I went through my script for The Odd Couple last night and highlighted my lines. All 457 of them.
I know a few people who think it's funny that I count the lines in the plays I do. I don't do it to see how many lines I have in comparison to others. I'm just the kind of person who likes to know that kind of thing.
Anyway, 457 lines is by far the most I've ever had. The next closest would be Chris Keller in All My Sons. If I remember correctly, that role was 304 lines. As Bobby Child in Crazy for You, I had a good number of lines and had to learn eleven songs and lots of dancing, but memorizing songs isn't nearly as difficult as memorizing dialogue. I believe I am up to this challenge, but I have to admit that I'm more than a little frightened by the enormity of the task.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Now, It's Garbage
I was driving home from the second night of auditions for The Odd Couple. When I got two miles away from the theatre, my cell phone rang. The Director, Darlene Singleton, had told us that she would let us know quickly, but I was surprised that it was that soon. Darlene offered me the role of Oscar Madison. I, of course, accepted. She said if I came back to the theatre, I could go ahead and pick up my script. I thought it was a good idea because the part is HUGE.
None of the folks who appeared in Rumors with me in Rockwall auditioned for this show. I was surprised and disappointed. I'm looking forward to the challenge of this role. We start rehearsals with a read-through next Monday. Rehearsals only run four-and-a-half weeks before we open. It's gonna be intense.
None of the folks who appeared in Rumors with me in Rockwall auditioned for this show. I was surprised and disappointed. I'm looking forward to the challenge of this role. We start rehearsals with a read-through next Monday. Rehearsals only run four-and-a-half weeks before we open. It's gonna be intense.
Monday, March 27, 2006
The Odd Trio
At tonight's first night of auditions for Rockwall Community Playhouse's production of The Odd Couple, only three men showed. No women, either. I sure hope more people come tomorrow night.
But, not anybody TOO good, so I will have a better shot at getting one of the lead roles.
;^)
But, not anybody TOO good, so I will have a better shot at getting one of the lead roles.
;^)
My Top 5 Favorite Roles
The roles I've enjoyed most in my acting "career" thus far:
5. Kurt in Sound of Music
My first role. I was in seventh grade at the time. This was the role and show that started my love affair with the theatre. I'm not particularly fond of this show any more, but this part should probably always get a mention in any list of this type.
4. Pookie in Loving Molly
To the best of my knowledge, this play is still un-published. It was written by a local playwright in Raleigh, North Carolina. The play is based on a true story of a woman with multiple personality disorder that was presumably caused by sexual abuse by her grandfather. My character was a family friend who may or may not also have sexually assaulted the main character when she was young. The script never makes it clear whether he really tried to do anything or if the main character had mistaken his actions because of the abuse she was suffering at the hands of her grandfather.
3. Mr. Gilmer in To Kill a Mockingbird
Although this character is a Prosecuting Attorney, like Pookie in Loving Molly, he is very much unlike me. When rehearsals began, I was extremely uncomfortable with some of the language I had to use. The cast for this show was excellent from top to bottom, and I enjoyed branching out to a theatre outside my comfort zone.
2. Bobby Child in Crazy for You
My first Leading Role. I got this part pretty much by default. Nobody else came to auditions who even remotely fit the part. I lost 30 pounds during rehearsals (but it all came back later), and I had to learn to tap dance. 11 songs. Lots of dancing. On stage about 80% of the show. This is the role that prompted my dad to say I moved pretty good for a fat guy.
1. Chris Keller in All My Sons
I wasn't supposed to be in this show. I was the Director. I had to step in when the actor I cast in the role quit about 2 1/2 weeks before we were scheduled to open. I had the pleasure of acting with a good friend, Lonny Schonfeld, who played my character's father. We had some intense scenes.
Hmmm . . . 3 dramas and 2 musicals. Probably 6th & 7th would be roles in Neil Simon Comedies: Ken in Rumors and Roy in The Odd Couple. I do like Drama, but unfortunately, in our little theatre, dramas do not draw in audiences.
