A Little Theatre Update

Vaudeville poster image found here.

The Moonlight Sonata of Beethovan Blatz is entering it's second week of performances. We've had sold out houses for every show so far (except opening, we were a few seats shy) and we've been blessed with fabulous audiences. It's very nice to be part of such a great production.

Today I start rehearsals for my next project. I'm stage managing for the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre who is presenting Michael Nathanson's Governor General Award nominated play Talk at The Prairie Scene Festival in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It's a stunning play about two friends whose 26 year friendship is put to the test as they take sides about the Israli-Palestinian conflict.
So, this means I'm off to Ottawa, our nations capital, in two short weeks! I haven't been since I was small and don't remember it so well. I'm quite excited to do some touristy things (and try to find some vintage too!).

Thirdly, I just got hired yesterday by a local independant company called Kiss the Giraffe Productions for the Winnipeg Fringe Festival this summer. They are producing a local playwrights newest musical concoction: Illuminati 2: The Musical. These shows are usually sold out Fringe hits! Can't wait!
We start rehearsals 3 days after I get back from Ottawa! No rest for the wicked.


So that's what's coming down the pipeline in the near future...

Lisa.xo

Outfit: Opening Night for Theatre Projects

Last night was opening night for the show I've been working on. If you're in Winnipeg you should come see it! (click the link for info on the show)

Working backstage as an apprentice stage manager requires wearing all black clothing so you blend in with the black curtains. Kindof like being a stage ninja!

So I've tried to wear mostly black, but with a few brighter (red in this case) elements that I can switch out. I threw on a black tee-shirt and ballet flats when I got to the theatre.
Opening night also means a reception with food and drink after the performance, so dressing nice is always a requirement. It's also a great way to connect with people and maybe get more work!!

So this is what I wore yesterday:

50's Pearl and Rhinestone Bow Necklace: Ragpickers

Black Lace Cami & Red Polka Blouse: Smart Set

Red Cardigan: Thrifted

Black Highwaisted Shorts: Ruby Slipper

Red Ruffle Shoes: Red Carpet (TownShoes) 

Lisa.xo

And So it Begins (Plus an Outfit!)

This week is the first week of my newest stage managing job! I'm apprentice stage managing for Theatre Projects Manitoba. They're producing a new play called The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz by Armin Wiebe (click the link for more info on the play!).
It's a short prep week. Rehearsals start on Friday and I'm still stage manging for The Gilbert & Sullivan Society until this Sunday. So it's a full week!
Today I'm off to meet the stage manager (a friend from university) so we can move supplies to and set up the rehearsal space.
And tonight I've got rehearsal for G&S.

Here's what I'm wearing today. Not very vintage, I know, but I'll be on my hands and knees this afternoon taping the set outline onto the floor of the rehearsal space. Not a job for a vintage dress.
The T-shirt and cardigan are new. The t-shirt is Joe Fresh (I just love thier clothes! So afordable. This tee was $12!!) and I bought the cardigan on sale at Jacob this week. I hate to pay full price for trendier pieces. And I think it'll look really cuted belted over a dress when our weather warms up.
It's just so darn cold here right now (are you sick of hearing me say that?!).

 

Oh yeah, and the runners are new too...they asked to come home with me...they were cute...I couldn't say no...

Mermaid Pendant: Pick Up Sticks Jewelry

Watch Brooch: Thrifted

Boat Neck Anchor Tee: Joe Fresh

Periwinkle "Boyfriend" Cardigan: Jacob

Jeans: Bootlegger

Diesel Runners: TownShoes

I'm so happy to be working in theatre again! It's like coming home! :)

Lisa.xo

A Quick Check In & Some News!

Hello blog friends!

If I'm not careful February is going to turn out to be one of those months where I don't post very much (which, I want you to know is never my intention!!).
In my defense I've been busy preparing for an exciting change in my life.

I've quit my job at Urban Barn and after 2 long years of trying to work in "the real world" I've made the decision to abandon all of that and fully persue my career as a Stage Manager (click the link to read a great, simplified version of what an SM does)!!

This is one of  Winnipeg's old vaudeville stage Pantages Playhouse Theatre. I've stage managed here on numerous occastions.

I actually went to school for 6 years (out of choice, not necessity) for my BA Double Honours in Acting and Stage Management. And I've worked in theatre in many capacities: actor, director, stage manager, props, writer, costumer, producer, over the last 15 years. In fact, it was the tiresome task of juggling my roles as an actor and a stage manager that drove me to take the position at Ricki's 2 years ago. I was tired, saw an opportunity I couldn't pass up and thought "What the hell! If it doesn't work out I've still got my career in theatre."
I've actually known that I was making the move back to theatre since I quit at Ricki's in the spring of last year, but couldn't find any immediate work, so I had to look for another regular job and keep mum on the 'ol internet (who knows who reads my blog!!) among other places until everything was out in the open.
It's a real relief now that I've quit at Urban Barn. I can finally be openly excited about my decision!

