AT RISK under construction

Are you living a life that isn’t really yours?
Are you so blind that you have forgotten who you really are?

Come join us for an evening of theatre, movement and song:
A Post Graduate Work
by Juliana Marko

August 29, 30 & 31, 2006
7:30pm

Cardel Theatre

6010 12th St. SE (lower level of Cardel Homes Centre)

Tickets: Students $5 Adults $7
To reserve your tickets call 875-5525 or email
raw.productions@yahoo.ca
(cash or cheque only)
**Please note this show is not suitable for children under 13.
Thank you Summit School of Dance, Cardel Homes, The Arts Farm and the Owens Young Family for your support!

Still Learning!

Wow...so now I have fully taken on the 5th character in my show. I am a little more nervous about this whole thing now. Thankfully I have some amazing support. I have now decided to make this character quite abstract: she moves to words instead of music. Doing something like this is so terrifying to me because it is so different and stretches so many boundaries. Last night was the first time I actually put it up on my feet (with the help of a great friend and mentor). Baby steps...move to her voice to begin with, just to get used to the idea of moving with no music. To be honest...I felt like I was in and amongst my own nightmares. But it did inspire me to change my script a little and make it more like beat poetry than just a regular old monologue. Who wouldda thought I'd end up doing ANYTHING like this? Not me that's for sure. Life sure has a way of surprising you! Probably the 2 hardest classes for me were movement and performance creation, and now I have stepped up to the plate to actually attempt them both in combination in front of an audience! I am hoping to spend 5-6 hours by myself on this character before I attempt to bring it into the rest of the cast. Tuesday is a HUGE day. My former instructor (now mentor) Jamie Popoff will be coming to observe rehearsal and give his feedback. This is really territory he is familiar with so it will help us to see what is working, what isn't and what could. Time is flying by. Thankfully I have the next week to concentrate pretty much solely on the show (with the exception of looking after the boys), as I don't work at the cafe until Wednesday. Thursday we jump into the theatre where we can really start to shape things the way we want them to be seen. My friend Peter will be helping me out with lights and sound as well as set. Hopefully Kyla will be able to come too so she can be a part of it. I know it seems crazy that right near the end of rehearsals I am going away for 10 days, but I think I will really need it. As soon as I get back it's crunch time as Dress Rehearsal will only be a few days away with the show going up in 1 week. I am still pumped about the rest of the process though scared out of my mind when it comes to me personally being completely vulnerable and breaking through the box I have built for myself. Thank God for GRACE!

A TITLE!

Well, here we are, a little less than 1 month before we try out this piece in front of an audience. We finally have a title for the show: AT RISK under construction. Things are rolling pretty smoothly. Our biggest bump so far is Kyla's injury. She will not be able to dance, so I am taking over her roll. What was going to be her dancing to my recorded voice over is now going to be me...my voice and my movement live on stage with the rest of the characters. I'll be honest: I'm a little scared. BUT...I believe that everything happens for a reason. I was supposed to be in this show. And the more I think about it, I'm actually glad because the next few projects I'm working on all involve being behind the scenes instead of acting...here's a chance to learn even more! The shape of the show is coming together and turning into something I never even dreamed of. The monologues will range from being memorized, to improv with a guideline of points they need to cover. There will be movement as well as song which will make it sound like a musical...but it's far from it. I haven't mentioned too much about how this show is actually being created, so let's make it a little clearer: This piece was inspired by my 20 minute solo show that I created last semester in school. Now, I have 4 other characters joining my already established character in a journey that is far from easy. I created the foundation for the characters, and through improv, free writing and discussion we have collaboratively created full rounded characters and their monologues. What it has developed into is a series of monologues using the diversity of the characters to make each very unique...but seemingly similar. I see myself in more of a facilitator role than a director, though there are moments where I need to take on that role. The cast: Lisa DiGiacinto, John Vieira, Marissa Chastain, Janie Fontaine and I will all be recognized for this collaborative creation. It's a one act show and because of the amount of improv will range in time but I'm hoping it will be around an hour. Please come out and join us August 29th, 30th and 31st at 7:30pm in The Cardel Theatre! Tickets are only $7 so bring a friend! Email me at raw.productions@yahoo.ca or call 403.875.5525 to reserve your tickets! Hope to see you there:)

