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FREEHOLD FORUM 2007 OCTOBER ISSUE |
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This month we are thrilled to feature the following:
We always appreciate your input. Please feel free to contact us at (206) 323-7499 x14 or kate@freeholdtheatre.org with story ideas, upcoming shows of Freehold students and articles that you would like to see highlighted. |
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| The Play as Symphony by Brennan Murphy | ||
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Several years ago while living in New York City, I had the opportunity to work with a Russian director, Vjatcheslav "Slava" Dolgatchev. He had a connection with the Moscow Arts Theatre but I was never too clear as to what the connection was. We were working on Chekhov's play, Uncle Vanya and, as you might imagine, he had a very specific take on the play. One day he said something to the group (through a translator) that has stuck with me for many years. It was in reference to an actor's work he thought was too general. Slava compared a play to a symphony. He went on to explain that a symphony was made up of thousands of musical notes. These notes create the rhythm, movement, sound, dynamics, and the foundation of the emotional life of the piece. If the musicians miss playing some of the notes, the audience is not hearing the symphony as intended by the composer, but rather, some diminished version of the composer's creation.
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| "Outsourced" with Matt Smith | |||
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Matt is starring in the recently nationally released film "Outsourced" being produced by Seattle company ShadowCatcher Entertainment which also produced the acclaimed film "Smoke Signals". "Outsourced" is now showing in Ballard at the Bay Theater. Roger Ebert says the film has "a fundamental sweetness and innocence," and The New York Times calls it "a charming culture-clash romance." We sat down with Matt and talked to him about his experience making "Outsourced". How did you get involved in this movie? John Jeffcoat, the director, asked me to do it. He came down to The Market Theatre where I was rehearsing My Boat to Bainbridge and put an audition on tape, and fought for me up through the ranks. Even though the film is shot mostly in India, the producers think of it as a Seattle film (pre and post work plus 2 days of shooting) , and I think they wanted to have at least one major role go to a Seattle actor. John knew me from Jamie Hook's film, "Naked Proof" and Brian McDonald's "Whiteface", and also as the auctioneer every year for The Northwest Film Forum, where all the film makers in town are forced to watch me for over an hour. It's the best way to audition.
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Congratulations
Congratulations to Matt Smith on his feature film "Outsourced" being nationally released this month (see article with Matt in this issue),
Amy Thone for receiving The Stranger's 2007 Genius Award Recipient for Theatre and Marya Sea Kaminski who was shortlisted for the same award!
Thank-You Microsoft!
The Ground Floor Studio Theatre is Now Open at Freehold
The sensational new 49-seat Black Box theatre at Freehold is now open for rentals! The Ground Floor Studio Theatre is an inviting and spacious
venue with 16 foot ceilings. It has everything and more you would want and need for your upcoming production ... a new sound system,
new seats, and new design for a price beyond affordable! Rental rates include an additional roomy dressing room. Rates: One show: $100.00 - Discounts
are available for multiple weekend performances. Space is available on Friday or Saturday nights. For more information,
contact Jason Gorgen at Freehold: (206) 323-7499 x13 or rentals@freeholdtheatre.org.
Freehold Summer Performance Rental Discounts
Rent the East Hall for an entire weekend (Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings) for $636!
*This rental fee include 5 hours of tech rehearsal in the space.*
The East Hall Theatre holds 99 audience members and is centrally located on the second floor of Capitol Hill's Odd Fellows Hall.
More information on the theatre can be found at www.freeholdtheatre.org and by calling 206.323.7499.
To book the space, please contact Jason Gorgen, Freehold's Facilities Manager at 206.323.7499 ext 13.
Fall Class Registration
Freehold's fall class registration is now open. Call us at (206) 323-7499 or
register online: www.freeholdtheatre.org
Can you tell us a little about your background and how you got interested in the arts?
