365 Sketches

Single White Friendster Update

2010-12-09T07:57:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I'll be the first to admit, this is odd.

I woke up this morning wanting to add something to one of the 365 scenes. A scene I wrote almost two years ago!

It's "Single White Friendster" about a lonely co-worker trying desperately to develop a friendship with her co-worker who prefers to keep things professional. I love scenes where people awkwardly try to connect with others. Little too much like my own life, really.

Anyway, you can read the original scene HERE.

Here's what I changed near the end...

KIMBERLY

Happy birthday. Really. Happy birthday. I just like to keep my life in different compartments, Wendy. I have my co-workers; I have my family and friends. I like to leave my work at work.

WENDY

Sure. I understand. I’m the same way, really. I have work and I have my “not” work. Work stays here. Birds, Scrabble, decorating my jeans jackets with rhinestones and metal studs, washing my mother’s hair, all stays at home.

KIMBERLY

Good. What are you doing for your birthday?

WENDY

I just told you.

KIMBERLY

You’re washing your mother’s hair on your birthday? (Wendy nods.) Well, your mom must like that.

WENDY

It’s hard to tell since the stroke. I play for her in Scrabble. I usually “let” her win. And then she watches me decorate our matching jeans jackets.

(Awkward hopeful pause)

KIMBERLY

Sounds like a good time.

Yep. I gave Wendy's mother a stroke. All in the name of comedy, of course.

Self-Publification

2010-11-15T05:11:00.000-08:00

I wrote a piece about self publishing at my other website. I use 365 Sketches as an example. You can read it by clicking HERE.

We Open Friday!

2010-09-22T06:03:00.000-07:00

My first project post-365 Sketches was to adapt and direct a really bad movie. We had such a great time, we added some songs and scenes and turned it into a badass movie, but on stage.

Click HERE for tickets.

Shows You Would Never See If You Didn't Know Someone in the Cast: REMOUNTED

2010-09-14T02:58:00.000-07:00

Director Scott Olson and his crew had such a great time doing "365 Sketches" last June that they are remounting and reconfiguring their show. Scott kept the scenes he and his cast liked the most and then picked up some other 365 scenes they liked including "Everybody Poops, Even Neil" and a very, very twisted take on Pinocchio. I look forward to seeing their show.

Shows You Would Never See If You Didn't Know Someone in the Cast: REMOUNTED

The sell-out sketch comedy show is back and packed with new sketches.

The Best of Joe Janes's 365 Sketches.

Feel the Bang. Get the Clap.

Show Dates and Times

Sunday September 26th at 7:30 P.M.
Thursday September 30th at 7:30 P.M.
Sunday October 3rd at 7:30 P.M.
Thursday October 7th at 7:30 P.M.

CALL 773-598-4549 FOR TICKETS! TICKETS ONLY $10!!!!

CAST

Cassie Ahiers
Jack Bourgeois
Kevin Branick
Jessica Cook
Dylan James Hackworth
Meg Harkins
Sam Hubbard
Daniel Planz
Liz Siedt

Directed by Scott Olson
Assistant Directed by Jackson Haywood

Written by Joe Janes

365 Sketches is Recommended Reading

2010-08-24T10:19:00.001-07:00

According to the folks at The Laughing Parrot.

The Original 365

2010-08-24T06:03:00.001-07:00

Looking for the original posts and their comments?

Here's a link to Day One - "Laid On"

Click on "Newer Post" at the bottom of the page to move through the year.

Why Do It?

2010-08-22T14:15:00.001-07:00

This video explains why I took on the 365 project better than I can.

A Taste of 365 - Friday Night!

2010-08-12T05:40:00.001-07:00

“365 Sketches” Book Release Celebration

Hosted by Michael Gellman
Interview and Q&A with Joe Janes
Featuring 10 scenes from “365 Sketches” performed by original cast members from the June Strawdog shows.
Friday, August 13 Tickets are $5, $3 for students de MAAT Studio, 3^rd floor of Piper’s Alley, North and Wells, 312-337-3992

I am very excited about this event. It's going to be a great time and you really can't beat it for five bucks! There's so much entertainment value packed into this, you might actually make money from your investment. First off, I get to share the stage with Michael Gellman, a mentor and constant source of inspiration for me. You get to see us talk about sketch comedy, unrehearsed. You also get to ask us any questions you have. That alone is worth the cost of a ticket. In fact, you're probably up ten bucks at this point.

What really makes this event worth your while is this line-up of scenes and talent. These are ten scenes I picked, which, out of 365 scenes, was very difficult. Michael and I will also do some DVD-style commentary after every scene.

"A Gospel Song for Atheists" – directed by Chris Othic, featuring Geoff Crump, Becca Levine, Chris Othic, Nat Topping and Susie Gutowski

I picked this one because it is one of the songs I wrote for 365. And when I say "wrote a song" I just mean the lyrics. Groups were on their own to set them to music. All the groups did a fantastic job at this. They all exceeded my expectations (except for that one where the group set it to a Barry Manilow song. Oh, my.) This was a difficult song and these guys nailed it. Here's a stripped down rehearsal of the song.

"Pawn Broken" – directed by Scott Olson, featuring Dylan Hackwoth and Jack Bourgeois

I wanted a two-person scene that utilized biographical elements. "Pawn Broken" deals with a man selling an engagement ring. Good times.

"KAT-JITSU" – directed by Jason Fleece, featuring Jill Olson, Chris Brown and Andy Cameron

This was an important scene for me during 365. It's one of the few where I can tell you when I wrote it. It's scene 15. After two weeks of writing scenes, I realized I could be silly. Kat-Jitsu is silly.

"Bullet Flu" – performed and directed by Neil Arsenty, Tim Huerlin, Heather Muth

It was difficult to be topical during 365 because I wanted scenes to be able to hold up after the project was over. This is my satirical take on media hype over flu "epidemics."

"French Is Easy" – directed by David Rocco Facchini, featuring Matt Noonan, Heather Muth, Becca Levine, Lisa Burton

This scene makes no sense at all, which is why I included it. I believe there's room for the odd in a sketch revue. This group also just did a wonderful job with it and made it very entertaining.

"Your Improv Coach" – directed by Jen Ellison, featuring Mary Jo Bolduc

This isn't exactly a comic monologue even though it is a one-person scene. If you have ever been in an improv workshop or on an improv team, this might make you very uncomfortable. In a good way.

"Waiter Scene No. 6, Op. 68, F Major, Pastoral” also known as "Recollections of a Country Life" Written By Joe Janes and Sir Jasper Turlington III – directed by Rinska Prestinary, featuring Pat Whalen, Chris Petlak and Matt Steffen

I love this scene because it's like Masterpiece Theater for blackouts.

"Anna.2" - directed by Jen Ellison, featuring Dave Stinton, Mary Jo Bolduc and Merrie Greenfield

There's no way I could get through 365 scenes without a robot or two. Here's the best robot scene, in my opinion.

"Everybody Poops, Even Neil" – directed by Wendi Weber, featuring Jackie Durruthy, Rammel Chan, Govind Kumar

My students will be happy to know I don't have a problem with poop jokes, as long as they are smart poop jokes and forward the story.

"Ain’t That Love" – directed by Rose Kruger, featuring Joel Reitsma

This is a scene that when I wrote it, I liked it, but didn't think much about it, except that I knew it could be deadly if the actor played it for laughs. Rose and Joel did such a magnificent job with this that it became one of the highlights of the Strawdog shows that folks talked about it for weeks.

So, come on out. Have a good time. Meet Michael, the actors, the directors and me. We'll have t-shirts on sale. You can also buy the book at a 15% discount.

Put My Face On Your Chest!

2010-08-10T05:07:00.001-07:00

The t-shirts from "365 Sketches" are now being unleashed upon the world. They are $20. If you are going to be at the 365 Book Release Event this Friday at Second City, designer and one of the 365 directors, Jen Ellison, will hand yours to you in person and you'll save on shipping and handling. You can order your t-shirt by clicking HERE.

Barnes and Noble On Board

2010-08-04T08:14:00.001-07:00

Now also available on-line at Barnes and Noble!

August: Joe County

2010-08-04T05:32:00.000-07:00

August is shaping up to be a very busy month featuring some 365 events. You can check out the madness here...

http://biteandsmile.blogspot.com/2010/08/august-joe-county.html

Get 15% off "365 Sketches" at lulu.com

2010-07-22T07:00:00.001-07:00

Get 15% off "365 Sketches" at lulu.com

Purchase 365 Sketches with 15% off with coupon code BEACHREAD305

Go to lulu.com!

Disclaimer: Use coupon code BEACHREAD305 at checkout and receive 15% off 365 Sketches. Maximum savings with this promotion is $10. You can only use the code once per account, and you can't use this coupon in combination with other coupon codes. This great offer ends on August 15, 2010 at 11:59 PM so try not to procrastinate! While very unlikely we do reserve the right to change or revoke this offer at anytime, and of course we cannot offer this coupon where it is against the law to do so.

Now on Amazon!

2010-07-10T06:28:00.001-07:00

"365 Sketches" is now on Amazon. So, that's cool.

Where YOU Can Buy "365 Sketches" Around the World

2010-07-05T06:46:00.001-07:00

"365 Sketches" is starting to make its way into the world.

Here are some places where you can acquire it to complete your collection of books written by Joe Janes.

ON-LINE IN EUROPE

Eruditor.com

Langton Info Services, England

ON-LINE IN THE US

Lulu.com

ON FOOT IN CHICAGO

Quimby's at 1854 West North Avenue in Wicker Park. There will be a live in-store event on Saturday, August 21st at 7pm featuring me and some of Chicago's finest comedic actors performing monologues from 365.

The Book Cellar at 4736 North Lincoln Avenue in the heart of Lincoln Square.

The Second City Training Center on the fourth floor of Piper's Alley at North Avenue and Wells in Old Town. There will be live event on Friday, August 13th at 7pm in the de MAAT Studio featuring Michael Gellman and 8-10 scenes from the Strawdog 365 event. Tickets are $5 and available at the door.

They're Coming Soon!

2010-07-02T06:29:00.001-07:00

If you want to look as cool as Jessica McCloud, well, good luck with that, but a styling 365 t-shirt would sure help your cause. It's in the works. We should have them available by the August 13th book event at Second City. And we'll keep them affordable.

Question and an Update

2010-06-25T07:47:00.000-07:00

So, the dust has settled on the 365 event at Strawdog. Seems to have been a very positive experience for all involved. Some book events that will feature performances from 365 are now in the works for August. August 13th at 7pm has been confirmed at Second City's de MAAT studio. The evening will be hosted by Micheal Gellman and will feature Micheal interviewing me, us discussing 6 to 8 scenes after they're performed, Q & A and mingling and signing of books. The venue needs to charge admission to cover costs, so there will be a ticket price of five bucks. I'm going to work on getting five bucks off for anyone purchasing the book at the event.

While scheduling these events, a recurring question has been about doing a workshop in conjunction with an event. I'd love to do that, but I'm not sure what it would look like. Not sure how I can teach someone to write a sketch a day in a workshop. Also not sure if that's the most valuable thing to try to get across. Any suggestions? I would love to hear them. What kind of writing workshop would you benefit from most?

My Reaction

2010-06-17T07:19:00.000-07:00

My reaction to the MetaFilter debate on writing every day is up at Bite and Smile.

Go ahead. Read it.

Write Every Day?

2010-06-16T22:55:00.000-07:00

Well, if you're a writer, why not?

365 Sketches seems to have inspired debate amongst writers about the value of writing every day.

Comedy-Rule-of-365

Well, Wow, Um, What Just Happened?

2010-06-14T07:14:00.000-07:00

Not much to say at the moment, but there will be more to come. Nothing but big bouquets of thanks to all the directors and actors who made 365 a huge success. Here are some very surreal pics last night. These are just from my camera. Don took more from the shows themselves and we'll get those up soon.

Knocked 'Em Out Of The Park Last Night

2010-06-13T06:59:00.001-07:00

Jen Malinsky and Jeff Hedges in "Kick the Can"

Going into our last trio of Saturday shows, I was nervous. We've been on a really strong streak of shows and we're deep into the number of scenes. One of these shows just had to be a shitfest. The odds were in the favor of me donning a fake mustache and sneaking out. Happy to report, the comedy gods continue to smile of 365. Bina Martin, Rachel Staelens and Danni Parpan and their casts put together an evening of fun, fun, shows. Michael Gellman, an improv instructor stalwart at Second City and whom I consider to be my teaching mentor was there and he had a great time.

Tonight is it! Your last two chances to see 365.

Toni Machi pines as Matt Scott and Steve Hund frolic.

Matt Malinsky teaches Vanessa Menton to fish.

