat Tori" from Nick Tierce on Vimeo.

Warehouse Theatre Company Interview

Several weeks ago, I did an interview for the Warehouse Theatre Company. And then I completely forgot to mention it here.

So in case you're sad that I haven't been writing much lately, and you want to get a little more Angela in your life, you can check out the interview here:

The Professional Connection: Angela on Graduate School

"Message That Still Connects Today"

Yes. Another article about Antigone Now. We're totally famous.

Message that still connects today

Antigone Now: Education & Outreach

This is a video that was made before we started touring. But I thought it might still be worth watching.

Antigone Now Can Be Performed Anywhere!

If you're a reader of this blog from a distance and have never met me, this video might be the first time you get to hear me speak. So, um, nice to meet you!

Please Vote!

Hello everyone!

There are some local awards that are being voted on at the moment. If you have time, please head on over.

NOTE: You need to fill in at least 5 categories on each page for your votes to count... So here are some of my suggestions... (You know... in case you wanted to vote but aren't good at coming up with things on the fly... or if you live slightly out of the area.)

In Arts & Entertainment, you can vote on things like:
- Best theater company (my theatre!)
- Best play (Antigone Now)
- Best local actress (one of my awesome classmates!)
- Best local actor (one of my awesome classmates!)
- Best category we forgot to include (Best Local Arts Blog: Angela Learns to Act, http://www.AngelaActs.com; OR, Best Entertainment Deal: the free Late Night Series at my theatre!)


In People & Politics, you can vote on things like:
- Best local magazine (Sarasota Magazine, which interviewed me earlier this year)
- Best local website (Angela Learns to Act, http://www.AngelaActs.com)
- Best local blogger (Angela Sauer)
- Best new idea for the Suncoast (bringing back touring theatre productions!)
- Best local college (my program)
- Best category we forgot to include... (Prettiest Blogger... ;) Just kidding.)

'Antigone Now' Packs a Powerful Punch

Our first review! And the first time that I've made it into a photograph in a review!

REVIEW: 'Antigone Now' Packs a Powerful Punch

Master Blog!

I've received yet another internet accolade. The second this week! I feel special.

I got an e-mail saying (among other things):

"We've scoured the web looking for amazing blogs that not only are great in content, but informative and helpful when needed. And we've determined your blog to be such! We like to call it a Master of its category!
[...]
Congratulations, and keep up the awesome work!"

They even gave me a little award badge thing. How great is that?

Top Performance Arts Blogs

You can find links to my blogs and others that have been chosen here.

Ranked: Best Blogs for Theatre Lovers!

It's always exciting (and surprising!) when this little blog of mine gets attention elsewhere on the web. So I was thrilled to be included on a recent list of great theatrical blogs...

The 50 Best Blogs for Theatre Lovers!

And I sort of got mentioned TWICE!

"Angela Learns to Act" is one of 10 blogs ranked in the "Acting & Actors" category. (See #28)

Angela Sauer is currently working on her MFA in acting, and anyone who drops by her blog can pick up on the valuable lessons she learns along the way.

And the "Blogs at Backstage" (which includes Unscripted, for which I am a regular blogger) is one of 10 blogs in the "News & Views" category. (See #47)

Aspirant actors should stay as informed as possible about the news and trends that impact them the most.

Mad Dog Theatre: Shameless Plug

Hello readers,

If you are in/near/visiting New York City, then you should totally check out Mad Dog theatre company. It was founded by friends (and former schoolmates) of mine, and they're having their first production in November. So happy for them!

~A~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

www.maddogbarks.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jennifer Logue
September 28, 2010 917-330-4533
maddogtheatre@gmail.com


NYC’s newest ensemble, MAD DOG THEATRE COMPANY, gets their feet wet with Levey’s All the Way From China World Premiere!

The brand new theatre ensemble, Mad Dog Theatre Company, which is devoted to creating new work, will present the WORLD PREMIERE of Barry Levey’s All the Way From China on November 10-21, 2010 (8pm and 2pm). Performances will be held at The Gene Frankel Theatre located at 24 Bond Street in NOHO (Bond and Lafayette). The production is an Equity Approved Showcase.

The cast includes Kevin O’Callaghan*, Heather Kelley*, and Ghafir Akbar. The stage manager is Sarah Gleissner*. Joel Waage directs (*denotes AEA Member).

Synopsis
One year after his girlfriend was killed on campus, Yale dropout Jack holes up in Austin with a temp job, a guitar and an underachieving rich girl who toys with smack. The anniversary of the unsolved murder brings Jack a stream of fresh torments: renewed media attention, additional police interviews, and, weirdest of all, a Yalie named Ralph who arrives at Jack’s door with urgent information. All the Way From China explores how we hoard or share our grief, and asks how close must we be to a tragedy to be entitled to mourn it. Is grief a process of communal healing or competition for personal attention—and how far will we go to feel included?

