Last night went rather well, I started out the evening half dead because I caught a cold from pushing Tim's (our Benedick) car in the rain the night before, but I took a five hour energy right before the show and was able to function. One of the actresses in the show (Michelle Ho our Ursula/Verges) took photos of everything all night which was wonderful because she got some great shots! Here are some of my favorites:

We open tonight!!!!!

Here is the list of our cast and crew:

Production Crew

Director……………...……………...…………….……..Nora Manca

Stage Manager……………………………..……..Eddie McGrady

Assistant Director…………………………….…Jackie Pizarro

Set Designer…………………………………….Gabrielle Tufano

Publicity………………….……………………………...Kris Jackson

Creative Assistant……………………………………...Jeni Aiuto

Program Designer……………..…..Gene Harding-Thrower

Technical Director…………………………Stephen Shustar

Cast

Benedick………………………………………………………….Tim Culp

Beatrice/Week One…………….……………….Susan O’byrne

Beatrice/Week Two………………………….Rebecca Janvrin

Don Pedro/Watchman…………..Gene Harding-Thrower

Claudio…………………………………………….Eric Gronkiewicz

Hero…………………………………………………....Lauren Connor

Dogberry/Margaret……………………….Gabrielle Tufano

Verges/Ursula………………………………………...Michelle Ho

Leonato………………………………………………..….Alan Kortas

Don Geon……………………………………………..Eddie McGrady

Antonio/Watchman……………………………………Mark Oyos

Friar/Sexton……………………………………….……Ben Greene

Borachio………………………………………………...Dylan Martin

Connie…………………………………………….………..Nora Manca

Imogen……………………………………………………..Maria Callas

Like any good dress rehearsal, last night's was stressful and long and we finally finish after midnight. To top the evening off Tim, the actor who plays Benedick, his car wouldn't start and it was pouring rain. After some effort to determine the problem we finally rolled his car into a parking lot and had to leave it for the night. 

I have decided to share more of the little details and moments of my life in theater with you, let me know if you like this idea. 

I was recently cast as Celia in Acorn Theater's production of As You Like It. I was really excited to be given this role because I think that Celia is one of the most challenging roles to play because, while she only has an average amount of lines she is  on stage for so much of the show just reacting to all of the crazy situations Rosalind puts herself in. As Celia an actor always has to know exactly what is going on in Celia's head with only a little help from The Bard in the way of reaction lines.The first readthrough was amazing. All I had to do was just sit there are read my part. No one was expecting anything more of me, no questions no deadlines, no stress... I really enjoyed being just an actor. I could never give up directing, but it will be nice to take a short break.

I am so excited for our opening tomorrow!!!! The cast has been doing a truly wonderful job and I think this is going to be a wonderful show. We're all having so much fun, I can't wait to share that with an audience!!! 

Rehearsals for Much Ado About Nothing have been going well. We open July 28th and I am very excited about this production. Much Ado has always been one of my favorite plays and it is so cool to see the characters coming to life in my actors! 
I am also very excited to be watching Gabrielle Tufano's brilliant (yet simple) set design. 

I would like to thank Eddy, our Business Manager and Barry Wilson for setting up a fundraiser for our production of Much Ado About Nothing at the Johnny Rockets in Bolingbrook! All you have to do to help us out is go eat (or just get a shake, I was really impressed by their shakes) at that Johnny Rockets between 5 and 8pm on Thursday July 14th with the attached flier (we will also have loads of these fliers there if you don't want to have to print it out) and 20% of the money from your purchases will be donated to Storefront Shakespeare for our production of Much Ado About Nothing.
Just come to Johnny Rockets 623 E. Boughton Rd in Bolingbrook, Illinois between 5 and 8pm and get a shake, snack or meal (you have to eat sooner or later anyway). No one will presure you for donations or anything, it will just be a good dinner and a fun diner.
See you there!