Necces - Nessa - oh, that one show.

Alright. I fail. But in my defense, I was sick. And this sickness...prohibited me from typing. Yes. It's a rare condition. Very rare. I'm the first recorded case, actually.
Well, it is 11:48 at night, and I just got back from City Lights. Now, I know what you are saying "why, Gilly dearest, were you at work on a Friday night when I know (as I know your schedule intimately) that you don't work on Fridays normally?"
Well, dear readers, that is an excellent question. And it is creepy that you know my schedule. But anyway, I was the "supervisor" for the closing of Notre Dame's show tonight. I was actually supposed to work Thursday night too, but Martin (who I think may have died... he was very sick last time I talked to him) kindly covered for me. And I went to see Joshua Radin in concert. And it. Was. Amazing. I am in love. But that is not the point.
The point is, I saw things this week. On Wednesday I saw Spring Awakening in SF (MUST... DO... SHOW... MUST... STALK... CAST...), yesterday Josh Radin (lessthanthree), and today necessary targets. They oversold tonight (and apparently last night too) so that was good, and it's a powerful piece, with some very talented people in it. I kinda want to direct it. Maybe. Perhaps. *pretentious moment* I HAVE A VISION! *end pretentious moment*
Anyways. So ANBC is coming up in just a few weeks! Mostly the office is quiet, so I've been dealing with donation requests and various formerVera (one word) things. Some nice people from Intel have offered to come organize our props in December. Isn't that nice of them? I think we already threw out stripper Barbie, but I'm sure there's much more frightening and entertaining things yet to be discovered.
Hmm. I think that is all. Then again, I'm quite tired, so I will probably think of more later. Ciao for now, bella (not the vampire-book-character... the Italian term of affection. Just to clear that up.)
- Me.

P.S. Oh, also, I got cake tonight at work. It was yummy. There is still some in the fridge, I think, if anyone would like some. So there.

P.S. S. WHY CAN'T I POST COMMENTS ON ANY OF THESE POSTS? This angers me.

Another Chill Day

Just Anne and me today. Spent an hour and a half doing grunt work of entering email addresses. Woo! Still, that's a lot less scary than what I will be doing once I have feedback from some people: setting up the non-profit partner for Another Night Before Christmas! We chose Sacred Heart Community Center, since the theme of the show is giving and reviving the holiday spirit. I did some volunteer work there in high school and thought it would be a great fit. I've contacted them and they're on board, so that's fantastic.
The day is almost done, and that's the best that can be said for it. This is why I can't wait until about a week before the show, and then for the show to start, so I'll have stuff to do!
Also, my fellow bloggers have been slacking in their blog duties.

Necessary Targets

You might ask why I'm at City Lights at 12:30pm on a Sunday--and a lovely Sunday at that. Well, today is my last day to supervise Notre Dame High School's "Necessary Targets". Okay, it's less supervising than just being here in case something goes horribly wrong, which shouldn't happen, but it might. But probably not.

But the show. I saw it in its entirety last night, and wow, forget high school, this is a quality show for anyone. All the girls are very dedicated to their characters and the story they are relating, and what a story. Set in 1997, two American women, a psychiatrist and a war trauma expert, embark on a mission to understand and relieve a small group of Bosnian refugees, five women who's lives have been turned completely around in a war-torn country. As the stories of these survivors unravel, we see that the simple pleasures of their lives, from a teenager's telephone to an old woman's precious cow, represent their freedom and dignity as Bosnians and as women.

Three more performances: today at 2pm, and this coming Thursday and Friday at 7:30om. Tickets are only $10, so it's ridiculously cheap. Bring everyone, and I mean everyone, you can muster. You will not regret it!

Mid-show Blues

Coming into the office, checking the voicemail box, no new messages. One of these things doesn't belong. But I guess that's something to get used to between shows, less of the phone ringing off the hook. One the one hand, I am allowed to keep my sanity and actually finish projects in more-or-less one sitting; on the other hand, a quiet phone means two things: one, we're not selling, and two, it's easy to get bored. I like interacting with the public (hense the blogtastic funtimes) but that is harder to do when they don't call. All the same, that gives me the opportunity to pay attention to other things around here, like the very scary prop loft, for example. Except I'm the only intern in today, and someone needs to be at the desk. You know, just in case.

So, how am I going to ensure the phone rings? By publisizing the next show, of course! Another Night Before Christmas opens with the preview night on Nov 20th! Now, while that is nearly a month away, we at City Lights know we cater to a classy crowd who's schedules fill up fast. So give us a call to reserve your ticket today! Here's the link: http://www.cltc.org/Show2.htm!

demonic possession, aka, just another day at work

Since there is little to do today at work (considering Gilly's got most of the stuff under control) I'm going to take a moment to talk about our copy machine. Our possessed copy machine.

