Summertime

Surprise! Beth here, and I can already hear the cries for joy once you learn I will be staying at City Lights for the summer. It's not all good news, though; I'll only be here once a week. Don't worry, it's nothing personal. The three of us worked it out so at least one person is in the office every day. That's the same as it always is, but they couldn't have managed without me. That's right, I'm a life saver, people.

Here's something kinda not cool, though. This great theater company is in a little bit of a pickle. In times of economic distress, the arts are the first to suffer. Times are tough, and boy are we feeling it. So, if you have a few extra bucks to spare, be awesome and donate to City Lights. We could really use your help to not end this fiscal year in the red. Click here to donate. :)

RENT opens in about 3 weeks, and we're so excited! If you don't have your tickets yet, get them. Now. Right here. Do it.

It's not too hot today, thank goodness. And next year's intern applicants had their interviews today, which was quite exciting. That's all for now, will check in next week. Maybe. If you're good. 'Kay, bye!

Beth

New Intern! New Adventures!

It's Wednesday, June 23rd, while being deep in finals week at Foothill College I am also thus beginning a new adventure here at City Lights Theater Company. To introduce myself more formerly then probably needed, my named is Celestial Tranquility (seriously) and less then a year ago I moved back to the Bay Area from the island of Oahu, Hawaii..funny thing is tho I am originally from England O.o awkward. deciding to be done with my dabbling in this dress rehearsal that I had so safely created for myself and actually begin the show of my life (terrible metaphors ...I know) which has brought me here and now after loading myself with General Education requirements at Foothill College I managed a 2 year school schedule in 3 quarters and am happily moving in the right direction. From now on it is Theater Haven for me, as in there is nothing other then to live the life I have always dreamed of living.

Basically, I am finishing up my 2nd year of school at Foothill College majoring in Music and will be starting this fall 2010 at San Francisco State University majoring in Drama Performance!

City Lights is awesome ...of course... and I am thrilled to be learning some in depth behind the scenes business ...stuff...Also, I am honoured to be working on the Crew of RENT this summer (at CLTC) which will be opening the end of JULY! Check it OUT because it will be AH-mazing. Also, we just finished the run of Second Weekend in September which was beyond awesome and those who came and saw, THANK YOU! and those who didn't, THANK YOU still! and you should all come out and support us with RENT not to mention it is going to be a HOOT!!

Office Stats: FULL office today, spring...summer cleaning is in process with a few of us and the other half are still keeping our hands busy with what needs to be done. Which means I should probably get back to doing something a little more useful.

Peace OUT!

Melting, Auditions & Third weekend!

I spent about a minute and a half genuinely trying to come up with a clever title for this post. Then the heat overwhelmed me, and I stopped.
You guys. It is hot.
Summer is officially upon us, and so begins the ultimate struggle. The struggle to wear as little clothing as possible without braking the public indecency laws. I am in shorts, people. SHORTS, I TELL YOU.
Anyway. To business. Second Weekend in September (ironically) started the third weekend of its run yesterday! Only two more weekends left after this one!
[Breeze just entered the room *aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh*]
The show is looking really good, and I'm not going to lie, guys, it hurts my feelings that more of you aren't coming out to support City Lights. I hope this means that you are all planning to come in the next few weeks...?
Also, generals were on Saturday. I was here all day, and we saw a lot of talented people. A thank you email will be sent out next week, and that will have more information about callback notices. It was nice to see so many familiar faces!
I wish I had a fancy iphone contraption, so I could upload pics from backstage to this blog, or a twitter account. Maybe that'll be the next step. Who knows! :)
Alright. I really should go reset the stage for tonight's show. Or possibly melt into the stage never to be seen (but probably to be heard from) again.

Hey! Guys! A show is open!

People of the internet!
As Beth mentioned, this has been quite a week at City Light - Second Weekend in September had its first preview last night, the second preview is tonight, and the BIG FANCY GALA OPENING is tomorrow. As the stage manager, this week has been a tad hectic for me, but I think I've finally got the hang of multitasking (running lights and sound - it isn't really that complicated... but if you know me you know I tend to over think things.), so it's all good. We had a small but dedicated crowd last night -- it is nice to be reminded how funny shows are (I mean, obviously I know it is funny, but once you've heard it every day for a month you tend to forget how lovely and fresh the humor is)... so. I actually have to go run a sound and light check now, but it is my hope that you will come check out SWS (or, as it is sometime abbreviated - to my confusion initially, SWIS) as soon as possible. It's important for theaters to support new artists, and in order to do that we need people to SEE the new work. Come check us out.
Okay. I really have to go now.
For serious.
No really.
Bye.