Tickets are $16.00 and can be purchased at www.maddogbarks.com or directly from Brown Paper Tickets online or call 1-800-838-3006.

About the playwright
Barry Levey's most recent play, Hoaxocaust!, premiered last year at 59E59 in a showcase for Prospect Theater Company, and has been optioned for commercial production in 2011. Other plays include Downeaster Alexa (Ars Nova, 2009); Yale Law School (Heideman Award Finalist, 2010; Ars Nova, 2009); Citizens of Rome (O'Neill finalist, 2006); and Critical Darling (The New Group, 2005). His work has been developed at Williamstown Theatre Festival, Arena Stage, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and the Baldwin New Play Festival at the University of California, San Diego, where Barry received his MFA. Barry is a New Group Artist, Ars Nova Playgroup alumnus, and member of the Dramatists Guild.

About Mad Dog Theatre Company

Mission Statement
Mad Dog is a group of artists who tell stories. We believe the best way to do this is to make the stories our own. Stories that are funny, ferocious, unlikely, sexy, rough, inconvenient, loud, unsightly, and - ultimately - provoke questions. We are committed to producing new work, and strive for passionate collaboration from inception through performance. We welcome the possibility of creating a monster. If we do, we’ll smile, shake its many hands and offer it some enchilada lasagna.

Who We Are
Mad Dog was founded in 2010 by seven theatre artists and artisans (yes, artisans) who met at the Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory between 2006-2009. Our founding members include experienced (and aspiring) actors, directors, playwrights, theatre administrators, teaching artists and bartenders. We work as an ensemble and encourage each other to wear a number of hats so that we – like our audience – are always evolving. Fifty percent of our founding members were elected to Prom Court.

www.maddogbarks.com
Contact Jennifer Logue (PR rep) @ 917-330-4533 or maddogtheatre@gmail.com

Friday, August 27

Today we had our first class. I don't even really know what this class is called, to be honest. We have it once a week. We discuss issues with showcase, the Rep season, and the business of being an actor. It's just the 3rd-years.

Traditionally, the class is held on Fridays from 9am-12pm (although it often gets shortened). But this year, Wifey and Newbie are teaching a class at a local high school some mornings. So some weeks our class will be scheduled on Thursday instead of Friday in order to accommodate their needs.

So here's basically discussed.


1. We all need to find scenes for Showcase.
- They should be 2-person scenes, and we will each do two of them.
- If someone wishes to sing in lieu of one of their scenes, they may. But they should only do that if they really want to put themselves into the casting pool of trained singers. (Our program is NOT a musical theatre program, so Head-of-Program doesn't seem ecstatic about the idea.)
- We got a huge list of playwrights to look into (which I have decided not to post, as I don't want to give away our leads; people in other grad programs can do their own research)
- The scenes should be from plays that are fairly recent and have not been performed much
- They should not be from shows that are currently running in NYC (or have had recent runs)
- Each scene should have a sharp and focused beginning, drive through the scene, and have a clear ending.
- The scenes should be well balanced and good for both partners.
- They should not be dark and dramatic, as that rarely plays well in a 3-minute scene.
- Look to show your range, but don't try to take leaps. We want to show what we're good at, not what we'd like to try.
- Not too dense.
- When asking for advice from people, ask for HONEST OBJECTIVE RESPONSES.

2. We have a lot of responsibilities to take on as a class
- Website for the class, including headshots/résumés (they assigned this one to me... I guess I shouldn't be surprised)
- Mailing List of casting directors/agents/theatres to be compiled from Ross reports (D-Train & O.D.)
- Communicate with the other theatre we partner with for Showcase, and also work on our Postcard design. (All-The-Way)
- Headshots! Research photographers, group rates, etc. (all of us)
- Group Photos for our postcard and other materials (Two-Shots-Up has done some modeling in the area and knows some edgy local photographers, so she's going to look into that)
- Get local Showcase well-attended (invite theatres/reps from Miami, Atlanta, etc.)
- Get other communities out to our NYC showcase (Newbie is going to work on New Jersey and Pennsylvania; I volunteered to do Connecticut)
- Set up an RSVP line (which we might be able to do through Skype... Does anyone know anything about that?)
- Figure out who we want as a graduation speaker
- Sort out a graduation brunch (we need at least 3 bids... and it's all about the $ for us)

3. Potential Other Showcase?
We're DEFINITELY doing a Showcase in NYC. But we've decided to also look into:
- Flying important agents out to see us here
- a Chicago Showcase
- a Los Angeles Showcase

4. Fundraising (which we'll ESPECIALLY need if we're having an extra showcase!)
We have a lot of ideas, but we're going to need even more.

