Flesh (and Updating) Failures

Hello everyone! Once again, the rehearsal process has utterly distracted me from updating this blog, but I couldn't let this show escape me without at least one entry. First of all, I have to say that the cast we have for Hair is just... amazing. Incredible. Outstanding. All of the above. The talent level is through the roof and the chemistry between the actors is inspiring. When you're dealing with intense subject material such as that in Hair, the cast can really make or break it. When blocking the final number of Act I ("Where Do I Go") was enough to make a few of the cast members teary-eyed, myself included, I knew things were on the right track. The Tribe is already building the base of a connection that's going to bring this production to a new level, and I'm really honored to be a part of it.

Oh yes, and we've found ourselves a set designer. Whereas with Reefer Madness we simply rented platforms and covered them with strips of fabric (CLASSY, RIGHT), Thomas Crabtree of Crabtree Construction has taken on the arduous task of building us a series of steps and platforms, along with a 6 foot wooden scaffold. This, paired with the fact that we have the INFAMOUS Vickie Scott handling our lighting design, makes it hard to not get overly excited, even with weeks to go.

Two weeks in and we've survived our first Act I run-through... all in all, a successful start!

Let the Sunshine In...

Following a successful run of REEFER MADNESS in April 2010, Out of the Box Theatre Company is proud (and beyond excited) to announce HAIR: THE AMERICAN TRIBAL LOVE ROCK MUSICAL as our Fall 2010 production.

With a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot, HAIR follows a group of hopeful, free-spirited young people who advocate a lifestyle of pacifism and free love in a society riddled with intolerance and brutality during the Vietnam War. As they explore sexual identity, challenge racism, experiment with drugs and burn draft cards, the "tribe" in HAIR creates an irresistible message of hope that continues to resonate with audiences 40 years later.

Auditions will be held in late August 2010 and rehearsals will begin in early September. The show will run from October 20th-31st at Center Stage Theater. Stay tuned for more information!

Exciting News!

Thank you to everyone who came to see Reefer Madness. It was just such an amazing experience from the first day to the last, and it was wonderful to see the support from the Santa Barbara community in the form of SOLD OUT signs on the box office window. You're all wonderful-fabulous-super-spectacular. It's been awhile, I know, but Out of the Box Theatre has some news!

NUMBER ONE: Be sure to check out our brand-spanking-new OFFICIAL website!

HTTP://WWW.OUTOFTHEBOXTHEATRE.ORG

NUMBER TWO: Our next production is already in the works! To raise some money for a second "mainstage" production in October 2010, we'll be doing a song cycle/concert called PARTY WORTH CRASHING (music by Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk.) Performances will be at the end of August, more info TBD.

PARTY WORTH CRASHING is about youth, coming of age and making big decisions. It’s about laughing at yourself and figuring things out on your own, failed relationships, getting married, picking up strangers in bars, feeling old at twenty-five, hating your job, and making Thanksgiving dinner for the first time. Above all else, PARTY WORTH CRASHING honors the twenty-something generation who challenge themselves to actively live their own lives, rather than just sit on their futons playing Wii. With the freedom to do anything comes the responsibility to do something.

Words cannot do these composers justice... so watch a couple of videos.

AUDITION INFORMATION COMING SOON!

Reefer Madness Impromptu Performance

The cast decided to get together for an impromptu performance in the center of Paseo Nuevo mall and the result was nothing less than spectacular. Fun was had by all... except for maybe the family that quickly packed up and moved from their table when John the Zombie gave them a quick hello before the camera started rolling. Did you see a zombie at Sephora? Barnes and Noble? Nordstrom? If not, enjoy the video!

Buy Your Tickets Now

Buy your tickets now to see the final product of months of preparation...

Reefer Madness, the 'Hit' Musical.

April 7-11th, 2010 at Center Stage Theater

DISCO ORGY!
HALF-MAN/HALF-GOAT!
SHAKESPEARE!
SADISM!
SWING DANCING!
BROWNIES!
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT!
ZOMBIES!
AND JESUS!

Seriously. You don't want to miss this.


WAYS TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS:
1. Call the box-office at (805) 963-0408.
2. Visit the box-office at Center Stage Theater, on top of CPK in Paseo Nuevo.
3. Go to http://centerstagetheater.tix.com/ and scroll on down.
WARNING: May cause giggling... for no good reason.

Meet the Madness!- Geren Piltz

quick questions

(transcribed)

role in the production?
jack stone/jesus/george washington
personal theme song?
theme from "back to the future" - alan silvestri
special skills?
barbershop harmony, voiceover, juggling, radio production
if you could go back in time and catch any Broadway show, what would it be?
after marveling the sweet concept of having a time machine, then worrying about creating a paradox, i'd go see the premiere of the music man.
last book you read?
state of fear - michael crichton
must see t.v. show?
burn notice - "when you're a spy..."
favorite line from the show?
"y'like brownies?"
winter, spring, summer, or fall?
fall, it's the closest thing to a season in santa barbara
favorite cereal?
puffins! (barbara's)
if you were stranded on an island, what three things would you want with you?
just 1 item: waterproof, solar-powered satellite phone. too literal? okay.
1) wind in the willows by kenneth grahame
2) little shop of horrors soundtrack + player
3) the truman show dvd + player