5. Kurt in Sound of Music
My first role. I was in seventh grade at the time. This was the role and show that started my love affair with the theatre. I'm not particularly fond of this show any more, but this part should probably always get a mention in any list of this type.
4. Pookie in Loving Molly
To the best of my knowledge, this play is still un-published. It was written by a local playwright in Raleigh, North Carolina. The play is based on a true story of a woman with multiple personality disorder that was presumably caused by sexual abuse by her grandfather. My character was a family friend who may or may not also have sexually assaulted the main character when she was young. The script never makes it clear whether he really tried to do anything or if the main character had mistaken his actions because of the abuse she was suffering at the hands of her grandfather.
3. Mr. Gilmer in To Kill a Mockingbird
Although this character is a Prosecuting Attorney, like Pookie in Loving Molly, he is very much unlike me. When rehearsals began, I was extremely uncomfortable with some of the language I had to use. The cast for this show was excellent from top to bottom, and I enjoyed branching out to a theatre outside my comfort zone.
2. Bobby Child in Crazy for You
My first Leading Role. I got this part pretty much by default. Nobody else came to auditions who even remotely fit the part. I lost 30 pounds during rehearsals (but it all came back later), and I had to learn to tap dance. 11 songs. Lots of dancing. On stage about 80% of the show. This is the role that prompted my dad to say I moved pretty good for a fat guy.
1. Chris Keller in All My Sons
I wasn't supposed to be in this show. I was the Director. I had to step in when the actor I cast in the role quit about 2 1/2 weeks before we were scheduled to open. I had the pleasure of acting with a good friend, Lonny Schonfeld, who played my character's father. We had some intense scenes.
Hmmm . . . 3 dramas and 2 musicals. Probably 6th & 7th would be roles in Neil Simon Comedies: Ken in Rumors and Roy in The Odd Couple. I do like Drama, but unfortunately, in our little theatre, dramas do not draw in audiences.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Third Spear Carrier from the Left
I was noticing that my acting résumé doesn't include that many chorus/ensemble roles. I've been fortunate to play mainly featured/supporting roles with a couple of leading roles thrown in for good measure.
One of my entries that may look like an ensemble part was as part of the Chorus in Medea in High School. In most versions of the play, the Chorus is a traditional Greek Chorus, but in the version we did, the Chorus consisted of myself and one other actor, Johnny Wright. We stood on opposite sides of the downstage edge of the stage, and we had a number of unison lines along with some alternating stuff that had to flow as if it was coming from one person, but moving from one side to the other. Really, it may have been one of the most challenging roles I've ever undertaken.
Johnny and I were honored as members of the All-Star Cast at the District One-Act Play competition that year (1984). Our play made it to State that spring, and along the way, every member of our cast received an acting award at some level. Medea was played by Dana Whitehead, who remains one of, if not the single most talented actor or actress with whom I have ever shared the stage (and that includes a few folks who have some professional TV and movie credits). Dana won Best Actress at every level leading up to State. At State, she failed to win Best Actress. Instead, she was honored with the Samuel French Award as the Outstanding Performer in the entire State of Texas in Class 4A.
Dana moved back to our hometown a few years ago, but unfortunately, being a wife and mother keeps her from getting back up on the boards. It's too bad. She really was that good.
One of my entries that may look like an ensemble part was as part of the Chorus in Medea in High School. In most versions of the play, the Chorus is a traditional Greek Chorus, but in the version we did, the Chorus consisted of myself and one other actor, Johnny Wright. We stood on opposite sides of the downstage edge of the stage, and we had a number of unison lines along with some alternating stuff that had to flow as if it was coming from one person, but moving from one side to the other. Really, it may have been one of the most challenging roles I've ever undertaken.
Johnny and I were honored as members of the All-Star Cast at the District One-Act Play competition that year (1984). Our play made it to State that spring, and along the way, every member of our cast received an acting award at some level. Medea was played by Dana Whitehead, who remains one of, if not the single most talented actor or actress with whom I have ever shared the stage (and that includes a few folks who have some professional TV and movie credits). Dana won Best Actress at every level leading up to State. At State, she failed to win Best Actress. Instead, she was honored with the Samuel French Award as the Outstanding Performer in the entire State of Texas in Class 4A.
