OTHER
WRITERS - Playwrights Workshop
WEA Playwrights Workshop starts again Tuesday 6th Oct 10 – 12 noon in Riddle’s Court, Lawnmarket, High Street, Edinburgh. New members are always very welcome to this informal group that runs for 8 weeks.
Fees: £36 full price; £16 concession.
Optional themes: exploring the use of music in the theatre and how to write a play about the Siege of Leith for possible performance in Leith Festival next year. We hope to bring actors into the workshop this term to help the writers develop their ideas.
If you’d like to enrol, contact WEA office 0131 225 2580 or email k.turner@weascotland.org.uk; or email lizhare@blueyonder.co.uk for more information.
THE ACTORS CENTRE, SCOTLAND
Plans for The Actors Centre, Scotland are developing well and further information can be found here!
WRITERS - BigVillage Fringe Show Competition 2010
This information, with further details, has previously been sent out to writers on the DF Acting mailing list. If you wish to join this list, email d.f.acting@gmail.com and ask to be added to the Writers Group.
BigVillage is proud to announce an exciting new competition for aspiring playwrights. Following the success of their writing competitions in 2005 and 2007, the Edinburgh-based group is now offering writers the chance to win a full-scale production of their play at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2010. The winning script will be performed in a six- or seven-night run at an established central Edinburgh venue in August 2010. The winning playwright will be welcome to attend rehearsals and will receive two complimentary tickets to each performance.
Closing date for entries is midnight on Friday 27th November 2009.
If you have any queries, please contact the BigVillage secretary, Anne Robertson at the email address below.
Please send entries to: AnneRobertson252@yahoo.co.uk
More details on the winner's contract, can be found at: www.bigvillage.org.uk/competition
Calling all writers and production companies
Siege Perilous is always on the look out for interesting scripts of 30-90 minutes. They read every script sent so do get in touch if you have one that you would like them to look at with a view to staging at the GRV or helping you to develop through a workshop.
Similarly, they are now in a position to programme in visiting companies for the next 12 months. If you are a professional theatre company and haven't already contacted them but are interested in performing at the GRV, do get in touch: info@siegeperilous.co.uk (as the Actors Kitchen have already done, with impressive results so far!)
Save the Ramshorn Theatre from closure
A plan has been formulated to close the Ramshorn Theatre, displacing Strathclyde Theatre Group, as part of an effort for Strathclyde University to become a centre of technical "excellence". The University of Strathclyde is saying that they want to dispose of the Ramshorn Theatre.
The Ramshorn Theatre can be seen as an integral part of many people's lives, both performing artists and audience members. If you wish to support the fight against this decision, there is a dedicated Facebook group to join. Further information on the Ramshorn Theatre here.
Equity
The East of Scotland Equity Branch holds regular meetings and social evenings, and if you would like to know more, please contact edinburgh@equity.org.uk.
Protecting Actors
Protecting Actors has been setup to address the fact that many production companies promise participants a DVD copy of the film, but fail to deliver this in a timely fashion, if at all. See DF Acting Information for further details, and help to spread the word!
WRITERS - Playwrights Workshop
WEA Playwrights Workshop starts again Tuesday 6th Oct 10 – 12 noon in Riddle’s Court, Lawnmarket, High Street, Edinburgh. New members are always very welcome to this informal group that runs for 8 weeks.
Fees: £36 full price; £16 concession.
Optional themes: exploring the use of music in the theatre and how to write a play about the Siege of Leith for possible performance in Leith Festival next year. We hope to bring actors into the workshop this term to help the writers develop their ideas.
If you’d like to enrol, contact WEA office 0131 225 2580 or email k.turner@weascotland.org.uk; or email lizhare@blueyonder.co.uk for more information.
THE ACTORS CENTRE, SCOTLAND
Plans for The Actors Centre, Scotland are developing well and further information can be found here!
WRITERS - BigVillage Fringe Show Competition 2010
This information, with further details, has previously been sent out to writers on the DF Acting mailing list. If you wish to join this list, email d.f.acting@gmail.com and ask to be added to the Writers Group.
