Winter's Tale Plankage

So I've sat on these pictures long enough. It's time to let them breathe.

These are planking pictures taken during intermission and post-show of the last performance of Delaware Shakespeare Festival's The Winter's Tale. Many may be a bit grainy and/or dark because I was toying with the settings on my camera and the light was fading fast. I didn't want pictures that would keep spilling off the page of my blog!

In the photos, you'll see epic planks by Janice Rowland, Griffin Stanton-Ameisen, Sean Bradley, and myself.

Check 'em out.

The illusive Double-Overhead Compartment Plank

The Under-The-Bus Plank in Workout Clothes

The tricky Double-Across the Headrests Plank

The technically difficult Roadie Box Plank

The Radiant Hermione Plank

The Great Depression Plank

The Tailgater's Plank

The "Papa was a Rolling Stone" Plank

The flamboyant Handrail Plank

Apparently, Janice and Griffin had no idea what plank was until Sean and I began goofing around. Nevertheless, this planking session has sparked conversations about a day of planking in and around the greater Philadelphia area. So if you're a fan of plankage, stay tuned.

peace.

Closure

Well, it's over...almost.

Last night was Delaware Shakespeare Festival's final performance of The Winter's Tale in Rockwood Park. It was a wonderful audience, more vocal than most. We also didn't have any of the weather issues which plagued our run during the second week. But more than anything, everyone seemed to have a ton of fun doing the show and we all had a great time at the closing night party.

Fortunately for us, we'll have one more shot at the show this coming Thursday. The company has been invited to perform at The Freeman Stage in Selbyville, DE. Admission is totally free, so if you're in the area and would enjoy an evening of Shakespeare, I wholeheartedly recommend coming to see us. I must admit this is one of the most solidly performed productions of Shakespeare that I've had the pleasure to work.

peace.

We're Open!

Last night, we opened Delaware Shakespeare Festival's The Winter's Tale in Rockwood Mansion Park, just on the outskirts of Wilmington, DE. It was a wonderful night.

If you get a chance to see it I can guarantee you'll have a lovely summer evening in the park, as long as you bring enough bug spray!

Look here for more information.

peace.

A Quick Thought on Community

As of this morning, I've been a member of the Philadelphia theatre community for 11 months and 10 days. I've mailed or emailed dozens headshots and resumes, attended tons of auditions, and seen as many plays as my time and resources can afford. It's been a difficult, exhausting, wonderful, inspiring, thoughtful, blinding experience. Even though it's been a year, it's really only felt like a month. I hardly know where the time went.

And in the first months, I hardly knew a soul in town.

Tonight I went to see a fantastic outdoor production of Richard III by Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company. (If you have a chance, check it out! There's information here!) Some of my castmates from Delaware Shakespeare Festival's The Winter's Tale where there to enjoy the show. (If you have a chance, check us out! There's information here!) After the show, many of us stuck around to meet new people, catch up with old friends, and laugh with familiar faces.

As the stories and conversations played on, I began to feel something different about myself tonight.

I genuinely felt as if I was becoming a part of something in this town; a collective; a culture; a society. Due to the important work I've done so far in Philly (both on my own and with others), I've begun to build a respectable history for myself here. I'm no longer the guy that someone met at the bar one time, humbling announcing myself as the new guy in town. I have new energies in my life that are becoming important and welcomed facets of my experience. I felt the beginnings of friendships and important conversations. I sense I'm starting down the right path towards being a productive member of a first rate theatrical community.

It's a good feeling, and I'm incredible grateful.

peace.

The Winter's Tale: Off We Go!

Tonight was my first rehearsal with the Delaware Shakespeare Festival's cast of The Winter's Tale, and I had a really good time. It felt fantastic to be sitting with this large group of people at the beginning of a process that seems as if it's going to be enriching and quite exciting. This is my second experience with this play and I'm looking forward to being part of how this group tackles the play differently than the last. I'm also playing a different character this time (Antigonus before, Polixines now), so I'll be interested to explore a new journey through this play.

As a goof, I searched The Winter's Tale on youtube and this is what came up.

Now I don't know about you, but I think stop-motion animation is hilarious. I'm loving this.

peace.

"...a regular modern-day Shakespeare."

Check it:

from Henry V, Act IV Prologue

written by William Shakespeare

Now entertain conjecture of a time (10 syllables)

When creeping murmur and the pouring dark (10 syllables)

Fills the wide vessel of the universe. (10 syllables)

From camp to camp through the foul womb of night (10 syllables)

The hum of either army stilly sounds, (10 syllables)

That the fixed sentinels almost receive (10 syllables)

The secret whispers of each others' watch: (10 syllables)

Fire answers Fire, and through their paly flames (10 syllables)

Each battle sees the other's umber'd face; (10 syllables)

Steed threatens steed, in high and boastful neighs (10 syllables)

Piercing the night's dull ear, and from the tents (10 syllables)

The armorers, accomplishing the knights, (10 syllables)

With busy hammers closing rivets up, (10 syllables)

Give dreadful note of preparation: (10 syllables: preparation has four)

The country cocks do crow, the clocks do toll, (10 syllables)

And the third hour of drowsy morning name. (10 syllables: hour has one)

Proud of their numbers and secure in soul, (10 syllables)

The confident and over-lusty French (10 syllables)

Do the low-rated English play at dice; (10 syllables)

Follow me?

Good. Now check this:

from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Track 2: "Lost Ones"

written by Lauryn Hill

It's funny how money change a situation, (12 syllables)

Miscommunication leads to complication. (12 syllables)

My emancipation don't fit your equation. (12 syllables)

I was on the humble, you on every station. (12 syllables)

Some wan' play young Lauryn like she dumb, (9 syllables)

But remember not a game new under the sun; (12 syllables)

Everything you did has already been done (11 syllables)

I know all the tricks from Bricks to Kingston. (10 syllables)

My ting done made your kingdom wan' run. (9 syllables)

Now understand L Boogie not violent, (10 syllables)

But if a thing test me, run for me gun; (10 syllables)

Can't take a threat to me new born son. (9 syllables)

L's been this way since creation. (8 syllables)

A groupie call, you fall from temptation, (10 syllables)

Now you wanna ball over separation; (11 syllables)

Tarnish my image in your conversation, (11 syllables)

Who you gonna scrimmage like you the champion? (11 syllables)

You might win some but you just lost one. (9 syllables)

One reason Lauryn shifts the syllable count is because she moves in and out of two different dialects in this verse. (There are instances of Shakespeare doing something similar. This simply isn't one of them. Have a look at Leontes' rants from The Winter's Tale.) But more than that, she probably moved it around to entertain herself. Nevertheless, the structural foundations are exactly the same. I've always been fascinated with this particular verse for this very reason. And even though I've observed this in other hip hop tracks, Lauryn's writing on this particular cut highlights these structural similarities exceptionally well.

Here, have a listen.

peace.