Sessions Called: Monday August 15

Thank you FringeNYC for allowing us to hold space at FringeCENTRAL! Our goal for the evening was to have a great conversation, and that we did.

The following sessions were called at our meeting in August. Feel free to comment and continue the conversation even if you do not see a report posted. (When it's not over, it's not over!) As reports come in we'll link it to the list below:

• "My" Show at FringeNYC! Pass your postcards!
• Artists Take Political Action!
• Workshops for Writing? How do you Start?
• Not Having Bad Indie Theatre Tech!
• How to Talk to Designers
• How do you publicize or bring awareness about an indie theatre production?
• How do you generate sustainable funding to keep an Indie Theatre open?
• Indie Theater in Italy? Any leads?
• Dealing with day jobs, how do you balance?

If you have a report to supply for one of these sessions, please forward that to us at devotedanddisgruntlednyc@gmail.com .

How to talk to a Designer

Convener: Jennifer

Participants: Porsche, Kevin, Jennifer, AL

Discussion & Recommendations:

We discussed how most festivals do not have the time to sit down and have a true 'cueing session'. The designer knows this - and is prepared to adjust as needed - well, most of them but that's a different discussion.

We shared stories of the director needing to understand that they are in a festival and they don't need to try and put a special light on everything. The director needs to TRUST that the designer knows what s/he is doing and be flexible to the fact that they are working with a rep plot. They also need to understand that they are in a festival and they need to make this about the acting and story telling. Doing any showcase shouldn't be about the lighting.

We also discussed that there are times that it is important to have an awesome light cue or put all of your sound cues on Qlab. If you are lucky, and have a PC for ETC off-line, then that's the time to be cool and fancy with the lighting. Same goes for the Mac users with the sound cues. Do this before tech. If you need to tweak, then just do it at home. The designers have time to do this, or they can make time to do this.

Recommendations - Trust your designers.

Trust seemed to be the big word of the discussion - it's Key for things to go smoothly during the tech process in a festival atmosphere.

Postcard Swap!

Convener: Amy Lee

Participants: AL, Jennifer, Maire, plus other folks who we did not catch their name

Discussion & Recommendations:

Postcards that were swapped: The Bad Arm, Poe-Dunk, Goldilocks, Parker & Dizzy

We segued into buzz: Bella & the Pool Boy, Hamlet, Town of No One, Back to the Garden, Brave Ducks, Theater of the Arcade...

And this segued into twitter and advertising one's show. Twitter seems to be a great way to keep in touch with the other shows - a quick 'hello' so to speak.

Day Jobs - Balancing

Convener: Emily

Participants: Emily Kukuk, Becca Bandiere, Amy Lee, Porsche McGovern

Discussion & Recommendations:

- 1 1/2 projects at a time!

- Keep your promises to yourself - savings

- Little things like not being able to pay your rent will make it hard to focus on the things you love.

- Find a flexible job, freelance - be your own boss as much as possible

- build a website - jim.do.com

- personal emails and networking as ways to build resume.

- have to schedule time to work on your career

First Stages of Marketing a New Work?

Participants:

Helen Stern , Angelica Jackson, Jen Thatcher

- Festival (FringeNYC, NYMTF)

- Workshop programs w/different theatre companies

- Backers audition (luring investors in could be challenging)

- TRU Producer / writer speed dating

- Social Networks Meet Up

Works by Women NYC

Join us 8/15 as part of FringeNYC at FringeCentral, 5-8pm - free!

 What Are We Doing About Indie Theater?

Mark your calendars!  FringeNYC has invited us to hold space on August 15 from 5:00-8:00pm at FringeCentral as part of FringeU.  We are so excited and grateful for this opportunity and hope you will join us for this very special group of sessions!  Latecomers welcome!

Issue: WHAT STORIES LEND THEMSELVES TO BEING TOLD WITH PLAY-DOH?

Convener(s): Kevin Hale
Participants: Jennifer Wilcox, AL Pearsall, Judith F. Bradshaw

Summary of discussion, conclusions and/or recommendations:

After finishing the matchbox Poe show, I was thinking about turning my attention to creating a show that could be told using play-doh. But I haven’t really thought of a story that lends itself to being told in clay. It could be something that takes advantage of existing play-doh playsets, like using the barber shop to tell Sweeney Todd.

It needs to be something that can be built and smashed, sculpted and reshaped during the show.

Suggestions included:

Ovid’s Metamorphoses

The Old Testament

Sessions Called: Sunday July 31

The following sessions were called at our meeting in July. Feel free to comment and continue the conversation even if you do not see a report posted. (When it's not over, it's not over!) As reports come in we'll link it to the list below:

• Plans for D&D Fringe NYC 8/15
• English Language theatre options in Italy?
• How on earth can a non-actor memorize a 40 page One Person Show? 'Cause I sure don't know!
• Craft Project for Poe-Dunk!
• What stories lend themselves to being told with Play-Doh

If you have a report to supply for one of these sessions, please forward that to us atdevotedanddisgruntlednyc@gmail.com .