BigVillage is proud to announce an exciting new competition for aspiring playwrights. Following the success of their writing competitions in 2005 and 2007, the Edinburgh-based group is now offering writers the chance to win a full-scale production of their play at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2010. The winning script will be performed in a six- or seven-night run at an established central Edinburgh venue in August 2010. The winning playwright will be welcome to attend rehearsals and will receive two complimentary tickets to each performance.
Closing date for entries is midnight on Friday 27th November 2009.
If you have any queries, please contact the BigVillage secretary, Anne Robertson at the email address below.
Please send entries to: AnneRobertson252@yahoo.co.uk
More details on the winner's contract, can be found at: www.bigvillage.org.uk/competition
Calling all writers and production companies
Siege Perilous is always on the look out for interesting scripts of 30-90 minutes. They read every script sent so do get in touch if you have one that you would like them to look at with a view to staging at the GRV or helping you to develop through a workshop.
Similarly, they are now in a position to programme in visiting companies for the next 12 months. If you are a professional theatre company and haven't already contacted them but are interested in performing at the GRV, do get in touch: info@siegeperilous.co.uk (as the Actors Kitchen have already done, with impressive results so far!)
Save the Ramshorn Theatre from closure
A plan has been formulated to close the Ramshorn Theatre, displacing Strathclyde Theatre Group, as part of an effort for Strathclyde University to become a centre of technical "excellence". The University of Strathclyde is saying that they want to dispose of the Ramshorn Theatre.
The Ramshorn Theatre can be seen as an integral part of many people's lives, both performing artists and audience members. If you wish to support the fight against this decision, there is a dedicated Facebook group to join. Further information on the Ramshorn Theatre here.
Equity
The East of Scotland Equity Branch holds regular meetings and social evenings, and if you would like to know more, please contact edinburgh@equity.org.uk.
Protecting Actors
Protecting Actors has been setup to address the fact that many production companies promise participants a DVD copy of the film, but fail to deliver this in a timely fashion, if at all. See DF Acting Information for further details, and help to spread the word!
ISSUE 8 October 2009
Welcome to the latest issue of the DF Acting News Page!
Feel free to pass the news link on to anyone you think might be interested, and if you have received this from a friend and wish to have further news sent directly, please email d.f.acting@gmail.com to join the mailing list. You can also email to make any comments or suggestions - all gratefully received!
Every effort is made to make sure information is correct. If you should note an error, please do email and amendments will be speedily made.
You can also access the DF Acting News Page by joining the Facebook page of Discover Fine Acting. Go on, Facebookers, become a fan!
Every effort is made to make sure information is correct. If you should note an error, please do email and amendments will be speedily made.
You can also access the DF Acting News Page by joining the Facebook page of Discover Fine Acting. Go on, Facebookers, become a fan!
If you do not wish to continue receiving the DF Acting News Page, please email d.f.acting@gmail.com and ask to be removed from the page's mailing list.
Discover Fine Acting News
October already and Hallowe'en is on its way! If you know of some spooky October events (such as Feline Fables below), let DF Acting know about it and we'll create a special page - just email the details to d.f.acting@gmail.com.
As the cold starts seeping through, you may well be especially interested in the reduced price massage on offer in the Of Interest section. For heart-warming ideas, see this same section to support some fun charity events, and, of course, a good dose of Shakespeare can also be very warming on all sorts of levels!
As always, read on for news and events - and some useful thoughts on approaching agents - and do get in touch if you have any comments, information or requests; and remember: whatever you are up to - have fun!
Danielle Farrow
Diary Dates
Check out the Discover Fine Acting Calendar! Note that you can adjust the calendar to show chosen sections, i.e. performances / DFA classes / external workshops, etc. Also, you can copy events directly into your own Google calendar.
Event information is found below. Anything you want added? Send info to d.f.acting@gmail.com
Information
QUICK LINKS: SKILLS PERFORMANCES AUDITIONS OTHER
October already and Hallowe'en is on its way! If you know of some spooky October events (such as Feline Fables below), let DF Acting know about it and we'll create a special page - just email the details to d.f.acting@gmail.com.
As the cold starts seeping through, you may well be especially interested in the reduced price massage on offer in the Of Interest section. For heart-warming ideas, see this same section to support some fun charity events, and, of course, a good dose of Shakespeare can also be very warming on all sorts of levels!
