Change is the only constant in my life.

As I continue my journey with Cirque I have taken time to reflect on the changes my life has taken.  No longer am I the world traveling gypsy. No longer do I constantly think ahead to my next job, my next ship, my next city. I have sprouted a few roots here in Lasvegasland. I am learning my neighborhood and don't rely solely on Daniel (my GPS) to get around.  I have a general idea of where things are located.
In my not-so-distant past I lived several lives at once.  I was really three different people. (All me, but different incarnations.) In one place I was a Suzy Homemaker type, wife and step-mother.  In another I was Queen of the Seas where I mothered my brood of dancers and singers while living it up on my ships.  Lastly I was the Stage Manager who was slightly jaded and who pined for the past "Glory Days."
As I try to weave these three together into the "new me," I have taken lots of time to reflect. It got me thinking of my whole life and all the "different people" I have been.  You know what I mean, that person you were in high school while you struggled to find your identity, that slightly bolder person you were in college, the one who thought they knew it all after graduation.  These are only my versions, everyone has their own path.. but I hope you see what I am saying.
I used to tell people, "I resist change." And I suppose that was true.  But I realized several years ago that change is the only constant in my life.  I actually seek out change.  I still haven't really figured out what I want to be when I grow up.  I am always up to try something new. This is not a bad thing, it's just how I live my life.
When I took the job at Cirque I knew things were going to change a lot.  My lifestyle is different now.  I have the excitement of an ever-changing job but coupled with a place to call home. Things have not all fallen neatly into place....yet.  My husband, dog and the home I own are still all far away in Florida. I still have itchy feet because the travel bug is deep in my system. But so many of my "forever friends" live here that I feel connected and solid and loved.
A great friend of mine has been teaching me about living in the HereNow.  This was an alien concept to me a few short months ago.  I was programmed to always look ahead to my new job, my new ship, my new cast. Live this moment right now? Right this second? Why?  I need to think about next week, next month, next year.  Yeah.....no. It's hard work living in the moment.  I am getting there.  I'd say I live 70% in the HereNow.  Not too shabby, as I think before it was maybe 10%.  Seriously.
So here I am.  In my living room, listening to Jane Says on the ipod while my roomie makes a sandwich in the kitchen. What will I do with the rest of my day off?  Eh.  I'll decide as it comes. I am right here, right now.  Living and loving and BEING.
I am content. Thank you, Universe.
(and thank you, Sarah, for requesting a new blog post.)

Opening Doors

Well here I am, at the last day of my first week as part of the Zu krew.  Still loving it.  Still wanting more.

Last night was interesting.  We had an artist go out moments before she was to be onstage.  Mayhem ensued. Not the SM's.  They were all calm and quick and moved like a force of nature. I was grateful to Robin, who was backstage with me.  I had earlier in the night been very cocky and said..." I'll be fine.  You don't need to shadow.?"  She did anyway, THANK GOODNESS.  Whoa.  Once I learn who everyone is and where they are at every given moment, I'll be ok too.  They tell me last night was what is more normal for this show.  Things happen quick and line up changes come fast and furious.  I had been lulled into a false sense of security earlier in the week.  Well I know better now! This is a fast-paced world I have stepped into.  It's sink or swim for sure.  I feel like I am doing ok.  I'm keeping my head above water, which is all I can do right this minute.  I'll get better at this.  I have no doubt.

One of my pals recently noted: Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls. (Joseph Campbell).  This seems to be holding true for me these days.  The world is my oyster.  I can do anything I set my mind to.  It's pretty cool to Feel this way.  I like this Dance.

You should try it.......

Swimming

So I live in a house with a pool.  I LOVE THIS. (I'm so lucky Jamie is letting me stay with her!!!)

Today while I was swimming the song Beautiful Stranger came on.  This is when I came to the realization that I am in love with a beautiful Stranger - - Zumanity.  It's like a love affair.  I have had a crush on it for quite a while.  I think I saw it for the first time about 3 or 4 years ago.  Clark gave me tickets so Matt and I could go for our anniversary.  It was SO COOL! The acts that I remembered most were Waterbowl and Straps.  I just couldn't get it out of my mind. Then when Gruber offered me the chance to play in his sandbox, my lust for Zu intensified.  I had to know it.  I had to experience it. When the kind SM team invited me to shadow, I was in heaven. Gone was the puppy love and in was the obsession.

