TheatreAddict.com - Bakersfield Drama Blog

My bulletins are so helpful and cool that I just have to make sure they get read. JK. In case you missed them, though, here they are in a little blog.

Subject

Name a Horror Movie - no, really (not a survey or forward)

This is kind of cool...one of my MySpace friends, Eric, is getting his horror movie distributed and needs help choosing a new title.

Contact him at http://www.myspace.com/eric_the_writer

Here's his bulletin:

___________________________________________________

I would like your opinion on what I should name my new Ghoul/Hospital/Mad Scientist/Infection film. It was originally called "Leben Tod", then sent to the festivals as "Night of the Leben Tod". But now, on the eve of getting the thing distributed the powers that be want it changed, and likely for good reason.

Some of the following names have been given to me by possible distribution agents

"Night of the Living Dead: Leben Tod" (this one is a front runner's favorite, and my least favorite)

"Hospital Massacre: Night of the Leben Tod" (this came from another company that knows their stuff)

"Dawn of the Living Dead: Hospital Massacre" (this is my idea of a compromise)

"Death Walkers: Night of the Leben Tod"

"The Dead that Live: der Leben Tod"

"Life Death"

"The Living Dead: der Leben Tod"

any opinions would be welcome. it is a good film and I want it to stand on it's own but I admit that my original title of Leben Tod (both German words, "Leben" meaning life and "Tod" meaning death) is a little too off beat. but I am sickened by the thought of naming it the same as George Romero's classic pic.

Any suggestions?

thanx

eRiC

Subject

Casting Notice - Los Angeles

Reposted from a bulletin from http://www.myspace.com/socalfilmgroup

We're looking for the lead in an on-going series titled, "BlondeStar". We hope to cast a classic ditzy blonde with a squeaky-cute voice in her early to mid-twenties. Think Marilyn Monroe, Joan Blondell, Jean Harlow, Judy Holliday.... um, somebody from today? How about Jessica Simpson or Paris Hilton?

We're going to do a series of BlondeStar comedy shorts that will be broadcast over the Internet, so this will be a recurring role.

Copy, meals, and credit.

Email resume and headshot or link to clark@socalfilm.com

Subject

Make Your Reservations Now for "Picnic" at BCT

Bakersfield Community Theatre Kicks off its 80th
Season with "Picnic" by William Inge - a Pulitzer
Prize winning play with an incredible heart.

Opening night for "Picnic" is also the Kick-off
Event for BCT's 80th Season - what this means is if you
want to come on opening night, you need to
make reservations by Monday, September 4
because there will also be a catered dinner to
celebrate the season. Tickets for the event
are $20 (Dinner and Show) or the dinner
is free for season ticket holders.

Synopsis:

What starts as neighborhood picnic to celebrate
the end of another run-of-the-mill Summer turns
into a life-changing twenty-four hours for a group
of women in a small, mid-western town.

Madge Owens (Kelci Lowry),the town beauty queen,
catches the attention of drifter Hal Carter (Sam Hall),
who comes into town to meet up with his friend from
college Alan (Travis Glenn) who is coincidentally
also Madge's boyfriend. Madge's mother,
Flo (Jill Kelbert) has one main concern - to
see that Madge finds happiness with Alan
and not relive her mistakes while younger
daughter Millie, (Jodi Lowry) finds solace in books,
art, poetry and her beloved neighbor, Mrs.
Potts (Morning Miller) even when accosted by
neighborhood delivery boy, Bomber (Hector Rubio.)

Spinster school teacher, Rosemary sydney (Julie
Jordan Scott) is admired by her teacher peers,
Irma Kronkite (Meg Swift) and Christine Shoenwalder,
(Fred Barnett) but continues to focus on what
she is missing in her relationship with local
small businessman, Howard Bevans, (Mark Tarango).

"Picnic" was the Winner of the 1953 Pulitzer Prize
for Drama, the Outer Circle Award, the New York
Drama Critics Award, and a Donaldson Award.

The story takes place in 1950s small-town Kansas,
but this is not a simple celebration of heartland values.

From Bookraqs.com: "While embraced by mass
audiences for its superficial charms, critics
lauded Inge's play for its much darker themes.
Picnic has come to be regarded as a pioneering
drama for its frank depiction of sexuality
and its subliminally cynical take on the
love conquers all hypothesis."

This play is a must see for Mothers-Daughters-Sisters-
Single Women- and all those who love them.

Don't miss it - make your reservations now.

Performance Dates:

September 8, 9,15, 16, 22, 23 at 8 PM
Matinee Performances on September 17 and 24

Ticket Prices:

$10 for Adult Admission
$8 for Seniors, Students and Active Military

"Angel Night" - Special Opening night event.
$20 for Dinner/Show.

Bakersfield Community Theatre is located at
2400 South Chester (Just North of Wilson)

Call 831-8114 for tickets or more information.

Matt Munoz is seriously considering auditioning for "Project Murder" at the Empty Space, but he needs a little encouragement.

So...mission 1.1 in the theatre revolution is...

Sign up on Bakotopia, find Matt Munoz's profile, and bug him about auditioning. Theatretopia month will be October, and the play runs in October... Appropriate, no?

