Dracula by Bram Stoker – Skagit Valley College Theater Department

dracula.jpgMount Vernon, WA – Horror! Screams! Wolves and Blood! Skagit Valley College Department of Theater Arts presents Dracula, written by Steven Dietz (author of Private Eyes, Lonely Planet), from the novel by Bram Stoker, directed by Shakespeare Northwest Artistic Director, Damond Morris. Stoker’s blood curdling masterpiece is a shocking, sexy tale not recommended for the young or the faint of heart. Celebrate Valentine’s Day the Transylvania way, by taking you loved one out for a BITE!

Opening on Friday, February 9 at 7:30pm.

Performance dates:
Friday, February 9 – 7:30pm
Saturday, February 10 – 7:30pm
Sunday, February 11 – 2:00pm
Friday, February 16 – 7:30pm
Saturday, February 17 – 7:30pm
Sunday, February 18 – 2:00pm

Reserved Seating: $10.00
Skagit Valley Students with ID – in the Balcony only: $1.00

Dracula Rehearsal Schedule

Musicians – High School Musical

This is the official page for High School Musical musicians for TAG’s presentation at McIntyre Hall 2007. Bookmark this page for updates and additional information.

*HSM Musician News*
1Â – Each HSM musician responsible to have their own stand light – needs to be a Manhassett style black covered light, available at Hugo Helmer for about $30. Please do not wait until the last minute to get one.

Piano/B3 – Filled
Keyboard 1 – Filled
Keyboard 2 – Filled
Bass Guitar – Filled
Drums – Filled
Percussion – OPEN
Guitar 1 – Filled
Guitar 2 – Filled
Drum Line (4 snares) – OPEN
2 Sousaphones – OPEN
DJ Scratcher – OPEN

REHEARSALS
2/19 Monday – Drums, Bass, Key1 Only Noon-4pm
2/26 Monday – Drum, Bass, All Keys 9pm-midnight
2/27 Tuesday – Drum Bass, All Guitars 9pm-midnight at MV Pres Church
3/3 Saturday 10am-4pm Full Band at MV Pres Church (Corner of 15th and Broadway, Mount Vernon)
3/6 Tuesday 9pm-midnight – Full Band at MV Pres Church
3/8 Thursday 5-10pm w/castt – TAG on 12th St by Hospital
3/15 Thursday – 5-10pm w/cast – TAG on 12th St by Hospital
3/21 Wednesday – 5-10pm LOAD IN and Rehearsal at McIntyre Hall
3/22 Thursday – 5-10pm Dress Rehearsal at McIntyre Hall

PERFORMANCE DATES

March 23 Friday 7:30pm
March 24 Saturday 7:30pm
March 25 Sunday 2pm
March 29 Thursday DAY SHOW time TBA and 7:30pm – (Two shows)
March 30 Friday 7:30pm
March 31 Saturday 7:30pm
April 1 Sunday 2pm
April 5 Thursday 7:30pm
April 6 Friday 7:30pm
April 7 Saturday 7:30pm – Closing Night
April 8 – NO SHOW – Strike Set if not already done

God Speaking to Pat Robertson Again

patomenman.jpgPat Robertson has again predicted forthcoming utter devastation, which is about as bold as predicting rain in Seattle. Whenever Pat is in the headlines it seems to be about something hateful and treacherous. When I read about Billy Graham it’s usually something positive and uplifting. Coincidence? I ran across this post in one of my forums:

I am most amused that God sent angels to talk to Mary, but he speaks to Pat Robertson personally.

It is my opinion that God would make Mr. Robertson appear more reputable if he would be kind enough to give him more exact details. Not being God, I can only assume this goes under the “myserious ways” category. And if in time this prediction is “proven” true, then I invite you to explore Pat’s previous predictions and their accuracy.

Acting Lessons – Observe Others

Director Scott McDade gives the first instructions to our cast of High School Musical. “Observe others and what they do, and be CONSCIOUS of that fact.” That is the artists special blessing and curse. To watch others not just as in a passing Parisian cafe, but to dissect what they do and embody elements of those actions into your own expression.