Sasha Smith and Pat Whalen. Yep. I went there, too.

294 down. 71 to go.

2010-06-12T06:29:00.000-07:00

Chris Chemlik, Mackenzie Yeager, Isaac Holter and Zoe Shwartz in "Boxing Day" from "St. Drunken's Day."

Don's computer is acting all fussy, so he was unable to post pictures from Thursday's shows. Friday's shows were kuh-ray-zee. I have avoided warning the audience about what they are about to see, except for last night. I looked over the roster of scenes and this was definitely a period of weird shit. By this time into the project, it was very clear we were going to be presenting them for an audience and we may have had around twenty directors on board. I was more aware of the possibility of repeating myself, if only in where the scene took place. Tried my damnedest to avoid office scenes. There was still one per show. But, there are a lot of scenes where I knew for certain as I was writing them that I hadn't done THAT before. I let the audience know they were in for a strange and often very dark ride. All three shows rocked. Amanda Rountree, Mary Williamson and Tony Soto and their casts all brought their A game.

Scott Whitehair, Kelsie Huff and Mike Carothers in "The Last Unicorn" from "What If They Held A Peace Rally And Nobody Came?"

One Hundred Forty-One Sketches Left

2010-06-09T22:52:00.000-07:00

Last night, John Hildreth and Chris Othic, with casts in tow, knocked out weeks 29 through 32 leaving us with 20 more weeks to go.

One of my favorite scenes out of all of the 365 Sketches was onstage last night. It involved an actual conversation Joe and I had (I was being the wounded girl in the scene and wondered why I introduced him as my "best friend" and he introduced me as his "friend.") and it underscored for me what many people involved in this project can attest to - truth in comedy. I'm certainly not the only person who recognizes moments of "ME" in Joe's world and it's a strangely gratifying thing - like being Arthur Miller's girlfriend or something.

Further, as we continue on, the constant standing room only crowds of actors and directors coming out to see other sets has given the whole thing a sense of - dare I say it - "community" which makes the whole thing just a bit more worthwhile.

Come on out and check out a few of the last 141 days of Joe's year. You won't be sorry.

RobK on 365

2010-06-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

Check it:

"I love what Joe's done. It shows the kind of individual get-up-and-go that was so sadly lacking in the improv comedy universe back when I was an active participant. It always seemed to me that people would do everything they could to get the attention at iO and Second City, all with the goal of being spotted by Lorne Michaels some evening and win the right to get paid a decent salary to do really bad children's television on Saturday nights.

But Joe did something to do something, did a hell of a job and all the sketches are being produced even as we speak. I would give Joe kudos, but the word isstill banned on this site."

Some 365 Insight

2010-06-09T10:34:00.000-07:00

From Nat Topping, one of our 177 actors and a colleague of mine in Robot vs. Dinosaur.

"Since each show is directed and performed by a wide variety of people from different parts of the sketch comedy landscape, the show is essentially a meeting of comedy minds from across the city. The show is the perfect combination of Joe's writing prowess and this city's interpretive creativity."

Thanks, Nat. He has more interesting things to say about 365, too.

Click here to read more.

Sketch Zero

2010-06-09T07:55:00.001-07:00

My friends at Robot vs. Dinosaur are doing their part of 365 tonight. Back in January, at the end of the 365 writing process, they presented me with this...

Sketch Zero.

Sold Out on a Tuesday??

2010-06-08T21:40:00.000-07:00

We're Officially Halfway Through Joe's Year

And This Train Keeps Rolling!

2010-06-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

The 365 Sketch Crazy Tribal Constant Gathering in Celebration of the Mind of Joe Janes continues with an energy that even I, the Self Appointed Energy King, am left astonished.

As the buzz behind the quality of the work grows, the houses continue to become SRO - if you don't have tickets for this weekend, you need to get them very soon or risk being turned away. We have had oversold houses for Sunday night and Monday night - both tonight and Wednesday are near sold out and I have a feeling that the weekend is going to be ridiculous.

Each director and their casts have been really bringing their A games and the level of talent and creativity is fucking awesome.

SUNDAY:

MONDAY:

a little love from chicago elevated

2010-06-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

Margaret Hicks is a tour guide, improviser and an utter delight to behold. She's a friend of many folks who are working on 365. She attended a show on Saturday night and gave 365 a shout out on her blog. Rooty toot!

http://www.chicagoelevated.com/?p=825

Thanks, Hixx!

Shows 6, 7 and 8

2010-06-06T05:04:00.000-07:00

(Mike Dobbyn, Chris Savell and Bryce Fishman provide thought bubbles for Kate Compton portraying yours truly. Apparently, Wrote a lot about food. And sex. And death. But mostly food.)

Last night was my first night back and it was great to be in the room, live and in-person. Great houses, great shows. Three very different shows under the direction of Dunbar Dicks, Rebecca Langguth and Derek Van Tassel. Dunbar's was very stylized with lots of dancing transitions and each actor trading off - via black ball cap and glasses - playing me writing the various sketches being presented. I was skeptical of this, as I didn't want it to come across as a tribute to me or be full of in-jokes people wouldn't get. Fortunately, neither happened and it made for a really cool, cohesive show. Rebecca's cast had some very rockin' transitions that took the risk of not using transitional lights which sometimes confused the audience as to when a scene began or ended. But the meat in-between the transitions kicked with this really tight and creative cast. Derek's show, comprised of Columbia college students and recent grads, was pretty traditional and straightforward, but you can tell they worked hard on the scenes discovering some really interesting moments between the characters that I never would have guessed was there. All three worked well and, as the writer, I couldn't be happier.

(Brett McGovern is a zombie superhero in the imagination of comic book store employee Trey Hanks who, rather condescendingly, explains his concept to Brianna Hansen in Searching for Joss Whedon.)

(Sadly, even I am not immune of writing more male roles than female roles. Derek handled this masterfully by casting Molly McCormick, Lori Lewis and Mal Merpi as men in a locker room talking about their penises in Weenus.)

Three through Five of Twenty-Six

2010-06-05T01:03:00.000-07:00

Last night, we cranked out weeks 5 - 10 in three genuinely hysterical sets.

In the case of the midnight show, it's pretty damn cool to know that Joe Janes is simply a fucking funny guy - his humor cracks up the college crowd just like it cracks up old farts like me.

Tomorrow night we knock out weeks 11-16. Seriously - don't miss out. AND Mr. Janes will be in the house.

Nearly One Month of Sketches Set the Bar High

2010-06-03T22:27:00.000-07:00

Last night we knocked out the first two sets - 8PM – Weeks 1 & 2 “Dancing with the Devil” (director – Mary Jo Bolduc) and 10PM – Weeks 3 & 4 “Diversity Chicken” (director – Jason Fleece) - and they were hysterical! Both directors and casts kicked off our mini-festival of warped thoughts from the mind of Janes with a bang.

Joe couldn't be there so we SKYPED him in:

He watched from the cabaret table right in front of the actors. It was surreal as he watched via the internet and texted me during the show. Ah - modern technology!

Three more shows tonight!

Opening Night!

2010-06-03T04:18:00.000-07:00

And what better way to mark the day with some sage advice about comedy writing.

"If what you're writing isn't likely to offend or annoy anyone at all, go back and start again."

It comes from Larry Gelbart in his eulogy for Billy Wilder.

More Tech Rehearsals

2010-06-02T22:27:00.000-07:00

...and we open this puppy tomorrow night!

And the Insanity Has Begun...

2010-06-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

365 Technical Rehearsals.
4 down; 22 more to go.

Updated Schedule

2010-06-01T05:08:00.000-07:00

“365 Sketches” – Strawdog Theater – June 3 – June 13, 2010

Most shows run 50-60 minutes, although some are longer and may have an intermission indicated by ** next to the title

THU 6/3 8PM – Weeks 1 & 2 “Dancing with the Devil” (director – Mary Jo Bolduc, cast: Dennis Frymire, Fuzzy Gerdes, Andrew Jordan, Gabe Garza, Marsha Harman, Jill Fenstermaker, Sara Gorsky, original music by Edesio Sanchez-Gomez, transition music by Jen Taylor) 10PM – Weeks 3 & 4 “Diversity Chicken” (director – Jason Fleece, cast: Jeremiah Howe, Jessica Bennett, Jill Olson, Chris Brown, Andy Cameron, Kristen Secrist)

FRI 6/4 8PM – Weeks 5 & 6 “Zombie Space Aliens” (director – Regan Davis, cast: Jon Sales, Ed Sanchez-Gomez, Brenda E. Kelly, Patrick Michael Kelly, Erin Johnson, Mikayla Brown) 10PM – Weeks 7 & 8 “Dried and Cured Meats” (director - Rebekah Walendzak, cast: Heather Adams, Ryan Ben, Jeffrey Bouthiette, Earliana McLaurin, Twitter graphics: Jason Adams, Daniel Ryan Johnston: Props and costume design, Mitchell Kohl: Assistant Director, Jeffrey Bouthiette: Sound design/original music composition) Midnight – Weeks 9 & 10 “The End of the World” (director - Rinska Prestinary, ass’t directors - Emily Cooke and Hannah Herbert, cast: Steve Casillas , Alex Farrington, Pat Whalen, Chris Petlak, Jack Gallagher, Edgar Sanchez, Matt Steffen, Torian Miller, Dana Young, Meredith Daufenbach, deejay-Zan Rosenthal)

SAT 6/5 8PM – Weeks 11 & 12 “An Affair to Whatever” (director – Dunbar Dicks, cast: Bryce Fishman, James Sienko II, Chris Savell, Mike Dobbyn, Kate Compton, Katherine Li, Hassan S. Ali, Tessa O’Connor) 10PM – Weeks 13 & 14 “While On My Way To Hell” (director – Rebecca Langguth, cast: Kim Boler, John Brewster, Ben Harpe, Trey Hanks, Briana Hansen, Brett McGovern) Midnight – Weeks 15 & 16 “Weenus” (director- Derek Van Tassel, cast: Jacob Clausen, Harter Clingman, Lori Lewis, Molly McCormick, Mal Merpi, Mike Newquist, Eric Prather, Jess Elfring Roberts)

SUN 6/6 7PM – Weeks 17 & 18 “Shows You Would Never See If You Didn’t Know Someone In The Cast” (director - Scott Olson, ass’t director - Jackson Haywood, cast: Dylan James Hackworth, Sam Hubbard, Jessica Cook, Jack Bourgeois, Meg Harkins, Cassie Ahiers, Liz Siedt, Dan Planz, Kevin Branick) 9PM – Weeks 19 & 20 “Chekhov in the Trailer Park” ** (director – Rich Baker, cast: cast: Tom Burns, Nicole Devin, James Honey, Kerri Morrison, Jacob Schneider, Lauran September, Clay Stevens )

MON 6/7 8PM –Weeks 21 & 22 “Jerk Sandwich” (director – Lillie Frances, cast: Alaina Hoffman, Gillian Bellinger, Robert Reid, Jeremy Schaefer, Sayjal Joshi, Patrick Kent) Weeks 23 & 24 “Red, White and Beer” (director- Wendi Weber, cast: Bernie Balbot, Will Casey, Rammel Chan, Elizabeth Dowling, Jackie Durruthy, Govind Kumar, KT Mack)

TUE 6/8 8PM – Weeks 25 & 26 “Twi-Lite” (director – Janna Sobel, cast: Andy Tommello, Brett McGovern, Jen Spyra, Lauren Robertson, Wolfgang Stein, Michael Rychlewski, Erin Morrill, Jeff Rukes) Weeks 27 & 28 “Disco Heaven” ** (director – David Rocco Facchini, cast: Lisa Burton, Lindsey Ganote, Ryan McDermott, Heather Lynn Muth, Matt Noonan, Michael Tatar)

WED 6/9 8PM – Weeks 29 & 30 “Fools Rush In Where Angels Fear To Treadmill” (director – John Hildreth cast - Gillian Bellinger, Mary Jo Bolduc, Janna Sobel, John Brewster, John Mobley, Rudy Voit) Weeks 31 & 32 “A Thing I Wrote” (director - Chris Othic, stage mgr – Nicolas Gamboa, cast: Mike Bauman, Geoff Crump, Becca Levine, Chris Othic, Nat Topping, Mackenzie Yeager)

THU 6/10 8PM – Weeks 33 & 34 “Boris vs. Nature” (director – Becky Eldridge, cast: Alaina Hoffman, Shelby Burton, Ross Foti, Jarrad Apperson, Scott Olson, Robert Reid) 10PM – Weeks 35 & 36 “Oblique Oblige” (director – Rose Kruger, cast: Donna Ray, Dave Fink, Joel Reitsma, Lila Collins, Emily Claiborne, Jon Cohen, Ian Knox, Anya Clingman, David Schaplowsky, Nate Stoner, Charlie Cascino - fight choreography)