UPDATE:

So I am now officially a daytimer geek. I have so many things going on that I can't live without one! I have had my first 2 shifts at the Sunflower Cafe in Community Natural Foods, and I love it! I'm so happy to be meeting new people and being busy enough all day that the time passes really quickly. My show is well on its way to being ready for its first run in front of an audience. I meet with my cast 3 times a week, and thankfully get a lot accomplished. I am blessed to have 5 other emerging artists work along side me in this adventure. We are waiting for news from one of our cast members as to if she will be able to continue on with us. She fell and tore her MCL (muscle in her knee), so hopefully she will know soon what kind of shape she's in. If she is unable to do the show I will be stepping in for her. It may be God's way of nudging me to be in this show. I had Callbacks for Halo last night, and we are well on our way to getting the cast that we need for the show in November. I start house sitting for a friend tomorrow so will have basically 3 jobs plus 2 shows to work on. Thankfully I am able to use their car while they are away so as to get places on time and go from one thing to another. So, my life has not slowed down in the least. I'm glad I have a scheduled vacation, because otherwise I don't know if I'd get any time for just plain fun. Really looking forward to my trip down to Alabama...North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Ontario too! ROAD TRIP!!!!!! YAY!

BIG WEEK!!!

Well all...I have had quite the week. First of all I got a job at Community Natural Foods downtown which is awesome! I'll be working part time in the cafe there starting next Tuesday.

Monday night was my first rehearsal for my upcoming show. I had rehearsal again the following night and have been working pretty hard at it. It's amazing the things you can discover when you are merely observing. Creating this piece is going to be such an adventure and learning experience. I can't wait to see where it takes us! I am totally excited about going through this process even with the short time I now realize we have.

Last night was the second round of auditions for Halo with Fire Exit Theatre, and my first night on the job as Stage Manager / Assistant Director. I am so blessed to be given this opportunity to learn about these positions and gain knowledge that I can use one day to make some of my dreams come true. Thankfully rehearsals won't be starting until after my show is finished, so it's really one project to the next (the way an Artist's life should be!!).

I get a little bit of a rest this weekend, as it is my friend's birthday, but it's right back to my busy life on Monday.

My New Look!

So for all of you who have not seen me in a while...here I was and here I am! I went to the complete opposite of what I used to be! Long and Blonde to Short and Brown! It's fun though...I needed a big change! Something to say I am an adult and no longer a student. Look out professional world here I come! Wouldn't you hire me?! Hahahaha...

I'm starting rehearsals tonight and of course I had nightmares last night. I guess I'm a little worried...who me? worried? HA! Yeah it turns out that my stomach has been unhappy with me because for the last 10 years or so I've been putting all of my stress, worry and nerves into my stomach...funny how that works hey? So now I am faced with the job of figuring out how to deal with my stress. Many prayers in this time are needed! I'm starting a whole new life right now and it's scary and exciting and I'm looking forward to becoming the best "grown up" (yuck) I can be :)

Ask And You Shall Receive

Well...The biggest thing I've learned over the past couple of weeks is that if I am bold and courageous in asking for what I need, God will bless me in more ways than I would ever expect. Also, that if I choose to include God in all of my decisions, but still make the effort myself, things will happen; GREAT THINGS. Here I am with almost no money, but blessed with a family that is so charitable in letting me live with them in exchange for part time child care. In sending out resumes today, I received a phone call almost immediately to set up an interview. I've also been blessed with the opportunity to learn more about stage managing and directing through Fire Exit Theatre. I have been offered the SM/AD position for their next show "Halo". As well, even though it seems the show dates for my own show are rapidly approaching and I am no where near a finished product, I am incredibly excited about creating this new work and working with other emerging artists in Calgary. I am reminded every day of what a difference it makes to include God, close friends and mentors in my every day struggles in life. Thank you to all of you who have chosen to walk beside me in my journey. I am truly greatful.