My professional life in theatre began 21 years ago as a sound op, actor and dancer in the same production and believe me,
that took some maneuvering. My love affair with theatre has continued ever since with a broad range of experiences as college professor,
director, production assistant, playwright, marketer, producer, house manager, scenic designer, props carpenter, facilities manager,
grant writer and Development Director. I received an MA in Theatre and Speech from OSU and most recently an Executive Masters in
Not-for-Profit Leadership from Seattle University.
How did I get interested? I think it was probably my love for dancing. I choreographed my first ensemble dance piece at the age
of 10 for a Girl Scout project. It was to Shaun Cassidy's "Da Doo Ron Ron". Many dance lessons and bad pop songs later I got my big
break at the Cherokee Nation's summerstock theatre, Tsa-La-Gi. After that summer I changed my major from Pre-Law to Theatre, much to
my parent's chagrin. The rest is history. Funny how I find myself often dealing with legal issues as the MD of Freehold; it seems
that things have come full circle.
FREEHOLD FACULTY NEWS
Geof Alm will be doing the fight direction for Twelfth Night at the Seattle Repertory Theatre www.seattlerep.org and
in To Kill a Mockingbird at INTIMAN www.intiman.org.
Daemond Arrindell. Seattle Poetry Slam's Annual Halloween show:
DEAD POET SLAM. 10/31 8pm - at Tost - 513 N. 36th St. in Fremont
All slammers must perform the work of a deceased poet. In character and costume gets bonus points!
$5 cover, 21 and over, ID required www.seattlepoetryslam.org.
Timothy Hyland will play the title role in The Life of Galileo by Bertolt Brecht for Strawberry Theatre
Worshop at The Lee Center for the Arts, opening October 26 and running through November 18. For more information, go to
www.strawshop.org. Tim is also directing The Santaland Diaries at
Seattle Public Theatre, opening November 30 and running through December 24. He will also be appearing in The Neverending Story at Seattle Chldren's Theatre
opening December 7 and running through January 29th.
Marya Sea Kaminski. On October 17th Marya will be doing an intimate reading of "October: Five Days and a Eulogy,"
in commemoration of her brother Adam's death five years ago. If suicide has ever passed over your kitchen table, Marya says "you should come."
3pm and 3:30pm in the gazebo at the Arboretum. In December she'll play Hedda in WET's interpretation of "Hedda Gabler,"
called Blah Blah Blah Bang: A Pistol Fit in One Act at On the Boards.
Cyrus Khambatta. The Phffft! Dance Theatre Company is having a benefit on Saturday, October 20th at the Engine Room (in Georgetown)
at 8:00 p.m. The event will feature live painting, performances, food, wine, music, guest artists, a raffle, and silent auction. $25.00 general admission and
$10.00 for Senior/Student/Artist, www.phffft.org.
Paul Mullin will be having a new play reading on Monday, October 8th, 7:00 p.m. of his latest work, The Ten Thousand Things.
Somewhere in the mountains of the American West a clock keeps time for ten
thousand years. Or, at least that's the legend that drives a young woman to
hunt down an old man in the wilderness; and keeps the consciousness of a
savagely brilliant woman named Swastika locked in a fist-sized cube of gold;
and drives an embittered playwright to start a play intended to change
through the centuries like the clock in mountains, ticking one word at a
time. Directed by Braden Abraham. Seattle Rep's PONCHO Forum, 155 Mercer, Seattle Center,
$2 admission.
Hal Ryder will be taking theater student groups to London in January and May.
Matt Smith can be seen in the recently nationally released feature film "Outsourced" produced by local film company Shadowcatcher.
For more information, go to Outsourcedthemovie.
Annette Toutonghi will be in The Women at ACT running from October 5 through November 11. For more information,
www.acttheatre.org.
FREEHOLD STUDENT/ALUM NEWS
Jen Anderson will be in a Work It Production entitled Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, written by Alan Ball and directed by Amy Irvin. November
2-December 1st, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. at the Ground Floor Studio Theatre, 1529 10th Avenue, 1st Floor.
Tickets: at the door or at Brown Paper Tickets http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/20592.