High School Musical takes place at a current-day high school. Actions need to be natural as if really at school, not as if on a stage. The facade of the juvenile nature of the show is betrayed in the challenge to preserve it’s simplicity.

First assignment of cast members:

1) Observe ten things people do while walking down the hall at school. Be prepared to demonstrate, or act, those ten things with realism.

2) Observe ten things people do while sitting in class. Be prepared to demonstrate, or act those ten things with realism.

3) Observe ten things people do while talking to each othe rat school. Be prepared to act and demonstrate.

Cast will not be allowed to explain what they are doing or to make noise. They just have to do it.

Script Writing Class – Script to Screen with Brian Young

jetcityfilms.jpgBellingham, WA – Brian Young of Jet City Films will be giving a class this quarter offered by the Northwest Film School in Bellingham. The class is “Script to Screen” and is on narrative feature film development and pre-production. Classes are being held Thursday nights at the school from 6-8pm running for 10 weeks starting January 11th (the syllabus is online.)

Brian Young is something of a living legend in our area. He has already directed several films and you can see trailers of those at the Jet City Films website. Mr. Young is also a VERY seasoned actor who has an understanding of character interactions far beyond his years. When I relocated to Skagit County he was one of the people I heard referred to over and over months before I met him. In person he does indeed stand up to his reputation.

From all accounts I have heard, I think I can say that if you have any interest in learning plot development and script writing, Brian Young is the one to study with.

Scottish Music for Robert Burns Dinner

rburns1.gifUPDATE: Check out free new music to perform at your Burns Dinner!

Mount Vernon, WA – Vocalists welcome to join us as we prepare music for the Robert Burns supper at Lincoln Theater, Mount Vernon WA, on January 20, 2007. Robert Burns is the national bard of Scotland from the late 18th century and the supper is an evening of music and poetry in his honor. Read my page all about the History of Robert Burns and the Burns Supper.

Rehearsals from 7-9:30pm on Sunday 1/7, Sunday 1/14 and Friday 1/19 at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church (corner of Broadway and 15th). We have at least 20 voices in the group already and invite you to join us if you like good choral music and/or Scottish music.

ROBERT BURNS DINNER MUSIC
Toast to the Laddies – Men Only – Song in Production
Toast to the Lassies – Women Only – Song in Production
Bonnie Mary of Argyle – Men Only Quartet
Brigadoon Entrance – Full Choir
I’ll Go Home With Bonnie Jean – Full Choir and Tenor Solo
My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose – Full Choir
A Scottish Tribute – Full Choir

We will perform at two seperate locations: the actual dinner location and then at the Lincoln Theater to open Act I and Act II of the presentations. World class guitar players will also give presentations. The choir is sponsored by Lyric Light Opera which is gearing up for it’s presentation of Brigadoon at McIntyre Hall in July 2007.

Email Q&A: When Did Conrad Askland Die?

Question: When was Conrad Askland born? If he has died, when?

Answer: To the best of my knowledge I am still alive. I plan on continuing in that fashion until directed otherwise. Born 1966.

Now I should add that in December 2005 I did indeed post announcement of my death on my website. I will sheepishly justify it as representative of a spiritual death and rebirth. The sublime philosophy and genius introspection of this grand act was not shared by my friends who were not very happy with me about it. In retrospect, I admit that the additional dates of body viewings and detailed instructions for funeral donations was perhaps in bad taste. You may add it my list of eccentricities and bad judgement.

When realizing my folly, the announcement was updated to: “The news of my death has been greatly exaggerated.” A Mark Twain quote many of us love, but few get to use with real life plot and drama.

On the plus side, it did provided me with several free lunches from friends who wanted to meet with me for apologies. In closing I would like to add that I am available to give apologies on any subject to anybody, as long as the task can be performed concurrent between bites of free food.

Shermer vs. Chopra Afterlife Debate

The second debate between Deepak Chopra and Michael Shermer on the subject of afterlife. I have read a few books by Chopra and have attended several presentations by Shermer at CalTech in Pasadena. I do have one comment to make regarding a glaring downfall in one of the author’s debates: Can you say ad hominem?

Read the full Shermer vs. Chopra Afterlife Debate and make your own assessments. The first Shermer-Chopra debate is available at the Huffington Post.