FRI 6/11 8PM – Weeks 37 & 38 “What If They Held A Peace Rally And Nobody Came?” (director – Amanda Rountree, tech director – Jessica Landis, cast: Dominique Lewis, Ed Smaron, Erin Orr, Kelsie Huff, Kevin Gladish, Lori Goss, Michael Carothers, Scott Whitehair) 10PM – Weeks 39 & 40 “St. Drunken’s Day” (director – Mary Williamson, cast: Mackenzie Yeager, Zoe Shwartz, Heath Cordts, Isaac Holter, Josef Bette, Chris Chmelik, The Band - Amanda Batterson, and Chance Bone) Midnight – Weeks 41 & 42 “Dear Cancer” (Director – Tony Soto, cast: Dree Elfring, Megan Householter, Sarah Beckett, Mike Newquist, Wayne Brumgard, David Stookey, Gavin Robinson)

SAT 6/12 8PM – Weeks 43 & 44 “You Know – Like The End of the World” (director – Bina Martin, ass’t director – Johanna Meyers, cast: Dan Carr, Jo Feldman, Jeff Hedges, Jen Malinsky, Matt Malinsky, Vanessa Menton) 10PM - Weeks 45 & 46 “Who’s Afraid of Virginia, Wolf?” (director – Rachel Staelens, cast: Matthew Scott, Sarah Mikayla Brown, Andrew Kraft, KT Mack, Sam Bailey, Steve Hund, Toni Machi, Vinnie Lacey) Midnight – Weeks 47 & 48 “Barflies At The Beach” (director – Danni Parpan, cast: Pat Whalen, Reeny Hofrichter, Grace Wagner, Sasha Smith, Chelsea Brand, Eric Prather, Michael Bartz)

SUN 6/13 7PM – Weeks 49 & 50 “Farewell To Monster Island” (director – Trish Vignola cast - Andrew Kraft, Mal Merpi, Steve Konet, Emily Walker, Greg Callozzo, Jessica Bettini, Jack Farrell) 9PM – Weeks 51 & 52 “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” (director – Jen Ellison, cast: Patrick Brennan, Kevin Gladish, Merrie Greenfield, Mary Jo Bolduc, Rebecca Langguth, Dave Stinton, Amanda Rountree)

The music of 365 Sketches

2010-05-28T21:52:00.000-07:00

We're less than a week away from the Opening Night Extravaganza of 365 Sketches.

Which means we're also less than week away from "Weeks 3 & 4: Diversity Chicken," which is the 10 pm show on opening night.

Which means it's Sound Design Time.

I've been using the Speakeasy voice recording app on my iPhone to record original material, the interwebz to find non-original material, and Garage Band on my trusty Mac to compile all of this material into something that serves the show, and it was during this process that I realized what a simply bizarre set of sounds we've put together for this project.

Our evening includes music by:

The Beatles
Abdel Alim Hafez
The Squirrel Nut Zippers
Electric Light Orchestra
Joe Cocker
Keith Jarrett
Tan Dun
Joe Esposito
The John Barry Orchestra
Wings

It also includes two different kinds of gunfire, three different computer sound effects, an egg frying, a gong, three different TV/radio theme songs, the sound of a skillet hitting someone in the head and an angry mob.

Weirdest mix tape ever, Joe. What have you gotten us into?

TimeOut - Chicago

2010-05-26T10:09:00.000-07:00

A 365 shout out from TimeOut - Chicago

click HERE

I Won't Count The Days...

2010-05-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

because I'm apparently not very good at that.

But the first show is next Thursday at 8pm. The first of 26. I sat in on their rehearsal last night. This is a very experienced improv/theater/capoeira/sketch comedy crew and they are bringing it.

Thursday, June 3 - 8PM – Weeks 1 & 2 “Dancing with the Devil” (director – Mary Jo Bolduc, cast: Dennis Frymire, Fuzzy Gerdes, Andrew Jordan, Gabe Garza, Marsha Harman, Jill Fenstermaker, Sara Gorsky, original music by Edesio Sanchez-Gomez, transition music by Jen Taylor)

The cast is great and have a handle on the material under Mary Jo's direction. It features a few of my favorite scenes, which I didn't expect to be able to say about the first two weeks of the 365 project. "Lottery Winner" is so well acted that it's almost simultaneously heartbreaking while making me laugh, as in "Better Than Money". "Babies Are Assholes" is a fun song and I can sit through it without cringing at the lyrics I wrote. It occurs to me that some of the themes laid down in the first two weeks came back a lot over the year - the economy, work, theater, relationships, death and God. You know, all the funny topics.

This block also features "Single Slices", which is a speed dating scene jumping back and forth between couples in different age groups. As a writer, I found this scene to be an encouraging green light for the 365 project. It seemed to come out of nowhere (although it contains many biographical elements) and I simply would never have written it had I not taken on the year long project.

Here's Mary Jo with Sarah Gorsky, Dennis Frymire, Marsha Harman and Fuzzy Gerdes rehearsing "Single Slices" at Zoo Studios.

365 in Russia?

2010-05-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

Okay. This is strange. In doing a search for what kind of "buzz" was going on about the upcoming shows, I stumbled across this site run by someone in Russia. It looks like they took my 365 posts, translated them into Russian, and then back again into English. It's hysterical. My favorite new title might just be "Spy World Health Organization Dated Me" or “Spell On My Mode To Hell." I don't think this means anyone in Russia is doing my scenes, but I can dream.

Here's the LINK. Keep clicking to the right and you'll see the re-translated scenes come up in reverse order.

All 365


Here's the final list of all 365 scenes sent out to the managing directors for them to look at and regard. Withing their one-week subdivision, they are not in chronological order, but alphabetic. The day of the months are included at the terminal of the rubric. The dramatised personae size is in parenthesis.

“365 Sketches” – Breakdown by week (updated 1/21/10)

WEEKS 1 & 2 – “Saltation with the Devil” – minimum cast of characters size: 7

(4)Infants Are Assholes.1.25.09”

(7) SPINCYCLE.1.24.09

(7) Cernik on the passenger vehicles.1.22.09

(2) positioned on.1.19.09

(4) LOTTERYWINNER.1.21.09

(2) Make in China.1.20.09.physician

(6) single slices.1.23.09

(5) Dance with the Devil.1.29.09

(5) Chet Later on.1.30.09

(1) Forcing The Envelope.1.26.09

(3) Better Than Money.1.27.09

(6) BROWN BAGGING IT.2.1.09

(6) Chet At Lunch.1.31.09

(3) Neighbours.1.28.09

WEEKS 3 &A; 4 – “Diversity Chicken” – minimum cast of characters size: 7

(7) “Another Ace of Those Blackouts.2.7.09”

(4) “Tit for Tat.2.3.09”

(3) “Diversity Chicken.2.4.09”

(2) “Hemlock.2.6.09”

(3) “KATJITSU.2.2.09”

(3) “Medusa.2.8.09”

(2) “Single White Friendster.2.5.09”

(4) “Gravy Boat.2.11.09”

(3) “Spy World Health Organization Dated Me.2.15.09”

(2) “Looking Great.2.10.09”

(3) “Macbeth.2.9.09”

(3) “NPRpart1.2.12.09” – could be done live or prerecorded

(2) “NPRpart2.2.13.09” - could be done live or prerecorded

(3) “NPRpart3.2.14.09” - could be done live or prerecorded

WEEKS 5 &A; 6 – “Zombie Space Aliens” – minimal dramatised personae size: 7

(4) “Bad News.2.18.09”

(2) “Termination.2.17.09”

(4) LOUD SUNSHINE.2.22.09”

(3) “Mercury Poisoning.2.19.09”

(3) “In one case Upon A Clip in the Church Basement.2.21.09”

(3) “Public Hair.2.16.09”

(3) “Suess Club.2.20.09”

(7) “Mr. Mysterium.3.1.09”

(4) “Zombie Space Aliens.2.23.09”

(5) “That’s Merely Jay.2.25.09”

(3) “TheC-E-Yos(a rap song).2.24.09

(2) “The Third I.2.26.09”

(7) “The Wretched Refuse2.27.09”

(1) “This Is My Fine art.2.28.09”

WEEKS 7 & 8 – “Dried and Cured Meats” – minimal cast of characters size: 6

(3) “Way out, Pursued By A Bear.3.6.09”

(1) “TheTwittysburgAddress.3.5.09”

(3) “HealthNut.3.7.09”

(2) “PaulinaStop.3.8.09”

(3) “PuzzleNight,Part1.3.2.09”

(3) “PuzzleNight,Part2.3.3.09”

(3) “PuzzleNight,Part3.3.4.09”

(4) “DriedAndCuredMeats.3.12.09”

(2) “WeReachWithRadio.3.15.09”

(1) “HappyEnding.3.14.09”

(6) “IciclesofEvil.3.11.09”

(2) “SelfStorage.3.13.09”

(5) “SomethingRotten.3.9.09”

(2) “TheDayTheEarthStoodByWaiting.3.10.09”

WEEKS 9 &ere; 10 – “The End of the World” – minimum cast of characters size: 7

(2) “BigFatLies.3.17.09”

(2) “WE REACH WITH RADIO II.3.22.09”

(4) “Blogger.3.21.09”

(3) “Bully.3.16.09”

(3) “CoffinMax.3.20.09”

(6) “OpenCasket.3.19.09”

(3) “RecollectionsOfACountryLife.3.18.09”

(4) “77.3.28.09”

(2) “WorksBetterOnChildren.3.25.09”

(7) “AGoodMan.3.23.09”

(2) “MattNeedsYourHelp.3.24.09”

(2) “TheEndOfTheWorld.3.26.09”

(4) “TheMachineAlsoRises.3.27.09”

(3) “WEREACHWITHRADIOIII.3.29.09”

WEEKS 11 & 12 – “An Affair to Whatever” – minimal cast of characters size: 8

(4) “AGhostsStory.4.1.09”

(8) “WhatAmericaRunsOn.4.2.09”

(2) “AnAmericanMugging.4.3.09”

(3) “Cannibal78.3.31.09”

(3) “CauldronFresh.3.30.09”

(5) “HowSweet.4.4.09”

(2) “TheCustomerIsAlwaysRight.4.5.09”

(2) “AnAffairtoWhatever.4.11.09”

(2) “TheTip.4.12.09”

(3) “AprilShowers.4.7.09”

(7) “ChickenMagnet.4.6.09”

(3) “EasterEggHuntingwithBubWinkerman.4.9.09”

(2) “ILikeYouBetterWhenYou’reNude.4.8.09”

(4) “PitchBleak.4.10.09”

WEEKS 13 &ere; 14 – “Spell On My Mode To Hell” – minimal cast size: 6

(6) “AFriendintheEnd.4.19.09”

(6) “WhileOnMyWayToHell.4.18.09”

(2) “DuallyNoted.4.14.09”

(3) “OfficerArsenty.4.15.09”

(3) “StellaonTuesdays.4.17.09”

(5) “Stripperer.4.16.09”

(3) “WarIsHardWork.4.13.09”

(3) “Fillips.4.26.09”

(2) “WalterGoldstein.4.25.09”

(3) “CreptOut.4.23.09”

(2) “OffTheGrid.4.21.09”

(2) “QueenofBees.4.22.09”

(6) “SearchingforJossWhedon.4.20.09”

(2) “UPSSucks.4.24.09”

WEEKS 15 & 16 – “Weenus” – minimal cast of characters size:

(3) “BackgroundCheck.5.1.09”

(3) “Weenus.5.2.09”

(8) “DeathToTyrants.4.28.09”

(2) “Dumdum bullets.4.29.09”

(5) “JohnIrvingness.4.27.09”

(2) “Truckin.4.30.09”

(4) “TwoOnTheAisle.5.3.09”

(4) “BraceBeer.5.6.09”

(3) “Wishes.5.4.09”

(3) “BulletFlu.5.7.09”

(8) “HippyBathday.5.5.09”

(2) “SeaWatchers.5.10.09”

(3) “ThrowingChonos.5.8.09”

(4) “WhyIHateFrenchCinema.5.9.09” – English version, for mention

(4) “WhyIHateFrenchCinema.5.9.09A” – French-ish version, for performance

WEEKS 17 &ere; 18 – “Demoes You Would Ne'er See If You Didn’t Know Somebody In The Contrive” – minimal cast of characters size: 7 (Director: Scott Olson)

(2) “AKissAnyway.5.16.09”

(6) “Untucked.5.14.09”

(4) “Nighthawks.5.13.09”

(4) “ProblemSolved.5.15.09”