Now here I am.  Dancing with Zu every night.  Swimming into deep waters, if you will. I can see a long relationship with this place.  The people are fantastic.  The job is interesting and exciting.  Even though I know it will become routine, I don't think I will get into a rut.  There are too many variables.

Thank you Zu.  Thank you Gruber, Emily, Robin, Jess and Niki. (My SM team).  Thank you Matty and Clark and Jamie and all of you who encouraged me to take this plunge!

Life is good. Enjoy.

First day... CHECK!

No easy day learning the space for this grrrl!  My boss is a very old pal.  He feels like "getting your feet wet" is for sissies.  I'm no sissy.  Which way to the deep end??

Day = Arrive, Company Meeting, Meeting two (can't spell it yet; something like Taperouge), Get ready for first show, do first show, scarf some dinner, do second show, clean up. Go home like I'm floating on air. Sleeeeeep.

I was so excited for the last week or so that I had been sleeping about 5 hours per night.  This grrrl needs a bit more time to recharge her batteries.  Last night I fell into bed around 2am and didn't get up until noon! Finally a release from all the nervous tension.

I'm still getting my bearings.  I am sure I will be for a while. This job is, in fact, everything I wanted it to be. I feel like I can do this for a while.  I like all the fast-paced, figure it out, DO IT NOW parts. I just need to get the layout of the building in my muscle memory. Lots of running around to be done.  Lots of running up and down stairs.  (Those of you who know me; stop snickering!)

I am starting a new life.  It is happymaking! I seem to be rising to the challenge.  Heh.  One of my pals used the phoenix legend to describe his yesterday.  Yeah.  I think so too.  I was reborn out the ashes of my old life in the past 48 hours.  I like it.

Here is a photo from the Zumanity 7 year Birthday party two nights ago.

(Left to right, back to front) Emily, Angi, Robin, John, Niki, Jess, Jamie

Theses are the characters in my new life Game! Of course there are more.  My Clark is here and was hovering near me when he can...giving me encouragement and silliness.

I am missing some of the old (and not so old) players in my Game.  But I always am. Being a gypsy means leaving people/places/things behind is the norm. Luckily in this age of technology I can reconnect as often as possible.  Skype has been my bestie for a while now.  Even more since I moved to Vegas.

I should go.  Must shower, buy a belt, buy some insoles and run back to the circus! Yay Circus!

xoxo

Change it is a'commin'

Well well.  The summer is drawing to a close.  I am putting understudies on for the actors who negotiated to leave before the season is over.  I have had two rehearsals this week and one more tomorrow.  My understudies are doing great! They will be on all next week.  I can't believe the Randall closes tomorrow!  Where did the summer go?

I hope you all had a chance to see shows if you were in Southern Utah.  Even if you aren't, it is worth the trip!

I have just over one more week.  Three more performances of Merchant and five more of Much Ado. I am telling you, I can't believe how fast its gone!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my crews, casts, designers, and fellow stage managers for making this a fantastic summer. The administration rocks, the box office is awesome... I am filled with love for the Utah Shakespearean Festival.

I also have some news....

This will be my final season at the Festival.  I have been here 10 years.  I worked on 13 seasons with over 30 shows!  I can't believe my time here has come to an end.

My new adventure begins on September 10 when I start working as the On Call Assistant Stage Manager for Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity in Las Vegas. This is a permanent position, which has been my dream for many years.  Although I enjoyed my gypsy lifestyle, I'm ready to settle down and live in the same city as my husband.

This blog will need to change a bit.  I'll still talk about my adventures, but I think I need to reevaluate the exact content.

I hope everyone's life is going well.  I'll update you more when I start training for Cirque.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!


xoxo

Understudy Rehearsals

The excitement of opening has past and now we are in it for the long haul here at the Utah Shakespearean Festival.  The weeks after opening aren't as calm as you might think as we have understudy rehearsals for all of the shows as well as fittings to make sure the understudies have costumes.  

What is an understudy, you ask?  Well each role in each show has to have a person to cover it in case the actual actor gets sick or hurt or has some other emergency that prevents them from being in the show.  Our understudies are (for the most part) already acting at the Festival.  They have to learn these additional parts (usually larger roles OR several smaller roles) in case they are needed to step in. 

