"The Book Club Play" at Arena Stage

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of doing a photo shoot with the cast of Arena Stage's Book Club Play. The above is a behind the scenes look into the photo shoot and how the idea of cramming everyone onto one little couch came about. The play, written by Karen Zacarías is about a bi-weekly book club that gets turned upside down when a new member joins and causes things to heat up. Here's a shot they used on their homepage!

And this one on a page specific to the play...

There have also been a couple of smaller ads on the sidebar of web-sites like DC Theatre Scene, etc., but i hope to see more out there! And hopefully some of you can get out there to see the show, it looks like it'll be pretty funny!

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Empire City

I frequently struggle with whether or not I want to write my thoughts out of shows that I participate with, or shows that my friends are involved with. Especially if there are things that I would change, or just plain did not like. So with this one, I'd just like to say that part of the reason I have this blog is keep a written account of things that I like, and also to remind myself of all the things that I see. Anything said that is not positive is just a note for myself for future reference in the work that I do (it also does not mean that it isn't constructive). With that, here's my thoughts on the show I helped out with this past weekend!

This past weekend I helped a friend of mine with a show called Empire City in NYC. It is an original piece directed by Michael Silverstone and Abigail Browde which was developed and performed by the cast. The show seems to center around a group of young people who imagine what it will be like when they become elderly. It seems very playful in nature at first, but as things develop more and more fear starts to develop. The actors each took turns circulating through 3 central elderly characters, simply by taking the over-clothes off of one actor and putting it on for themselves. Each character has a relationship with the other. What was interesting, but maybe not as successful as possible quite yet, was seeing how the relationships changed when a new actor took over one of the roles. They each seemed to approach the characters differently, but had the general idea of what the character was supposed to be like. By the end of the show, you realize the biggest fear that each character, and probably each real person, shares: The fear of death. It’s a very sobering moment in the show because everything leading up to it had seemed so light and playful, almost like a group of kids playing make-believe in someone’s backyard. The action would move very fast at times, and could be quite funny, but then it would just hit a brick wall. This made the show such a rollercoaster because sometimes you would be so excited and laughing at what was going on, and then other times you would be bored and waiting for the action to pick back up again. That is not to say that at any given time there was not something going on on-stage and for that I commend the directors. Not a single moment was stale, and the boring moments were created by choice to help the audience feel as if they were also elderly. Some of the actors were BRILLIANT, but none seemed to be as immersed and comfortable in the various characters and movements than Abigail Browde. Her physical movements and facial expressions were spot on and her renditions of the characters were all so carefully crafted and different from one another. This continuously reminded the audience that the show was not about elderly people in general, but about 3 very specific personalities. Another standout performance worth mentioning was turned in by Ike Ufomadu, who gave a quirky edge to the show that seemed to drive a lot of what made the show funny. He also had a lot of energy, which drew a lot of focus during the intensive movement sections of the show. Knowing that the piece is still a work in progress, so to speak, the only way it can go is up. It is already a very interesting concept and a very engaging performance to watch and all of those involved should be proud of their work so far.

www.600highwaymen.org for more information

Cut Loose...

From Footloose! I have been so busy work on this show that I have completely neglected writing on my blog. The run of Footloose has certainly been a great one and I am proud to say that it was one of the most fun shows I've ever had the privilege of performing in. I would gladly return to Holy Cross Summer Stock any time (which might be sooner rather than later... details soon!). I can honestly say that I had a great time performing in a role that I never thought would work for me. I was cast as Reverend Shaw Moore, Bomont's resident grieving, border-line crazy town minister with a personal vendetta against alcohol, drugs, rock and roll and, of course, dancing. Luckily the songs were a near perfect fit for my voice and the role was something that was relatively easy for me to sink into what with my previous show. It felt good to be praised for my voice again, and believe it or not I sincerely appreciated not having to learn a lot of choreography this time. This production represented a lot of firsts. For me, it represented the first time I had been cast in a different age range than what I actually am (I'm 22, and I was the father of an 18-year-old girl). It was Mayumi Baker's first time directing a fully-staged musical, and I definitely feel that things came together (I think it's safe to say we were all a little nervous at first). She was one of the only director's I've had that has actually taken the time to sit down with different cast members and create characters and relationships. Brittney Stonestreet was also a newcomer to the production staff, choreographing her first full show. Although I did not get to participate in a lot of the dances (I did weasel my way into the first number, though!), I did get to spend some time watching a lot of the dances from the audience during rehearsals and from the wings during the show. She did a great job working with the kids in the cast and came up with a lot of entertaining choreography that the audience certainly enjoyed. Our music director was also new to his position. Michael Turnblom worked hard to make each cast member memorize their music and harmonies, which is no easy feat in and of itself, but especially when you have to teach younger people. I'd like to say thank you to everyone in the cast who made this a fun experience, especially to my very talented and funny new best friends! You know who you are!

Up next... I'm actually on the bus to NYC right now so I can audition for Disney (happy and pretty!) and to help my friend Kelly Colburn with a show this weekend. I have no clue what the show is, or what it's about, but I hope I get to watch it! Anyways, I have to go figure out what song I'm going to sing for my audition. So until next time!!!

PS - Happy Birthday/Opening Night to my best friend Pamela Morris!!!! Love you schmerg, you da best!

I Confess...

The end of Chicago has come and I am extremely sad to see it go, but luckily I have some new things coming up. Always onto the next step! It was a great run and I couldn't be more pleased to have shared it with all of my new friends and family. We got a lot of great memories out of the deal and some even better reviews...

