Oak Brook

It's raining today. As it's supposed to be the rest of the week. April just couldn't leave without dumping a few more showers on us.

My grandmother (or 'Nan') is in town for a Questers convention. Please don't ask me what a Quester is. I haven't a clue, but she's here for it none the less. It's hard to believe that someone has a busier schedule than I do, but she could only meet me for lunch. So I rearranged rehearsal so I could drive out to the suburbs of Oak Brook. Even though I sat in a traffic jam both directions, it was worth it cause we went to The Chessecake Factory. How could I pass up the Chicken Madera and some Oreo chessecake?

The show currently on the Chopin mainstage is closing tonight and striking tomorrow, so when Martin arrives on Tuesday, we can get in the space and start building. Having nine whole days in the space is a God send. I just hope don't have to jump through too many hurdles to karmically pay for it.

digiddy

Katie Speaks

I was going to meet my friend for a drink this evening and happened across Mr. Howe sitting in Mac's, our official show watering hole. We'd just had dinner together an hour earlier, after a six-hour film shoot. I'd already begun to feel as if we're family, and this only confirmed that I really can't get away from the man. Richard is too broke to come out drinking, and I missed him. We are spending many fruitful hours rehearsing the play, which only seems truer and more interesting with each hour I spend working on it. The picture Doug has up from my audition is really hideous, so I will post a slightly more flattering shot that includes my cat, who is very flattering.

kiggity katie

The Regular

It's official. I'm a regular.

I walked into the Alliance Bakery today to get my morning tea (I've found coffee makes me jittery). There were two girls behind the counter and one asked, "Where are you from?". I responded, "Originally?" She said, "Yes." I asked if she wanted to guess. She said she had no idea. I said, "Well, originally originally, I'm from Jersey, but I've been in NY for the last eight years." At this point, the other girl exclaimed, "Yes! I told you the east coast."

Good to know you're the topic of conversation. I, of course, told them about the play and that I'd be bombarding them with postcards soon.

digiddy

To Have Everything You Must Desire Nothing

Hard to believe we open three weeks from today. It seems so far away, but I know it'll be here in an instant. We still have a ton of work to do, but we are getting there day by day. The actors are really beginning to make strong connections and our design is finally starting to take real shape. Plus, we shoot the 'tent fantasy' film tomorrow. The posters and postcards are being proofed by the printers and we are headed to Thr3ee (http://www.thr3eestore.com/) at noon for costume fittings. The pieces are all in sight. All we have to do now is put the puzzle together.

digiddy

Love is watching someone die

things have been so busy, i've had no time to update our little blog. i've been going from my wifi-ed coffee shop to rehearsals and back again. the staff of the alliance bakery have welcomed me into the fold of 'regulars'. i'm not just another wicker park hipster anymore.

had a chance to go out and see the second city show Iraqtile Disfunction the other night. the last time i saw one was when rachel dratch (snl) was in the cast, so that tells you how long ago that was. it was very funny. it got funnier the more stellas i drank. they had a great sketch involving a suicide hotline operator who told his caller that she should just go ahead and kill herself. it doesn't sound humorous written down, but i promise, it was hilarious.

digiddy

norway.today

Ten Seconds to be Dead

Another fantastic rehearsal today. Katie and Richard are really getting into it and having lots of fun playing around. We've managed to work through half the play beat by beat, and should be well done by this weekend.

Also had another wonderful meeting with Jack, our video artist. He's truly a Godsend. I knew the second he walked into the apartment on Monday wearing a Decemberists' t-shirt that we'd get along. He came in today with lots of ideas and we're totally on the same page. We're extremely lucky to have him. Based on the short films I've seen of his, I have no doubt that he'll be a tremendous asset to the show.

digiddy

Reason is Unreasonable

I just completed my first offical Jewel/Osco shopping trip and finally feel settled. Since arriving, I haven't been able to stop with all that needed to get done. Luckily, now that rehearsals have begun, I can settle into a bit of a routine. If nothing else, I know we're going to work on the play. Richard and Katie are a fantastic fit and we all get on fantastically. It's also been a big bonus that they arrived on Day One essentially off book. By Easter, they should be completely on their feet. Off tonight to meet with Candy Taylor, an old friend and our new Marketing Director. If only I could find a place to watch Lost.

digiddy

The Arrival

We arrived in Chicago yesterday afternoon after a lengthy, though not long, road trip. Other than the weird snow-hail storm around Allentown, PA, our journey was smooth sailing. We stopped off in Pittsburgh on Saturday so I could wax nostalgic over my years in 'da burgh. Richard was kind enough to humor me while I gave him a tour of Carnegie Mellon and my old haunts, including Harris' Bar and Grill (where I had my first legal drink) and the Church Brew Works (where I continued the trend).

I am happy to report that the apartment is as cool as I remember it (and Richard thought so too). We unpacked and headed out for some Chicago pizza (thin crust) and a cheap bottle of wine to celebrate our arrival. I met with Margreth Trumpi at the Swiss consulate this morning and we finalized the application to the Swiss organization that will hopefully fund Igor's trip over from Zurich. We also had the chance to talk with him to solidify his plans. Things are really beginning to roll and I love it.

As I walked around Wicker Park early this morning looking for a place to have breakfast, I repeatedly saw some spray painted graffiti with the text: You Have Nothing To Lose. Though I shouldn't condone vandalism, I thought of it as a sign. Time to move forward. No holds barred.

digiddy

Apathy, thy Name is Woman

'To be or not to be.'
For American teenagers, it's a question they have already answered. NOT!!!

I don't mean to be hard on them. Overall, the senior class at LHS was fine. On the final day, we did a production of Stoppard's 15 Minute Hamlet. Most of them seemed to have fun in spite of themselves.

digiddy

Leonia

today was the first day of our hamlet workshop in leonia, n.j. i'm teaching 12th graders who are well infected with 'senioritis'. none of the teachers seemed to mind when a student would fall asleep, so i didn't either. as long as they sign the check. tomorrow we get up on our feet and work on 'to be or not to be'. these kids certainly have 'not to be' covered. gotta love youthful apathy. it's what helps america stay mediocre (at least in math and science).

digiddy

Berlin...

I spent 5 days in Berlin. There are many reasons why, but mainly because of its people. Berlin was full of vibrant youthful energy. A city in constant reformation, but nevertheless there are still reminders at every corner of the history that is as young as 15 years old. My intro to Berlin was a random conversation with a lawyer on the train from Frankfurt to Berlin, we chatted about NYC and its differences from Berlin. I thought the guy was hitting on me, but you realize very quickly that this is just how friendly everyone is, from the lawyer on the train to the girl working the register at the movie theatre, who is also photographer; to the staff working at the hostel.

There in Berlin, I met a writer covering the Biannual Contemporary Art exhibition(depressing to say the least). Shops lining the streets of the trendy East Side, were bustling with people going in and out of galleries and exhibitions, some installations were in people homes. I spent a day walking through and artist's compound where several well know artists were squatting. The outside served as a beer garden where you can view trash made in huge sculpture. I then manage to meet with the playwright, Kristo Sagor (finally some business) The writer of Threesome Without Simone, one the plays featured in THALATTA!'s Salon Series. I began to make friends within days of being in this foreign country. I felt by the fifth day that if I didn't leave now, I would never leave...So on to Amsterdam.

RWPjr