Dana moved back to our hometown a few years ago, but unfortunately, being a wife and mother keeps her from getting back up on the boards. It's too bad. She really was that good.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Acting Resume
Here's my entire acting history from oldest to most recent. It spreads over 25 years.
Show, Role, Theatre
Sound of Music, Kurt, KCCT
A Christmas Carol, Collector, KCCT
Medea: A Noh Cycle Based on the Greek Myth, Chorus, THS
The Wizard of Oz Private/Ensemble, KCCT
Years Ago, Mr. Sparrow, THS
The Actor's Nightmare, Sir Henry Irving, THS
Under Jekyll's Hyde, Inspector Seek, KCCT
Macbeth, Macbeth, THS
Loving Molly, Pookie, UNC
My Fair Lady, Butler/Ensemble, KCCT
Twelve Angry Men, Juror #4, KCCT
You Can't Take it With You, Ed Carmichael, KCCT
It's a Wonderful Life, Sam Wainwright, KCCT
Crazy for You, Bobby Child, KCCT
The Odd Couple, Roy, KCCT
To Kill a Mockingbird, Mr. Gilmer, GCT
42nd Street, Bert Barry, KCCT
All My Sons, Chris Keller, KCCT
Anything Goes, Elisha Whitney, KCCT
Little Shop of Horrors, Voice of Audrey II, KCCT
Annie, Bundles/Fred/Servant/Harold Ickes, KCCT
Rumors, Ken Gorman, RCP
KCCT=Kaufman County Civic Theatre (previously known as Kaufman County Community Theatre)
THS=Terrell High School
UNC=University of North Carolina
GCT=Garland Civic Theatre
RCP=Rockwall Community Playhouse
As you can see, the overwhelming majority of my shows have been with Kaufman County Civic Theatre. I love that gang, but I am hoping to expand my horizons a bit over the next few years.
Show, Role, Theatre
Sound of Music, Kurt, KCCT
A Christmas Carol, Collector, KCCT
Medea: A Noh Cycle Based on the Greek Myth, Chorus, THS
The Wizard of Oz Private/Ensemble, KCCT
Years Ago, Mr. Sparrow, THS
The Actor's Nightmare, Sir Henry Irving, THS
Under Jekyll's Hyde, Inspector Seek, KCCT
Macbeth, Macbeth, THS
Loving Molly, Pookie, UNC
My Fair Lady, Butler/Ensemble, KCCT
Twelve Angry Men, Juror #4, KCCT
You Can't Take it With You, Ed Carmichael, KCCT
It's a Wonderful Life, Sam Wainwright, KCCT
Crazy for You, Bobby Child, KCCT
The Odd Couple, Roy, KCCT
To Kill a Mockingbird, Mr. Gilmer, GCT
42nd Street, Bert Barry, KCCT
All My Sons, Chris Keller, KCCT
Anything Goes, Elisha Whitney, KCCT
Little Shop of Horrors, Voice of Audrey II, KCCT
Annie, Bundles/Fred/Servant/Harold Ickes, KCCT
Rumors, Ken Gorman, RCP
KCCT=Kaufman County Civic Theatre (previously known as Kaufman County Community Theatre)
THS=Terrell High School
UNC=University of North Carolina
GCT=Garland Civic Theatre
RCP=Rockwall Community Playhouse
As you can see, the overwhelming majority of my shows have been with Kaufman County Civic Theatre. I love that gang, but I am hoping to expand my horizons a bit over the next few years.
Getting Started
Just getting this going. I'll give more details about the shows I've done and any more shows I do in the future.
To answer the question of why did I chose the particular URL, I have often thought that if I ever decide to use a Stage Name, I would choose Scott Martindale. The people who know me can tell you why.
To answer the question of why did I chose the particular URL, I have often thought that if I ever decide to use a Stage Name, I would choose Scott Martindale. The people who know me can tell you why.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