(4) “PromNight.5.11.09”

(6) “Smile.5.12.09”

(6) “SummerEvening.5.17.09”

(2) “CasadeNed.5.21.09”

(7) “TimeBeavers.5.23.09”

(2) “PawnBroken.5.18.09”

(2) “RomeoPizza.5.22.09”

(3) “ShowsYouWouldNeverSee.5.20.09”

(3) “The Hitchhiker.5.24.09”

(1) “TheDeafofTheater.5.19.09”

WEEKS 19 &ere; 20 – Chekhov in the Trailer Park”- minimal cast of characters size: 7

(6) “BookClub.5.26.09”

(5) “WideWithPride.5.25.09”

(2) “CarryingAPorch.5.28.09”

(4) “ChekhovInTheTrailerPark.5.31.09”

(2) “LangleyandPratt5.27.09”

(2) “Listening.5.30.09”

(7) “StretchLimousine.5.29.09”

(3) “AnOnLineEducation.6.6.09”

(3) “WhereTheresSmokeTheresSmoke.6.2.09”

(4) “FascinationStreetBakery.6.5.09”

(1) “HowToWriteAComedySketch.6.4.09 – this is an already brought forth video

(5) “IDoHoldOn.6.1.09”

(2) “SwimmingforNonSwimmers.6.7.09”

(4) “TheLifeandstrangeSurprizingAdventuresofRobinsonCrusoe.6.3.09”

WEEKS 21 &A; 22 – “Jerk Sandwich”- minimum dramatised personae size: 8

(7) “TheInternationalComedyWritingInstituteofAmerica.6.8.09”

(2) “TheConstantPresent.6.12.09”

(8) “RocknRollTrouble!.6.14.09”

(4) “KennySpicerman.6.11.09”

(2) “IfIWereYou.6.9.09”

(3) “FunkandWagnall.6.13.09”

(2) “ExtractionNumber2.6.10.09”

(2) “ChryslerOnAStick.6.16.09”

(4) “Don’t Enquire, Don’tShout.6.19.09”

(2) “FarmersfromHell.6.21.09”

(2) “JerkSandwich.6.20.09”

(7) “MyFathersBeret.6.17.09”

(2) “Tracer.6.15.09”

(6) “ZombiePizzaParty.6.18.09”

WEEKS 23 & 24 – “Red, White and Beer”- minimal cast of characters size: 9

(3) “EverybodyPoops,EvenNeil.6.23.09”

(3) “JensMomNancy.6.26.09”

(4) “PeopleWhoLiveInCandyHousesShouldn’tThrowVegetables.6.22.09”

(7) “PhilliptheFriendlyDinosaur.6.24.09”

(3) “TheAmazingMaxwells.6.25.09”

(9) “TheSemiHardTruthAboutViagra.6.28.09”

(1) “ThingsIPutInMyMouth.6.27.09”

(6) “GronkGoesBonk.6.30.09”

(3) “HowBadsTheCoffee.7.4.09”

(4) “KidzNewz.7.1.09”

(2) “NewBlood.7.5.09”

(3) “Red, White and Beer.7.3.09”

(3) “TheCarpetCave.6.29.09”

(3) “TheDeathofMe.7.2.09”

WEEKS 25 &ere; 26 – “Twi-Lite “ – minimum dramatised personae size: 7

(7) “YouHavePlacedAChillInMyHeart.7.10.09”

(4) “WildIsTheWind.7.11.09”

(4) “Twi-Lite.7.6.09”

(2) “ThoseWhoCan't.7.12.09”

(5) “TheHIPPENING.7.9.09”

(7) “DownontheFarm.7.8.09”

(3) “BedtimeStories.7.7.09”

(2) TheLastWord.7.19.09

(3) AlienationofAffection.7.14.09

(2) AngryCow.7.17.09

(5) BigBother.7.15.09

(4) GiantLeap.7.18.09

(3) NeverBeenRuffied.7.16.09

(5) Sunburn.7.13.09

WEEKS 27 & 28 – “Disco Heaven“ – minimum dramatised personae size: 6

(2) “WTF.7.25.09”

(5) “VioletsinGarlicSauce.7.26.09”

(5) “TurkeyFingers.7.22.09”

(4) “DryDock.7.20.09”

(2) “DiscoHeaven.7.21.09”

(5) “BuenosAires.7.23.09”

(2) “ALittlePsycho.7.24.09”

(2) “WithorWithout.7.28.09””

(6) “DearPenthouse.7.27.09

(6) “DingDongSchool – HeWhoSitsInTheShadowOfHisTail.7.29.09”

(4) “FrenchIsEasy.8.2.09”

(5) “MercenaryAir.7.30.09”

(2) “NewYorkNewYork.8.1.09”

(2) “Weepy.7.31.09”

WEEKS 29 & 30 – “Tomfools Pelt along In Where Angels Fear To Treadmill“ – minimal cast size: 6

(3) “ThoughtsOfADyingAtheist.8.6.09”

(6) “FoolsRushInWhereAngelsFearToTreadmill.8.8.09”

(2) “AfterWorkBeforeBed.8.3.09”

(2) “BlackCoffee.8.7.09”

(3) “MandingoRex.8.9.09”

(2) “PeopleLetMeTellYa.8.5.09”

(1) “TheDingDongSong.8.4.09”

(2) “Simplifying.8.13.09”

(3) “ACupo Joe.8.16.09”

(1) “AnOperatorTriesToHelpJimCroce.8.12.09”

(6) FreeSoda.8.11.09

(6) “GrekkortheAlien.8.15.09”

(5) “OnAStick.8.10.09”

(4) “Pepper.8.14.09”

WEEKS 31 &A; 32 – “A Thing I Write“ – minimum cast size: 6 (Director: Chris Othic)

(3) AMemberoftheChurchofGod.8.22.09

(4) ArtAndAboutWithRandyCarson.8.23.09

(6) HadThisBeenAnActualEmergency.8.19.09

(6) StopSHOUTING.8.20.09

(4) TheCaseoftheSpeckledBullet.8.17.09

(4) TheUnicornAndTheVengeance.8.21.09

(4) WhatPriceGory.8.18.09

(6) AGospelSongforAtheists.8.24.09

(6) AThingIWROTE.8.30.09

(4) BodyFallingDownstairsSlowly.8.28.09

(2) InterestDue.8.26.09

(3) StillLife.8.25.09

(6) TheEighthWonderoftheWorld.8.29.09

(2) Wasp.8.27.09

WEEKS 33 & 34 – “Boris vs. Nature“ – minimum cast of characters size: 6

(3) ACivilWar.9.6.09

(3) AFlyOnTheWall.9.4.09

(6) BorisvsNature.9.1.09

(3) Bouncer.9.3.09

(2) ByAnyOtherName.9.5.09

(3) EnoughRope.8.31.09

(5) ILove2Boogie.9.2.09

(2) AHitForWeddingsorFunerals.9.8.09

(5) APennySaved.9.11.09

(2) Gary’sGotAProblem.9.12.09

(2) GuntherLandorsHouseoHealing.9.13.09

(2) IHateCleaning.9.7.09

(4) INeedLunch.9.10.09

(2) WartsandAll.9.9.09

WEEKS 35 &ere; 36 – “Oblique Oblige“ – minimum dramatised personae size: 6

(1) Ain’tThatLove.9.16.09

(3) EtTude.9.18.09

(6) Late.9.19.09

(2) LikeABaby.9.14.09

(5) Pinocchio.9.20.09

(2) Pullover.9.17.09

(5) TheFilmofMyLove.9.15.09

(4) ClimateChange.9.22.09

(4) Detained.9.25.09

(4) ObliqueOblige.9.23.09

(2) Runaway.9.21.09

(2) TheAwakening.9.26.09

(6) ThreeBagsFull.9.27.09

(3) TypewriterRepair.9.24.09

WEEKS 37 & 38 – “What If They Hold A Peace Rally And Nobody Come up?” – minimum cast size: 6

(3) ComeAgain.10.2.09

(6) ComeAgainAgain.10.3.09

(1) DesMoines.10.1.09

(6) Flesh out.9.28.09

(5) GiveALittle.10.4.09

(2) LighthouseHill.9.30.09

(4) TheLastUnicorn.9.29.09

(2) BabyMilosh.10.06.09

(4) HappyAlzheimer’s.10.10.09

(2) JustInCase.10.5.09

(3) MeatSubstitute.10.8.09

(4) PopsicleStick.10.9.09

(4) Spuhllujah.10.7.09

(6) WhatIfTheyHeldAPeaceRallyAndNobodyCame.10.11.09

WEEKS 39 &A; 40 – “St. Drunken’s Day” – minimum cast of characters size: 8

(5) BoxingDay.10.18.09

(2) Chicago.10.15.09

(3) HowToHaveSexWithWomen.10.17.09

(4) SlowDownLifesTooShort.10.16.09

(2) SomethingsDifferent.10.14.09

(6) TheWeepingLlama.10.13.09

(1) ToWake.10.12.09

(2) Bunch.10.19.09

(2) Dayhawks.10.22.09

(5) GoodSeats.10.23.09

(2) MrJones.10.25.09

(8) PositiveLoitering.10.20.09

(2) RoominNewYork.10.21.09

(3) St.DrunkensDay.10.24.09

WEEKS 41 &ere; 42 – “Dear Cancer” – minimal cast of characters size: 7

(2) AMothToAFlame.10.29.09

(3) Christopher.10.27.09

(2) HotelRoom.10.31.09

(1) LifesTooShortTo.10.30.09

(7) LittleDrummerBoy.10.28.09

(2) Procrastination.11.1.09

(7) TheGoInTheGo.10.26.09

(2) 911.11.2.09

(5) DearCancer.11.6.09

(2) ExcursionIntoPhilosophy.11.5.09

(3) LakeRood.11.7.09

(2) SocialIssues.11.4.09

(6) ThisWillBeOurYear.11.3.09

(2) ThreeWishes.11.08.09

WEEKS 43 & 44 – “You Cognise – The likes of The Terminal of the World” – minimum cast size: 6

(5) AFistfulofYarn.11.15.09

(2) Retard.11.10.09.

(6) Séance.11.11.09

(2) StayingUpLate.11.12.09

(3) TeachAManToFish.11.9.09

(5) Thief.11.13.09

(2) WinningTheLottery.11.14.09

(2) FutureElectric.11.19.09

(3) GrandOpening.11.20.09

(2) KickTheCan.11.22.09

(3) NotAllDogsGoToHeaven.11.18.09

(2) PlanB.11.17.09

(2) ToTheImpossible.11.16.09

(3) YouKnowLikeTheEndoftheWorld.11.21.09

WEEKS 45 &ere; 46 – “Who’s Afraid of Virginia, Wolf?” – minimal cast size: 6

(3) TheLibrary.11.25.09

(6) CatMenOnTheMoon.11.29.09

(4) Digger.11.27.09

(3) HeldUp.11.28.09

(4) NoThanks.11.26.09

(5) SomethingToBelieveIn.11.24.09

(2+) TheFirstTeaPartiers.11.23.09

(5) WhosAfraidofVirginiaWolf.12.6.09

(3) ChristmasComesEarlyMaybeLate.12.5.09

(6) FirstFlight.12.3.09

(4) ForcedSmile.11.30.09

(4) OnFire.12.4.09

(2) RacistInABox.12.1.09

(2) TheFoodChain.12.2.09

WEEKS 47 & 48 – “Barflies At The Beach” – minimal cast of characters size: 6

(4) WindowShopper.12.10.09

(3) BarfliesAtTheBeach.12.9.09

(3) Bunny.12.11.09

(2) Grosseries.12.13.09

(2) OBGYN.12.8.09.medico

(2) Settling…Up.12.12.09

(1) SlowWalkWithLimpInEcho.12.7.09

(5) AChristmasStory.12.16.09

(5) AnyoneforTennis.12.18.09

(3) ASigningFromGod.12.19.09

(6) AtTheStarbucks.12.17.09

(4) Free Hugs.12.16.09

(2) JockItch.12.20.09

(3) SoHelpMeGod.12.14.09

WEEKS 49 &ere; 50 – “Farewell To Monster Island” – minimum cast of characters size: 5

(3) AmericanGuitarHero.12.22.09

(3) GodHatesFags.12.26.09

(3) ItsForTheBest.12.24.09

(3) LoveBirdsAndCatThieves.12.23.09

(2) PhantomBooger.12.27.09

(2) TheFiveDollarMystery.12.21.09

(4) TheThoughtsThatCount.12.25.09

(2) MuchToDo.1.2.10

(2) Blockbusted.1.3.10

(3) DiningInHell.12.31.09

(4) FarewellToMonsterIsland.1.1.10

(5) FuckYou, Harry Chapin.12.30.09

(3) iMiranda.12.29.09

(1) Listless.12.28.09

WEEKS 51 & 52 – “” – minimum dramatised personae size: (7)

(4) SmoothSailing.1.10.10

(3) Anna.2.1.6.10

(2) Steps.1.8.10

(2) Hi.1.5.10

(6) OurManInAccounting.1.7.10

(5) PolkaDotsandMoonbeams.1.4.10

(2) RateofDecay.1.9.10

(3) BornAgain.1.15.10

(6) CurtainCall.1.17.10

(3) Unity Night.1.13.10

(3) PayItSideways.1.16.10

(7 or 11)Pigeon.1.12.10

(4) TurkeyInTheStraw.1.11.10

(5) WhiteChocolate.1.18.10

(1) YourNewImprovCoach.1.14.10

Math Skillz

2010-05-22T07:07:00.000-07:00

13 - 3 equals 10, right?