Did you ever see the movie Gremlins? Well, it doesn't matter, because this Xerox machine isn't infested with Gremlins, it's possessed. I know this for a fact because it whispers secrets to me when I'm alone in the office. It tells me its plans for world domination, how we are all doomed to burn in hell, how I'm next, etc. You know, usual demonic possession stuff. Also, I'm pretty sure it mentioned something about past victims and bodies hidden in the prop loft. That would explain the ghost that keeps calling. Maybe it's protecting us? We may never be sure, seeing as the ghost hasn't mastered psychic communication, and every time I've asked the copier, it just went off about "eternal torment" or something. So, if next time you see a show at City Lights, there's a pentagram of blood in the bathroom, you'll know why.

Other than deciphering supernatural phenomenon, I'll be working the Notre Dame show, Necessary Targets, later today. I'll be sure to keep a priest on speed dial in case one of the girls goes Linda Blair on us.

Multi-tasking

Oh, my, it has been a while since I posted on here. Bad Gilly. Bad.
Well, as I believe Beth mentioned in her last post, Judas has closed. Sad times. I enjoyed house managing for them ever so much. Mostly because (and I don't say this lightly) they are the nicest cast I have ever worked with. I mean, it is wholly remarkable that a cast that size (12?15? Something like that) not only all gets along perfectly, but also does not even mildly irritate the people they are working with. Can we have them do every show, please? I like them.
Having said that, work is now beginning on Another Night Before Christmas (which shall henceforth be abbreviated to ANBC). Rehearsals are underway, I have almost finished the press release (just a little more information to go) - which is my very first (*sadness at Vera's departure mixes with pride*), and build will begin in a couple of weeks. Excitement abounds!
I wasn't technically in the office today, but I am at the theater right this very second, because I am watching the Notre Dame students' dress rehearsal (see Beth's post from yesterday...or Monday. I forget.). It's looking good. I'm going to wait and watch the whole show next week. In the mean time, I have been working on the press release, some play reading, and studying for my midterm tomorrow (OY).
I think that is all for now - I'll be back in the office tomorrow, and more excitement shall happen. Whee!!!
Ciao,
Me.

Invasion of the High School Girls!

Okay, to be fair there is one boy in the cast as well. The Notre Dame High School fall play, Necessary Targets by Eve Ensler opens this Thursday, and that's cool! But there's all these high schoolers here... Okay, I gotta hand it to them, I've watched a scene or two from last nights rehearsal--most of which I spent teaching a couple of the girls how to age and injure themselves with make-up--and a few of them are really pretty good. It looks like a pretty good show, about Bosnian refugees and an American psychiatrist... okay I really know very little about this play, but it looks quite promising. You should see it! Playing this weekend and next weekend:

Thursday 10/22 7:30:00 PM
Friday 10/23 7:30:00 PM
Saturday 10/24 7:30:00 PM
Sunday10/25 (no time posted)
Thursday 10/29 7:30:00 PM
Friday 10/30 7:30:00 PM

Spent very little of today actually at the intern desk. Checked off all the leftover inventory to be returned to Zanotto's, and then put it all on flats and in milk crates. At least I don't have to do any of the actual heavy lifting! Did some general walk around clean-up, not all that interesting. But the big news is with the ND play, which I suggest you come out and see. :)

Introducing the Prop Loft

The prop loft at City Lights is, to put it lightly, a madhouse. Just taking a few steps in and glancing around, here is a small representation of what I saw (see which ones stand out to you):

-A large bag of grass skirts
-A box of wigs
-several racks of various costume pieces
-A skateboard
-A basketball and soccer ball, both of varied flatness
-A large stuffed phallus (courtesy of Lysistrata)
-A small pole dancing Barbie figurine
-A gold-colored eagle
-Various dishes and cups

Et cetera. I'm sort of looking forward to getting to work up there, aside from all the dust that has invariably settled in the corners. Should be fun!

It's been awhile...

So, in case you hadn't noticed, I haven't posted on the blog in awhile. For those of you that did notice, I am humbled by your undying affection. For your benefit, I will now rattle off a list of excuses as to why I haven't posted:

- Ticket orders for Judas (one last weekend!)
- Ticket orders for Laramie (2 sold out shows!)
- Updating the website (we miss you Vera!)
- Seeing Judas (it's really good!)
- Cleaning (if you're one of those people who throws their used paper towels whenever they want, I will SMITE YOU!)
- Installing a new printer (read; HUGE)
- Learing how to set up and shut down the theater (as Beth mentioned previously)
- Starting rehearsal for a show (if Another Night Before Christmas isn't enough Christmas for you, check out A Christmas Pudding at Bus Barn)
- Eating (a specialization of mine)

And I think that's about it. It was a pretty hectic week, as I'm sure the other interns can vouch for. I did try to post something on the blog, but then things got even more crazy...
Anyhoo, I've still got work to do. I'll talk at ya'll later. Hopefully not too much later...

Woohoo!

See, this is why I work in theater. Because it is amazing.

1) The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, an awesome funny show currently playing (which I am finally seeing tonight!) that has been getting great reviews. Yay for South Bay premieres!

