A good quote about actors, and how they are willing to give their entire lives to a moment. Published by David LawrenceContinue reading: David Ackert on Acting

In the latest salvo in the battle over the extent of copyright protection, five members of the creative team behind the 2002 Broadway hit Urinetown: the Musical are charging that productions of the show in Chicago and Akron, Ohio, have copied their work without permission. The letters, drafted by a lawyer, Ronald H. Shechtman, on […]

Even more Urinetown post-show drama (from Chicago Tribune). Published by David LawrenceContinue reading: More on Royalties for Director, Choreographers and Designers

Bailiwick Rep has a two-car garage filled with free scrap lumber - all shapes and sizes including 2 x 4, plywood, etc. There are no 4 x 8 sheets of anything, and no 8′ lengths of anything, but lots and lots and lots of scrap. We open Friday at 10 am so feel free to […]

For those interested in extra and stand-in work, Joan Philo is casting for Fred Claus. Lauren’s blog has more info. Published by David LawrenceContinue reading: Extras and Stand-ins for ‘Fred Claus’

A chance to do improv without taking a class or being in a show.Saturdays at midnight, through October 7th The Second City Training Center’s late night improv jam, “The Improv Jelly”, is back for another 8 week run. The Jelly is a great chance for all improv students or non improv students to get up […]

Kurt Naebig (Julliard trained Actor, Chicago Director and Senior teacher) gives an impassioned introduction to Michael Shurtleff’s 12 Guideposts….an incredibly practical, visceral way to approach your work. If you are thinking about taking a class…..call for a reservation at 312-527-4566 and come check it out…this free class is a great way to meet us! It […]

France has already allowed jammers to be used as long as emergeny call still go through, and in New York, a theatre has resorted to playing an obnoxious recording of cell phone rings so realistic that people all over the house dive for their phones in horror. I suppose, when audiences are paying the bills, […]

follow-up on my earlier post: Before writing the letter, I confirmed with what I believed to be an entirely reliable source that Weiss had been told by the producers of Stages 2006 that they did not want these presentations to be reviewed. This is not something I deduced. It is something I was told, directly […]

Dead actors entertain no one. Be careful, be safe, be successful. Published by David LawrenceContinue reading: Actor Safety

The Midwest Independent Film Festival takes place Tuesday, October 3rd at 6 p.m. at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema, 2828 North Clark Street [Google Map]. Published by David LawrenceContinue reading: Midwest Independent Film Festival October 3rd

Strawdog Theatre Company is doing an online survey regarding which theatres do postcard exchanges, mailing lists, etc. All theatres that complete the information will be given a copy of the results. The survey can be completed at http://naswil.affiniscape.com/displayemailforms.cfm?emailformnbr=56262 This is all I know about this; caveat actor (or rather producer). Note that some of the […]

Imagine it’s December 2007. Wicked is still playing to packed houses at the Oriental Theatre - with no closing date in sight. Buoyed by the support of Chicago’s large African-American community and the constant sightings of producer Oprah Winfrey, the dedicated Chicago production of The Color Purple is selling tickets at the Cadillac Palace Theatre […]

Also, as a way of saying caveat actor. Published by David LawrenceContinue reading: Free Night at Improv Kitchen

Announcement for Position in The Theatre Conservatory, Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University Assistant/Associate Professor of Theatre-Physical Theatre/Movement. Tenure-track appointment, beginning August 15th 2007. The Theatre Conservatory, Chicago College of Performing Arts, seeks professional artist/educator with expertise to teach and coach physical theatre/movement and Published by David LawrenceContinue reading: Job: Asst/Assoc. Prof. of Theatre-Physical Theatre/Movement

Noble Fool Theatricals at Pheasant Run Resort is looking for teachers for theater classes for next year. Ideally, candidates have worked professionally in their specific field. Classes will be offered for Children, Young Adults, Adults and Seniors. Classes offered may include: Musical Theater, Scene Study, Dance, Voice Lessons, Audition Technique, and Improv. Classes will be […]