Our first fundraiser is a Used Book Sale on September 6th, from 10:00am-2:00pm. (We're accepting book donations!) Add it to your calendars, all ye locals!


5. Head-of-Program is going to bring in people to talk to us throughout the year about the business...
- Equity stage managers
- agents & casting directors
- professional actors
- a Tony-winning director




And then we got an instruction from Head-of-Program to go forth and behave well. He said that this year, we are going to be working with people whom we want to hire us again. Additionally, the people we work with WILL talk about us with others in the future. He said that we're already great actors, and we will be able to prove that to them easily. Our task now is to be people that they will WANT to be with in a rehearsal room. We must always know the demands that are being made on us, and be able to achieve them in a non-aggressive, non-defensive, non-threatening, sociable way.

And then he said, "actually, with this group, I'm not worried about that."

I'm glad to hear it.


It's going to be a good year.


Much love,

~A~

Raising Funds

This coming spring, the class of 2011 will be doing an NYC Showcase. We'll be performing scenes for an audience of agents, managers, and the like, and hope to make brilliant connections that will launch us skyward, toward our dreams.

And during the coming school year, we have to raise money to get us there.

I got an e-mail last week from Wifey, already making suggestions about things that we can do as a class to raise money. Late Night performances. Play-readings in people's living rooms. Auctions. Garage sales. Cleaning houses while dressed as the Spice Girls. I don't know which things will come to fruition, but the list is already long, fun, and exciting.

So now, I'm going to take the first step that I can toward helping my class.

For the last two years, I have been happily blogging away about my grad school experience, and introducing you to myself and all of my classmates. Some of you might be local, meaning that you have seen us perform, met us, and supported us (and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love you have shown). And some of you might be far away, and my classmates and I might just be characters in a story that's still being written. In any case, if you've been reading, I think you know just how amazingly talented my classmates are, and how much respect I have for all of them. I want to help them in this fund-raising journey as much as I can. And I hope you do, too.

Here are a few ways that you can help:

1. Do you have any brilliant ideas as to ways that we can help raise our funds? Please let us know! Leave them in the comments on my blog, e-mail them to AngelaActs(at)gmail(dot)com, or tell me in person the next time you see me around. We're happy to have all the suggestions we can get.

2. Are you in Florida and have an idea for something that you'd like to hire someone to do? We're highly-trained performers, and might be able to entertain at a party you're throwing. And after all of our experience with organizing our student lounge, we might be able to help clean out your garage or put tags on items for your yard sale. If you need a helping hand, send us an e-mail. We'd love to help!

3. If you are in the area, please keep an eye out for notices about events that we're planning for the coming year. Any donations given at Late Night performances (which are free to attend, and you are not obligated to donate) go directly to our NYC Showcase fund. Sometimes we also sell cookies in the lobby. :) Bring your friends, and spread the word!

4. Do you have any items lying around the house that you'd like to get rid of? You're welcome to donate them to us. We might be able to put them into an auction or yard sale later this year.

5. Are you out of town, but still want to help? You can donate to our class through PayPal!

I've posted a "Donation Station" on the upper-left hand side of my blog with a Donate button, and I'll keep it up throughout the year. Whether you can spare $50 or 50 cents, we'd be grateful. It adds up, and every little bit helps. (Clichéd, but true.)

6. Send prayers, hope, love, and good vibrations. :)


Thank you.

All good things,

~A~

Sarasota Magazine Article

I did an interview a few months ago for a magazine, and there's a picture of me in the May 2010 issue. (I actually didn't realize the issue was out until three different people came up to me at the 3rd-years' graduation today.)

It's apparently the first in a series they're doing about local up-and-comers. It's not online yet (I would link to it if I could), so I'm going to go for the alternative of questionable legality: retype it verbatim. (If you get the magazine, it's on page 24.) Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Angela Acts
An [Awesome Conservatory] student scores a Web hit with her blog

When she enrolled at [Awesome Conservatory] last year, Angela Sauer, now 25, began a daily blog about her experiences. Now her "Angela Learns to Act" has been named one of the country's 100 best blogs for film and theater students. Sauer's blog doesn't identify the school or her 10 classmates -- "I'm comfortable with having my life online, but that doesn't mean others are" -- but so many people have figured it out it's become something of a marketing tool for the Conservatory. Like Sauer, the blog is candid, funny, and irrepressibly enthusiastic about the Conservatory, from its "fabulous teachers" and individualized approach to an "incredibly supportive community." Loose-limbed and expressive, Sauer declares she "can't survive without the theatre in my life," but hasn't yet "nailed down my type -- I want to do everything!" - Pam Daniel

The 2nd Blogger of '11

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that one of my classmates has decided to start blogging about our upcoming abroad program.