Apparently, it's not entirely true when applied to the science of calendars!

We've been promoting our show as being 26 shows over 10 nights with 177 actors.

It's 11 nights!

Count it out on your hand if you don't believe me. It was pointed out to me last night. We have been lying to you. Of course, we're not going to change all our promotional materials. And 10 just sounds better than 11, unless you're cranking up the amp of an electric guitar.

As a result of this information, I went back and checked all the math on this project. There's actually only 12 shows, 3 actors and I'm 143 scenes short of 365 sketches.

Buy a ticket anyway. We'll fill the gaps with some free form improvisational jazz.

PerformInk Article

2010-05-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

Here it is!

Joe doesn't even sound douchey...

Back in fall of 2006, theatres around the country got together on one of the most ambitious national performing-arts undertakings ever attempted. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks’ 365 Days/365 Plays hit the boards in many incarnations, combinations, and interpretations. Chicago alone saw over 50 companies presenting Parks’ work from November 2006 to November 2007.

Joe Janes, longtime sketch performer, director, and writing instructor at the Second City , saw what Collaboraction did with their portion of the Parks experiment, and discussed the project with many other colleagues. “I was left with the idea that people were talking more about the event than the material,” Janes says. Still, he was intrigued enough by the concept to give it his own spin. Thus was born 365 Sketches.

Keep reading...

The Book

2010-05-21T08:15:00.001-07:00

Less than two weeks away from all 365 sketches being performed at Strawdog Theatre. Can't see all the shows? Can't see any of them? Don't worry. There is hope for you.

Hold 365 Sketches in your hot little hands...http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/365-sketches/11034531?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/2

The (Almost) Complete Guide to 365 Sketches

2010-05-21T07:49:00.000-07:00

(I say almost, because I heard from a director or two earlier this week that they may have a cast change, but haven't heard back.)

On January 19, 2009, Joe Janes decided to write a comedy sketch a day for a year. He did that. On June 3, 2010, Don Hall of the WNEP Theater Foundation will produce them. All of them. Don and Joe have gathered together over 200 Chicago actors and directors and over ten days presented 26 shows each featuring two weeks worth of sketches. Yep. Crazy.

“365 Sketches” – Strawdog Theater – June 3 – June 13, 2010

scenes listed by cast size – title – date written

THU 6/3
8PM – Weeks 1 & 2 “Dancing with the Devil” (director – Mary Jo Bolduc, cast: Dennis Frymire, Fuzzy Gerdes, Andrew Jordan, Gabe Garza, Marsha Harman, Jill Fenstermaker, Sara Gorsky, original music by Edesio Sanchez-Gomez, transition music by Jen Taylor)

(2) laid on.1.19.09
(2) Made in China.1.20.09
(4) LOTTERYWINNER.1.21.09
(7) Czernik on the bus.1.22.09
(6) single slices.1.23.09
(7) SPINCYCLE.1.24.09
(4) Babies Are Assholes.1.25.09”
(1) Pushing The Envelope.1.26.09
(3) Better Than Money.1.27.09
(3) Neighbors.1.28.09
(5) Dancing with the Devil.1.29.09
(5) Chet Later.1.30.09
(6) Chet At Lunch.1.31.09
(6) BROWN BAGGING IT.2.1.09

10PM – Weeks 3 & 4 “Diversity Chicken” (director – Jason Fleece, cast: Jeremiah Howe, Jessica Bennett, Jill Olson, Chris Brown, Andy Cameron, Kristen Secrist)

(3) KATJITSU.2.2.09
(4) Tit for Tat.2.3.09
(3) Diversity Chicken.2.4.09
(2) Single White Friendster.2.5.09
(2) Hemlock.2.6.09
(7) Another One of Those Blackouts.2.7.09
(3) Medusa.2.8.09
(3) Macbeth.2.9.09
(2) Looking Great.2.10.09
(4) Gravy Boat.2.11.09
(3) NPRpart1.2.12.09
(2) NPRpart2.2.13.09
(3) NPRpart3.2.14.09
(3) Spy Who Dated Me.2.15.09

FRI 6/4
8PM – Weeks 5 & 6 “Zombie Space Aliens” (director – Regan Davis, cast: Jon Sales, Ed Sanchez-Gomez, Brenda E. Kelly, Patrick Michael Kelly, Erin Johnson, Mikayla Brown)
(3) Public Hair.2.16.09
(2) Termination.2.17.09
(4) Bad News.2.18.09
(3) Mercury Poisoning.2.19.09
(3) Suess Club.2.20.09
(3) Once Upon A Time in the Church Basement.2.21.09
(4) LOUD SUNSHINE.2.22.09
(4) Zombie Space Aliens.2.23.09
(3) TheC-E-Yos(a rap song).2.24.09
(5) That’s Just Jay.2.25.09
(2) The Third One.2.26.09
(7) The Wretched Refuse2.27.09
(1) This Is My Art.2.28.09
(7) Mr. Mysterium.3.1.09

10PM – Weeks 7 & 8 “Dried and Cured Meats” (director - Rebekah Walendzak, cast: Heather Adams, Ryan Ben, Jeffrey Bouthiette, Earliana McLaurin)

(3) PuzzleNight,Part1.3.2.09
(3) PuzzleNight,Part2.3.3.09
(3) PuzzleNight,Part3.3.4.09
(1) TheTwittysburgAddress.3.5.09
(3) Exit, Pursued By A Bear.3.6.09
(3) HealthNut.3.7.09
(2) Belmont.3.8.09
(5) SomethingRotten.3.9.09
(2) TheDayTheEarthStoodByWaiting.3.10.09
(6) IciclesofEvil.3.11.09
(4) DriedAndCuredMeats.3.12.09
(2) SelfStorage.3.13.09
(1) HappyEnding.3.14.09
(2) WeReachWithRadio.3.15.09

Midnight – Weeks 9 & 10 “The End of the World” (director - Rinska Prestinary, ass’t directors - Emily Cooke and Hannah Herbert, cast: Steve Casillas , Alex Farrington, Pat Whalen, Chris Petlak, Jack Gallagher, Edgar Sanchez, Matt Steffen, Torian Miller, Dana Young, Meredith Daufenbach, deejay-Zan Rosenthal)

(3) Bully.3.16.09
(2) BigFatLies.3.17.09
(3) RecollectionsOfACountryLife.3.18.09
(6) OpenCasket.3.19.09
(3) CoffinMax.3.20.09
(4) Blogger.3.21.09
(2) WE REACH WITH RADIO II.3.22.09
(7) AGoodMan.3.23.09
(2) MattNeedsYourHelp.3.24.09
(2) WorksBetterOnChildren.3.25.09
(2) TheEndOfTheWorld.3.26.09
(4) TheMachineAlsoRises.3.27.09
(4) 77.3.28.09
(3) WEREACHWITHRADIOIII.3.29.09

SAT 6/5
8PM – Weeks 11 & 12 “An Affair to Whatever” (director – Dunbar Dicks, cast: Bryce Fishman, James Sienko II, Chris Savell, Mike Dobbyn, Kate Compton, Katherine Li, Hassan S. Ali, Tessa O’Connor)

(3) CauldronFresh.3.30.09
(3) Cannibal78.3.31.09
(4) AGhostsStory.4.1.09
(8) WhatAmericaRunsOn.4.2.09
(2) AnAmericanMugging.4.3.09
(5) HowSweet.4.4.09
(2) TheCustomerIsAlwaysRight.4.5.09
(7) ChickenMagnet.4.6.09
(3) AprilShowers.4.7.09
(2) ILikeYouBetterWhenYou’reNude.4.8.09
(3) EasterEggHuntingwithBubWinkerman.4.9.09
(4) PitchBleak.4.10.09
(2) AnAffairtoWhatever.4.11.09
(2) TheTip.4.12.09
10PM – Weeks 13 & 14 “While On My Way To Hell” (director – Rebecca Langguth, cast: Kim Boler, John Brewster, Ben Harpe, Trey Hanks, Briana Hansen, Brett McGovern)

(3) WarIsHardWork.4.13.09
(2) DuallyNoted.4.14.09
(3) OfficerArsenty.4.15.09
(5) Stripperer.4.16.09
(3) StellaonTuesdays.4.17.09
(6) WhileOnMyWayToHell.4.18.09
(6) AFriendintheEnd.4.19.09
(6) SearchingforJossWhedon.4.20.09
(2) OffTheGrid.4.21.09
(2) QueenofBees.4.22.09
(3) CreptOut.4.23.09
(2) UPSSucks.4.24.09
(2) WalterGoldstein.4.25.09
(3) Bonus.4.26.09
Midnight – Weeks 15 & 16 “Weenus” (director- Derek Van Tassel, cast: Jacob Clausen, Harter Clingman, Lori Lewis, Molly McCormick, Mal Merpi, Mike Newquist, Eric Prather, Jess Elfring Roberts)

(5) JohnIrvingness.4.27.09
(8) DeathToTyrants.4.28.09
(2) DumDums.4.29.09
(2) Truckin.4.30.09
(3) BackgroundCheck.5.1.09
(3) Weenus.5.2.09
(4) TwoOnTheAisle.5.3.09
(3) Wishes.5.4.09
(8) HippyBathday.5.5.09
(4) BraceBeer.5.6.09
(3) BulletFlu.5.7.09
(3) ThrowingChonos.5.8.09
(4) WhyIHateFrenchCinema.5.9.09 – English version, for reference
(4) WhyIHateFrenchCinema.5.9.09A – French-ish version, for performance
(2) SeaWatchers.5.10.09

SUN 6/6
7PM – Weeks 17 & 18 “Shows You Would Never See If You Didn’t Know Someone In The Cast” (director - Scott Olson, ass’t director - Jackson Haywood, cast: Dylan James Hackworth, Sam Hubbard, Jessica Cook, Jack Bourgeois, Meg Harkins, Cassie Ahiers, Liz Siedt, Dan Planz, Kevin Branick)

(4) PromNight.5.11.09
(6) Smile.5.12.09
(4) Nighthawks.5.13.09
(6) Untucked.5.14.09
(4) ProblemSolved.5.15.09
(2) AKissAnyway.5.16.09
(6) SummerEvening.5.17.09
(2) PawnBroken.5.18.09
(1) TheDeafofTheater.5.19.09
(3) ShowsYouWouldNeverSee.5.20.09
(2) CasadeNed.5.21.09
(2) RomeoPizza.5.22.09
(7) TimeBeavers.5.23.09
(3) The Hitchhiker.5.24.09

9PM – Weeks 19 & 20 “Chekhov in the Trailer Park”- (director – Rich Baker, cast: cast: Tom Burns, Nicole Devin, James Honey, Kerri Morrison, Jacob Schneider, Lauran September, Clay Stevens )

(5) WideWithPride.5.25.09
(6) BookClub.5.26.09
(2) LangleyandPratt5.27.09
(2) CarryingAPorch.5.28.09
(7) StretchLimousine.5.29.09
(2) Listening.5.30.09
(4) ChekhovInTheTrailerPark.5.31.09
(5) IDoHoldOn.6.1.09
(3) WhereTheresSmokeTheresSmoke.6.2.09
(4) TheLifeandstrangeSurprizingAdventuresofRobinsonCrusoe.6.3.09
(1) HowToWriteAComedySketch.6.4.09
(4) FascinationStreetBakery.6.5.09
(3) AnOnLineEducation.6.6.09
(2) SwimmingforNonSwimmers.6.7.09

MON 6/7
8PM –Weeks 21 & 22 “Jerk Sandwich”- (director – Lillie Frances, cast: Alaina Hoffman, Gillian Bellinger, Robert Reid, Jeremy Schaefer, Sayjal Joshi, Patrick Kent)