2) The Laramie Project, the 8pm show oversold by a few seats, so that will be fun and exciting getting everyone in, and I have no doubt the 5pm showing willing also sell out (I made sure to get my ticket while I was in yesterday). Huzzah for worldwide commemorative efforts! (For more info check out Gilly's post on Tuesday.)

As you may noticed, I am posting on Saturday, even though I work on Fridays, because I literally had NO TIME to post a blog yesterday. The phone was ringing almost off the hook (which was cool, but for the first 20 minutes it was only me and we have two lines and I can only do so much at once, sorry!). Anne had to tell me to stop selling 8pm tickets for Laramie because there were more on the online orders she had just closed. We're a smidge oversold, so if you have tickets for that showing, ARRIVE EARLY!!!

Fun times: on Thursday I stopped by City Lights for a little less than an hour and the 3 of us interns plus 2 Notre Dame students got the tour from the lovely Kit Wilder from the point of view of a stage manager opening up the theater for a show. I had only been in the booth once before, and I've never needed to be for a show. Needless to say I took notes, because I am bound to forget something. He gave us his cell number in case we screw up, but hopefully I'll never have to use it.

Okie doke, I have to get ready for rehearsal, but I'll be at Judas tonight! Have a good one!

Laramie, posters, and Mecury News... Oh my!

Greetings faithful readers.
It has been a little while since I last updated, and boy, are there exciting things for me to share! I'm still in the office right now (I know what you are thinking - Gilly, such a loyal worker, staying 'til all hours) as the New Play Reading starts in about an hour. In the meantime, I shall sit here with my zanatto's water (product placement? Don't worry, I paid.) and tell you a bit about what has been going on here.
The third weekend of Judas was very emotional, but the cast really came together and proved what a family City Lights really is. I know they're excited to bring you two more weekends of thought provoking fun, for which you can buy tickets on the website (had to throw that plug in there). The wonderful reviews keep on coming...
In case you didn't see on Monday, we were on the front page of the Mercury News! Here is a link to the article: http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_13485934?nclick_check=1
The article discusses one of the things I am most excited about right now - City Lights and Arclight partnering to bring the South Bay 'The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later - An Epilogue', as part of a global effort. All fifty states, as well as Spain, England, and China (among other nations) are all mounting staged readings on the same day, commemorating the 11th anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death with a tribute. This is a sequel to 'The Laramie Project', a play chronicling the events and reaction to the brutal murder of Matthew, a gay 21 year old college student whose death brought hate crimes to the forefront of the nation's mind. 10 years later, the writers of the original work, artists from the Tectonic Theater Project, went back to Laramie and interviewed many of the same people, to investigate what the long term effects of the hate crime had been, both socially and politically.
I happen to be one of the eight cast members playing multiple roles in the show, and (without giving too much away) let me tell you that it is an extremely thought provoking and moving piece. I think that the story told is very important -- it is finely written and there are some touching scenes. After the show, I'll go into more detail about the process (I don't want to post anything that might detract for those seeing the show), but I do encourage you to attend. The hows are at 5pm and 8pm on Monday the 12th, and we expect to sell out. The shows will be immediately followed by a streaming live talkback from members of the Tectonic Theater Project, as well as with the cast and our director, David Koppel. There are interviews with people involved in the process, and it promises to be a moving and intellectually rewarding show. I hope to see you there.
On a less intense note, I didn't update at the end of last week, mostly because Martin and I went on an excellent adventure to deliver Judas flyers and posters around downtown San Jose. It was fun, even though I have abysmal taste in shoes. Adventures are good, though, and it's nice to go wander and interact with the lovely patrons (that's you).
Sadly, Miss Vera Sloan has had her last day, having gone to work with Shady Shakespeare. She is already missed, and I hope she'll come back often (so we can go for coffee and chat -- she is a wise one, is Vera. :) ). It's okay, though. I'll probably end up calling her every few days until we find a replacement anyway. But she will never truly be replaced in out hearts! (Ok. I got carried away. *sappy music ends*).
Oooh - Amanda is working away on Dead Man Walking. Exciting things are afoot, which I (or she) shall hopefully be able to share soon. As soon as I can, you will be the first to know (as a reward for reading all of my rambling).
Alright. I'd better go. More soon!
Ciao!

When Things Go Wrong

Today it's just me and Ana Marie in the office, and by that I mean she's in the office and I'm on the lobby computer, because we both need access. So it's a little lonely, I must admit. Not to mention quiet. I'd sing show tunes to myself if I didn't have to concentrate on stuff. And it's just enough concentration to have to pay attention, but not necessarily be engaged.

There is at least one thing to say about mishaps and inconveniences: they keep you on your toes. First the key to the fence behind which the dumpster resides wouldn't turn, so I left a note for when the guys get in. I'm pretty sure I mentioned the right key... After that the online ticket service City Lights uses wouldn't let us log on in the lobby, but then it works fine in the office. And there's no guiding light of upper management to help us out! Yikes! Oh well, time to hitch up our big-kid trousers and get it over with.

Kicking off the 3rd weekend of Judas! If you haven't seen it yet, come on down! :D