As always, read on for news and events - and some useful thoughts on approaching agents - and do get in touch if you have any comments, information or requests; and remember: whatever you are up to - have fun!
Danielle Farrow
Diary Dates
Check out the Discover Fine Acting Calendar! Note that you can adjust the calendar to show chosen sections, i.e. performances / DFA classes / external workshops, etc. Also, you can copy events directly into your own Google calendar.
Event information is found below. Anything you want added? Send info to d.f.acting@gmail.com
Information
QUICK LINKS: SKILLS PERFORMANCES AUDITIONS OTHER
SKILLS
Professional Actor Studios
If you are a professional actor and interested in meeting up with other professional actors to practice and share your skills, then check out DF Acting Information for more about:
Edinburgh - ACTORS KITCHEN - FREE weekly studio ; email admin@actorskitchen.org
Upcoming workshops include : Voice / Body, Meisner, Dance Improvisation, Practical Aesthetics
The Actors Kitchen's first production - In Transit - coming soon!
Glasgow - THE ACTORS BOTHY - weekly Meisner studio; email admin@theactorsbothy.com
Associated with upcoming Meisner workshop
Community Choir
This is run by Chandra Mather and a great way to become comfortable with your singing voice if you are not yet secure with it (and if you are, it's a great way to get in some enjoyable practice). Please contact Chandra for details. You can also read more at DF Acting Information.
Musical Theatre Lab Sessions - Black Thistle Theatre Company in association with dOUBLEo
A safe, open-studio environment where you can work on your singing, fighting nerves and developing your repertoire. Open to professional actors of all ages and recent graduates. Details.
Tuesdays in October: 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th, 2pm to 4pm; 9-11 University Avenue, Gilmorehill, Glasgow G12; £7.50 per session
Laughter Workshops - Sharon Miller / Joyworks
These laughter workshops have been platformed on Radio Scotland, Radio Clyde and featured on the STV 5.30 show. A laughter workshop is a cathartic experience based on the scientific fact that your body can’t tell the difference between ‘real’ and ‘fake’ laughter. Using simple, tension-releasing exercises based on mime and play, the laughter soon taps into natural laughter. See DF Acting Information for further details.
2nd Friday every month, 7.30 to 8.30pm: Friday 9th October, Friday 13th November, Friday 11th December; £8 per person
Flashback Drama - ACTive INquiry
Are you interested in being part of a brand new piece of theatre to be performed at the Leith Festival in 2010? This devising group is part of ACTive INquiry Theatre Company and is for anyone over 18 with an interest in creating innovative theatre that entertains and challenges. There are opportunities for those interested in acting, directing, writing or backstage work. Further information.
Monday evenings, 5th October to 7th December; Edinburgh; further details about ACTive INquiry at DF Acting Information
The Art of Mime - Charioteer Theatre (see News Page 5 in Archives for my view on this great company)
Marise Flach is coming to Scotland to lead her second course on the art of Mime. Marise is a fantastic teacher and one of the few remaining contemporaries of Etienne Decroux, known as the founder of Mime. Detailed information here; contact: admin@charioteertheatre.co.uk
Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th October; Forres
Shakespeare Workshop: Taste Those Words! - Danielle Farrow at Raw Talent Productions
Shakespeare's stories and characters are rightly popular to this day. It is his language, though, that both attracts in its rich beauty and repels when seen as complex and hard to grasp.
This workshop looks at meaning, verse and practical expression, and builds up techniques for tackling Shakespearean language. Come, 'feast your ears' and tongues!
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October, 11am to 5pm; Edinburgh. This is one of the workshops I am leading as part of Raw Talent Productions' 2009 Programme. Booking via the Raw Talent Productions' website. Eligible for ILA funding.
Meisner Workshop - Scott Williams @ The Actors Bothy, with Raw Talent Productions
The famous Meisner Technique as it is taught at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, whose alumni include Robert Duval, Sidney Pollack and David Mamet. This off-shoot of Stanislavsky's method, created by Sanford Meisner,
uses three basic exercises to get at the core definition of acting: 'acting is living truthfully under a given set of circumstances'. Further information.
