The Numbers For 2016

This was the 4th year in a row I didn't take a drink.

I went on two vacations. One to Richmond(to visit Matt), the other to Portland(with Nicole).

I did 50 shows with Deep Schwa and the team celebrated its 20th anniversary.

I did 42 shows with Sight Unseen.

I conceived and directed 1 play, Blockbuster, which had 8 shows.

I released 8 episodes of my podcast Hindsight Hour which constituted the second season.

I wrote 59 poems, 7 essays, and did 10 readings.

I self published 1 collection of essays.

I saw 73 movies in the the theater.

I read 56 books my favorite of which was Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison.

I went to 0 concerts.

I went to 1 dance performance.

I went to 1 musical(Hamilton).

I went to 1 play(The Flick).

I went to 3 weddings.

I went to 1 memorial.

I rode my motorcycle for 7 glorious months.

I met my new born niece Maris for the first time.

I celebrated 3 years with an incredible partner.

Blockbuster: Closing

Tonight was closing night for Blockbuster. A more gratifying and demanding project I don't think I've ever worked on. After My Two Sons last year, which was basically a coming of age story about two boys, I wanted to do a show about the female experience. I came up with the framework of having the location be at a Blockbuster and take place over the course of one day partly because Blockbuster played a big part in my growing up and partly because it seemed like a place where references would easily launch discussions. The intention was to explore various gender issues by how they are portrayed in and reinforced/subverted by pop culture. I wrote an outline, the cast improvised the various scenes which were recorded, and I transcribed a script from the recordings.

I pitched the show to the Annoyance last December, they initially rejected it, I modified the proposal and re-pitched it and they said yes. We took February and March to generate the script and when I followed up about an opening date for the show there was some miscommunication and, after some back and forth, we got slotted for July. We took April and most of May off then came back with the completed script to get ready for the opening. This is all to say we've been working on the show for a while.

I cast Meaghan, Amy, Meg, and Sarah because they are all incredibly talented but also admirable people whose perspectives and ideas I knew would be engaging. I wanted to create a play that showcased their personalities and point-of-views. A lot of the challenge for me as the director was having some kind of structure which allowed them to do that. While working with them and trying to specifically address certain issues a lot of stuff came up that I wasn't aware of both outside of the play and as an outgrowth of our working dynamic. I learned a lot and tried to practice patience, honesty, and empathy whenever we ventured into subjects and circumstances that I had no experience or knowledge of. To listen more than talk, to facilitate rather than dictate. There were some tough moments but throughout Meaghan, Amy, Meg, and Sarah remained open and willing to continue the work and the conversation, even though there were moments that were frustrating the experience was one of discovery and growth, for me and I think for them too. The play itself they were all amazing in displaying courage and chemistry, strength and vulnerability.

Jimmy, Max, and Danny all worked with me on My Two Sons and we have a close friendship as well as an intimate working relationship. With the way I create plays through outlining, improv, then transcription a comfort and ease with that kind of process is important. They're also incredibly charismatic performers and just a joy to be around. With Mike, not pictured above but below, we've been friends for a long time, he's one of the most dynamic performers I know, but we'd never really worked together, I wanted him to essentially be the villain of the show. It required him to walk a fine line between darkness and humor, pathos and aggression, which he has a very unique ability to pull off. All of them were incredible to watch. They weren't in the play a lot and functioned primarily as cameo-like foils for the four leads but they gave generously of their time and ability to help create, what I hope was, something that offered a somewhat fuller view of gender relations by their participation.

The play turned out almost exactly how I had pictured it in my head, better. The structure, the flow, the content. I set out to do a play that paid tribute to movies and Blockbuster and we did that, more importantly I wanted to do a play that had a message, and as complicated as that turned out to be, I think we accomplished that. In the comedy community there seems to be an aversion to sincerity, people use irony as a shield, a way to comment without putting belief on the line. And sure that can be good even great but personally I think there's something more powerful about putting yourself out there and being genuine. And perhaps the show and its intentions are imperfect given the complex and varied subjects we attempted to address but I take great satisfaction and pride in the work that we did and the show we produced. In the effort and attempt.

The process and the people taught me a lot not only about the subtle and not-so-subtle forms and instances of sexism and repression but also about directing itself. About story and character, about narrative expectation, dramatic tension and release. How to communicate and collaborate more effectively. I'm more knowledgeable personally and creatively because of the show. And that is the result, almost exclusively, of the open minds and hearts of the cast.

This show has been the most exacting project I've ever worked on and consequently the most fulfilling and there's a lot of people who helped me and inspired me along the way. HP for putting together the 2008 female alt-rock soundtrack. Beanpole for the poster art. Alison and Allison for being incredible understudies. Nicole for being my confident and always providing a listening ear. The Annoyance for the opportunity. And most importantly the cast who gave of their time and talents in exorbitant amounts.