You can also bug him on MySpace too, but I really want to get people involved on Bakotopia...

He's bakotopia.com on MySpace, it's in my top 8 right now.

Add him on MySpace as well and post a comment telling him why he has to audition!

Thanks. At ease, troops.

Theatretopia month is coming to bakotopia.com in October. In anticipation of that, I am launching a mostly unhealthy , obcessive campaign to dominate the "most connected" list over there. That's right, they have a list of who has the most friends, and I want to be at the top.

So I'm asking some of you theatre people who don't use the site yet to head over and get an account, and then add me as your friend. And DON'T add my noble adversaries, Matt and Glenda. They have too many friends already, I have to get to over 200 to be at the top.

Let me know if you need any help.

And by the way, while you're there you can listen to the podcasts from "Philadelphia Story," "The History of Rock & Roll," and "Sam Sleuth" before going to see their final performances this weekend.

Last but not least, you can use bakotopia.com to blog and promote your projects. Or sell your car. Or promote your music. Or give away your dog. Woohoo.

Here's my profile http://www.bakotopia.com/home/userprofile.php?user_id=4903

It's chapter 6 of the Bakersfield Theatre saga as told by Rob Long. You can comment on the blog on MySpace by clicking here, or just email me and I'll post the comment for you.


I've been delaying this one, letting it stew, trying to decide what angle to approach it from... I've been procrastinating, and for two reasons: One, school starts again on Monday, and I've been extremely busy this week, in inservice, in consulting on the auditorium, on setting up my curriculum, my production schedule, and my classroom. Two, I've had this chicken vs. egg thing going through my mind regarding Bakersfield comedy.

Actually, the debate started in my mind a few years ago, when I heard Blaine Swen had auditionned into one of the upper performing companies of Second City in Chicago. I was so proud. Blaine's one of the best improvisors I've ever had the pleasure of training. When someone you've taught does something with their talents, in a way it validates your teaching. I've watched many people I've trained go on to do great things with their skills - you'll recognize many of their names when I go through Bakersfield comedy since 1989.

The chicken/egg thing here first occurred to me when I tried to share a little of that pride with CJ Pope. She was Blaine's high school drama teacher, and I wanted to see how she reacted to Blaine's success. Now that I think about it, I remember talking about it in the CSUB dressing rooms during the Spotlight Festival, 2005. She'd heard about Blaine's success - he'd gone to Chicago for his Master's in theology, I believe, and wound up mainstage at Second City, while another mutual student, Tom Stutzman, had gone to acting school and wound up a minister. She commented on the irony. Then I asked her if she ever took pride in having contributed to her students' success, particularly in Blaine's - I remember seeing him in The Music Man at Stockdale, and I asked her specifically about him in that. She told me, "No, Blaine's always had something. You could see it in him."

So that prompts the debate in me - how many of our students already have it, and just get training from us and move on, and how many of them really get what they have from us? What if what they have is the ability to LEARN it, and both sides of the coin are true? That seems to have the ring of truth to me.

Anyway, a lot of Bakersfield's noted comedians go back to ComedySportz. Whether they learned their skills from whichever ComedySportz trainer they went through, or they had it when they got there and sought CSz out as an outlet, or some combination of both, improving, polishing, honing what they already had... I think there are people in all three classes, honestly... many of them came through CSz.

CSz started in Bakersfield in 1989. If you've read Johnny Mansbach's blog, you've got a basic feeling for the hisotry of ComedySportz Bakersfield from 1989 - 1995, and he has a link to some thoughts of mine from 95 on. It isn't the history we're here to focus on though, it's the people that came out of it. You may not know names like Johnny Mansbach, Derek Mears, Michael Purcell, Dave Spenser, Gary Kramer, Glenn Packman, Pat Blake... that's because they came through Bakersfield CSz, played, taught here, and moved on. Gary owns a huge improv company now, and Glenn plays for CSz NYC. Derek is a professional stuntman. Johnny runs his own production company, works for a film test marketer, and also for the Game Show Network. Pat is now an administrator at Shafter High School. If you don't know the name Michael Purcell, that makes me sad. He was a wonderful actor here in town, but he was also quite the quiet crusader, doing good for both the deaf and homosexual communities in town. He may still be around... I'm not sure. It'd be great to be able to get Michael back in the theatre - he's a wonderful talent, and he does great things.

But there are those who have stayed, who have grown from the seeds of CSz Bakersfield to do great things here...

Terry Willey: Terry and I were cast from the ORIGINAL group of auditionners in March of 1989, and he and I were the last two OCs (original Comedianz) to go, both in the late 90s. Terry has worked and continues to work for just about every theatre in town, after taking off several years to be able to spend time at home with his son. He came back with a vengeance though, playing Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" last September at BCT, and Athos in the Gaslight's "Three Musketeers" just last June. Come to think of it, those two shows really kind of bookend the depth of involvement Terry has in the theatre community here in town.

Mickey Farley: Any time I see a show at Stars, it seems like Mickey's in it. Mickey was OC in '89, but left the team after about a year. Mickey's tremendously funny, amazingly talented, and charmingly self-deprecating about both.