Sunday 18th to Thursday 22nd October; CCA, Glasgow
Professional Actor Studios
If you are a professional actor and interested in meeting up with other professional actors to practice and share your skills, then check out DF Acting Information for more about:
Edinburgh - ACTORS KITCHEN - FREE weekly studio ; email admin@actorskitchen.org
Upcoming workshops include : Voice / Body, Meisner, Dance Improvisation, Practical Aesthetics
The Actors Kitchen's first production - In Transit - coming soon!
Glasgow - THE ACTORS BOTHY - weekly Meisner studio; email admin@theactorsbothy.com
Associated with upcoming Meisner workshop
Community Choir
This is run by Chandra Mather and a great way to become comfortable with your singing voice if you are not yet secure with it (and if you are, it's a great way to get in some enjoyable practice). Please contact Chandra for details. You can also read more at DF Acting Information.
Musical Theatre Lab Sessions - Black Thistle Theatre Company in association with dOUBLEo
A safe, open-studio environment where you can work on your singing, fighting nerves and developing your repertoire. Open to professional actors of all ages and recent graduates. Details.
Tuesdays in October: 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th, 2pm to 4pm; 9-11 University Avenue, Gilmorehill, Glasgow G12; £7.50 per session
Laughter Workshops - Sharon Miller / Joyworks
These laughter workshops have been platformed on Radio Scotland, Radio Clyde and featured on the STV 5.30 show. A laughter workshop is a cathartic experience based on the scientific fact that your body can’t tell the difference between ‘real’ and ‘fake’ laughter. Using simple, tension-releasing exercises based on mime and play, the laughter soon taps into natural laughter. See DF Acting Information for further details.
2nd Friday every month, 7.30 to 8.30pm: Friday 9th October, Friday 13th November, Friday 11th December; £8 per person
Flashback Drama - ACTive INquiry
Are you interested in being part of a brand new piece of theatre to be performed at the Leith Festival in 2010? This devising group is part of ACTive INquiry Theatre Company and is for anyone over 18 with an interest in creating innovative theatre that entertains and challenges. There are opportunities for those interested in acting, directing, writing or backstage work. Further information.
Monday evenings, 5th October to 7th December; Edinburgh; further details about ACTive INquiry at DF Acting Information
The Art of Mime - Charioteer Theatre (see News Page 5 in Archives for my view on this great company)
Marise Flach is coming to Scotland to lead her second course on the art of Mime. Marise is a fantastic teacher and one of the few remaining contemporaries of Etienne Decroux, known as the founder of Mime. Detailed information here; contact: admin@charioteertheatre.co.uk
Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th October; Forres
Shakespeare Workshop: Taste Those Words! - Danielle Farrow at Raw Talent Productions
Shakespeare's stories and characters are rightly popular to this day. It is his language, though, that both attracts in its rich beauty and repels when seen as complex and hard to grasp.
This workshop looks at meaning, verse and practical expression, and builds up techniques for tackling Shakespearean language. Come, 'feast your ears' and tongues!
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October, 11am to 5pm; Edinburgh. This is one of the workshops I am leading as part of Raw Talent Productions' 2009 Programme. Booking via the Raw Talent Productions' website. Eligible for ILA funding.
Meisner Workshop - Scott Williams @ The Actors Bothy, with Raw Talent Productions
The famous Meisner Technique as it is taught at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, whose alumni include Robert Duval, Sidney Pollack and David Mamet. This off-shoot of Stanislavsky's method, created by Sanford Meisner,
uses three basic exercises to get at the core definition of acting: 'acting is living truthfully under a given set of circumstances'. Further information.
Sunday 18th to Thursday 22nd October; CCA, Glasgow
PERFORMANCES
CHRYSTAL AND THE GENERAL
Written by Jo Clifford, Suzanne Dance and Clunie Mackenzie; performed by Suzanne and Clunie, with a special contribution from Rachel Amey.
This is the story of Flora Drummond and Chrystal Macmillan - two contrasting pioneers of the women's movement - and their struggle to achieve votes for women. It's the story of two remarkable women: performed by two remarkable performers. This is a contribution to the Gude Cause procession on 10th October; and performed in memory of the feminist historian Sue Innes.