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/05/12/murder-at-st-mark’s/

And as I continue my adventures, I'll actually be focusing on a show I've already done for the DC Black Theatre Festival this June. A Change Gon' Come is being remounted with almost the same cast as before as part of this annual festival. The show will be slightly abbreviated in order to fit into the time constraints of the festival and rehearsals are already underway. We'll be performing twice, once on June 12 at 4 pm and again June 16 at 8 pm, at the Mount Vernon Square United Methodist Church in DC. Again, I'll be playing the Overseer, which you will not want to miss because I can honestly say it is the most intense and dynamic character I've played to date. Tickets are only $15 and you can them here...

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1499243277

I am also proud to say that A Change Gon' Come will also be travelling to Tampa, Florida early 2012 for a limited number of performances for a conference for Sodexo executives! Now I can call myself a touring artist!

Also on the horizon; I've been asked to play the role of Reverend Shaw Moore in a production of Footloose with the Academy of the Holy Cross Summer Stock! I was a little apprehensive at first, but after listening to some of the music and researching the show a little more I really think this will be a great chance for me to build a really strong character. And besides, it's a professional credit to add to my resume! I don't have many other details on performance dates or casting, but I will get that information out to you all as soon as possible! Things are looking up for my career as a professional and I'm very excited about it!

Jazz and Liquor!

A 5-6-7-8! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is about that time to start plugging away for Chicago! The show has been coming along since the middle of February and opening night is just around the corner (well, isn't that just the goat's whiskers! -- Look it up.) I can honestly say that this show will be one of the best of my theatrical career thus far, and I cannot wait for it to open! The cast is overflowing with talent and the some of the most adept dancers I have had the pleasure of working with. Let's face it, Fosse ain't easy folks! So here's my shameless plug...

Come see the St. Mark's Players' production of Chicago! Shake the blues away and dance into the thrilling world of jazz, liquor, cabarets, maniacal murderesses and greasy lawyers at the St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Southeast DC (right on Capitol Hill!). Directed by Rick Hayes, Music Directed by Jay Wickert, and Choreography by Jeremy McShan, adapted by Rikki Howie. The show opens on May 6 and will run until May 21 with Friday and Saturday shows starting at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees starting at 4 p.m. I assure you it will be a grand night filled with tons of bunny huggin' and Fosse dance moves!

Go to http://www.stmarksplayers.org/ for more information and to reserve tickets! Don't be a wurp or a rotten tomato and do it NOW!

Cast:
Velma Kelly - Anya Nebel
Roxie Hart - Richelle "Rikki" Howie
Roxie Hart Alternate - Kimberly Pyle
Billy Flynn - Erik Kennedy
Matron Mama Morton - Genevieve Williams
Amos Hart - Stephen Yednock
Mary Sunshine - Heather Cipu
Merry Murderesses:
Liz - Liz Sutton
Annie - Mairead McKendry Sauter
June - Ivanna Alexander
Katalin Hunyak - Caroline Griswold
Mona - Jocelyn Hunt
Ensemble:
Fred Casely/Aaron - Taurean Maray Barber
Sargeant. Fogarty - Jason Damaso
Harry - Scotty Beland
Go-To-Hell Kitty - Brena Holman
Martin Harrison - MarQuis Fair
Judge - Rosemary Hartmann
Jury - Bobbie Legg
Dancers - Roslyn Fernandez, Tiffany Banks

In other news, A Change Gon' Come is making a comeback! This time for 2011 DC Black Theatre Festival! The Finest! will be re-mounting the production for the festival on June 12 and June 16 at the Mount Vernon Square United Methodist Church's Undercroft Theatre. I am unsure at this point, but I think the casting is almost the same so it promises to be an AMAZING show once again!

Other than that, there's not much news to uncover for you all. I auditioned for Disney last week, have a few auditions coming up in the next few days for some films, and interview coming up for Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company! So I'll keep you all posted!

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Venus in Furs

A few weeks ago I was contracted to do some press photographs for The Studio Theatre's production of Venus in Furs. The photos are now up on the theatre's web-site, which is really exciting news for me because I am now officially a professional photographer! What's even more exciting was that the work goes exactly along with what I went to college for and what I specialized in. You can see the photos at this link : Venus in Furs Press Photos







The production will star actors Christian Conn as Thomas, the playwright-director of an adaptation of Leopold van Sacher-Masoch's novel Venus in Furs, and Erica Sullivan as Vanda, the seductive actress auditioning for the role of the character mirroring Wanda von Dunajew (the novel's central female character) who in the context of the novel made her male lover her sex slave. As interesting as the synopsis sounds, I hope that my photos make an addition to the intrigue of purchasing tickets for this performance!

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All images owned and copyrighted by Scotty Beland.

On to the Next One...

A Change Gon' Come has come to a close and I am sad to see it go. I can honestly say that I have never felt more connected to, and proud of a show that I have been a part of. Each of my castmates have so much raw talent to offer and came to rehearsal and each performance ready to work and challenge themselved, to make discoveries in their characters, and dance with such passion. I want to thank everyone who had a hand in making this production what it is and I hope that I get to work with everyone again! However, with the closing of this show, Chicago is on the way so I am on to the next one! Rehearsals are going great so far and I cannot wait to see how things develop! More details will come later. I am also lining up a lot of auditions in the coming months, and may be doing an internship out in California this summer (interview tomorrow!).

In regards to photography... I have been in contact with several local, professional theatres in the DC area with the possibility of doing some work for them. I do not want to disclose which theatres yet, but as soon as I have more information I will share. There is also a possibility for me to take a staff photography gig in Cooperstown, NY this summer for The Glimmerglass Festival photographing their performances which would be basically perfect. They even provide housing!

Anywho, that's my update! Thanks for reading!

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