Ken Burdick: Yep. Ken Burdick was in one of the first large influxes of players we had, in 1990, as one of the first group I had the pleasure of teaching improv to. Ken now has a Master's in music, teaches music at Mt. Vernon elementary, and loves to sing with his wife Jill whenever they can get the chance. Ken was also in "Three Musketeers" as Porthos... you may have seen him in "Sweeney Todd" and "Into the Woods" at the Spotlight, or "It Runs in the Family" at BMT/Stars. Jill, by the way, played for CSz in ... ummm, 94-95? Is that right? She's tremendously funny, but she never believes it when I tell her so.

I just realized I hope to God I don't overlook anyone here... please feel free to add if I do... no slight intended...

I should also mention that Jessica Merritt took every workshop we offered from 1989-1991. She was voracious for theatrical training, and her mother supported that habit. And she was good, no doubt about it. But she was like ten back then.

Matt Lindsay used to play for CSz... he and I used to practice 185 in the halls of BC, waiting for rehearsal. Ooops, he's not here - he's in Florida. It's just hard not to mention Matt whenever he comes to mind. We used to call him "The Tom Hanks of Bakersfield." Matt was everywhere, in everything. It's hard to believe he's moved on sometimes... he was so integral to everything.

We realized in a couple years that most of our fanbase was young, and getting younger as the team grew younger. I asked Johnny to let me start a High School League in 1990, and we did. One of the main reasons I pursued it was that we had a fan who went to BHS by the name of David Milazzo, and we couldn't see letting a 16 year old play, even though he wanted to so badly. He used to tell us how he and his friends recited our stuff like it was Python. So we got a HSL together.

We had three iterations of the HSL over the years, and they several people who are key to Bakersfield theatre came through either the HSL or CSz training...

Jeff Lepine: I remember his long hair, and the ski gloves he insisted on wearing to play Knots when we were workshopping Stockdale in the Laurelglen Bible Church hall. Jeff ran the Empty Space along with Bob Kempf when Brian Sivesind left, and he also grew into owning and comanaging CSz, which renamed itself into Major League Improv while under the watch of Jeff and Chuck Cupani. Chuck workshopped onto the team in '95. I'd go into more detail on him, but he participates in local theatre only tangentially. Improv was what he preferred to do, and he stepped out of that earlier this year.

Robert Chan: Chan came through workshops, played for me in both Bakersfield and Phoenix, and now he's in the Blacklist, as well as DJing for KRAB radio.

Jenna Widelock: Jenna always tended to stay at the fringes of the HSL group, despite her talent. She usually let her boyfriend Chad overshadow her, even though she was really, really good in her own right - I would say her style was more theatrical than the "fast and funny" ComedySportz/spot improv philosophy... I think she would excel at a longform performance. For what it's worth, I doubt she'd let the same thing happen today, as far as being overshadowed by her boyfriend. Jenna's the theatre teacher at East now, as well as running her own production company. Jenna doesn't know it, but she's one of the people in town I'd most like to work with. I doubt that'll ever happen though - she's got big things ahead of her, and all she needs is one big hit in LA to push a choice between teaching and fame. And it's not that far off, I don't think.

Chelsea Brewer: The soul of sardonic wit, I'm pretty sure Chelsea's still in town. She left for awhile, but I saw a one-act she directed at BCT this summer. That one act was easily the best of the evening, and I was extremely impressed with the material, which she also wrote. It was very honest, seemingly cathartic, and I got a lot out of it. She had moved to LA for a few years (more on that in a minute), but I believe she's back now. I could be wrong.

David Rock: David came through the Stockdale CSz HSL just like Jeff, Blaine, and James Kopp. Several of them, David included, had styles that were a little darker and more risque than the more family-friendly ComedySportz.

When Matt Fredrickson came back from Los Angeles, he hooked up with Rock and started RAT, the Royal Association of Thespians. They perform roughly quarterly at the Empty Space.

RAT pushes for the offensive, do their best to go overboard in terms of pushing the envelope. Ew, such a mixed metaphor. The show isn't for everyone, but there are always several incredibly insired moments in a RAT show. One of my favorites was a show where Oprah was questionning Jesus' paternity, whether Joseph or God was the father. Both had provided sperm samples (represented in a RAT show by milk), but before Oprah could take them for testing, Mary drank them both, preventing the testing, which caused the audience to cover them in Silly String.

Ah, the Silly String gimmick. If something in the show is TOO offensive for you, you have a voice - you get a can of Silly String to spray the performers with.

Garrett Willingham: Garrett was in the last CSz workshop I ran while owning the team, back in 1997. He was the last person I gave basic improv skills to in Bakersfield before my return to town in 2000. He recently discovered his love for stand-up comedy, and has been branching into that. He runs a Stand Up Night at the Syndicate, formerly with John Wells, who just departed for NYC.

Jason Monroe: Jason's in and out of the theatre scene, as he's engaged and actually has a *gasp* REAL JOB (running the cotton industry), but he works everywhere, and seemingly does everything. He currently does both MLI and Blacklist.