Thursday 8th and Friday 9th October, 7.30pm (45 mins. long); Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh
Saturday 10th October - Gude Cause Procession: details (starts Bruntsfield Links at 1pm, with Rally on Carlton Hill c. 2.45pm, route includes High Street and North Bridge)
'SHORTS AND SWEET' & 'WOMBERANG' - Relish Productions
A selection of short sketches from local writers, and Sue Townsend's Womberang
Thursday 15th and Friday 16th October, 8pm; Pleasance Cabaret Bar, Edinburgh; £8/6 Facebook Group
FELINE FABLES - Tightlaced Theatre
Written and performed by Robert Howat; Directed by Flavia D'Avila
The story of a prince who falls in love with a princess who loves only cats. Shunning all warnings, he tries to gain her affections and finds out the hard way that there's only one way to attract her attention... A dark fairytale adventure. Not for children under the age of eight.
Netherbow Theatre, Edinburgh, 17 October, 2.30pm.
CCA, Glasgow, 28 October, 2.30pm.
Forest Cafe, Edinburgh, 31 October, 2.30pm.
Ticket prices vary. Keep an eye out, there may be more dates and venues! Tightlaced Theatre.
SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
Details, including the programme to download, can be found here, at The Scottish Storytelling Centre's site. The Centre (Edinburgh) is a base for the festival, but many events are taking place in various venues both in the capital and around Scotland.
Friday 23rd October to Sunday 1st November; various events and venues
IN TRANSIT - Actors Kitchen
Ten Actors. Five Writers. One Bold New Piece of Scottish Theatre
Glasgow Airport. August 20, 2009. A Libyan airbus makes a special unscheduled flight to take Al Megrahi home, disrupting all other arrivals and departures. The best laid plans of all the commuters, holiday makers and airport staff are thrown into disarray as the delays trap them together for the day. Families, colleagues, friends and strangers are thrust into each others lives, provoking connections, departures and emergency landings as they are all stuck In Transit. More information about this devised ensemble piece will follow soon at www.actorskitchen.org.
Tuesday 17th to Saturday 21st November, 8pm; The GRV, 37 Guthrie Street (off Chambers Str.), Edinburgh; £8/6.50
CHRYSTAL AND THE GENERAL
Written by Jo Clifford, Suzanne Dance and Clunie Mackenzie; performed by Suzanne and Clunie, with a special contribution from Rachel Amey.
This is the story of Flora Drummond and Chrystal Macmillan - two contrasting pioneers of the women's movement - and their struggle to achieve votes for women. It's the story of two remarkable women: performed by two remarkable performers. This is a contribution to the Gude Cause procession on 10th October; and performed in memory of the feminist historian Sue Innes.
Thursday 8th and Friday 9th October, 7.30pm (45 mins. long); Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh
Saturday 10th October - Gude Cause Procession: details (starts Bruntsfield Links at 1pm, with Rally on Carlton Hill c. 2.45pm, route includes High Street and North Bridge)
'SHORTS AND SWEET' & 'WOMBERANG' - Relish Productions
A selection of short sketches from local writers, and Sue Townsend's Womberang
Thursday 15th and Friday 16th October, 8pm; Pleasance Cabaret Bar, Edinburgh; £8/6 Facebook Group
FELINE FABLES - Tightlaced Theatre
Written and performed by Robert Howat; Directed by Flavia D'Avila
The story of a prince who falls in love with a princess who loves only cats. Shunning all warnings, he tries to gain her affections and finds out the hard way that there's only one way to attract her attention... A dark fairytale adventure. Not for children under the age of eight.
Netherbow Theatre, Edinburgh, 17 October, 2.30pm.
CCA, Glasgow, 28 October, 2.30pm.
Forest Cafe, Edinburgh, 31 October, 2.30pm.
Ticket prices vary. Keep an eye out, there may be more dates and venues! Tightlaced Theatre.
SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
Details, including the programme to download, can be found here, at The Scottish Storytelling Centre's site. The Centre (Edinburgh) is a base for the festival, but many events are taking place in various venues both in the capital and around Scotland.
