It's blah and raining here in NY today, but springy and warm, so I won't complain. At the moment, I am successfully avoiding my homework of memorizing 2 pages of Fifty Words. This is day 3 of my memorization plan, 2 a day and in 22 days I will have the whole play memorized. How hard is memorization, you may ask? I think it's very different for everyone and for me it totally depends on the character. Does she speak like I do, or are her rhythms, responses and language completely different from my own. Well, this time I am lucky, Jan is different from me, for sure, but I get her and what she says makes sense to me. Phew.
Last year I worked on a Pinter play for class, A Night Out, my character was an East London prostitute in the early 60's, she didn't stop talking and nothing she said, was anything like what I would say. I loved the challenge of the part, it was incredible and really fun, but making the words stick was tough and I hated the feeling of struggling for lines. Now I get off book (actor talk for memorize) as soon as I can, so I can play.
Thanks for listening, I have talked myself into doing my homework! Yippeeee!!!

So, judging from my last post, you would think that we are closer to opening that we are. Well, we, and yes, now we are a WE, have moved our date up/or pushed it back, whichever means it's starting at the end of May not mid April.
Some developments: I think we have found a space! So fun, and so hectic. I want to take every place, because not having one, feels like being homeless to me. When I apartment search, I have tended to have low standards because the idea of having nowhere to live scares me too much. Renting theater space in New York City, is like finding an apartment. Budget is everything. If you have a gazillion dollars, you can have anything you want. In our range we have to make some choices, do we go with the 4 story walk up with amazing acoustics, or the place that has an elevator, but the lobby feels like an office building? We are zoning in and I think we have found the perfect place for us. I will report back, when it's secured!
My producing partner and acting partner Bob, is currently in LA and is much less impulsive and fear driven when it comes to choosing space. His nature and him being out of town have been good, as I have to walk away and say, "I will have to run this by my partner". Much like having a husband helps in not jumping into plans," well... I have to see if Max is free, can I get back to you". Such a good thing for people pleaser.

Friday I got good news, I received the rights to produce the play 50 Words, by Michael Weller. I applied to get the rights to a few plays, knowing that in New York City, it's not easy to get what you want (in many ways) and having a few eggs in a few baskets is a always a good idea.
I actually forgot that I applied for 50 Words, because my friend Bob had applied and been denied just a month or so before me. But, alas I am the winner and I got them! Yay Me! Yay Dramatist Play Service, and Yay Craig the licensing agent.
I am excited (if you couldn't tell from the Yays). I am also at a bit of a loss. I haven't done this before. Well, that's not entirely totally true. I did help a friend produce a play years ago in Vancouver, but I wasn't into it, because I didn't want to be doing it! I wanted to be acting, and this time I am, and the part is delicious. SO freaking Yummy and Crunchy and Delectable!
Now, I am off to see if I can find Michael Weller on Twitter or Facebook... you never know! We probably have some mutual friends already!