Andy Clawson will be performing in Blue Surge, a Bad Monkey Production, from October 4-20, www.badmonkeyprod.com.
Michelle Flowers has several roles in Under Milkwood, October 5th through 7th, at Youth Theater Northwest. Tickets available at
Brown Paper Tickets.
Jason Gorgen will be sound designing Theater Schmeater's The Summer Before the Summer of Love, www.schmeater.org,
Book-It's Snow Falling on Cedars,
Book-It's Peter Pan, www.book-it.org, and Macha Monkey's Franklin and Figaro, www.machamonkey.org.
Sachie Mikawa will be performing in an upcoming Unicycle show called MonoLodge III, All New and Original Material, November 9th & 10th
Friday and Saturday, Theatre Off Jackson, 409 7th Ave South, Tickets: $10, Brown Paper Tickets, $12 at door/ $8 students. George Lewis directed Sachie Mikawa's
original work, www.unicyclecollective.org.
Louise Penberthy is playing Gertrude in
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead with Ghost Light Theatricals, opening Friday, November 2nd,
www.ghostlighttheatricals.org.
Kristina Sutherland's original play Franklin and Figaro: A Revolutionary Farce is being presented by Macha Monkey Productions and will be performed October 26th - November 17th at the East Hall Theatre,
1525 10th Avenue. Tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com..
We caught up with Elya Braden and Melissa Stenoien, 2007 Freehold Meisner alums, and checked in with them about makes them so passionate about
attending theatre ...
What is it about live theatre that you love?
Elya Braden: What I love about live theatre is the immediacy of it - knowing that the experience, even of the same play, with the same
actors, will never be the same twice. Seeing the moment by moment actions and reactions of the actors to their circumstances
and to each other can bring a story and its emotions to life in a deeper way than through television or film. It's the same for
me when I am acting in live theatre versus on film - the concentration of being in the moment, creating something new each time
you say the same lines, move into the same blocking has a different intensity and creativity than acting in film.
Melissa Stenoien: There are endless reasons why I love live theater. From an actors point of view, live theater is nothing like what I
thought before attending Freehold. I now look at what an actor does, how they prepare, and can appreciate the work they've put into building a character,
to the technical production, then all of it culminating with a live show. I love that energy from the audience - their anticipation that something great
is about
to happen. As an actor, it's exhilarating to think, "Ok I have only one shot to make it right - to make it real - to make it believable", then get up
there on stage, and not think about any
of this, and just be real in that imaginary place. As a member of the audience, I love feeling that energy from the actors - to
see and feel that connection between their characters, their movements and body language
connecting thru to the audience, to the way the lights hit to give a certain atmosphere, and the detailing like the costumes and make-up -
how everything that is set-up there on stage, has significance and meaning to the story - I love how this makes everything come to life.
What play have you seen (could be recently or not) that moved you and why?
Elya Braden: A play that I saw relatively recently that moved me was Clean House at ACT Theatre. Although the stage design was in some
ways surreal and some of the characters' actions extreme in a way that was beyond what I have seen or experienced in my life,
each actor infused his/her character with a reality and believability that made the whole piece deeply affecting. The message
of forgiveness, acceptance and the belief in our ability to change was uplifting. I have seen many plays here in Seattle, but
that is one I will never forget.
Melissa Stenoien:
I have eclectic taste in theater. I like just about anything from comedies to drama. I loved The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
(abridged) - (a parody of all his plays), it was just too funny, especially because it was a cast of three playing all the roles. Cymbeline
this summer at Volunteer Park-it was really creative to see how it was done outdoors - how they made the stage, and the live music made it
very interesting, and it really complemented the actors. Then there's the political drama of Stuff Happens which made for some great and
frustrating conversations, to a production of Blood Brothers, that I saw that in London - even with jet lag, I found it a very moving and
emotional story for a musical.
Live Theatre Week is running October 15-October 21. During the week local theatres will form a united front and work together to open their doors to you, your family and your friends.