Friday 23rd October to Sunday 1st November; various events and venues
IN TRANSIT - Actors Kitchen
Ten Actors. Five Writers. One Bold New Piece of Scottish Theatre
Glasgow Airport. August 20, 2009. A Libyan airbus makes a special unscheduled flight to take Al Megrahi home, disrupting all other arrivals and departures. The best laid plans of all the commuters, holiday makers and airport staff are thrown into disarray as the delays trap them together for the day. Families, colleagues, friends and strangers are thrust into each others lives, provoking connections, departures and emergency landings as they are all stuck In Transit. More information about this devised ensemble piece will follow soon at www.actorskitchen.org.
Tuesday 17th to Saturday 21st November, 8pm; The GRV, 37 Guthrie Street (off Chambers Str.), Edinburgh; £8/6.50
Of Interest
APPROACHING AGENTS
Actors often ask about the best way to approach agents. There is probably no single 'best way', and agents vary in what they prefer, but you can read some useful thoughts on this subject - courtesy of Lee Ravitz - here.
QUOTE(S)
Have you been inspired by a quote pertinent to acting? Send your inspiration to d.f.acting@gmail.com and we'll create an inspirational page!
"Human beings - and who should be more in touch with their humanity than actors? - are holistic: bodies, feelings, needs, thoughts are not discrete elements that can each be dealt with independent of the others."
Different Every Night: Freeing the Actor by director Mike Alfreds (link goes to audio interview). Thank you to Jim Bryce (currently touring with The Beggar's Opera) for recommending this book about rehearsal and performance techniques for actors and directors. Interestingly for a book of technique, this quote refers to the dangers involved should a focus on technique lead to the situation where "actors become head-bound and their instincts immobilised". Alfreds is very interested in freeing us as actors and, even before the introduction, gives us this:
SAFETY WARNING
LIVE ACTORS: HANDLE WITH CARE. AVOID BLOCKING CURRENTS OF ENERGY.
So, in the interest of taking care of ourselves holistically - and keeping energy currents unblocked - a few ideas:
HOLISTIC MASSAGE
Adrienne Zitt, holistic massage therapist, is offering special price treatments at Neal's Yard Remedies on Hanover Street, as part of the Yard's clinic for newly qualified therapists. This offer continues until December, after which time prices are likely to change. Reduced price of £28 for 1hour, or £40 for 1hr30mins (full body). If you'd like to treat yourself or others to a session, call Neal's Yard Remedies at 0131 226 3223.
Mondays until December, 10am to 2pm; Neal's Yard, 102 Hanover Street, Edinburgh Facebook Group www.adriennezittmassage.co.uk
GUDE CAUSE PROCESSION
Saturday 10th October - see CHRYSTAL AND THE GENERAL (in Performances) for information.
CHARITABLE SANTA
Back in Issue 4 of the DF Acting News Page (April 2009, Archives), I mentioned a friend's offer from Santa. Why not prepare for Xmas, and help raise money for charity, by checking out his Ebay offer?
WATERAID'S BIG CEILIDH
Thousands of people across the UK will be dancing on the same day to raise money for WaterAid and help those living without safe water and sanitation. Further information.
Saturday 17th October, 8pm; Roxy Art House, 2 Roxburgh Place EH8 9SU; Various prices - see further information.
TWO C.H.A.S. EVENTS
Raising money for the Children's Hospice Association Scotland - you may wish to join the Facebook Groups and help promote:
70s NIGHT
Flares and sparkly platforms, cheap booze, raffles, crisps, nuts, blackforest gateaux, fancy dress optional!
Friday 13th November, 7.30pm; Leith Dockers Club, Academy Street, Edinburgh; £5 Facebook Group
FOR THE KIDS!
A relaxed Variety Cabaret night: Featured Artists will include Kai Thomas - Vocalist, Tricky Ricky - Magician.
Saturday 23rd January, 8pm; Pleasance Cabaret Bar, The Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh; £4 Facebook Group
Entertainment online:
Thank you to Caroline McKellar for this YouTube gem! She said it would make me smile, and she was right - I hope you enjoy it too.
That's it for now! As ever, to respond to anything in this newsletter / have something included in the next one, email d.f.acting@gmail.com - and feel free to pass the News Page on to anyone who might be interested.
Until next time, then, and remember:
ENJOY!
APPROACHING AGENTS
Actors often ask about the best way to approach agents. There is probably no single 'best way', and agents vary in what they prefer, but you can read some useful thoughts on this subject - courtesy of Lee Ravitz - here.
