2012

My 2012 New Year's resolution is to ignore my comfort zone and live in the learning zone.

Le Jazz Hot

Choreography by Jason Wise

Back in NY

Greetings, readers!

I'm back in NY. Things are good. I'm living and loving while waiting and preparing for big opportunities.

How are things for you?

VICTOR/VICTORIA | Production Photos

Photos by Peter Wochniak

BTB Nostalgia

My friend alerted me to this bootleg...from our Chicago stop on tour. I was on for the (quite young/not wigged) Bookseller. :)

Watching this reminded me of how beautiful the production is. I remain grateful for that time and experience.

On another note...this is funny if you haven't seen it yet. :)

RENT Videos

I was able to cover the Off-Broadway production of RENT for MTI.

Here are the photos I took...

And the videos I created...

I'm so glad I have a job that is so fun and flexible AND allows me these kinds of opportunities. It was a pleasure (though I was nervous) to meet the cast, interview them, and share the outcome with the world. Thank you, Jason!

TONY'S GUIDE TO SWINGING

A friend of mine is going out on tour with SHREK as the female swing. She asked me my advice about swinging--since she hasn't yet.

Because it's such a specialty skill, I thought I would share my thoughts not only with her, but whomever searches the internet looking for tips and tricks of the trade.

I've only swung once (17 tracks...), but I learned a lot that could help others more easily obtain daily equanimity. So here it is folks...

TONY'S GUIDE TO SWINGING

My advice...

1. Don't be afraid to be proactive. You have 10x what everyone else is learning. Stand up!! Come early, stay late, work on breaks...you have to get it in your body and feel the spacing/staging, too.
2. Look at patterns. If you remember what the patterns are and whether things are going US/DS or IN/OUT, you can usually figure out memory lapses yourself...
3. VIDEO! You'll have something to reference at the end of the night or later in the run. Know that people change things and/or make mistakes.

I'd focus on "the woods" first--and then "the trees" and then "the leaves" :D For example...

THE WOODS
I made a bible with my dance captain. We did it digitally in Photoshop through layers. Every track (M1/F1, M2/F2, BEL, POT, LUM) had a color that matched costumes. If your S.M. has set diagrams, you could easily do the same with photocopies and colored pencils...

We labeled ACT. SCENE Bar# of "Song" (Name of section/choreo) so that they would be in order on the computer! :)


THE TREES
Once you head towards getting all that done...you start connecting the dots for each track. It's good to list all details (who you follow, meet/partner) so you won't panic on or off stage. It's also good to list props, costume changes (dressers had colors), and possible set changes. Your wardrobe and stage management departments are making their own spreadsheets, so ask them for any info that'd be helpful to you--and offer yours to them! :)

THE LEAVES
I also found in helpful to have a notes template made with the scenes/songs in chronological order. You can then transfer changes/notes to the spreadsheets as the creatives mold the show.

Since the tracking sheets will be digital, it's also good to go back and finesse them with details as you follow or do each track!

Merde!!!

A CHORUS LINE

I had a WONDERFUL time working for STAGES St. Louis doing A CHORUS LINE. I played Roy and understudied Paul--an opportunity I remain grateful for. It was a pleasure working alongside some of Broadway's best in the landmark musical.

Our dance captain, Jill Slyter, taught me and my friend Leeds "Music and the Mirror." While she ended up going on as Sheila for the latter half of the run, Leeds and I finessed the steps as much as we could backstage.

Stage Management allowed us to do the dance for the company between shows on our closing day. Fortunately, my mother was in the audience as well. :) Here is our first time on stage with lights, music and the mirror...

Since, I've been back in NY working, studying (BALLET!!!), and auditioning. I'm delightedly heading back to join my STAGES family for VICTOR, VICTORIA this fall. Perhaps some fun videos/photos will manifest. :)

Musings

Hello readers (friends, family, and others...),

I've been musing the idea of getting some more photographs...they would be the catalyst to a sleeker website. I'm attaching 4 shots my friend Jake shot casually on the beach as well as two inspiration boards with existing comments.

Tony

~LEGIT PHOTOSHOOT IDEAS~

Jordan Matter | Photographer

Jordan is one of my favorite photographers. I took a risk and asked him a simple question on his fan page. "How should one plan/prepare for a dance shoot?" BOOM! 