Penultimate Blockbuster: Goodbye Meaghan

Tonight was the second to last Blockbuster and Meaghan's last night in Chicago. The house was packed with friends and family and the show went the best that it's ever gone, a wonderful send off for Meaghan. The process has been challenging and fulfilling and I've learned a ton from it. I'm proud and nervous each week for the show and each week the cast makes new discoveries and the audience reacts to different things in different ways. One of the greatest pleasures of the whole experience has been working with Meaghan on one final project before she leaves for NYC.

We met when we got put on a Playground team together back in 2010 and have been friends and collaborators since. She's one of the most talented people I've ever met and one of the most generous and kind friends I've ever made. As a collaborator she's pure energy, eliciting inspiration from the people she works with and garnering the attention of any audience who has the pleasure of seeing her.  As a friend she's caring and hilarious. Always supportive and ready to offer her insightful perspective, creative time, or share opportunity however busy she is. I'll miss her deeply.

I wrote her a letter offering some suggestions on her move and telling her what her friendship has meant to me. A portion below.

"Ask for help. This is a tough one for me because a lot of the times I feel like I have to do stuff on my own, to prove that I’m strong or independent or whatever. And this is OK up to a point but ultimately in almost all aspects of life you can’t do it alone. So ask for help when you need it whether its finding places to eat, places to perform, calling family or friends when you're lonesome, looking for work, what have you. Do not hesitate to reach out to people for help, they will want to do so.

You’re very brave. People talk and think about courage typically as a reflection of how we see it in movies. Usually in regards to confrontation or like overcoming a life threatening illness or some really dire circumstance. The reality is that life isn’t that dramatic often. But it still takes courage to get up every day and live life with joy and principle despite how, at times, it seems somewhat impossible. You walk through life with, what seems to me, a real don’t-give-a-shit attitude. Not like the kind of attitude young improv dudes have where it is clearly petulant and partially if not entirely posturing. And its not like you lack compassion, you’re incredibly empathetic, but you have a true sense of doing what you’re going to do, living your life how you’re going to live it, regardless of how people view you. And that’s brave. That’s impressive. And I know you, like me like everyone, have insecurities and fears but you go on and you keep moving forward despite those. You don’t use them as a crutch, you don’t lash out, you don’t blame, you take responsibility when you’re at fault, you keep going. From where I sit that’s real courage. Now you’re about to/are taking a big step and that’s brave too. Whether you stay in NYC long or not. Whether you move to LA or not. Whatever happens. Action takes courage and never forget, never question, how brave you are."

Blockbuster: Opening

Official opening for Blockbuster was tonight. Full and responsive house, great turns by everyone in the cast, and after some significant pairing down a reasonable running time of 76 minutes. I couldn't be happier. Five more chances to see the show, only four before Meaghan jaunts off to NYC.

Annoyance Theatre Fridays at 830pm. Half price tickets available through Goldstar.

Blockbuster

Tonight was the first preview for the play I'm directing at the Annoyance Blockbuster. It went really well, I'm really proud of the cast and very grateful for their trust and hard work. Also for HP for suggesting music, Hannah for taking pictures, Beanpole for the poster art, and Nicole for her constant support and feedback.

The play is a comedy but we address some serious themes, my hope is not only to get laughs but also convey some thoughts and ideas about women and gender relations, to broaden perception on various topics and provide some opportunities for solidarity. All within a Blockbuster, a very comfortable and affirming place for me in my adolescence, and utilizing movies, something I love, as a jumping-off point.

It's unclear to me at this point if it does all of these things, I'm too close to it, have been working and thinking about it so much over the past couple months I have no distance from it. But I do know everyone in the cast is giving great compelling performances, both funny and vulnerable. And I believe the show as a whole provides a clear story that has humor and pathos. We got some good feedback from those folks that came out tonight and I look forward to sharpening it up and sharing it with more people.

Every Friday at 8:30pm at The Annoyance through August 19th.

Play #3

The past month I've been doing rehearsals for a new play I'm directing that'll go up at The Annoyance. The synopsis is: Four women from various backgrounds are stuck slogging it out at an Elgin, IL Blockbuster during its introductory death throws in 2008. Their backstories, perspectives, and ambitions are revealed through alternatively playful and biting discussions of movies and pop culture, volatile customer encounters, romantic interactions, and familial dust-ups. Like Clerks except smart and with women.

I've used the same process that I did with my previous two plays Contention and My Two Sons where I wrote a scenic outline which the cast improvised from, I recorded the audio of the improv, then used that to build a script. With all the rehearsals creating raw-materials completed, this past week I've put in a lot of hours transcribing and editing the script. It's coming together wonderfully and I'm very excited to keep working on it, honing it with the cast, and  put it up in front of people.