D&D NYC on 7/31...and a special announcement for August!!!

Please join us on Sunday, July 31 at 1:00pm to discuss what we're doing about theatre in open space. Here's the chance to meet up with artists, art professionals and audiences to propose a starting point for discussion, then take part in one of these conversations, flit between them all or go get a coffee. If there are things you are passionate about or things you are annoyed with, all are possible because in Open Space you set the agenda. Nothing is off limits.

Actors Movement Studio

302 West 37th St, 6th Flr. (at 8th Avenue)

NYC

Every topic of interest to anyone present will be addressed; anything that needs saying will be said. If you feel like this event might not be for you then that is a sure sign we need your input! event is free!

This month will be facilitated by Jennifer Wilcox of PlaylabNYC.

**AND A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT** 

 What Are We Doing About Indie Theater?

Mark your calendars!  FringeNYC has invited us to hold space on August 15 from 5:00-8:00pm at FringeCentral as part of FringeU.  We are so excited and grateful for this opportunity and hope you will join us for this very special group of sessions! 

Sessions Called: Sunday May 15

The following sessions were called at our meeting in May. Feel free to comment and continue the conversation even if you do not see a report posted. (When it's not over, it's not over!) And if you have a report to supply for one of these sessions, please forward that to us here. We will make a link for other to get more information on this topic.

• Tulpa at Planet Connections
• Need Props for Show
• Best Free Online Marketing Ideas and Places?
• I Suck at Networking - Advice?
• Managing Stress for Producing at a Festival

Sessions called: Sunday, 2/20/11

The following sessions were called at our meeting this past Sunday.  You may click the links for each or scroll down for more information.  Feel free to comment and continue the conversation even if you do not see a report posted. (When it's not over, it's not over!)  And if you have a report to supply for one of these sessions, please forward that to us here.

• Prosperity Cake Recipe
• Art Needs Fed - What Do You Need?
• Getting More People "Here"
• Your Favorite Organization Tips?
• Acting Class Value w/ Teacher vs. Agent / CD?
• In Light of Technology / New Media ("Spiderman"), What is the Future of Theatre?
• Where to get Cheap / Free Theatre Tix?
• Feeling Supported in Chaos

2.20.11 Prosperity Cake recipe

Jen brought these lovely little tea cakes to our meeting this past weekend.  She provides this recipe by popular demand.

This was taken from the New Asian Cuisine website. It’s kind of like Sandra Lee’s version of prosperity cakes, so I’m a little shy to share how incredibly simple they are. But since this website says her aunt makes these this way and she owns a Chinese restaurant, I’m going to say they’re at somewhat authentic…

Here’s to a happy and prosperous year and may the year of the rabbit rock!

Makes six cakes

1 cup water (room temperature)

1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup pancake mix (complete)

Decoration: 3 dried red dates, each sliced in half (optional)

Preparation:Stir together brown sugar and water until sugar has dissolved. Then, gradually mix in flour and pancake mix until a batter forms. Insert six paper cupcake liners into six stiff tin-foil cups that will hold their shape during steaming. Fill cupcake liners to the brim with batter. If using red dates, cut dates in half and soak them in hot water for a few minutes to soften before using. Then, dot the top of each cake with half a red date. Steam for 30 to 45 minutes — the cakes are done when you stick a toothpick in and it comes out clean. If not eating right away, keep them refrigerated and re-steam them for five minutes before serving.

2.20.11 Art Needs Fed - What Do You Need?

Person who called the session: Jennifer

Who attended the session: Jennifer, Amy Lee, Emily, Molly, Judith, Rhonda

Summary of discussion:
This was a very warm and fuzzy session brought up due to my need to make people feel supported and nurtured. A desire to make baked goods overcame me this morning when I was looking at the Bread & Puppet’s Cheap Art Manifesto that is hanging in my living room. When my husband asked why I felt the need to bring snacks to this month’s meeting I burst out with “ART NEEDS FED!” and in reply he said, well that sounds like a session. It sure does.

Jennifer read from Bread & Puppet’s Cheap Art Manifesto:

The WHY CHEAP ART? Manifesto

PEOPLE have been THINKING too long that ART is a PRIVILEGE of the MUSEUMS & the RICH. ART IS NOT BUSINESS! It does not belong to banks & fancy investors ART IS FOOD. You cant EAT it BUT it FEEDS you. ART has to be CHEAP & available to EVERYBODY. It needs to be EVERYWHERE because it is the INSIDE of the WORLD.