Take this opportunity to learn about and connect with local theatres through open houses, special events and a national Free Night of Theater. For more
information, SeattlePerforms.
Freehold Theatre Guild
The Theatre Guild is composed of a group of Freehold students and alumni who have shared in the unique Freehold experience.
Freehold Theatre Guild's (FTG's) stated mission is "To help members of the Freehold Theatre Guild make the transition from student
to active participant in the greater theater community". For those interested in joining Freehold's Theatre Guild, email Andy Tribolini
at atribolini@hotmail.com with your desire to join. You will receive confirmation of membership
by receiving notices about monthly
meetings and activities in which you are strongly encouraged to participate. The Theatre Guild would love to have you be a part of the group!
Here is a free, quick and painless way to contribute financially to Freehold!
GoodSearch is a search engine (www.goodsearch.com) which donates 50-percent of its revenue
to the charities and schools designated by its users. It's a simple and compelling concept. You use
GoodSearch exactly as you would any other search engine. Because it's powered by Yahoo!, you get proven
search results. The money GoodSearch donates to your cause comes from its advertisers - the users and
the organizations do not spend a dime! To support Freehold, on the "Who do you search the web for?"
type in Freehold and search away! Every time you do a search, money gets added to Freehold's account.
Make "goodsearch.com" your home page and encourage your friends to do the same by going to: http://www.goodsearch.com/MakeHomepage.aspx.
Thank you for your continued support!
A group of artists, who after years of professional work felt that the full potential of the theatrical event
had yet to be realized, founded Freehold Theatre in the summer of 1991 when two prominent actor studios-the
Pasqualini-Smith Studio (est. 1985) and the Mark Jenkins Actors' Workshop (est. 1985) joined forces. The
founders, Robin Lynn Smith, Mark Jenkins and George Lewis, among others, are professional actors and directors
whose credentials include recognized work on and off Broadway, as well as in major films, television, and regional
theatre. They formulated the following mission: Freehold engages artists of all levels in training and experimentation
so that they may become more innovative and heartfelt in generating theatre that has a lasting impact on the community we serve.
As a center for the development and practice of theatre, Freehold Theatre is committed to art that embraces the full
range of human experience and that inspires performers and audience to connect more deeply to themselves and to each other.
We move toward this goal in four ways:
In 2003 we developed an Engaged Theatre program in which we reach out to culturally under-served communities. The program
comprises an annual tour to organizations that represent culturally under-served populations and a four-month residency at
Washington Corrections Center for Women, in which the women create, rehearse and perform a theatre production. This year
for the first time, George Lewis has developed a similar pilot program at the Monroe Correctional Center for Men.
For more information about our programs and services see our website: www.freeholdtheatre.org.
The Freehold Forum E-Newsletter was born out of our desire to respond to requests from you, our Freehold community,
to hear about the innovative and powerful work being done at Freehold Theatre by our incredibly talented and diverse
faculty and alumni. The Forum will provide you with a wealth of information that will serve you in your work as an artist.
The monthly Freehold Forum will include insightful interviews with talented actors, directors and playwrights, compelling
articles on a wide array of topics to assist you in your artistic growth, cutting edge news on upcoming Freehold Faculty and
alumni performances, highly newsworthy articles by Freehold's Theatre Guild and Freehold Calendar Highlights showcasing
upcoming must-see Freehold Calendar events.
Freehold is always looking for people interested in joining our team of committed and enthusiastic volunteers.
Whether you have time, wisdom, strength, money, a desire to be involved in your community, or any combination thereof,
we would love to have you join in our efforts. Here are some ways you can participate in our work at Freehold:
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are highly treasured at Freehold!! We rely on and appreciate the invaluable and diverse skills
our volunteers contribute which enable us to further our mission. We are currently seeking volunteers to help
us with our administrative functions, staff performances and fundraising events!! If you have the desire to be
part of a committed group of staff and other volunteers, please give us a call at 206-323-7499.