We have been rehearsing the understudies for the last two weeks.  My rehearsals are just about done.  I have a couple of music and dance rehearsals left and one more hour of onstage rehearsal for the big court scene in Merchant of Venice. 

Now, one might think "oh this probably goes fast because the actors are already in the show and they know the blocking."  WRONG!  The actors have been concentrating on their OWN blocking while in the shows and may not even be in the scenes with the character they are understudying. 

... Did I mention these same actors are also participating in Camp Shakespeare, doing publicity things, Curtain Call luncheons, etc?  Yeah, we all keep very busy here over the summer.  Needless to say conflicts arise and the ladies who do all of our scheduling have a hard time making it all work.   Luckily for us, our scheduling Stage Managers are super awesome and they make it work.

I am looking forward to being done with understudies.  I know the actors, costumers and crew are ready for this to end too.  But we all recognize the importance of having understudies and understudy rehearsals.  After all, the show must go on.

On a personal note... my hubby and puppy are visiting this week!  It is so nice to have them here when I get home from work. Husband Matt has seen Merchant of Venice and will see Much Ado this week.  Next week we will squeeze in "Mackers" as we USFers affectionately call MacBeth.  We have also been to Zion (we hiked the Narrows), Cedar Breaks, Brian Head, Panguitch Lake and the Petroglyphs.   It's always so much fun to explore out here and even better to do it with someone you love.

We have opened!

I am back at the Utah Shakespearean Festival this summer. Rehearsals/build were very challenging, but we have opened and the shows are getting rave reviews! (Well mostly, and those that aren't are picking up steam and I am confident their critics will be raving soon enough!)

(Emily Trask as Portia, Chelsea Steverson as Nerissa, Tony Amendola as Shylock, Ryan Imhoff as Gratianio, Grant Goodman as Bassanio and Gary Neal Johnson as Antonio - - Photo by Karl Hugh USF 2010 ©)

I have Much Ado about Nothing and The Merchant of Venice. Both shows I have done before, both have their own challenges.  I really like both of my shows.  Really.  I realized over the course of rehearsals that this is my 7th time doing Much Ado!!! Only my second for Merchant.  Yes, I like old Willy (fine, Mr. William Shakespeare if you must)  enough to do his plays over and over and over. I really do!

This summer I have two Shakespeare's.  I have never done this track before and will probably never do again!!! Having two giant shows in the outdoor theater is the hardest thing I have ever done... and I have done quite a bit, thankyouverymuch! I have a cast of 21 and a cast of 24 actors to shepherd through this journey.  It wasn't easy but luckily for me I have great casts and fantastic crews.

For those of you who are new to this blog... (as if anyone reads this - - ok, ok I know at least ONE person reads it AND thank you for that, Mr. Vice President!!)...

I am a Stage Manager.  I make sure the play happens.  I call the light and sound cues as well as keep the actors on track and make sure the artistic vision of the director and designers is maintained. I flip the cue lights that make the actors enter on time and do a lot of other Manager-type stuff to keep my two shows running smoothly.  (Reminder: We have six main stage shows and two Greenshows so I am one of a tribe of Stage Managers) My job is not easy but it is really fun if you like to be organized and in charge.

Ummm... yeah... I like both of those things....

More to come. I was accosted by a "fan" on opening last week for not keeping up the old bloggy so I wanted to bang one out.

Click here to go to the Utah Shakespearean Festival web site

If you have any reason to be in Cedar City, Utah this summer, you will be horribly remiss if you do not at least see one show at the Festival.  HORRIBLY.

 (Matt Tallman as Claudio, David Ivers as Benedick, Gary Neal Johnson as Don Pedro, Robert Ramirez as Leonato - - Photo by Karl Hugh USF 2010 ©)

Packing for Nashville

I leave for Nashville in the morning. EARLY morning. Ugh.  But I needed it to be an early flight so I can actually work tomorrow. I hope all the flights are present and accounted for - I have been reading about pals who are stranded here and there due to weather.