Goodman’s Internship Program offers a rich and challenging experience for qualified college students and recent graduates who are actively pursuing careers in professional theater. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Goodman interns have the opportunity to refine their practical and critical thinking skills through close interaction with Goodman staff and artists in […]

The Midwest Independent Film Festival takes place Tuesday, April 3rd at 6 p.m. at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema, 2828 North Clark Street [Google Map]. Published by David LawrenceContinue reading: Midwest Independent Film Festival April 3rd

The Comic Thread performed at Highland Park High School’s Focus on the Arts 2001, 2003, and 2005. In December they were invited to perform again this year. The Tribune’s March 19th article in part says: Highland Park High School officials who fear that a sketch comedy troupe’s material is not appropriate for students have […]

Next week the Nederlanders, one of the big three Broadway theater owners, are planning to announce the details of a new company they have formed that, among other things, will present and market tours and live entertainment in China. But the entry of the Nederlanders into the Asian market is only the latest sign of […]

In a theatrical first, actors working in real time from remote locations recently were beamed onto a stage where they performed with live, in the flesh actors for an audience that experienced one seamless, three-dimensional show, according to the University of Central Florida. The technology could mean future theatergoers might attend plays where one or […]

When the reps at Warner Bros. Domestic TV Syndication bring out Two and Half Men this week for the Fall 2007 season, they’ll be selling both the small screen off-net rights and the internet rights. In addition to the standard TV rights, stations who pick up the show will be able to stream episodes […]

Saturday Night Live is now offering some of their content on the iTunes Store. This is good news; now current sketches, like Lazy Sunday, can be had, legally, online, and everyone who made the sketch gets paid (including actors, I think). The bad news is what all six of the user reviews point out: it […]

The Shubert, which closed for the renovation in January 2005, never fell as far as the Oriental Theatre or the Cadillac Palace, the two other downtown theaters to be restored to their former glory in this past, extraordinarily resuscitative decade for Loop venues. And even with its plush new seats (with added legroom) and its […]

Today, through MySpace, Annoyance announced that their space is “finally” open. They seem to have previews of shows and a bar (though as of now, their website has no information about specific shows/times). In March 2004 I posted about their plans for this new space which back then had planned to open last fall. Published by […]

Open Eye Productions has evening rehearsal space available now! Nights, days, weekends. Affordable rates and great location only 2 blocks from the Paulina and Addison brown line. Piano. Good street parking. Near Starbuck’s and Dunkin Donuts! E-mail oep_rentals@yahoo.com. This is all I know about this; caveat actor (or rather producer). Published by David LawrenceContinue reading: Rehearsal […]

NBC plans a new semi-scripted series to follow NFL Sunday night football games starting this fall. It has ordered 17 episodes of Sports Action Team to air on all NBC affiliates, produced by Towers Productions Inc., in association with NBC O&O WMAQ/Chicago. According to Hollywood Reporter, the story is about a sad group of sports […]

Update on my earlier post about ‘Black Water Transit’: Actor Vin Diesel dealt an unexpected blow to Chicago when he reportedly pulled out as the star of Accent Pictures’ $30 million action-drama “Black Water Transit.” It was due to start shooting here July 31. Five L.A. staffers had just begun to settle into offices at […]

I’ve heard rumor that ‘Black Water Transit’ may be shooting in Chicago in July. If I learn more, I’ll post more. If you have any confirmed info/details, please comment. July 12 Update: No, it won’t be shooting afterall (read more). Published by David LawrenceContinue reading: Shooting In Chicago: Black Water Transit

Fox signed an extension to its six year agreement with the affiliates allowing the network to make 60% of its primetime schedule available online the day after they air in primetime in year one, while the full 100% primetime slate will be available to alternative platforms by year three. The affiliate body will share in […]