(7) TheInternationalComedyWritingInstituteofAmerica.6.8.09
(2) IfIWereYou.6.9.09
(2) ExtractionNumber2.6.10.09
(4) KennySpicerman.6.11.09
(2) TheConstantPresent.6.12.09
(3) FunkandWagnall.6.13.09
(8) RocknRollTrouble!.6.14.09
(2) Tracer.6.15.09
(2) ChryslerOnAStick.6.16.09
(7) MyFathersBeret.6.17.09
(6) ZombiePizzaParty.6.18.09
(4) Don’t Ask, Don’tShout.6.19.09
(2) JerkSandwich.6.20.09
(2) FarmersfromHell.6.21.09

Weeks 23 & 24 “Red, White and Beer”- (director- Wendi Weber, cast: Bernie Balbot, Will Casey, Rammel Chan, Jackie Durruthy, Justin Fletcher, Govind Kumar, Lara Jo Hightower, KT Mack)

(4) PeopleWhoLiveInCandyHousesShouldn’tThrowVegetables.6.22.09
(3) EverybodyPoops,EvenNeil.6.23.09
(7) PhilliptheFriendlyDinosaur.6.24.09
(3) TheAmazingMaxwells.6.25.09
(3) JensMomNancy.6.26.09
(1) ThingsIPutInMyMouth.6.27.09
(9) TheSemiHardTruthAboutViagra.6.28.09
(3) TheCarpetCave.6.29.09
(6) GronkGoesBonk.6.30.09
(4) KidzNewz.7.1.09
(3) TheDeathofMe.7.2.09
(3) Red, White and Beer.7.3.09
(3) HowBad’sTheCoffee.7.4.09
(2) NewBlood.7.5.09

TUE 6/8
8PM – Weeks 25 & 26 “Twi-Lite” (director – Janna Sobel, cast: Andy Tommello, Brett McGovern, Jen Spyra, Lauren Robertson, Wolfgang Stein, Michael Rychlewski, Erin Morrill, Jeff Rukes)

(4) Twi-Lite.7.6.09
(3) BedtimeStories.7.7.09
(7) DownontheFarm.7.8.09
(5) TheHIPPENING.7.9.09
(7) YouHavePlacedAChillInMyHeart.7.10.09
(4) WildIsTheWind.7.11.09
(2) ThoseWhoCan't.7.12.09
(5) Sunburn.7.13.09
(3) AlienationofAffection.7.14.09
(5) BigBother.7.15.09
(3) NeverBeenRuffied.7.16.09
(2) AngryCow.7.17.09
(4) GiantLeap.7.18.09
(2) TheLastWord.7.19.09

Weeks 27 & 28 “Disco Heaven” (director – David Rocco Facchini, cast: Lisa Burton, Lindsey Ganote, Ryan McDermott, Heather Lynn Muth, Matt Noonan, Michael Tatar and Greg Wendling)

(4) DryDock.7.20.09
(2) DiscoHeaven.7.21.09
(5) TurkeyFingers.7.22.09
(5) BuenosAires.7.23.09
(2) ALittlePsycho.7.24.09
(2) WTF.7.25.09
(5) VioletsinGarlicSauce.7.26.09
(6) DearPenthouse.7.27.09
(2) WithorWithout.7.28.09
(6) DingDongSchool – HeWhoSitsInTheShadowOfHisTail.7.29.09
(5) MercenaryAir.7.30.09
(2) Weepy.7.31.09
(2) NewYorkNewYork.8.1.09
(4) FrenchIsEasy.8.2.09

WED 6/9
8PM – Weeks 29 & 30 “Fools Rush In Where Angels Fear To Treadmill” (director – John Hildreth cast - Gillian Bellinger, Mary Jo Bolduc, Janna Sobel, John Brewster, John Mobley, Rudy Voit)

(2) AfterWorkBeforeBed.8.3.09
(1) TheDingDongSong.8.4.09
(2) PeopleLetMeTellYa.8.5.09
(3) ThoughtsOfADyingAtheist.8.6.09
(2) BlackCoffee.8.7.09
(6) FoolsRushInWhereAngelsFearToTreadmill.8.8.09
(3) MandingoRex.8.9.09
(5) OnAStick.8.10.09
(6) FreeSoda.8.11.09
(1) AnOperatorTriesToHelpJimCroce.8.12.09
(2) Simplifying.8.13.09
(4) Pepper.8.14.09
(6) GrekkortheAlien.8.15.09
(3) ACupO’Joe.8.16.09
Weeks 31 & 32 “A Thing I Wrote” (director - Chris Othic, cast: Mike Bauman, Geoff Crump, Becca Levine, Chris Othic, Nat Topping, Mackenzie Yeager)

(4) TheCaseoftheSpeckledBullet.8.17.09
(4) WhatPriceGory.8.18.09
(6) HadThisBeenAnActualEmergency.8.19.09
(6) StopSHOUTING.8.20.09
(4) TheUnicornAndTheVengeance.8.21.09
(3) AMemberoftheChurchofGod.8.22.09
(4) ArtAndAboutWithRandyCarson.8.23.09
(6) AGospelSongforAtheists.8.24.09
(3) StillLife.8.25.09
(2) InterestDue.8.26.09
(2) Wasp-18.8.27.09
(4) BodyFallingDownstairsSlowly.8.28.09
(6) TheEighthWonderoftheWorld.8.29.09
(6) AThingIWROTE.8.30.09

THU 6/10
8PM – Weeks 33 & 34 “Boris vs. Nature” (director – Becky Eldridge, cast: Alaina Hoffman, Shelby Burton, Ross Foti, Jarrad Apperson, Scott Olson, Robert Reid)

(3) EnoughRope.8.31.09
(6) BorisvsNature.9.1.09
(5) ILove2Boogie.9.2.09
(3) Bouncer.9.3.09
(3) AFlyOnTheWall.9.4.09
(2) ByAnyOtherName.9.5.09
(3) ACivilWar.9.6.09
(2) IHateCleaning.9.7.09
(2) AHitForWeddingsorFunerals.9.8.09
(2) WartsandAll.9.9.09
(4) INeedLunch.9.10.09
(5) APennySaved.9.11.09
(2) Gary’sGotAProblem.9.12.09
(2) GuntherLandorsHouseoHealing.9.13.09

10PM – Weeks 35 & 36 “Oblique Oblige” (director – Rose Kruger, cast: Donna Ray, Dave Fink, Joel Reitsma, Lila Collins, Emily Claiborne, Jon Cohen, Ian Knox, Anya Clingman, David Schaplowsky, Nate Stoner, Charlie Cascino - fight choreography)

(2) LikeABaby.9.14.09
(5) TheFilmofMyLove.9.15.09
(1) Ain’tThatLove.9.16.09
(2) Pullover.9.17.09
(3) EtTude.9.18.09
(6) Late.9.19.09
(5) Pinocchio.9.20.09
(2) Runaway.9.21.09
(4) ClimateChange.9.22.09
(4) ObliqueOblige.9.23.09
(3) TypewriterRepair.9.24.09
(4) Detained.9.25.09
(2) TheAwakening.9.26.09
(6) ThreeBagsFull.9.27.09

FRI 6/11
8PM – Weeks 37 & 38 “What If They Held A Peace Rally And Nobody Came?” (director – Amanda Rountree, tech director – Jessica Landis, cast: Dominique Lewis, Ed Smaron, Erin Orr, Kelsie Huff, Kevin Gladish, Lori Goss, Michael Carothers, Scott Whitehair)

(6) Elaborate.9.28.09
(4) TheLastUnicorn.9.29.09
(2) LighthouseHill.9.30.09
(1) DesMoines.10.1.09
(3) ComeAgain.10.2.09
(6) ComeAgainAgain.10.3.09
(5) GiveALittle.10.4.09
(2) JustInCase.10.5.09
(2) BabyMilosh.10.06.09
(4) Spuhllujah.10.7.09
(3) MeatSubstitute.10.8.09
(4) PopsicleStick.10.9.09
(4) HappyAlzheimer’s.10.10.09
(6) WhatIfTheyHeldAPeaceRallyAndNobodyCame.10.11.09

10PM – Weeks 39 & 40 “St. Drunken’s Day” (director – Mary Williamson, cast: Mackenzie Yeager, Zoe Shwartz, Heath Cordts, Isaac Holter, Josef Bette, Chris Chmelik, The Band - Amanda Batterson, and Chance Bone)

(1) ToWake.10.12.09
(6) TheWeepingLlama.10.13.09
(6) SomethingsDifferent.10.14.09
(2) Chicago.10.15.09
(4) SlowDownLifesTooShort.10.16.09
(3) HowToHaveSexWithWomen.10.17.09
(5) BoxingDay.10.18.09
(2) Clump.10.19.09
(8) PositiveLoitering.10.20.09
(2) RoominNewYork.10.21.09
(2) Dayhawks.10.22.09
(5) GoodSeats.10.23.09
(3) St.DrunkensDay.10.24.09
(2) MrJones.10.25.09

Midnight – Weeks 41 & 42 “Dear Cancer” (Director – Tony Soto, cast: Dree Elfring, Megan Householter, Sarah Beckett, Mike Newquist, Wayne Brumgard, David Stookey, Gavin Robinson)

(7) TheGoInTheGo.10.26.09
(3) Christopher.10.27.09
(7) LittleDrummerBoy.10.28.09
(2) AMothToAFlame.10.29.09
(1) LifesTooShortTo.10.30.09
(2) HotelRoom.10.31.09
(2) Procrastination.11.1.09
(2) 911.11.2.09
(6) ThisWillBeOurYear.11.3.09
(2) SocialIssues.11.4.09
(2) ExcursionIntoPhilosophy.11.5.09
(5) DearCancer.11.6.09
(3) LakeRood.11.7.09
(2) ThreeWishes.11.08.09

SAT 6/12
8PM – Weeks 43 & 44 “You Know – Like The End of the World” (director – Bina Martin, ass’t director – Johanna Meyers, cast: Dan Carr, Jo Feldman, Jeff Hedges, Jen Malinsky, Matt Malinsky, Vanessa Menton)

(3) TeachAManToFish.11.9.09
(2) Retard.11.10.09.
(6) Séance.11.11.09
(2) StayingUpLate.11.12.09
(5) Thief.11.13.09
(2) WinningTheLottery.11.14.09
(5) AFistfulofYarn.11.15.09
(2) ToTheImpossible.11.16.09
(2) PlanB.11.17.09
(3) NotAllDogsGoToHeaven.11.18.09
(2) FutureElectric.11.19.09
(3) GrandOpening.11.20.09
(3) YouKnowLikeTheEndoftheWorld.11.21.09
(2) KickTheCan.11.22.09

10PM - Weeks 45 & 46 “Who’s Afraid of Virginia, Wolf?” (director – Rachel Staelens, cast: Matthew Scott, Sarah Mikayla Brown, Andrew Kraft, KTMack, Sam Bailey, Steve Hund, Toni Machi, Vinnie Lacey)

(6) TheFirstTeaPartiers.11.23.09
(5) SomethingToBelieveIn.11.24.09
(3) TheLibrary.11.25.09
(4) NoThanks.11.26.09
(4) Digger.11.27.09
(3) HeldUp.11.28.09
(6) CatMenOnTheMoon.11.29.09
(4) ForcedSmile.11.30.09
(2) RacistInABox.12.1.09
(2) TheFoodChain.12.2.09
(6) FirstFlight.12.3.09
(4) OnFire.12.4.09
(3) ChristmasComesEarlyMaybeLate.12.5.09
(5) WhosAfraidofVirginiaWolf.12.6.09

Midnight – Weeks 47 & 48 “Barflies At The Beach” (director – Danni Parpan, cast: Pat Whalen, Reeny Hofrichter, Grace Wagner, Sasha Smith, Chelsea Brand, Eric Prather, Michael Bartz)

(1) SlowWalkWithLimpInEcho.12.7.09
(2) OBGYN-Detroit.12.8.09.doc
(3) BarfliesAtTheBeach.12.9.09
(4) WindowShopper.12.10.09
(3) Bunny.12.11.09
(2) Settling…Up.12.12.09
(2) Grosseries.12.13.09
(3) SoHelpMeGod.12.14.09
(4) Free Hugs.12.15.09
(5) AChristmasStory.12.16.09
(6) AtTheStarbucks.12.17.09
(5) AnyoneforTennis.12.18.09
(3) ASigningFromGod.12.19.09
(2) J ockItch.12.20.09

SUN 6/13
7PM – Weeks 49 & 50 “Farewell To Monster Island” (director – Trish Vignola cast - Andrew Kraft, Mal Merpi, Steve Konet, Emily Walker, Greg Callozzo, Jessica Bettini, Jack Farrell)