Packing is not that fun, you know?? I used to love it as it meant I was going somewhere cool.  Now that I am always going.... well it gets old. Coordinating outfits to conserve space? Check. All my electronic gadgets? Check.  Photos of family and dog? Check. Toiletries? Check. Vitamins and medicines for every possible situation? Check. Books? Check. (Soon I will be able to change this to Kindle but not just yet... C'mon tax check!) Then the rest of the evening thinking - What did I forget? Oh my jewelry box... better grab it now. Oh my emergency cash, better put that in my wallet. This goes on for hours.

I'll be in Nashers for 6 days.  I have to help get everything ready for the NCL Gem cast changeover. The cast starts arriving on Sunday, so I have only a few days to make the contact sheets, send out the "what to do on arrival" emails and get myself oriented before I begin my airport pick-ups.

I'm excited to see some old pals who will be leaving on the Celebrity Summit just after I arrive.  I love seeing dancers and singers I have worked with before.  It's cool to catch up and see how they have changed.  I think they feel the same way.

I'm staying with my good friend and boss, Mindy, for the first few days of my trip.  It will be nice to not just sit alone in a hotel room in the evenings.  I do enough of that while I am there!

I will also be prepping for Shotgun at Orlando Shakes while I am there.  I actually started yesterday so I don't get overloaded with my insane schedule.  I feel bad for my poor ASM who will be on her own at the first production meeting. I am trying to conference call in but I don't know that it will happen. The meeting got moved up to while I am flying home instead of after I get home.  *sigh* Such is life.

Ok, time to finish packing... now... where did I put that luggage scale I got for Christmas? :D

Next stop: Nashville

I leave for Nashville in a week.  This time I am heading in for the start of the NCL Gem rehearsals instead of the end.  I will be picking up the cast members from the airport and getting them installed in their hotel. I'm looking forward to seeing some old faces and meeting the newbies.

I'll only be there for a week and then I have to rush back to Orlando for Shotgun rehearsals. As soon as I open and hand off Shotgun to the resident PSM at Orlando Shakes, I will drive to Ft. Lauderdale to join the Gem in progress.  I don't get to shepherd my cast to the ship like I normally do, but I will be there 2 days later. That will be a little crazy, but such is my life.  Seems I am always running to one gig or another.


I am not looking forward to the cold and snow in Nashville! After all, I live in Orlando for a reason.  But it will be fun to see everyone and I am thankful to have a job at all considering the recent lay-offs at my dear GMP. Now that we have less ships, I will be lucky to keep the Gem, let alone get the other NCL ships back.  I just got spoiled having so many ships last year.  It was a wake up call to go from 4 ships in fall season to 1 ship in spring season.

So my calendar is filling up quickly.  I have the Gem, then Shotgun, then the Gem redeux, a visit to Indiana to see my family and then the looong drive West to work at Utah Shakes all summer. Who knows what the fall will bring, hopefully more work!

I'm working at Orlando Shakes again

Hey check it out. I got a job with Orlando Shakes doing SHOTGUN. It looks like it will be a cool show. I'll post some pictures and updates after rehearsal starts.

Shotgun
		March 17 - April 11, 2010 By John Biguenet A National New Play Network World Premiere "If this was a normal world, we'd know what to do. I don't know if a set of rules exists for what we're living through..." Four months after Katrina, a white man and his teenage son rent half of a shotgun duplex apartment from an African-American woman and her father. Seething racial tensions bubble to the surface when love begins to bloom. [get tickets] Drama - Ages 14 & Up
Showtimes
In the Goldman Theater WED & THURS 7 p.m. FRI & SAT 8 p.m. SUN 2 p.m. SENIOR MATINEES: Wednesdays at 2 p.m. March 24 & 31 and April 7 POST-SHOW TALKBACK: Thursday, April 1

Looking for summer work

Full resume with Director names can be acquired by leaving me a comment with your email address.