Jumping The Gun

So for some reason I like to jump the gun on thinking I'm over something, or that I'm perfectly alright, when really, I'm just denying myself the time I need to work through things. Yesterday I was completely convinced that I had made my way out of the huge pit I dug myself into earlier in the week...today...not so sure. My emotions seem to be all over the place. Mostly I just have to get over some pride issues and call someone, like I chose to today. And what a difference that makes! To have someone just to chat and hang with that won't coddle you, but won't discourage you either. I know that I've always struggled with MOTIVATION, but it is becoming more and more apparent every day. EXAMPLE: Meisner Class...haven't been in two weeks. Have found every excuse in the book NOT to memorize my scene. WHAT IS THAT???!!! And now that we only have one class left, it's like "well how far could we get with this scene anyway in one class?" I'm afraid. I know that. But I don't exactly know why. I was going to try and answer that, but I have no idea where to start. hmmm...thought for the day...WHY AM I AFRAID?

QUITTING! (Not What You Think)

So...I've made the decision to quit my position as a nanny. I've been quite down lately, and I know that it's in part because I am not meeting many people here in Calgary. I am going to find a part time job that allows me to spend more time in the Theatre Industry meeting people and learning all that I can. I made myself look for opportunities around the city and finally got myself motivated enough that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just want to shout out some praise to all of my wonderful mentors, friends and family who have been so supportive and encouraging...I really appreciate it! I'm now super excited about this show I'm putting up in August. It's going to be something completely different! YAY!!!!!!!! I've got my cast, and I am really looking forward to exploring these characters with them! Hallelujah! Well...wish me luck!

Holding On

Well, here I am. An artist. What does that mean? It means in everything I do I look to be creative. No one said it would be easy...and I knew the life of an artist wouldn't, but I am here hanging on by a thread. There are only a few things that keep me holding on: My amazing friends who are so supportive and encouraging, and the words of my acting instructor: You'll want to quit almost every day, but you won't, because you are an artist. I can't imagine my life with out art; any type of art! I live to create and affect the lives of others. Right now I am trying to remember that as I work at my day job for money! So, I must keep my motivation and read The Creative Habit, and The Artist's Way, and Meisner on Acting, and lots of other books. I will have a lot of coffees with working professionals and learn everything I can about the business and the craft. I will forgive myself for the mistakes I make, because they only make me a stronger person. I will love the Lord my God with all my mind, body and spirit, for that is what He wants me to do. I find when one thing is slipping in my life the others all start to suffer as well. This is me. Like it or not.

Post Graduate Work

The show I am presently working on was inspired by my 20 minute solo show that I performed as a part of class requirement in April 2006 entitled EXPOSED. I was challenged to be vulnerable in my work and as a result of that, learned more about myself than I ever thought possible. Through the process of creating that show I was filled with a desire to explore other characters in the same light as the character I had already developed based on me. The questions I want to explore with other emerging, Calgary actors are: How do other people experience these same problems? Are people aware that they are seen differently than they think they are? Do we get so blinded by expectations from friends and family that we forget our own passions and dreams? I want to try my hand at writing and directing. I am prepared for the many hurdles and obstaclesI will encounter along the way. I suppose it is similar to what a 3rd and 4th year student, in a different style of Theatre Program, might attempt at this stage in their learning. Choosing to perform this work challenges me and let’s me sort some things out and learn more about myself and others. I’m not sure where this show is headed yet. I have the roots planted, and now I want to discover its potential. This is a first step to creating my own work and jumping into the theatre world. Auditions, rehearsals and shows are all being held in spaces I can afford as a graduate and starving actor: FREE! Right now I am working with whatever I can get.