Donations
Freehold is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We rely on philanthropic donations from the community to help us
continue to be a part of the theatre community and to keep the cost of our classes affordable. Donations may be
sent to: Freehold Theatre, 1525 10th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122.
The character you play is a brusque boss who is rather matter of fact about the outsourcing that is being imposed on his employees.
How did you go about developing your character?
I learned my lines, and ran them every day, and learned what they meant, and
sat with them for three months. And I got to know the rest of the script so I
would be in the same movie as everyone else. I was able to find some little
things that didn't feel accurate, based on what had come from someone else
earlier or later in the script. John was totally open to all feedback,
which empowered me to get into it.
What was it like working on location in India?
Good thing I knew my lines, cause I got sick, a couple times, when I was
there (for two weeks). Most people got sick, once. If you want to see
something funny at my expense, go to MattSmithJellyBelly.
If I had been asked to think hard, or change any lines, we'd have gone over
budget. I am still grateful for how I was treated by everyone when I was
sick on the set. My experiences going into Mumbai (four or five times) were
staggering. Everything is extreme. I was baffled by things I saw on the
street; the poverty, the beauty, and other things I can't even articulate.
Working with the Indian cast and crew was fantastic. Everyone is
encouraged, in India, to hire as many people as you possibly can, so there
were people there to serve tea, to watch the cow in case anyone might need
it, etc.
The film tackles the issues of the global economy and how that impacts our larger world. The New York Times review noted:
"The film shows that individuals in every nation are nearly powerless
before the global economy, a force that shatters tradition and
compels people to think of themselves as self-interested free agents.
This pragmatic point of view is articulated by Asha, who rhetorically
asks Todd why it's necessary for Indian call-center workers to pose
as Americans while selling cheap junk made in China."
What were the discussions/thoughts among the cast, director and writer about addressing the larger questions that
surround the topic of outsourcing?
I was not privy to them. At the time John and Josh and Ayesha and the crew
were trying to get through one day at a time. I did have a great talk with
one of the call center actors playing the character Sanjay in the movie. He told me that the people you see in Bombay
doing basic construction, like moving rocks around, make about $50 a month.
With that they somehow feed a family. I asked him how it was possible and
he said, "That's the magic".
You are described as someone who wears many hats - Actor, Improviser - and have worked in theater as well as in feature films.
What has been your experience performing in feature films ... the joys/the challenges?
Having a role in a film where what your character does moves the story
forward is a real joy. Spending time hanging and bonding with everyone
through the work is the best. My limited experience in film has been very
positive. The challenge is getting these parts. I started getting them
pretty much when I stopped pursuing them. Maybe I had been trying too hard.
Or maybe my face took a while to match my heart. I don't audition much any
more, and when I do, I don't try very hard. It works better for me. You
figure it out.
What are you looking to work on in the future?
I have a part in David Russo's film "The Immaculate Conception of Little
Dizzle". You'll hear about this one. Other than that, I'm calling fundraising auctions, teaching, doing workplace trainings, and working on
something with Bret Fetzer, who directed all my solo works. It has no form at
this point. At all.
To read the fascinating Director's Blog for "Outsourced," go to Outsourcedmovieblog.
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Brennan Murphy has had a twenty-year career as a professional actor. He received his MFA in Acting from the
Yale School of Drama and a Postgraduate Degree in Voice Studies and Text Interpretation from London's Central
School of Speech and Drama, and was awarded the mark of Distinction in Teaching. As a professional actor, Brennan
has performed in over 100 professional productions. Brennan is on faculty on Freehold and will be teaching an Advanced Scene Study Class at Freehold
this fall quarter.
A huge thanks goes to Microsoft's Legal and Corporate Affairs division who helped out at Freehold as part of United Way's Day of Caring.
They spent the day painting "for the love of theatre" and have transformed our lobby, Ground Floor Studio Theatre and Workspace rehearsal space.
The spaces look great due to their hard work and dedication!
We had a chance to talk with Angela Luechtefeld, Managing Director of Freehold Theatre, about her exciting summer and her hopes for Freehold.