Angi Weiss-Brandt

(contact information upon request)

Experience

(all cruise ship work is for Gary Musick Productions, Nashville, TN)

Production Manager: Two shows onboard the Spirit for Norwegian Cruise Lines, 2009

Production Manager: Three shows onboard the Jade for Norwegian Cruise Lines, 2009

Production Manager: Three shows onboard the Gem for Norwegian Cruise Lines, 5/2009, 10/2009

Production Manager: Four shows onboard the Summit for Celebrity Cruise Lines, 2008 and 2009

Production Manager: Four shows onboard the Constellation for Celebrity Cruise Lines, 5/2008, 9/2008, 11/09

Production Manager: Four shows onboard the GTS Infinity for Celebrity Cruise Lines, 2007 and 2008

Production Manager: Four shows onboard the GTS Millennium for Celebrity Cruise Lines, 2007

LORT B+

Othello	Utah Shakespearean Festival 2008	AEA Stage Manager	J R Sullivan
The School for Wives	Utah Shakespearean Festival 2008	AEA Stage Manager	Robert Cohen
The Mousetrap	Utah Shakespearean Festival 2007	AEA Stage Manager	Brad Carroll
Johnny Guitar	Utah Shakespearean Festival 2006	AEA Stage Manager	Brad Carroll
Stones in His Pockets	Utah Shakespearean Festival 2005	Deck Manager	J R Sullivan
Camelot	Utah Shakespearean Festival 2005	Deck Manager	Brad Carroll
Forever Plaid	Utah Shakespearean Festival 2004	Deck Manager	Russ Treyz
My Fair Lady	Utah Shakespearean Festival 2004	Deck Manager	Marc Robin

LORT C

Much Ado about Nothing

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival 2009

AEA Stage Manager

Fontaine Syer

LORT D

Julius Caesar

Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival 2006

AEA Stage Manager

Dennis Delaney

Small Professional Theatre (SPT)

As You Like It	Orlando Shakespeare Theatre 2008	AEA Stage Manager	Dan McCleary
Every Xmas Story Ever Told	Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival 2006	AEA Stage Manager	Jim Helsinger
Trapezium	Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival 2005	Stage Manager	Russ Treyz
Dracula	Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival 2004	Stage Manager	April Dawn Gladu
The Guys	The Vine Theatre 2003	Stage Manager	Rus Blackwell

 

Education

B.S. in Technical Theatre (emphasis in Stage Management) Ball State University 1996

 

References

Upon request

Utah Shakespearean Festival 2010 line up

Here is the play line up for this summer at the Utah Shakespearean Festival.  Hope you can make it.  I know I am trying to be there! Are you working there this summer/fall? Let me know. I will be posting updates as they come in.

Shakespeare Rocks! And so do Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Alfred Hitchcock—all featured in the 2010 season of the Utah Shakespearean Festival.
Summer Season 2010 June 28 – September 4 Macbeth The Merchant of Venice Much Ado about Nothing Pride and Prejudice Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps Great Expectations: A New Musical
Fall Season 2010 September 16 - October 23 The Adventures of Pericles Greater Tuna The Diary of Anne Frank

Go see Hamlet!

Orlando Shakespeare Theatre (affectionately known as Orlando Shakes)is getting ready to do Hamlet. Go see it! All the info is below.

		January 27 - March 13, 2010 By William Shakespeare "To be, or not to be, that is the question..." Shakespeare’s great tragedy follows a young prince haunted by his murdered father’s ghost and driven to the edge of madness. To be or not to be is the question. [get tickets] Drama - Ages 12 & Up Click here to download the Study Guide.
Showtimes
Margeson Theater THURS 7 p.m. FRI & SAT 8 p.m. SUN 2 p.m. PREVIEWS: Wed. 1/27 and Thurs. 1/28 at 7 p.m. SENIOR MATINEE: Wed. 2/17 at 2 p.m. POST-SHOW TALKBACK: Thurs. 2/25

Excerpts from the summer blog

Oh hey,

So doing two blogs all summer was too much. I just didn't have the time or the internet connection to make it happen. I have copied some of my blogs from the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.

May 28, 2009 Angi Travels Out West

Hello, I'm Angi, one of the Stage Managers. My dog, Cooper, and I are driving from Orlando, Florida to Reno, Nevada this week. We will be stopping to see some fun people on the way. I will be blogging about the trip here.

My journey to Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival officially started yesterday morning at 6am when my alarm starting blaring "Lean on Me.". Oy. I am not a morning person. This is why I work in theatre! But nonetheless, I put the last couple of items in the car, grabbed the dog, kissed Hubby and headed out.

Rain for the first two or three hours. No good. But it cleared up somewhere in South Georgia and I had a nice drive to Atlanta.

Friends Helen and Justyn live here in the ATL and put me up for the night. My adorable god daughter, Samantha has gotten so big! She is almost-six. She has two days of school left. She read me an entire book before bed. Yeah, she is the main reason I took the easy "only seven hours the first day" route.