(2) TheFiveDollarMystery.12.21.09
(3) AmericanGuitarHero.12.22.09
(3) LoveBirdsAndCatThieves.12.23.09
(3) ItsForTheBest.12.24.09
(4) TheThoughtsThatCount.12.25.09
(3) GodHatesFags.12.26.09
(2) PhantomBooger.12.27.09
(1) Listless.12.28.09
(3) iMiranda.12.29.09
(5) FuckYou, Harry Chapin.12.30.09
(3) DiningInHell.12.31.09
(4) FarewellToMonsterIsland.1.1.10
(2) MuchToDo.1.2.10
(2) Blockbusted.1.3.10

9PM – Weeks 51 & 52 “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” (director – Jen Ellison, cast: Patrick Brennan, Kevin Gladish, Merrie Greenfield, Mary Jo Bolduc, Rebecca Langguth, Dave Stinton, Amanda Rountree)

(5) PolkaDotsandMoonbeams.1.4.10
(2) Hi.1.5.10
(3) Anna.2.1.6.10
(6) OurManInAccounting.1.7.10
(2) Footprints.1.8.10
(2) RateofDecay.1.9.10
(4) SmoothSailing.1.10.10
(4) TurkeyInTheStraw.1.11.10
(7) Pigeon.1.12.10
(3) One Night.1.13.10
(1) YourNewImprovCoach.1.14.10
(3) BornAgain.1.15.10
(3) PayItSideways.1.16.10
(6) CurtainCall.1.17.10
(5) WhiteChocolate.1.18.10

More Rehearsal Pictures

2010-05-20T05:16:00.000-07:00

I have been visiting rehearsals this week and struck with the same sense of astonishment that all these people are putting so much time and energy into some stuff I wrote. When I teach, I stress to students to consider exactly what they are asking of their future actors and crew. Your scene is more likely to be done if it isn't a pain-in-the-ass or next-to-impossible or too expensive to make work on stage. Well, that didn't stop me from writing scenes that involved cow pyramids, moon landings, caskets or eviscerated Easter bunnies.

It's tricky. A writer doesn't want to create something regarded unproduceable, but it's also theater. The only limit is imagination. Part of the fun in a production is to see how an ensemble will tackle the impossible and make it work on stage.

Here are some pics I took. No cow pyramid. Wouldn't want to spoil that.

This is Becky Eldridge's crew for “Boris vs. Nature” - Thursday, June 10th at 8pm - featuring Alaina Hoffman, Shelby Burton, Ross Foti, Jarrad Apperson, Scott Olson and Robert Reid. Above, from left to right, are Jared, Shelby, Scott, Alaina and Robert working on "I Love 2 Boogie." They also have a song, "I Hate Cleaning" that they worked miracles with by adding singing furniture to an upbeat tune composed and played by Jared.

This is Jason Fleece's cast working on scenes from “Diversity Chicken” - 10pm, June 3rd - featuring Jeremiah Howe, Jessica Bennett, Jill Olson, Chris Brown, Andy Cameron, Kristen Secrist. Above is Kristen as Medusa trying to convince her mortal lover, Jeremiah, from breaking up with her for turning the cable guy, Andy, into a statue/vase.

A Thing Joe Wrote

2010-05-18T10:26:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, Joe asked me to direct a show for his 365 project. After carefully and deliberately reading all 365 scenes he wrote last year (okay, I had been reading them as I went, and I think I have read all but maybe a handful) I decided on a nice little block called “A Thing I Wrote.” There were a couple of scenes that jumped out at me, one of which being a Sherlock Holmes murder mystery titled “The Case of the Speckled Bullet.” I was also fond of staging a scene featuring King Kong, and there were a few others I liked as well.

I decided early on that I’d like this to a Robot vs. Dinosaur joint, since we are Joe’s soul mates (cell mates?) and I knew we would have a lot of fun. Once we figured out a night that most of us could meet (Wednesdays) we set the rehearsal schedule and have been rehearsing for the last three weeks.

Now for some reason, and I don’t know what that reason is (okay, vanity, you caught me) I decided I would also like to perform in this little powerhouse of scenes. Truthfully, I really wanted to butcher an English accent in the Sherlock Holmes scene, so sue me. I’ve always enjoyed performing, but I’m a little rusty as it’s been about three years since I’ve done any real acting other than some understudy stuff and a walk on role here and there. Add to that the challenge of directing myself and the rest of the cast and, well, it’s been an interesting mess inside my brain. It hasn’t helped matters that RvD is also prepping our next show (warning: plug ahead), 12 Angry Sketches, that opens at Donny’s Skybox on June 4 (just 5 days before our 365 show). So I’ve been busy.

Good organized thing I’m.

As far as the acting goes, I think I can pull it off because so far no one has seen through my calm and cool exterior to realize that I am FREAKING OUT ON THE INSIDE!

Rehearsals have helped to calm me down though, because I have a cracker jack cast (I always wanted to use that phrase and it fits so I’m using it). Most of the cast are veteran RvD writers and performers. They are, in order of the size of their genetilia: Mike Bauman, Geoff Crump, Becca Levine, myself, Nat Topping and Mackenzie Yeager. Mackenzie is the one newbie in the group but she comes with great credentials and has rapidly gotten used to our shorthand way of communicating, mostly through dick jokes and obscene hand gestures. These guys are all good enough that if it comes down to it I can just hide behind them and they can run with the show and only my Mom would miss me.

Thus far we have blocked everything but our special silent scene and will be running and working and working and running scenes going forward. I block fairly quickly and I think that went smoothly, but we had a helluva fight on our hands wrestling the lyrics to “A Gospel Song for Atheists” so they would fit with music. (No fair changing Joe’s words, we somehow made the music fit.) And I would be petty if didn’t thank Joe for rhyming “spaghetti.”

I have also had some fun with the title scene (“A Thing I Wrote” in case your forgot), breaking it up and sprinkling it throughout so that it sort of forms the spine of the show (very much the way RvD likes to do things). It also features a glasses wearing, slightly balding, comedy writer character that I can only say is very much like someone you know if you have read this far into this blog entry. I shall do my best to do this character justice.

Ahem. I’ve said too much.

Wednesday, June 9 (paired up with “Fools Rush In Where Angels Fear To Treadmill” which starts at 8 p.m.) Our show will begin shortly after theirs ends and it’s only $10 for both shows!

“A Thing I Wrote” (Director - Chris Othic. Cast: Mike Bauman, Geoff Crump, Becca Levine, Chris Othic, Nat Topping, Mackenzie Yeager)

The Insanity

2010-05-18T05:19:00.000-07:00

Today, Tuesday, May 18th, puts us 16 days away from opening night!

There's a lot of momentum going on. All across Chicago, there's 179 actors working on their lines and blocking and, I hope, having a great time. For a writer, this is mind blowing. By June 3rd, I will have very little mind left.

Don Hall is working on figuring out how we can squeeze in more people into Hugen Hall because tickets are selling fast.

I was interviewed about the project by Jason Heidemann of TimeOut Chicago. My first interview on the project and a great opportunity to sort out some thoughts on the project. In my conversation with him, I discovered there was a perception that I wrote 365 Sketches first and then decided to have them all produced. The decision to have them produced came much earlier.

As I was writing them, I knew I wanted something to happen with them, but not sure what or how. When one writes for the stage, the process isn't complete until the damn thing is on the stage. Somewhere around sketch #50, Don Hall liked what he had been reading and insisted that we put them all up. Quite a task that neither of us could put our heads around as to how to do it. Do we literally do them all in one big ass show? Do we have comedy groups and theaters around Chicago do a show each in their own spaces? Through several conversations we came upon doing them all in one location and realized sometime around June 2009 that the best way to do it was to break the scenes up into two-week blocks. Each two-week block would be a "show." Two-week blocks meant 26 shows. 26 shows meant 26 directors. Both of us are pretty good at directing sketch comedy, but knew we would both have our hands full producing the event. We needed help.

Starting last June, I began lining up directors with the goal of having a cross-section of people representing different theater companies, comedy groups and, by association, different institutions (Columbia College, DePaul University, Second City, iO, Annoyance, LOL, ComedySportz, etc). Specifically looking for people who had the gumption to take on something as ridiculous as this and could pull their show together with little supervision and ZERO budget.

We have a wide variety of directors who have brought in a wide variety of talent. It's great for me to see so many new faces mixed in with some of my favorite actors. I'm also proud of the fact that over half of our directors, 16 to be exact, are women. Women get shafted as sketch comedy directors in this town and there's absolutely no justifiable reason for it. I hope this project helps change that.

How did knowing they would be produced by mid-project affect the writing? I'm not really sure that it did. I always write with the intention that what I'm writing will be staged. It's the main reason I don't just throw myself into writing screenplays or spec scripts. I'm reasonably sure that when I write a sketch or play, it will get done. Unless it sucks. Then I don't want it to get done.

Tomorrow, I'll post some rehearsal pics.

Getcher tickets!

2010-05-17T06:15:00.000-07:00

Tickets for 365 are selling briskly. Buy your ticket in advance so you don't miss out.

BUY TICKETS - CLICK HERE!

"Farewell to Monster Island" or as I like to call it...

2010-05-12T07:43:00.001-07:00

..."Farewell to Little House on the Prairie"?

What a week! Blocking wise, we are two scenes away from having the entire show completely blocked and we've also started our super secret opening number. Things were going great, until...

I have an actress who came down with what?!

I have an actress who came down with the onset of Scarlet Fever. Yup, Scarlet Fever. We are two steps away from putting Greg Callozzo in a dress and staging "Little Women."

In response, Steve Konet has now declared that he has TB. Greg has come down with a touch of the polio and Jess...well, Jess Bettini has declared a plague of locusts.

I hate comedians.

Stay tuned...

"Farewell to Monster Island" June 13th, 7 PM at the Strawdog Theatre with Steve Konet, Emily Walker, Jack Farrell, Jess Bettini, Andrew Kraft, Mal Merpi, Greg Callozzo. Directed by Trish Vignola.

Tickets Now On Sale!

2010-05-09T07:08:00.000-07:00

https://secure2.sellingticket.com/design22/clients/list/index_byUserListAll.aspx?OrganizationID=26

The Flotsam of Joe Janes' Cranium

2010-05-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

As we gear up for the Main Event, there have been some multiple prop requests from the Directors. The list gives you some idea that Mr. Janes may be legally retarded.

An Operator's Headset
A Dunce Cap
A Large Handbell
An Alien Mask (ala District 9)
A Pimp Hat
A Stewardess Costume
2 Paramedic Costumes
Lab Coats
Old Lady Wigs
2 astronaut costumes (I know it's ambitious, but it would be super amazing to have them)
A man-sized jumpsuit-looking thing (80's looking, preferably)
A large oscar-the-grouch style trash can
A chaw spittoon. yeah, you heard me.
Any kind of large animal head. real or no.
Any sort of animal costume
Ninja masks

and

I need card board boxes. Like.......refrigerator size. Other sizes are
acceptable as well. But especially BIG boxes.
anybody just move......a refrigerator....?

Babies Are Assholes

2010-05-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

One of the first scenes I wrote, and the first song I wrote, for 365 is called "Babies Are Assholes." The title sprang out of a feedback session in a class and it stuck with me. I wrote a very rough draft in my head in a drive from Cincinnati to Chicago after visiting some friends for the holidays. My initial vision for it was to be a rocker, kind of a punk pop song.

When Mary Jo Bolduc took on directing the first two weeks of shows, we chatted about this song and the difficulty of breaking out a rock band, especially for just one song. I hooked her up with Ed Sanchez-Gomez, a former student of mine, who had commented on this particular song in passing and said he was interested in setting it to music.

What happened next took an odd turn. The main character singing the song is Gunner, a hipster musician, who is discussing the future with his girlfriend. They talk about kids and he breaks out his electric guitar to sing to her about why he doesn't want to have a baby. Unfortunately, the guy playing Gunner doesn't play guitar. But he does play ukulele.

Um, what?

Here's the demo track of what Ed came up with and I love it! That's him singing and playing.

NSFW - put your headphones on.

365 Revisited

2010-05-04T03:36:00.000-07:00

It took awhile, but last night I finished going through all 365 scenes doing tweaks here and there, fixing typos, and, in a few cases, a bonafide rewrite usually in the form of adding or deleting a character, cutting chunks of dialogue, or changing an ending to make it more satisfying (or less embarrassing!).

I didn't track it formally, but I did begin to notice recurring themes and references. If I were to make a word cloud of it, it would includes words like the above image, courtesy of Wordle.