Thanks for indulging me in my photo-light post!

Lisa.xo

Well Hello Again!

Hello patient blog-world-friends! The Wardrobe Project continues. I've sorted through my entire closet and am slowly working on my accessories. Wait till you see my closet! So much room!
The good news is that getting dressed in the morning is not so painful anymore! Success!

I'll give you a full update in a few days.

The real reason for this post is an exciting project opening tomorrow at the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) that I'm Assistant Stage Managing.

It's Wanda Koop...On the Edge of Experience. During the day the gallery is a typical art show, but during the evening this week Hybrid Human will be showing. It's a video integrated, mixed media dance/art installation! Very cool! And tickets are still available if you are in the area.

That's all for now! I'll be back with some Wardrobe Project updates before the end of the week.

Lisa.xo

Discovery!

I've been searching high and low for a cute pair of boots with a low heel.

Little did I know they were right here at home, right under my nose!

I bought them second hand quite a few years ago to put in my tickle trunk (full of lovely costumey pieces).

I've actually wore them a few years ago when I played Susanna Moodie in Molly Thom's The Bush Ladies.

Watch me act and speak in a British accent here!

Anyway, aren't they cute? Perfect for skinny jeans or with socks, tights and a skirt! I'm a sucker for buttons.
PLUS they were already in my closet! No need to buy more and add to the pile which I am currently trying to whitle down.

Lisa.xo

Long Absence...

Well...it seems I've done it again. I've left you for weeks without notice.

It's been a trying couple of weeks...

As you know -as it has kept me from posting regularly- work has been very busy and stressful. Well I won't go into detail, but I quit my job this week. It just wasn't working out. I of course have a new job I will be starting next Tuesday. Reception/Administration for a family run business. I have high hopes of course as we all do before the start of a new job.

In lighter news, my show opened last night! It was a great show! A sold out house!

Habitat

by Judith Thompson, directed by Arne MacPherson


April 29-May 1 & May 5-8, 2010 8pm curtain
Pay What You Can Performances - April 29 (8pm) & May 1 (2pm)

Aqua Books - 274 Garry Street
Tickets $15 (regular) $10 (student/senior) at (204) 943-7555



We had a preview article printed in the Winnipeg Free Press yesterday. You can read it here.

If you live in Winnipeg, please come see the show!  We'd love to have you!

Lisa.xo

A Response: A Day in the Life of Series

Thank you again to everyone who commented on my 50's housewife post!
I expected many irate readers to bash me on my backwards thinking!
But no!

I'm happy to discover that I am not the only one who is tired from attempting to do it all! It's very nice to know I'm not the only one who feels this way. Many of the women I work with do not share my opinion and value thier careers above all else. It makes me feel like wanting to stay home is wrong, wrong wrong...

But I digress. As the comments poured in I began to think about a typical "Day in the Life of Lisa". And as it turns out there are currently a few versions.

So I thought I would share them with you. I'll start with a weekend rehearsal day.

This was my day last Sunday.

I woke up on my own (no alarm!) at 9:00ish. (It is important to note that this is sleeping in for me as I wake up at 5:50am on weekdays! I got up without waking The Boy or Dave.

I made coffee, then sat on the couch and checked my email and blog. These are my favorite moments. The house was quiet, the sun was shinning...it's just good.

As usual, I sat on the couch too long and had to rush around to get ready:

Put on my makeup.

Pack a lunch. (I always pack a lot of food because I never know what I'll want to eat later.) In hindsight this looks like a lunch for a little kid. Good thing I'm immature! haha!

Gather my things.

Then I headed to our rehearsal space downtown. I didn't take any photos of us rehearsing (I didn't want to be disruptive), but here's the lobby of the place we were in.

I had a little break from rehearsing my scenes in the afternoon, so I worked on my lines for a bit.

When rehearsal was over at 3:00pm I headed home. Got home around 3:30 and helped the boy with some yardwork.

We had to leave the pup inside. He was getting in the way. He was very sad that he was left out...

We went in and I made an early dinner of sandwiches, pickles and some chips at The Boy's request

After dinner we sat on the couch. The boy did some reading. I surfed the internet for shoes I can't afford. Dave lounged in the sun.

At about 6:00pm The Boy went out to do boy things and I stayed home to watch Deadwood.

Around 7:30 I got hungry again so I ate a chocolate cupcake and a glass of milk.

Dave and I watched Deadwood for at least three hours and fell asleep on the couch.

Dave is out cold!

My view from under the covers

The Boy came home, woke us up and we all headed for bed around midnight.



As you can see, Sunday? Not so stressful. I'll show you A typical day at work soon and a day at work with a rehearsal after (that's a doozy...).

Take care!

Lisa.xo

puppetry. . .the war horse

"War Horse" a London production

using incredible, intricate life sized puppes,

horses made from cane.

adapted from a novel by Michael Morpurgo

it is hard to believe they are only puppets!

the "war horse" official site