Today, not so easy. I am going to make it to Salina, KS this evening. 15 hours of open road today. I'm up for it. I have tunes, Russian lessons, podcasts and snacks. Did I mention I love road trips?

Time to go! Gotta grab the dog.

Monday, June 1 Prep Week

Wow so we really are trail blazing here! Nykol and I came into a place where there was no Stage Management department in place and we made one up! It has been a crazy week but what a rush!

The first part of the week was so busy. I got here (Reno, NV) on Saturday and Nykol got in Sunday. We talked game plan, policy and Create-A-Company. We made a huge list over coffee and got to work.

Tuesday we went to the office. We have a conference room in the basement at UNR I have been thrown back into the world of Academia. The college is right down the street from Reno's city center. The Biggest Little City in the World.

We have scheduled meetings, attended meetings, stocked first aid, created paperwork by the ton. Yay new templates!

Shopping with Grüber is a blast. We had a field trip to Staples. I have really enjoyed working with him so far. I expect that will continue through the season!

I really like Team SM. We have a great group and will rock this summer out! The entire company is awesome, to be specific I am at the end of a loooooong prep week. I have to finish putting my book together, go shop for courtesy items and (of course) check Facebook.

Tuesday, June 9 TEAM SM

Well our first week of rehearsals are over. Team SM completed a marathon of paperwork and finished Sunday night distribution in 50 minutes. Stage Management updates all the paperwork on Sunday to reflect the changes that happened during the week. New props list, new line assignments, cuts and additions to the script, anything that is different.

We spent this week doing table work. That means the actors and directors (and Team SM) sit around a big table and talk through their parts. We explore character development and try to figure out what Shakespeare meant when he wrote each line. The actors get to know each other and try out bits to find the funny or the tragic. I don't have a lot to do while this is going on. I use the time to double check all my info is correct and all my ducks are in a row. I also make sure we stay on track and take breaks at the correct time.

Next week is when the fun starts for me. When we get on our feet.

Team SM continues to amaze me. My assistant, Claire, is fantastic. She is fun and smart and easy to get along with. She is the only new addition to this team, but you would never know it. She made the transition flawlessly and we feel like she has been part of our group forever!

My director, Fontaine, is also pretty amazing. She is a strong woman, but she isn't letting her feminism cloud the overall feel of Much Ado. If you don't know, women are treated like objects in most literature from this time period. This play is no exception. However, Much Ado has some strong women in it and could be played with bumbling fool men, leading to a whole different interpretation. I like that Fontaine has addressed this and also shared that she wants the antics of the show to reflect the relationships between men and women from all aspects and not either side of the "typical coin."

Well the week is done, its my day off and I am going to explore Reno! I like the "Biggest Little City in the World.". It does have a small town feel but with all the good stores. UNR is only blocks from downtown so I have had a chance to check out "the strip." It is no Vegas but it is good fun. I have a million picture of various friends having fun but I was not there. Work kept me away from Eurofest and $.99 margaritas. Soon, little city, soon.

Tuesday, June 16 BLOCKING THE SHOW

The phase after table work is called blocking. We stagemanagers have measured the plans for the set and laid down different colors oftape to represent the stage. This gives the actors a good idea where the wallsand stairs are. It shows them windows, doors, entrances and the like. Next thedirector tells the actors where to move to inside the scene. I keep track in myscript of where everyone moves to and how they get there. This is blocking. Itsimportant to keep a record of where everyone is during the show for a myriad ofreasons. The costumers need to know where the actor is going to exit so theycan be in the right place to do quick changes, the crew needs to know so the propscan be in the right place. I need to know so I can call light and sound whenthe actors say or do the cues. Blocking takes a bit of time. Last week we didPart One. Part one is everything that happens before intermission. Shakespeare wrote plays in five acts so part oneusually ends somewhere in the middle of Act three. In other words, we are abouthalf way through.

We tried to go roller skating on our day off yesterday, butit is not yet open for the summer. So we went to a huge outdoor mall, which wasfun.

We have two more weeks here in Reno before we move to the lake. Today is anexciting day because we find out where we are living when we move! Hooray!

Thursday, July 2

We made the big move! We finished out our last week in Reno, packed everyone up and headed to the Lake.