What we really wanted to call this was "God Hates Fags"

2010-04-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

So, "Farewell Monster Island" began their rehearsal process on Saturday morning over at Second City. If John's cast is filled with seasoned vets and Dunbar's is filled with hopeful newbees, my guys have been around long enough that they'll cut their grandmas in the parking lot for a paid gig. I'm looking at you Steve Konet, Emily Walker, Greg Callozzo, Jack Farrell, Jess Bettini, Andrew Kraft and Mal Merpi!

I'm proud to call these folks my cast.

I casted this show under the formula that everyone had a certain level of experience and all knew at least one person in the cast (that was not me). This created a sort of instant group dynamic and allowed us to hit the ground running. We're doing a modified improv to product process, which seems to be going well. I'm happy to say that we've got 4 sketches already blocked...including our favorite "God Hates Fags."

Oh relax...it's a thoughtful "What if..." regarding what would happen if God showed up at a Westboro Baptist protest.

And if my weeks are any proof of it, Joe is obsessed with mortality, relationships and scenes under five pages long. If you're epileptic, you're gonna love our show! Lights up/Lights down/Lights up/Lights down

365 Leaking Onto Facebook

2010-04-19T04:58:00.001-07:00

It's been fun reading Facebook status updates that reference the 365 Project.

Here are a few I pulled that are related to director Scott's Olson's 365 show.

Dylan
Jack: "She's my princess. She doesn't deserve to be finger b**ged in a beanbag chair under a black light and black velvet leopard poster. You're going to nail her in a good and proper fashion. We Clear??" Me: "Yes, sir. I will do my best."

Ian

was....this a real conversation?

Scott Olson If it's true that casting well is 75% of a director's job, then I have done my job well based on what I heard at the read-thru tonight. How can you go wrong with a series of sketches called "Shows You Would Never Go See Unless You Knew Someone In the Cast"?

Cara
Love that title.

Buffy

Ha!

365 does have a fan page on Facebook. You can find it HERE.

First Rehearsals

2010-04-12T07:12:00.001-07:00

(from left to right: the back of John Hildreth's head, John Brewster, Rudy Voit, John Mobley, Gillian Bellinger, Janna Sobel and Mary Jo Bolduc)

I sat in on two first rehearsals yesterday. Basically, the agenda for both rehearsals was to read through the show based on the director's casting and order of scenes and then set a rehearsal schedule.

John Hildeth's was at 12:30 at Second City. John has assembled a cast of veterans; Gillian Bellinger (who I met at ComedySportz, is part of LOL Theater and who wrote the show Cougars), Mary Jo Bolduc (an old friend from WNEP, ComedySportz and Teatro Bastardo), Janna Sobel (who was in a SC writing show of mine last year), John Mobley (Also a writing show alum and a student at Columbia), Rudy Voit (another writing show alum) and John Brewster, the only cat I didn't know from before auditions. Gillian is also in Lillie Frances's 365 show, Mary Jo is also in Jen Ellison's 365 show, Mary Jo and Janna are also directing a 365 show each. The men are all slackers in this group.

The readthrough went very well. I haven't read many of the scenes since I posted them long ago. It was nice to hear them and ferret out the typos. And, of course, fun to hear the cast laugh and have a good time. Only one scene struck me as needing to be fleshed out more and I was able to turn that around a few hours later.

Don Hall and I were meeting for dinner and then heading over to Steppenwolf to catch Endgame, which I highly recommend. So, I stuck around Second City and worked on rewrites after John's rehearsal. While there, I ran into Dunbar Dicks who informed me that his cast was all together and that they were going to do a first readthrough IN FIVE MINUTES. Awesome. I gathered my things and headed to the classroom they were meeting in.

Dunbar took the opposite approach of John's. He cast all newbies. Everyone in his show is a current or former training center student and, for most of them, this is their first scripted show in Chicago. They seemed pretty jazzed about it. I didn't know a single person, which is unusual and kind of cool. They did great at the readthrough. Had I not known they were new, I would not have guessed it. They all had nice timing and even in the throes of a first time cold read, made good choices.

The best thing I walked away with out of both rehearsals is feeling assured that the scripts were in good hands. And, surprisingly, that not much rewriting needed to be done. Even scenes that I didn't feel strongly about when I posted them, seemed pretty good.

The interesting thing about hearing the scenes read in their two-week blocks was hearing recurring themes. In John's show, there seemed to be a lot of sexual content. In Dunbar's, there's a lot of cannibalism and things being killed, like the Easter Bunny. I guess I'm a horny vegetarian animal rights hypocrite.

Audition for Robot vs. Dinosaur

2010-04-11T08:28:00.000-07:00

I would not have been able to accomplish 365 Sketches without the support of my main group of writers, Robot vs. Dinosaur. We're prepping our new show, which opens the Friday or 365. - Joe

AUDITION NOTICE

Robot vs. Dinosaur is NOW CASTING for its new show, "12 Angry Sketches," a fun, high energy scripted sketch revue.

AUDITION TIME:

Saturday, April 17, 2010
at CORNELIA ARTS BUILDING (1800 West Cornelia), Studio B.

Slots available each hour from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. The audition will be cold readings from the script with some improv.

PERFORMANCES:

DONNY’S SKYBOX, Friday’s at 9 p.m. from June 4-June 25
(Important: You must able to make all performances to audition.)

CASTING:

Looking for a variety of MALES and FEMALES. This will be a large cast show. It will be a fun time and a great opportunity for all levels of experience.

To sign up for a time slot, please email your name, phone number and preferred time slot to gwendling@gmail.com. (Slots begin at 10 a.m./11 a.m./12 p.m/1 p.m./and 2 p.m.) I will reply to confirm your slot.

Please bring headshots and resumes (if you have them) to the audition, as well as your availability for rehearsals from now through June 4th.

For more info about RvD check out our blog: www.rvdchicago.blogspot.com

Hey, World...

2010-04-02T04:29:00.000-07:00

We'll be doing all 365 sketches here in Chicago June 3 - 13. If you can't make it and you, your theater company, comedy group, book club, cult, militia, whatever, want to put up a "365" show, you're welcome to. The only stipulation is that it has to fall within June 3rd and June 13th. Contact me at joejanes1065@gmail.com and we can work out the details.

Peace, Love, Dope,

Joe

The 365 Schedule of Shows

2010-03-31T07:35:00.000-07:00

One show = 2 weeks of scenes

THU 6/3
8PM – Weeks 1 & 2 “Dancing with the Devil” (director – Mary Jo Bolduc)
10PM – Weeks 3 & 4 “Diversity Chicken” (director – Jason Fleece)

FRI 6/4
8PM – Weeks 5 & 6 “Zombie Space Aliens” (director – Regan Davis)
10PM – Weeks 7 & 8 “Dried and Cured Meats” (director - Rebekah Walendzak)
Midnight – Weeks 9 & 10 “The End of the World” (director - Rinska Prestinary)

SAT 6/5
8PM – Weeks 11 & 12 “An Affair to Whatever” (director – Dunbar Dicks)
10PM – Weeks 13 & 14 “While On My Way To Hell” (director – Rebecca Langguth)
Midnight – Weeks 15 & 16 “Weenus” (director- Derek Van Tassel)

SUN 6/6
7PM – Weeks 17 & 18 “Shows You Would Never See If You Didn’t Know Someone In The Cast” (director - Scott Olson)
9PM – Weeks 19 & 20 “Chekhov in the Trailer Park”- (director – Rich Baker)

MON 6/7
8PM –Weeks 21 & 22 “Jerk Sandwich”- (director – Lillie Frances)
Weeks 23 & 24 “Red, White and Beer”- (director- Wendi Weber)

TUE 6/8
8PM – Weeks 25 & 26 “Twi-Lite” (director – Janna Sobel)
Weeks 27 & 28 “Disco Heaven” (director – David Rocco Facchini)

WED 6/9
8PM – Weeks 29 & 30 “Fools Rush In Where Angels Fear To Treadmill” (director – John HIldreth)
Weeks 31 & 32 “A Thing I Wrote” (director - Chris Othic)

THU 6/10
8PM – Weeks 33 & 34 “Boris vs. Nature” (director – Becky Eldridge)
10PM – Weeks 35 & 36 “Oblique Oblige” (director – Rose Kruger)

FRI 6/11
8PM – Weeks 37 & 38 “What If They Held A Peace Rally And Nobody Came?” (director – Amanda Rountree)
10PM – Weeks 39 & 40 “St. Drunken’s Day” (director – Mary Williamson)
Midnight – Weeks 41 & 42 “Dear Cancer” (Director – Tony Soto)

SAT 6/12
8PM – Weeks 43 & 44 “You Know – Like The End of the World” (director – Bina Martin)
10PM - Weeks 45 & 46 “Who’s Afraid of Virginia, Wolf?” (director – Rachel Staelens)
Midnight – Weeks 47 & 48 “Barflies At The Beach” (director – Danni Parpan)

SUN 6/13
7PM – Weeks 49 & 50 “Farewell To Monster Island” (director – Trish Vignola)
9PM – Weeks 51 & 52 “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” (director – Jen Ellison)

The Directors

2010-03-31T07:33:00.001-07:00

Rich Baker
Mary Jo Bolduc
Regan Davis
Dunbar Dicks
Becky Eldridge
Jen Ellison
David Rocco Facchini
Jason Fleece
Lillie Frances
John Hildreth
Rose Kruger
Rebecca Langguth
Bina Martin
Scott Olson
Chris Othic
Danni Parpan
Rinska Prestinary
Amanda Rountree
Janna Sobel
Tony Soto
Rachel Staelens
Derek Van Tassel
Trish Vignola
Rebekah Walendzak
Wendi Weber
Mary Williamson

This Is Nuts!

2010-03-31T07:28:00.001-07:00

45 Minutes Productions and WNEP Theater are pleased to announce 365 Sketches, a mini-festival of sketch comedy comprised entirely of 365 sketches written by Second City veteran Joe Janes over the course of the last year as an experiment inspired by the Suzan Lori-Parks’ “365 Plays/365 Days” opening Thursday, June 3 and running through June 13 at Strawdog Theater, 3829 N. Broadway. Tickets for all shows are $10.00 (online at www.strawdog.org or at the door).

365 Sketches is exactly what it says it is – 365 sketches in 26 different shows, directed by 26 local directors, featuring over 182 actors, on ten nights in June. Presented in order of weekly groupings from January to January, each set is made up of 13 – 15 sketches, all written by Janes. After seeing a number of Suzan Lori-Parks’ pieces around Chicago, Janes was inspired to try his hand at writing a sketch comedy scene per day for an entire year.

“As a teacher, I wanted to do damage to the notion of writer’s block and not having time to write. There’s no such thing as writer’s block. There is writing or not writing. I believe writing is closely linked to improvisation.” Comments Janes. “As a writer, I’m not so much creating as I am transcribing the scene I’m envisioning. You never hear an improviser say, ‘I would have improvised, but I couldn’t think of anything to improvise about.’ The same applies to writing.”

The mini-festival will take place in Hugen Hall, the cabaret space at Strawdog Theater and the location holds a special place for both Janes and producer Don Hall. Long before Strawdog took over the space at 3829 N. Broadway, WNEP Theater (founded by both men in 1992) performed it’s very first revue in the space that is now Hugen Hall eighteen years ago.

The twenty-six hour-long sets are directed by twenty-six directors from all over the Chicago comedy scene. With directors from Second City, the Annoyance, iO, ComedySportz, Robot Vs. Dinosaur, Columbia College, WNEP Theater, and more with over 177 Chicago actors, 365 Sketches either proves that Janes and Hall are brilliant or stupid – you be the judge.

365 Auditions

2010-03-31T04:04:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, we held auditions for 365 Sketches. There were no callbacks, so we did a combo improv-cold reading group auditions. Since there are no callbacks, the improv portion becomes very important. You might wonder why even bother since the actors will be working from scripts and, as the author, I'm not too interested in them improvising what I wrote. The improv portion gives directors an opportunity to see how people might be performing with an ensemble. You also pick up on their personality and get a sense of what they might be like to work with on a project. It's a very effective process. If you see any red flags about someone early in the audition - attitude, lateness, low volume or stage presence, trying too hard, not trying hard enough - it usually becomes a problem if you cast them.

Seventy people auditioned for us. Many directors are casting from their own pool of peeps, but we were able to fully cast three of the shows and supplement many others with one or two folks. And there's a huge stack of headshots and resumes on my desk that we can dip into if someone drops out for any reason.

Saturday really acted like the starting gun for directors to prep their shows for June. The level of talent, from the directors to the performers, is really top notch. And there was a lot of great people who want to be in the shows that we weren't able to place. When it comes to talent, we have an embarrassment of riches.

WATCH THIS SPACE

2010-03-30T04:09:00.000-07:00

This site will be dedicated to providing information on the performance of all 365 Sketches at the Strawdog Theater in Chicago June 3-13.