Adam McCabe: A truly gifted improvisor, Adam also was in CSz/MLI for several years, until he left in January of 05, joining the Blacklist later that year. He is currently still with the troupe.

Incidentally, the Blacklist was formed in 1997, when Garces graduate Michael Armendariz (who may be the BEST comedy writer in town, and one of the best deadpan comedians you've ever seen) and I did "The Compleat Wks of Wm Shkspr (Abridged)" at the Stone Soup Studio. The third cast member was Matt Lindsay - I have it on tape. I introduced Michael to Chan, the three of us hung out, wrote a sketch show, rehearsed it with original fourth cast member Stephanie Marney, had a great time, and disbanded when I moved to Phoenix in 1998. When Chan and I came back in 2000, we did another Blacklist show (sans Stephanie, but with Jennifer Sorkin), then they did a couple without me (along with Andy McCarty... and I'm leaving someone out) and disbanded again. Chan and I started recording stuff in Spring of '05 for the Meathead, Desi, Rocky Nash show on KRAB, added Michael, pulled in Adam, and started doing sketch and improv shows in November of '05. I left the group in June, and they've continued without me, and are doing quite well at the Empty Space.

It's tough to list all the people that have been affiliated with CSz/MLI/RAT/Blacklist over the years... I'm sure there's a glaring omission I'm going to feel completely foolish that I worked with them and I left them out... someone will be sure to point that person out to me, of course.

I mean, that's excluding the people who have come through these groups and are no longer in Bakersfield. I mentionned Lepine because he still affects Bakersfield theatre, even in his absence. But for every David Rock who is still here, there is a Doug Cheeseman, who took his talent to ply his trade somewhere else. Kym Canfield, Karen Hamm, Megan Lavender, Will Fowler, Steve Perez, Jeff Perkins, Michael Lewis, Geoff Seaton... the list goes on and on... a couple hundred people have been part of this lineage over the last seventeen years. Of course I'm going to leave most of them out... some of them are on my list and will chime in, angry with me for neglecting them. I do have respect for them all, and if they read this, I want them to know that...

Oh ye Gods, I almost forgot Inga Barks. Yep, conservative, right wing talk show host is a friend of mine who used to do CSz. We've been debating lately about education, big business, social reform, etc. We used to do it back in 91-93 too. It's always been fun for us to have arguments from such polar opposites of the spectrum, and yet still be able to do a show together. She does her show in Bakersfield, and another in Fresno, and considers Sean Hannity one of her best friends. Wow, the people I know...

So, that's it. A primer on that lineage of Bakersfield comedy. There are a few other folks who do stand up around town now and then, but I don't know them personally and haven't really met them - folks like Jim Trino... so, I wish I had more info for ya, but I don't. Til Next Time...

(Link to Bakersfield Community Theatre)

THE DOWNTOWN SCULPTURE AND ASSEMBLAGE SHOW!!!!!

A. S. ASHLEY presents a: B.A.R.(BakersfieldArtRave) production. In association with NOVELTOWN, MAS magazine, and BAKOTOPIA

The DOWNTOWN

SCULPTURE and ASSEMBLAGE SHOW

SATURDAY, AUG. 19TH & 26TH @ CAPISTRANO'S

(19TH AND EYE-the former Downtown Joes)

BAKERSFIELD ART RAVE(aashley@bak.rr.com), in association with MÁS magazine (masbakersfield.com), Bakotopia (bakotopia.com) and Noveltown (www.noveltown.net) brings:

A.S. Ashley's army of local Artists DOWNTOWN for a first-of-its-kind show! Known for his controversial, theme oriented group Art exhibits, this "Artczar" is pulling out all the stops in offering the largest collection of sculptures, assemblages, and "combines" ever shown in Bakersfield. The future CAPISTRANO'S restaurant (19th and Eye) is providing the space for this 4,000 sq foot event; showcasing 15 local artists, exhibiting over 80 pieces of art work.

Included in the show will be film clips and poetry provided and shown by Noveltown. This cutting-edge offering is just another example of NOVELTOWN's ever expanding reach into various aspects of our Arts community.

With Bakersfield's DOWNTOWN area being occupied by THE SPOTLIGHT THEATRE and THE METRO galleries, THE DOWNTOWN SCULPTURE and ASSEMBLAGE SHOW offers additional proof of this town's blossoming Art Renaissance.

Come and be a part of Bakersfield's cultural revolution!

THE DOWNTOWN SCULPTURE AND ASSEMBLAGE SHOW
SATURDAYS~AUG. 19th & 26th~5pm-Midnight~$5 Admission
@ CAPISTRANOS ~1534 19th Street (19th and Eye)
info: 428-1772

The verdict is in - The Philadelphia Story is a well rounded comedy full of uproarious laughter and meaningful character development. It's also a damn fine evening of entertainment. You can check it out for yourself at the Empty Space this weekend, playing through August 26th.

I've got a fresh podcast for you and tantalizing pictures capturing funny and truthful moments from the show.

Download the podcast in MP3 format or open iTunes and click here to subscribe...