"Wifey" (aka Lindsay) is now writing at Lindsay Sees London. So check her out!

Auditions Coming Up

Curious about my thoughts on auditions next week? Go check out my post on Backstage.com's actor blog, Unscripted.

And bookmark this while you're at it.

Thursday, September 3

First of all, I have a very exciting announcement. As of today, I am a regular blogger for Backstage.com!

Backstage.com has a blog called Unscripted, which is written by actors from around the country discussing their experiences in theatre and in life. I will be writing a few times a week, so make sure to check it out! (Don't worry, loyal readers... I fully intend to keep writing on this blog as well. Obviously, I'm insane.) To see just my posts, bookmark this link.

And while I'm at it, I suppose that this is as good a time as any to mention that I now have a website! Man, I'm just taking over the internet, aren't I? Check it out here!


VOICE
We each had the opportunity to ask our questions about pronunciations of difficult words (like foreign names) and consonant linking and the like for our individual sections of Lady with the Lapdog.

For one of my linking questions, regarding the phrase "his study", the z is going to soften in quality to become the s. In "it all", the t is going to be carried over so that it's like a part of the second word. And in some phrases like "that dog", the "t/d" at the end of the first word doesn't get ploded because of the "t/d" at the start of the second word.


MOVEMENT
As it turned out, it only took 7 class days into the semester for me to have a complete emotional breakdown in class. I'm not proud of that, but that's life.

We were focusing on stretches today, and they're very difficult for me. Some of them are difficult because I'm so stretched out that I can't feel a stretch at all. Some are difficult because I don't realize when I'm hyper-extending my joints. And some are difficult because a couple of parts of my body AREN'T loose (it's really just my hip flexors and my mid-spine-to-lower-back) and I have sudden, sharp pains. Today, after one such pain, I just started crying. I don't know if it was from the pain or from my frustration.

Movement Professor was very encouraging. She doesn't want me to get discouraged. I'm going to keep working hard. But every once in awhile, I have a tough day. Today just happened to be one of them. The challenge, now, is to dust myself off and move on. Tomorrow is, after all, another day.

For our homework tonight, Movement Professor wants us to look at our binders from last year and find our list of "Daily Dozen" alignment exercises. She says that seeing the order of them again will help us to remember how to do them properly.


ACTING
Today we did table-work for the first two plays of The Greeks: Electra and Andromache.

Acting Professoressa gave us a few pointers:
- If you're playing an older character, embrace it any way you wish. Age is not as important as the point-of-view shift that comes with age.
- Remind yourself of your "need" before the scene begins. Say your need to yourself in one sentence before you enter the stage.
- Do not paraphrase lines. Pay attention to the text, respect the playwright, and learn the words correctly. Be strict on memorization.
- When the word "O" occurs, treat it as a moment when you don't have any words and don't know what to say. Vocalize something. It doesn't have to sound like the letter "O".
- Don't confuse weakness with softness in a character. Just because they're using a soft tactic, doesn't mean they're a weak character.

It was actually really fun reading Andromache, especially since I felt like I was already in an emotional state from morning classes. I'm really excited about it.

For Electra, the chorus members are supposed to decide who we are. I think we've decided that we've been working for the kingdom in some capacity and have been pretending to be loyal to Clytemnestra, but are actually loyal to Electra. We have to come up with specific roles in the household now for our double-agent chorus members. I was thinking about being a cook or something...? I'll let you know when I figure it out.

Summer Updates

I'm not the only person in within the 11 of '11 who has been hard at work (and by work, I mean acting/theatre/movies) this summer.

I was working as a stage manager, curtain puller, and general stage hand for some dance shows at a theatre in Connecticut when the summer began.

Killer has been doing light design for an Equity theatre company in Florida.

D-Train is currently in rehearsals for Fat Pig with an Equity theatre company in Florida. ETA: I just found some pictures on Facebook of him working on a graduate film in Tallahassee as well.

Thrill has been in several plays in Florida, with his most recent performance being in W;t (which is one of my favorite plays). Thrill was also in a graduate film in Tallahassee.

Big Show was in W;t with Thrill. He, too, went to Tallahassee to be in a graduate film. He was also in a SAG film called Deadly Closure (which has apparently made his IMDb hits increase by loads this week), and he passed along the trailer to me today.

Official Trailer for "Deadly Closure" from Deviated Films on Vimeo.

Big Show is the convict brother. Isn't it exciting?

Man, I'm totally proud of my class. I can't wait to see them again.

~A~