A great guy, too?!

~COMMENTS~

"you're a classic beauty, tasteful and passionate - I'd say your photos should be all those things, not too much going on, just you and a camera and some honest moments, some pure and bright colors, set to Spring, hopeful...I like the black and white, the classic look, I would just be clear about whether you want to do a shoot 'in the style of' or if you're just going for this feel...the essence alone could be there with just a modern suit or maybe do some in color, fun movement, black and white with just a splash of something bright, with or without props (I attached a simple white staircase) But I love the idea." -Ms. Grace Rex

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS BELOW...

(What shots do I need to represent ME? Describe with adjectives!)

Methodolody and the Ideal Process

As I work through a rehearsal process right now, and contemplate what I want to do in this industry...I started jotting down the "ideal process" for me. (This is not affiliated with my current show--I very much respect my Director.)

I'm hopeful I will eventually find opportunities to direct/choreograph, though they are not priorities right now....this is merely me delving into the future possibilities and composing my thoughts.

I remember in college, Karen Kessler made us define a methodology as actors. So here is my "defined" methodology as Director/Choreographer/Producer/who knows...

• CASTING
• Create well defined breakdowns
• Get creative team and casting director on the same page
• Hire passionate and grounded Actors
• SEND MATERIAL SHORTLY AFTER CONTRACT
• FIRST REHEARSAL
• Host brief introductions from cast and creatives
• Initiate Tablework 
• Address the world of the play (conventions/realities/theatricalities)
• Address the characters, environment, and relationships
• Address questions 
• DISCUSS as a company
• MUSIC REHEARSALS
• Trust the cast to get off book
• Allow production team to gain momentum
• Prepare blocking/choreography
• READ/SING THROUGH
• LISTEN (ALL)
• Allow influence to direction/choreography
• Answer questions
• Prepare schedule
• CHOREOGRAPHY/STAGING
• Stagger calls and split rehearsals
• Work (Director/Choreographer/Musical Director/Cast) together to synergize elements
• RUN THE SHOW
• Repeat, Notice, Solve, etc.
• LISTEN (ALL)
• Allow things to happen/change
• DESIGNER RUN
• Give the production team the show
• Invite colleagues and mentors for additional feedback?
• TECH
• Remember what the "process" is like for everyone and encourage patience, respect and light-heartedness, while maintaining focus and productivity.
• OPENING
• Give the actors and stage manager the show
• Thank everyone for their efforts

This is a blog....which is great. I can return to this, share it, get feedback, modify, etc.

The fact of the matter is that every show/experience is different and calls for a different approach. This methodology needs to be fluid and flexible...but I think it's always good to be prepared and specific, no? ;)

Wishing you all wellness and happiness,

Tony

To be continued...

Hey all! If you ACTUALLY read this blog...I apologize. ;)

I've been busy getting my life set up in NY (new apartment, finding my groove with employment and income, AUDITIONING, and studying) and currently in FL doing THE DROWSY CHAPERONE.

I won't go on and on...because if you want to know more, ask.

I will say publicly (again) that I owe my recent success (2 bookings, multiple callbacks, blah, blah, blah) to my voice teacher Susan Eichhorn-Young and coach Jen Waldman. If you want to know more about these wonderful teachers, ask.

In the meantime, find me here or here.

(((LOVE)))

PLEASE VOTE FOR CLAIRE

HELP MISS NEW YORK BECOME MISS AMERICA

Claire Buffie, my college friend AND the first Miss America contender to run on a platform of gay equality, will compete for the title in Las Vegas on January 15th. I will be there to cheer her on and (hopefully) witness a huge moment in her life and (regardless) a moment in gay history. Please help secure Claire's spot in the Top 15 by voting. 

There are four EASY ways to vote for Claire:

• Using your mobile phone, text MANY to 24470 (message and data rates may apply).
• Vote for Claire's contestant video here.
• "Like" Claire's video on Facebook here.
• "Like" Claire's video on YouTube here.

To learn about Claire, you can read:

• Today's NY Daily News article.
• Claire's MISS NY blog.
• Gay.com exclusive and candid interview.
• Claire's coverage on Advocate.com

The 2011 Miss America Pageant airs January 15th on ABC.