Once I started rehearsals for "Cabaret" it was full speed ahead! I had the fine privilege of performing with with Lisa Brescia, Taylor Mac, Julie Fishell, Jeff Cornell, Ray Dooley, the amazing second and third year grad students (including my director of "Eurydice" Nathanial Claridad), and three undergrads Max Bitar, Mason Cordell, and Katie Chelena at Playmakers Repertory Company! Every night myself and other members of the company would be on stage in our "dressing rooms" while the guests filed into the house. I got to sit with Max Bitar and smoke from an electronic cigarette while my character "Herman" casually flirted with one of the cabaret girls "Frenchy," played by Michaela Morton. Then the band would start the drum role and we would find our places for the top of the show. Ever since I was a little boy attending the theater, my favorite part was when the band warms up right before they begin. It is a very exciting feeling to be on the other side of that.
Julie Fishell (Fraulein Schneider) and myself after the closing night performance.
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Jeff Cornell (Herr Schultz) and myself (Herman) in our dressing room during "Cabaret."
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Lisa Brescia (Sally Bowles) and myself after closing.
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Dee Dee (Texas), Katie (Lulu), Taylor Mac (Emcee), and myself after closing.
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During rehearsals for Cabaret I attended a Neo-Futurism workshop with Flor De Liz Perez of the New York Neo-Futurists with some of the cast of "30 Plays in 60 Minutes." It was a really amusing two plus hours of play. I appreciate the ease in which Neo-Futurism allows you to just be yourself. The workshop allowed us to get in touch with our playful selves as well as our secrets selves at one point by asking us to write down something you have never told anyone before and then choosing a phrase or entire sentence to read allowed out of context. That was something quite powerful. I hope to get to work more closely with Flor in the future or even go see some performances in New York by the Neo-Futurists!
Jessica Sorgi, Kevin Spellman, Zach Meicher-Buzzi, Kristi Stout, Margaret Burrus, Flor De Liz Perez and others!
Additionally, during the run I participated in "Broadway Twisted," a musical benefit concert to raise money for AIDS relief. It was an incredible evening filled with some pretty amazing talents and orchestrated by the humble overachiever Nathanial Claridad.
Jessica Sorgi, Natalie Pelletier, Me, Melanie Johnson, and Mason Cordell at the Local 506 for "Broadway Twisted!"
In the last few weeks I finished my job at 411 West, graduated from college, and moved to Charlotte, NC. I'm very excited to see what my next steps are, there is nothing guaranteed which can be scary to think about but that just makes me more excited to work and to keep after what I want. My next move will be to dive into the Charlotte theater scene. I have already been on several auditions and if something comes of them their will certainly be a blog about it. My time at UNC was really quite incredible and I am so thankful for every opportunity! I want to wish all the 2013 graduates luck on their next endeavors! And always remember Go Heels! and Go to hell DOOK!
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Thanks for checking out the blog!
Until next time,
Jack
Until next time,
Jack
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