The last two weeks went by like a whirlwind. We managed to move into the Redfield theatre, the designers flocked in and we ran the show a couple of times. We found time for a million fittings and voice and speech sessions. We worked scenes and found new moments of laughter and tears.

Then we all packed up and headed to our new digs at the lovely Northstar resort. We have the cutest lodge with two balconies and sweeping views of the mountains. The move went very smoothly. We settled right in. A special THANK YOU to Company Management for making it easy. Can you imagine almost your entire company picking up and moving 40 miles away without missing a beat of work? Yeah. We did it!

We had a wonderful BBQ at the gazebo near our theatre. I think everyone is breathing a collective sigh of relief that the move is behind us and we can work on the actual stage.

My show is spending the first three hours of rehearsal at Tahoe School in a rehearsals space so the carpenters can have some extra time to work. I am heading to the school now to tape out the set and create a place to rehearse.

Bye!

A response to John McCain's lack of understanding.

I got this message on Facebook today:

Today, John McCain said: “$50 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts — all of us are for the arts,” McCain said. “Tell me how that creates any significant number of jobs?"

Please tell him about your job:


http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm

Dear John--

I understand you are not aware of how funding for the arts creates jobs. So, I'd like to tell you what I do for a living. I am a...


Thank you so much for asking what I do.
Sincerely,

xxxx

Here is the letter I sent....


Dear Senator McCain,

I understand you are not aware of how funding for the arts creates jobs. So, I'd like to tell you what I do for a living. I am a Stage Manager. My job is to make sure everything happens during the production. Without me the lights will not go, the sounds will not happen, the set will not move, no one will be dressed and the actors will not enter.

In any given production I have a crew of at least 5 and upwards of 50 working under me to make the show run. This does not include the actors, the ushers, or the concessions people who work to make sure you have a good time while attending our production.

I am saddened to hear you do not believe we need more funding for the arts. I am saddened that you do not understand how giving money to the NEA can create more jobs.

Due to cuts in funding, the theatre I have worked in for the past 9 years has to cut 45-60 jobs this season. That $50 million could help give some of those people back their jobs. Additionally, the more money we have, the larger the production we can put on. We can do a musical with a cast of 50 instead of a straight play with a cast of 4. Larger shows mean larger scenery, more lights and costumes -- hence the need for more people. This is where the creation of new jobs comes in!

Saying you support the arts and actually doing it are two different things.


Thank you so much for asking what I do. I hope my note has helped you to understand how $50 million in funding for the Nation Endowment of the Arts can, in fact, create more jobs.

Sincerely,


Angi
AEA Stage Manager

Summer job

Well it's official. Matt and I are going to Tahoe this summer. We are going to work for Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. I will be the SM of Much Ado About Nothing and Matt is the Lighting Supervisor.

I will be sad to not work for Utah Shakes this summer but working with Matty will be oh-so-wonderful! I think some others will be there too so I will let you in on them eventually.

I am interested in your feelings on this blog. Should I use it for Tahoe and the "Utahoes" (as Randy Handly has christened us) or should I end it since it is technically about the Porch and the Utah Shakes.

I will have the Porch in Tahoe. We will be having a superhero party, I imagine. So do you care about this blog for your connection to Utah Shakes or to me? Let me know what you think.

On the Utah front: Becky, Karen, Erin and TBA will the SM's. Seth is coming back as ASM. Devon is coming back in the Hair house.

I know more but have not cleared it with them to talk about. I'll let you know as I talk to people.

Angi - Smoke free and Healing for Twenty One Days and 14 Hours, while extending my life expectancy 1 Day and 11 Hours, by avoiding the use of 432 cigarettes!

Props people needed!!!

Hey so remember before when I told you John Gruber was the PM for Tahoe Shakes and he needed a Company Manager? Well now he is looking for Props people. All categories... Master, artisans, etc. Drop him your resume at jgruber@theatremaker.com and tell him Angi sent you!!!!

An ending...

So Utah is wrapping up for the season. I heard great things about Jim Sullivan's show, Gaslight. If you haven't checked it out, here is a clip.



NykiDee reports that it is freezing there and that she is ready for a little warm weather.

Sadly, Fred Adam's wife, Barbara, passed away on Wednesday. You can read her lovely obit here.