Second Weekend in September

Yes, yes, we know we haven't updated the blog in almost a month. But come on, not THAT much has been going on. Spring Fling was definitely a big deal, but I can't really talk about it, seeing as I wasn't there. Shame on Marty and Gilly for not going into that more. But other than that, it's just been the usual between show doldrums; not too much to break apart the days, and therefore nothing really worth blogging about. Oh, sure, last week we were all busy stuffing envelopes and copying down addresses for the subscriber confirmation mail-out, but you don't want to hear about that. The only notable thing that happened was that the three of us misunderstood and put the order forms along with the receipts into the envelopes, and had to take them all out again, which took another 20 minutes or so to do. Anne felt sorry for us and let us get a piece of tasty from concessions for the extra work, which I think was very benevolent of her.

Marty hasn't been in for a bit, as he's been sick, but I will make him post something on here when he has a minute. And Gilly wasn't in yesterday either because she had a flat tire. They'll both be in later this week, don't you worry your pretty heads.

NEWS:
This weekend is the opening of Second Weekend in September, which is pretty exciting. Small cast of 3 people, very intimate, pretty intense from what I understand. Oh, and this is important, NOT FOR CHILDREN. We're talking full frontal nudity, plus simulated dude-on-dude sexy times. I'm sure several people will be very uncomfortable, but damn it what's theater supposed to do if not make someone uncomfortable?
Also opening at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills is The Crucible, that wacky farce full of quirky coincidences and crazy hijinks! ...Just kidding. Classic American drama by Arthur Miller, it details the events of the Salem witch trials of 1692, and stands as an allegory for the House Un-American Activities Committee and the McCarthy trials of the 1950's. Yeah, pretty spiffy. Martin and I are both in it, along with past City Lights interns Kim Johnson and Tim Goble. Definitely worth a look-see. Here's the link: http://www.foothill.edu/theatre/crucible/

Thanks guys, I hope you can check them out!

Spring Fling Madness

Two days from now is City Lights' 11th Annual Spring Fling, and boy howdy is there a lot to do. Amongst the prizes in the live and silent auctions are...

-Oakland A's Tickets
-Framed and signed A-Rod jersey
-Framed and signed Jim Plunkett jersey
-Signed Joe Montana Football
-4 on-the-glass Sharks tickets
-Dinner for 12 at Morocco's
-Handmade art quilt
-2 nights at the Fairmont (Fri/Sat) and Brunch
-and a WHOLE TON of certificates, and much more!

Now, that tacked on at the end usually means just a few more things, but I say "much more" because I really don't want to type it all out. It's a lot of stuff.

Just wanted to do a quick plug. There's gonna be stand-up comedy and food and music and booze. It's gonna be great. You should go, because I can't. It's my 21st birthday the same day and my parents are taking me out. You know how it is.

Also, what with the bittersweet close of Cyrano, we're now getting set up for Second Weekend in September, which I'm sure Gilly will be telling you all lots about because she's stage managing. Right Gilly? RIGHT, GILLY?!

Busy day, and I need to get back to work. Love you all!

~Beth

1..2...3...will you stop it, Britney?

Hello, hello *waves hands to quiet the throngs of adoring fans cheering her return*
That's right. It really is me. I'm back.
I say back, but technically I was never really gone - I just haven't posted here in 3 months. And for that I am deeply sorry.
Now, to catch up. The 2010-2011 (which seems to take longer to type than 2009-2010 for some reason) season has been announced, and it is looking really good! For those actors out there, you can also now get an audition slot for the generals for next season ( I know I've got mine!), or if you prefer to enjoy the shows from the audience, can buy a subscription. I, for one, am VERY excited.
In other news, all of our senior staff members are off in meetings for the day, so Beth and I are alone in the office, and we have been listening to music and comedy (hence the Britney reference in the title. I remember the good old days, when her songs were about rainbows and unicorns).
Poor Martin was here by himself yesterday, and Thursday is a busy day. I came in to HM the show last night (at which there was a 91 strong group of Notre Dame freshman), and he had been absolutely fabulous. Yay, Martin.
There's only three Cyrano performances left, and I will be House Managing the closing performance on Sunday. This show has been GREAT ( I confess to sneaking in to watch a few scenes last night), and I'll be sad to see it go! Make sure not to miss it, if you haven't seen it yet!
In even more other news, I am Stage Managing Second Weekend in September, which opens May 20th. We've just started rehearsals, and it's already looking fabulous. I LOVE the script, and (although I'm biased) I think it's going to be a great show. I'll keep you updated with rehearsal tidbits, if you're very good. *pats head*
I should probably go make sure the lobby is extra pretty for tonight. Until then, parting is such sweet sorrow.
Kisses!
- G