Picture Gallery:

http://www.theatreaddict.com/gallery/v/emptyspace/philadelphia/

It's the second installment of drama drama from proud theatre addict, Thespian Tsarina. Enjoy, comment, and stay tuned.

Enjoy the Sam Sleuth gallery, full of over a dozen pictures of the black and white mayhem! I just uploaded them today.

http://www.theatreaddict.com/gallery/v/Gaslight/samsleuth/

Also, check out the review by NL Belardes.

Bakersfield Community Theatre Awards

Just a few pieces of theatrical news that don't fit anywhere else...

Cory needs a stage manager for "Fuddy Meers" at the Empty Space, which is just beginning rehearsals this week. If you're interested, either contact her on MySpace or call me and I'll give you her #. You can reach me at (661) 428-1005.

Julie wants me to start buzzing early about auditions for The Graduate which is going to be directed by none other than Mr. Hal Friedman at BCT in January. Auditions are coming in November...but let me tell you this play is hot and still very scandalous and relevant. You've seen the movie but the play is much much more. Let me give you an idea...Mrs. Robinson, full frontal nudity in the first 10 minutes. And it goes on from there. Excited? I am.

The Philadelphia Story, playing for the next two weekends at the Empty Space is excellent as it turns out...making August a killer month for local theatre. We've got three great shows playing right now that you would be foolish to miss. You probably know the other two are "History of Rock & Roll" at Spotlight and "Sam Sleuth" at the Gaslight. I'll have a fun and interesting "Philadelphia Story" podcast online in a few days, God willing. That is, if He will just keep the voices away for a few more days. JK.

The BCT Awards are coming up this weekend, I'll be posting a notice in a separate blog in a few minutes. I had intended on doing a podcast announcing the nominees kind of like the media announces the Oscars but I'm out of time! I'll do a post-show podcast, though, and that should be fun. Read the BCT Awards blog and I'll see you there???

I plan to "cover" all of the awards shows from now on so I'll be attending the next Empty Space awards as well. It's only fair. Are there any others I should know about? Anyone?

I'll be posting the second blog from Thespian Tsarina this week. She's really fun and I can't wait to read more about her "falling off the wagon" as she reveals in the newest blog. Did I just give it away? Damn, well you'll have to read about it anyway. Such fun.

That's it for now.

This is a short essay sent to me by local theatre observer (turning participant?), Thespian Tsarina. Watch for more in the coming days/weeks and please offer your thoughts.

Let me lay it out.

THIS was addressed to the theatre community in general...indicating problems faces in the past, present, and future...

Theaters don't want to share their assets (actors, audience, other resources). They are striving for self preservation. But it's exactly that type of reserve that is preventing the entire theatre community, not to mention the entire arts community, from reaching it's full potential. Stop holding so tightly onto your personal success and start helping to throw the entire machine into a glorious orbit.

And THIS is addressed to the current theatre community, my friends and readers...

If we play our cards right, all of the theaters can be more successful, shows will be better, and we'll all be happier.

To start with...I want to request your involvement in what I'm doing.

Then, AS AN EXAMPLE I address the cast and crew of the History of Rock & Roll to tell them what simple things I'd like to ask of them to be involved and help me with the effort.

To paraphrase....

Cast of HR&R, I want more feedback and contribution.

All that means is tell me what you think, give me a bit of advice on what I could do better, and/or send me a few words about your experience that I can post to a blog and use to get people interested in you and your show.

THAT IS ALL.

The only criticism there is that I was dissapointed in the response to the podcast.

Once again, THAT IS ALL.

The HR&R cast was used as an example to ask SPECIFICALLY what I want more of from the theatre community.

I "picked on" the cast because they are my friends! I know half of the cast members personally, I talk to many of them every day on MySpace and instant messenger. I'm also friends with Roger and Nick, the two people who are giving me the most shit for the Theatretopia blog.

I do want more interaction from the theatre community. Is that out of line? I am only doing this whole thing for them. I don't act in shows, I don't direct...I would like to be doing my own shows but my life doesn't allow me to at this time so I'm helping you to do the toughest and most thankless part of theatre. Promotion.

End of story. Help me, or tell me to find something better to do with my time. Pick one and stick with it, please.

Whoa, whoa, whoa... I am definitely not using the History of Rock and Roll or the Spotlight as an example of shortcomings in the theatre community.

This is about living up to our full buzz potential, remember?

The truth of it is, I consider the show a friend and a good example of positive things in the theatre community. This is why I chose it to point out examples of how we can create more buzz...and recall I am primarily addressing the theatreaddict movement and asking for more involvement in what I am trying to do (using podcasts and blogs to get the word out).

Yes, there is a tendency in theatre in general to remain insular, and yes that exists somewhat in Bakersfield...but you're right, the Spotlight and HR&R are examples of those bad habits being thrown to the wind. I am fully aware of how hard the cast the cast has worked to sell the show and it has worked! There is a buzz in Bakersfield about it. I simply used them as an example to point out a few easy things that we can do to create more media buzz. That's all...