I do have more photos to post, but I have been on ships for the past two months and have not had time. I will be home in about a week so look for another update then.



And if anyone is looking for an AEA SM for the Nov-Jan slot. I'm your grrrl.



XOXO

P.S. I got mentioned in a review! Can you believe it?????

http://www.jevansonline.com/othelloreview.htm

Utah Shakespearean Festival - Cedar City
Seen: Friday, August 8, 2008 *****
This is probably one of the few productions I will ever give 5 stars to, but this hands down is the finest production of this Shakespeare masterpiece I have ever seen in my entire life! Director J.R. Sullivan has mounted a breathtaking and truly chilling production of this beautiful and terrifying tragedy. IMHO William Shakespeare in this play created the perfect personfication of pure evil in the character of Iago and James Newcomb's triumphant performance in this role was nothing short of genius! He absolutely frightened me and played the role with such relish and evil joy that it was terrifying to watch and at the same time thrilling to watch. WOW is all I can say. Equally by his side was Jonathan Earl Peck's heartbreaking and towering performance in the title role. Mr. Peck was tall, handsome and absolutely stunning to watch every minute he was on stage. Equally heartbreaking was the two performances by the young Lindsey Wochley (Desdemona) and the wonderful Corliss Preston as Iago's wife Emilia. These two magnificant actresses brought triumphant performances to the stage as well. Lindsey looked and acted as a 19-year old would and it was so tragic and heartbreaking to watch as her life slowly was taken away from her scene by scene, and Corliss as always brought a power and a majesty to her performance as Iago's long suffering wife Emilia. By the time she stood so powerfully on that stage and decried Iago for his evil deeds, I was in tears. And her tragic murder at the hands of Iago was devastating as well as Desdemona's. I was shaking and crying all the way back to my hotel room after this production. This production will haunt me the rest of my days. Kudos as well to a fine production team: R. Eric Stone (Scenery), Bill Black (Costumes), Donna Ruzika (her stunning lighting design was brilliant, particularly in the cold scenes between Othello and Iago, and the devastating final scene), Joe Payne (Sound, his original score was breathtaking), Michael Flachmann (Dramaturg), Terry Weber (Vocal Coach), Christopher Villa (Fight Director) and Angi Weiss-Brandt (Stage Manager). I highly HIGHLY recommend this production to everyone! Don't miss this towering masterpiece of classic theater and an equally towering masterpiece of a production!

Superhero Party 2008

The 8th annual Superhero Party was a blast! We had a ton of fun and there were some kick A$$ costumes!!!!

I have 142 photo and I cannot upload them all on there. So I went to Facebook and put them up. If you are not my friend you will need to add me in order to see them..... Angi Weiss-Brandt (AND I STILL ONLY ADD PEOPLE I KNOW IN REAL LIFE......)

Here are some highlights.

Jose and Kai (aka Mr. SmartyPants ans Nightcrawler - or Kurt Wagner as I prefer)
Nicole and Head (of Coral Reef and super Sexy Chef)
Lindsay and Justin (or My Super Ex Girlfriend and The (new) Joker)
Becky and NykiDee (or Understudy Girl and Randall girl)
Steve, Kari and Matthew J (or The Incredibles!)

Kai, Angi and Brad (or Nightcrawler, The Artful Dodger and 7755 man)
Katie aka Super Grover!
Craig Christ
BJ as The Intoxicator!

Now join FACEBOOK.....

XOXO

Some sad news

Hello all,

Here is a link to Ted's obituary.

I think most of you know this by now, but just in case you have not heard yet...

Ted Jensen passed away in his sleep on Friday night/Saturday morning. Kate G. (aka Katie bear) called me on Sunday morning and asked me to pass the word along. Sally called Noah, who called Kate. Noah did not have any more details. I am sure our local Cedar family knows more about what is going on, funeral arrangements, etc.

We all have our memories of Ted. I remember a lot of things about him but what I choose to remember most is how he helped Karen rebuild after the flood. He helped with removal of all the waterlogged stuff, the dry wall, the carpet, the tons of STUFF that got wet. He and the rest of the Carps organized that benefit in the park to help raise money for repairs.

Take a moment to think of Ted and Sally. Call or email if you can.

And for God's sake take care of yourselves! I love you all.

XOXO