ART SOOTHES PAIN! Art wakes up sleepers! ART FIGHTS AGAINST WAR & STUPIDITY! ART SINGS HALLELUJA! ART IS FOR KITCHENS! ART IS LIKE GOOD BREAD! Art is like green trees! Art is like white clouds in blue sky! ART IS CHEAP!

HURRAH!

Bread & Puppet Glover, Vermont, 1984

Afterwards she put the question to the group, what does Art need; what do you need?

Art needs nurtured…

Art needs exercise – walking or dancing…

We could also use a pet; specifically a dog would be nice.

We need to humanize ourselves… funding for Art couldn’t hurt.

The Artists Way (by Julian Cameron) was brought up. Go on routine Artists dates. Doesn’t mater what it is… do something satisfying – don’t forget to fill the well.

To Do List:

If you personally haven’t read The Artist’s Way, consider reading it and going through the book.

Go on routine Artists Dates and fill the well.

Be good to yourself.

2.20.11 Getting more people "here" (Jen has ideas)

Person who called the session: Jennifer
Who attended the session: Jennifer, Amy Lee, Emily

Summary of discussion:

Who knows how to use “meet-up”? http://www.meetup.com/cities/us/ny/new_york/

Jennifer will take a look and see about signing us up.

For the Blog – let’s make a list of what sessions were called each month. It might encourage people to turn in their session. Link the list to the specific session.

We need to confirm our dates with more advanced notice. If we can confirm a date for D&D NYC monthly meetings, Playlab NYC (Kevin and Jennifer) will be happy to put out an ad on playbill.com. Amy Lee also would like to contribute.

“This is about community building people! What are you helping to build?”

To Do List:

Set up a Meet Up profile (Jen)

Ad in Playbill (Kevin / Jen / Amy Lee)

Blog update for each month (Amy Lee)

2.20.11 Your favorite organization tips?

2.20.11 Acting Class Value w/ Teacher vs. Agent / CD?

2.20.11 In Light of Technology / New Media ("Spiderman"), What is the Future of Theatre?

2.20.11 Where to get free / cheap theatre tix?

2.20.11 Feeling supported in chaos

D&D NYC: Sunday, 2/20 @ 1pm

Please join us this Sunday afternoon, February 20th @ 1pm for D&D NYC. As we've just celebrated Valentine's Day, this is a perfect time to discuss that which we love: theatre, the creative process, our community, balancing work and home, and honoring ourselves and our intentions.

Sunday, February 20

1:00-4:00pm

Actors Movement Studio

302 West 37th St, 6th Flr. (at 8th Avenue)

NYC

Please feel free to RSVP or forward the Facebook invitation to anyone you think may be interested!

1.9.11 How to Make a Stronger, Deeper, Active Commitment to Your Work; Steps to Turn Resolutions into Actions and What to do about Resistance

1. Jamie needs some ideas, support with building a website inexpensively

Brainstorming ideas:
- Reproductions will help design a website for you
- Universities may have students who will do this for low fees
- Bookstores have manuals with instructions. Sit in Barnes and Noble, Borders and read. Also used books.
- FIT offers courses on computers
- Sometimes it's worth spending a bit more to have a broader presence
- Judith built her own but it took a lot of time, big learning curve
- Rhonda will give Jamie the contact info for her designer.

2. Judith wants to know how to stay connected to her truest self. How to do in this industry? This came down to "to cut or not to cut her hair."

Talked about:
- Fears of changing what's been her style and self-image for a long time
- Comfort in what is
- Would she feel comfortable changing to see whether it would make a difference in getting work?
- Everyone thought she'd look great no matter what
- Hair can grow back

1.9.11 How can I best attract the acting students who are right for me?

We are constantly invited to be who we are. - Henry David Thoreau

1. Connect with the following to request doing a one-day/1 evening workshop:

• A. The Network – Paul Michael
• Actor’s Connection
• One-On-One

2. Check out Meet Up groups

3. Connect with other teachers (like biodynamics teacher Carol Reynolds). See how CR's structured having her own business and yet still has other businesses who are signing students up for her classes.

4. List classes with Playbill

5. On Twitter, tweet regarding my philosophy

D&D NYC satellite meets this Sunday, January 9!

Please join us this Sunday afternoon, January 9th @ 1pm for D&D NYC. The theme for January is "Resolutions." What do you hope to achieve in 2011? What are you working towards? What would you like to see your contribution to theatre become this year? Come celebrate the new year and share your hopes, dreams and goals in open space!

Sunday, January 9
1:00-4:00pm
Actors Movement Studio
302 West 37th St, 6th Flr. (at 8th Avenue)
NYC

Feel free to RSVP to the Facebook event here!