I'm trying to grow a medium that will always be there for theatre to use. So when the TV stations don't have room to put you on, or when a show just doesn't have that kind of appeal we will always have our own means, our own loudspeaker to shout to the moon about the projects we're working on. I want theatreaddict.com to exist 10 years from now, and by then I may have kids and will have passed it along to someone else to run.

Anyway...I hope my real points (all positive and loving) weren't overshadowed by an assumed criticism. As I said, I simply want to begin a dialogue about using these new mediums to buzz about theatre. The theatre community has really opened up in the last few years, there is sharing and a mutual love going on that is beautiful. The time is ripe to explode the whole theatre scene into mainstream Bakersfield and I want to start working on that now...with you.

And while I am readdressing this whole subject... One reason I wanted to bring this up now is because I see the upcoming "bakotopia" theatre feature as a real opportunity to expand the notoriety of local theatre, and I want you (the theatre community) to take advantage of it with me. Bakotopia is going to be reaching out to us, promoting us, and basically inviting us to start using their site. Bakersfield.com and bakotopia.com have free blogs and are starting communities that are a bit like a mix of myspace and craigslist. The thing is...how cool would it be to have someone browsing the Bakersfield Californian's website and find your blog about your show, and then come to see it? Or perhaps a musician looking at bands on Bakotopia might take a step into local drama.

These are opportunities that are coming our way, and I want to be sure that we are all primed and ready to take advantage. That's all!

Hugs and kisses to the cast of History of Rock & Roll. You know I love ya. I wouldn't never do ya like that, baby.

I had a meeting with Matt Munoz of Bakotopia.com on Monday. We talked in detail about (drumroll please) local theatre.

The purpose of this blog is two-fold. First, I want to tease your artistic tastebuds with a bit of what's in the works. To put it simply...a month dedicated to featuring local theatre, with Bakotopia giveaways and promomtions around town at local playhouses. (yeah, cool huh?) Second...I want to use this opportunity to address a topic which is something that I think we really need to work on together to improve the success of the shows we put on. In a word...buzz. Creating a buzz about Bakersfield drama that will explode out into the streets, the media, and the homes of your average everyperson. This is something we can accomplish but we have to work together, get on the same page, and focus. This is part of what I created theatreaddict.com to accomplish, and it's time to get down to businesss. More on that in a paragraph or two...

I met with Matt and attempted to give him the rundown on all of the theaters around town. Who's who, what's what, and where's where. (not to mention when's when but that's just getting confusing). He was surprised to see how many full time theaters there are in this town. When I saw Matt at a performance of "Rowing to America" a few weeks ago, he told me that it was pretty much the first local theatre he'd experienced (aside from a kids show that a relative's child was in). Kind of incredible, no? That someone so immersed in Bakersfield culture had been missing out on the theatrical side of Bakersfield all this time? And Matt's no shut-in either, he's out every weekend playing music, networking etc... Everybody knows Mento Buru and Matt's well known around town. After experiencing his first real local drama and seeing the constant theatre journalism of theatreaddict.com, nl belardes, and others...I'm guessing Matt decided that it was time to delve into this theatre business a little more.

So...this is part one of the blog as mentioned before. I'll be working with Matt to feature local theatre in September on bakotopia.com. Hopefully you'll be seeing (as I said before) promotions, giveaways, bakotopia appearances and local theaters, podcasts, and all kinds of exciting stuff. I'm even hopeful that Matt might bring some of the bakotopia hotness to some of the plays in August. I told him I really think he'd like the History of Rock & Roll (he thought about auditioing when he saw they wanted Richie Valens) and Sam Sleuth and the Fall of the Coffee Baron. These are both shows I wouldn't mind seeing again, and sharing some of Kern County's best talent with bakotopia.com staff members.

There ends part 1. I hope you are as excited as I am. Revel in the excitement, this is good for both of us. All of us. Yes. Wonderful.

Now...on to part 2. As great as that is, the other half of my brain is spinning to realize the opportunities that keep passing us by to realize our full "buzz" potential. I'm sick of seeing great shows that the public never hears about.

I was telling Matt about some of the fun moments and successes that the theatre community has had. There are some shows that are instant sell out hits...like "Cabaret" at the Empty Space..."Rocky Horror" at BCT...and "History of Rock & Roll" at Spotlight. I talked about how the KRAB radio morning show has been very welcoming to theatre. My friend Kevin Lively has been on the show several times talking about shows. Meathead was the voice of Smaug the Dragon in "The Hobbit" at BCT and played Eddie in The Empty Space's "Rocky Horror" mimic cast this year.

Matt Munoz laughed and mentioned how he has never heard about any of this stuff, and how the theatre community seems so separate from the music community...and the rest of Bakersfield for that matter. I laughed in agreement, and mentioned that I supposed it was the same with the music community. Matt's been fighting the same fight with musicians that I'm now fighting with you...trying to get them to join him in promoting the hell out of the music community. To get them to help or allow him to promote THEM. Kind of crazy, don't you think? Why on earth would someone without from free promotion?
I am a theatre person trying to promote the hell out of theatre. I want your help. Why is it so hard to get it?