Meet the Madness!- Lauren Kivowitz

quick questions

(transcribed)

role in the production?
sally
personal theme song?
hakuna matata
special skills?
piano, accents, baking, (bad) puns, tripping
if you could go back in time and catch any Broadway show, what would it be?
the original cast of guys & dolls
last book you read?
the year of living biblically by aj. jacobs
must see t.v. show?
the twilight zone! (the original, obviously)
favorite line from the show?
"she fell down!"
winter, spring, summer, or fall?
fall
favorite cereal?
reeses peanut butter puffs
if you were stranded on an island, what three things would you want with you?
my mom, ipod, some kind of electronic book device with a bunch of books on it

Auditions and Rehearsals- Week 1

Well. The auditioning process was grueling to say the least, but it was definitely a learning experience. After having posted audition notices in Backstage West and Actors' Access, an influx of out-of-work Los Angeles actors flooded our emails with headshots and resumes... and then, mysteriously enough, not one of them decided to show up for their audition appointment. Despite the scheduling nightmare (and the fact that throughout auditions, Kindermusik was having a party in the hall... balloons, streamers, whistles, the works) the loyal residents of Santa Barbara came through in the end. Let me just say, it could NOT have worked out any better. The group works so well together, the chemistry is just amazing. Everyone seems to be dedicated to the same cause- providing Santa Barbara with more contemporary theatre and having a fantastic time in the process.

A hearty thank you is due to The Anacapa School and the Santa Barbara Arthritis Foundation for letting us use their facilities to rehearse in the evenings. The read-throughs have been mind-blowing, but seeing everyone stand up to run the first three scenes on Friday was beyond exciting. And so, the first week of rehearsals is over and done with and we're *knock on wood* right on schedule.

Coming soon... MEET THE MADNESS!

Quotations

A few quotes about theatre and the arts to hold you over!


"Always over-estimate the public's intelligence. They will thank you for it.”
– Laurence Luckinbill, Broadway and film actor

“I could not imagine a theatre worth my time that did not want to change the world.”
– Arthur Miller, playwright

“When I began writing for the musical theatre, I firmly believed that what I chose to put onstage had the potential of changing people’s lives.”
– Sheldon Harnick, Broadway lyricist

“Don't sell audiences short. They are open to the adventurous, the challenging, even the dangerous.”
– Hal Prince, Broadway producer/director

"Treat your audiences like geniuses and poets and that's what they will become."
– Del Close, actor, teacher, writer, improv pioneer

"The adventure you're ready for is the one you get."
- Joseph Campbell

"Words are loaded pistols."
- Jean-Paul Sartre, philosopher

"I like to play with people's danger zones."
- George Carlin, comedian

“I like that art makes people mad. It delights me."
– John Waters, filmmaker


DON'T FORGET!
Auditions are going to be held February 6th and 7th at Santa Barbara Dance Arts. Be sure to write Sara (reefercasting@hotmail.com) and send over your headshot and resume if you'd like to make an audition appointment. They're filling up fast!

Auditions

HARRY J. ANSLINGER WANTS YOU...
TO AUDITION FOR REEFER MADNESS!

AUDITION DATES:
Saturday, February 6th
1pm-6pm

Sunday, February 7th
1pm-6pm

LOCATION:
Santa Barbara Dance Arts
1 N. Calle Cesar Chavez Ste. 100
Santa Barbara, CA 93103

SEEKING:
Actors (18+) to portray the following characters...

[Jimmy Harper] A wholesome, innocent, high school teenager who runs into trouble after he is lured into the dangerous world of reefer. Must move well.
[Lecturer] A severe authority figure who warns the audience of the perils of Reefer Madness. (Doubles as Goat-Man, Mr. Poppy, Irish Priest, Old Man, Radio Announcer, Ticket-Taker, Policeman, FDR.)
[Jack Stone] The handsome and ruthless proprietor of the Reefer Den, a 30's gangster movie-type. Strong physical presence a plus. Must move well. (Doubles as Jesus, George Washington.)
[Mae] An attractive, yet slightly haggard dame in her mid-30s, the hostess of the Reefer Den.
[Ralph Wiley] A denizen of the Reefer Den, formally a fraternity man, his college days ended long ago due to his reefer habit. (Doubles as Sally's Baby, Switch-Puller, Uncle Sam.)
[Sally] A sexy and seductive resident of the Reefer Den, she possesses the libidinous soul of Mae West combined with the rat-a-tat moxie of vintage Barbara Stanwyck. Must move well. (Doubles as Lady Liberty.)
[Placard Girl] Throughout the play she reinforces the warnings of the Lecturer by holding large signs that clearly state the moral of what we've just seen. (Doubles as Five-and-Dime Kid, Police Officer.)
[Ensemble] Mixed gender group to represent Reefer Zombies, Kids at the Five-and-Dime, Jungle Orgy dancers, Angels, and patriotic background chorus in the Star-Spangled finale. Heavy dancing required.
PREPARATION:
Brief monologue (1-2 minutes)
16-32 bars of a contemporary musical theatre piece or appropriately themed selection.Bring sheet music; accompanist will be provided.
Bring headshot/picture and resume, stapled together.

APPOINTMENTS:
For an appointment, email pix & resume to Sara Rademacher at reefercasting@hotmail.com.