QUOTE(S)
Have you been inspired by a quote pertinent to acting? Send your inspiration to d.f.acting@gmail.com and we'll create an inspirational page!
"Human beings - and who should be more in touch with their humanity than actors? - are holistic: bodies, feelings, needs, thoughts are not discrete elements that can each be dealt with independent of the others."
Different Every Night: Freeing the Actor by director Mike Alfreds (link goes to audio interview). Thank you to Jim Bryce (currently touring with The Beggar's Opera) for recommending this book about rehearsal and performance techniques for actors and directors. Interestingly for a book of technique, this quote refers to the dangers involved should a focus on technique lead to the situation where "actors become head-bound and their instincts immobilised". Alfreds is very interested in freeing us as actors and, even before the introduction, gives us this:
SAFETY WARNING
LIVE ACTORS: HANDLE WITH CARE. AVOID BLOCKING CURRENTS OF ENERGY.
So, in the interest of taking care of ourselves holistically - and keeping energy currents unblocked - a few ideas:
HOLISTIC MASSAGE
Adrienne Zitt, holistic massage therapist, is offering special price treatments at Neal's Yard Remedies on Hanover Street, as part of the Yard's clinic for newly qualified therapists. This offer continues until December, after which time prices are likely to change. Reduced price of £28 for 1hour, or £40 for 1hr30mins (full body). If you'd like to treat yourself or others to a session, call Neal's Yard Remedies at 0131 226 3223.
Mondays until December, 10am to 2pm; Neal's Yard, 102 Hanover Street, Edinburgh Facebook Group www.adriennezittmassage.co.uk
GUDE CAUSE PROCESSION
Saturday 10th October - see CHRYSTAL AND THE GENERAL (in Performances) for information.
CHARITABLE SANTA
Back in Issue 4 of the DF Acting News Page (April 2009, Archives), I mentioned a friend's offer from Santa. Why not prepare for Xmas, and help raise money for charity, by checking out his Ebay offer?
WATERAID'S BIG CEILIDH
Thousands of people across the UK will be dancing on the same day to raise money for WaterAid and help those living without safe water and sanitation. Further information.
Saturday 17th October, 8pm; Roxy Art House, 2 Roxburgh Place EH8 9SU; Various prices - see further information.
TWO C.H.A.S. EVENTS
Raising money for the Children's Hospice Association Scotland - you may wish to join the Facebook Groups and help promote:
70s NIGHT
Flares and sparkly platforms, cheap booze, raffles, crisps, nuts, blackforest gateaux, fancy dress optional!
Friday 13th November, 7.30pm; Leith Dockers Club, Academy Street, Edinburgh; £5 Facebook Group
FOR THE KIDS!
A relaxed Variety Cabaret night: Featured Artists will include Kai Thomas - Vocalist, Tricky Ricky - Magician.
Saturday 23rd January, 8pm; Pleasance Cabaret Bar, The Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh; £4 Facebook Group
Entertainment online:
Thank you to Caroline McKellar for this YouTube gem! She said it would make me smile, and she was right - I hope you enjoy it too.
That's it for now! As ever, to respond to anything in this newsletter / have something included in the next one, email d.f.acting@gmail.com - and feel free to pass the News Page on to anyone who might be interested.
Until next time, then, and remember:
ENJOY!
AUDITIONS
thecastingscene.com has projects currently being cast, should you wish to check that out
thecastingscene.com is an online auditioning site, where directors, producers and casting personnel post projects. You can audition for them online, cutting out that initial travel hassle. There is a fee if you audition, but it is free to join, create your online profile and see the projects - you can then decide about auditioning. Further information.
Looking for more? Do you know these: Casting Call Pro; Mandy; Equity Job Information; Spotlight Breakdowns?
thecastingscene.com has projects currently being cast, should you wish to check that out
thecastingscene.com is an online auditioning site, where directors, producers and casting personnel post projects. You can audition for them online, cutting out that initial travel hassle. There is a fee if you audition, but it is free to join, create your online profile and see the projects - you can then decide about auditioning. Further information.
Looking for more? Do you know these: Casting Call Pro; Mandy; Equity Job Information; Spotlight Breakdowns?