I suppose...it's because everyone is so busy, partly. Also, people are possesive. Theaters don't want to share their assets (actors, audience, other resources). They are striving for self preservation. But it's exactly that type of reserve that is preventing the entire theatre community, not to mention the entire arts community, from reaching it's full potential. Stop holding so tightly onto your personal success and start helping to throw the entire machine into a glorious orbit.

So...in the coming days, weeks, and months...I want to begin a dialogue with you about the art of creating buzz. I want you to work with me to create buzz in Bakersfield about what is happening on stage. If we play our cards right, all of the theaters can be more successful, shows will be better, and we'll all be happier.

To start with...I want to request your involvement in what I'm doing. I've got blogs going on MySpace, bakersfield.com, bakotopia.com, and theatreaddict.com. I've also got the podcast happening that makes it's way into people's ears every month. I've created the first calendar which allows you to see ALL of the theatre going on.

But these things are not living up to their potential. They are missing something very important. You.

I'm going to take, as an example, the cast of "The History of Rock & Roll." I love you all, so I know you'll forgive me for raking you over the coals.

I took some time to make a podcast which I think is fun and would probably make anyone who listens to it want to go see your show. I posted a comment on the page of every cast member I could find on myspace, and I was a little dissapointed in the response. Now, I'm not looking for praise. Seriously. What I'm looking for is involvement. Feedback. Email me and tell me it sucked. Tell me what you thought could be better. Tell me I should have interviewed you instead. Post a link to the podcast in YOUR blog. Play it for your mom.

Sorry, I don't get it. The only reason I do this is because I want people to see your show. Why don't you help me?

The cast of this show is huge. What would happen if 30 people in the cast wrote short essays (just a paragraph, say) about their experience in the show. I posts 30 blogs on 4 different websites. Maybe...just maybe...there would be a buzz. Maybe a local TV station would think it was fun and show up to do a story. Or one of the many radio stations, newspapers. Or, maybe a few people would see the article(s) SOMEWHERE and come to see the show. Maybe they'd tell their friends.

All I'm saying is...

Be my little theatre bees would you? Buzz, for Shakespeare's sake. Throw me a bone.
You get the idea.

Send me your comments and your love, theatre addicts. Let's do this thing.

-Aaron

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the WORLD'S FIRST podcast done ENTIRELY IN BLACK AND WHITE!!!

Just kidding. But Sam Sleuth is. It's a damn fun show and you can dive right into it today in the newest installment of Bakersfield Theatre Radio: The TheatreAddict.com Podcast.

Download it in MP3 format or open iTunes and click here to subscribe...

Want more Sam? Read the reviews...

http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/viewarticle.php?cat_id=118&post=18934

http://www.nlbelardes.com/blogger/2006/07/ghostman-thomasjacksonwalker-reviews_29.html

I've put up a few pictures from the show...

Trying to get Keely to send me the rest so I can share them with you...hehe

http://www.theatreaddict.com/gallery/v/spotlght/rockroll/

Enjoy!

Attention Tehachapi residents: starting today I will be including Tehachapi Community Theatre's productions and auditions on my website. This is great for...well pretty just me, when I don't want to have to drive to cover current drama.

TCT's current production, "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" is a fun musical the whole family will enjoy and plays for the next two weekend. It is included in my theatre calendar for August, which you can view at:

http://www.theatreaddict.com/calendar/

So, people of T-Town...next time you want to experience quality live theatre, go to TheatreAddict.com and you can check out what's playing in Bakersfield AND Tehachapi.

L8

-Aaron

Too much to do?
Supporting the local arts for dummies

By Greg Goodsell
E-mail: gregoodsell@hotmail.com

Within the artistic communities within Bakersfield and Kern County, there are rumblings of discontent. Chief among these complaints is that there isnt enough local support to keep things going. The Bakersfield Californians response to seven professional and semi-professional theaters in town was to simply stop covering them altogether. Happily, such Web sites as Theatre Addict (www.theatreaddict.com) as well as this fine publication came rushing in to fill the need for comprehensive media coverage. However, there are misgivings among actors, artists and musicians that one cultural event is stepping on the toes of another cultural event; taking away much needed revenue and exposure. It would appear that for the first time in Bakersfields history -- that there is finally too much to do!

However -- an awful lot of people who could benefit -- or should attend concerts, plays and art shows are staying at home to watch reruns of "Desperate Housewives" on TV. This has got to change! This writer has outlined various ideas that Joe and Jane Six-Pack can put into action to enrich our local culture.

1. ADOPT THE POLICY THAT ART CAN BE FUN. Close your eyes and meditate on the word "art." Ill just bet you thought of precious, impressionistic paintings in watercolor and pastels accompanied by dreary chamber music. Now, theres nothing wrong with impressionistic paintings and chamber music, but art is so much, much more. Art is the guitar solo on your favorite song on your favorite radio station played full blast as you tool down the highway. Art is the cryptic comic strip in a newspaper, which due to its shadings and nuances, makes you laugh out loud while others dont get the joke. Art is the crummy low-budget musical or crime movie you watch over and over again on battered VHS tape in lieu of catching the latest theatrical blockbuster. Art talks to you, art makes you stop dead in your tracks, art never really identifies itself as such.

One criminally under-reported gallery showing at the Empty Space Theatre was the Destructo Art Show. This highly unusual exhibit featured TV sets and computers smashed and riddled with buckshot and splattered with red paint. The effect was exciting, primal and alive; much more so than any splatter film. Art is challenging, visceral and dynamic -- or not at all.

2. ART GIVES YOU YOUR BEST ENTERTAINMENT VALUE. The majority of art exhibits are absolutely free and Bakersfields Empty Space Theatre has been successfully offering a wide variety of plays on a strictly donation basis. Theres no excuse not to take advantage of all this gratis entertainment.

One shining example was a poetry reading that I participated in. The event was in a beautiful, spacious building with air conditioning, with tons of free food and wine (quite a bargain for you budget imbibers out there). This reading was totally free and just a handful of people showed. At the same time -- hundreds of people jammed the Downtown Street Faire two blocks away in 104-degree heat, spending lots of money on food and trinkets. It was strictly their loss.

And single guys and gals? The people who show up at cultural events have a bit more on the ball -- and have a lot more to offer than the folks down at the corner cocktail lounge. Check it out!

3. YOULL NEVER KNOW UNLESS YOU TRY IT. Poetry isnt your bag? Zydeco music too exotic for you? A play about feminist issues appears to be too hoity-toity for a macho man like yourself? Youll never know if you dont check it out! Be daring and adventurous!

Recent examples of local plays that attracted big crowds were the plays "Toulouse" and "The Vagina Monologues." "Toulouse" was daring and spicy with its recreations of classic burlesque routines, but was still moored in documenting an American theatrical art form. Crowds were thoroughly entertained by a show that was anything but dry and academic. Many guys were put off by "The Vagina Monologues" thinking it would be feminist claptrap. The lucky gentlemen who did see the show were instead regaled with funny, sad and highly erotic tales recited by an all-female cast.

What if you go to an event and you dont like it? Theres a lot of inherent entertainment value in a bad play, terrible art show and a wretched musical performance. Well get to that later.

4. THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND AND PARTICIPATE. Ever have a yen to sing in front of others, no matter how flat you think you sound? Ever have some poetry you scrawled on a slip of paper that you wanted to share with the world and didnt have the nerve? Ever thought your attempts at painting were good enough to share with the world? Jump in with both feet forward! The local artistic community is very nurturing and supportive to newcomers and dabblers. The excitement surrounding a play that you act in, an art show with your work and a local publication featuring your writing adds immeasurably to the excitement of your workaday world!

As for myself, I was asked to participate in an art show on the subject of "Spirit Dolls." As the show rolled up, I hadnt prepared anything when it struck me that I could just take a stuffed bunny rabbit and affix a toy gun in his lap. The piece garnered serious attention from all places, The Bakersfield Californian. Many people afterwards told me that it was their favorite piece in the show. Ah, ego is everything

5. A THING OF BEAUTY IS A JOY FOREVER. Here we get to the nitty gritty. Many of our local artists are leading hand-to-mouth lives, with very little monetary recompense to aid in their efforts. Yours truly is a man of very modest means, but I find enough money to buy paintings from local artists now and then, and now boast an eclectic art collection. I justify these purchases by the fact that I consider myself an artist (with a small "a") and its vital to show monetary support for other local artists.

When it comes to buying art, I let my personal tastes guide me. If there is a piece I like that is reasonably priced, I buy it. I never, ever buy art that I dont like on the basis that the artists phone is about to be disconnected (no art welfare) and I never buy a piece that is outside of my budget. Ive scored some really great paintings and sculptures for under $100 and they proudly adorn my home. I think a piece of art scored at that price will have a lot more lasting value than a night on the town I will dimly remember a month later. Plus -- theres always the chance that they may accrue in value. Ill never forgive myself for not scooping up more original artwork from punk rock cartoonist Raymond Pettibon back in 1981. His work now commands a minimum of $10,000 today!

6. ARTISTS ARE YOUR FRIENDS. People in the artistic and cultural community tend to be more energetic, more joyous and more vibrant than the people you interact with at work or in the bars. I count musicians, painters and writers as some of my best friends. Artists like doing things. They go in search of things that excite them and share them with others. Major in "show and tell" in elementary school? Become a part of the local artistic community.

And now -- in a very important step that is sure to stir up controversy -- that some people would advise against but I endorse whole-heartedly --

7. DONT SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST. Watching a dramatic production that is unintentionally hilarious? Laugh out loud! Show up to see a band and theyre over half an hour late? Stamp out angrily! See a painting that your three-year-old child could do much better? Let the artist know! Tired of diva-like behavior from minimally talented prima donnas? Dont kowtow to their demands!

Yes friends, if you show your support and dont like what you see -- let the people responsible know. It may hurt their tender egos, but they cant keep putting out crap. Art cant exist without an audience, and the audience must participate. No one benefits when more and more inferior art is produced, and the passive viewer suffers in silence, eventually leading to more empty theatres, nightclubs and galleries. The artist -- as well the audience -- must grow.

http://www.myspace.com/gregoodsell