The adjusted scene

Definitely the biggest challenge in doing STAGE DOOR beyond having so many people in the cast is the adjusted scene at the end of act one.

The script takes place in a bedroom (while all the other scenes take place in the living room of the footlights club boarding house. This "small" scene really requires the idea of people coming in to the bedroom of actresses kaye, terry and jean at all hours. Instead, we've shifted it to the living room - with the permission of samuel french.

But the intimacy and the pre-bedtime talk is much harder to play now. The actors seem disconnected as a result and well, I am just hoping I can clarify their objectives so they can really connect.

Of particular concern is terry's speech about how she always wanted to be an actress and how her mom was one but gave it up to be a wife and mom. There's all this backstory - and it is all about how terrified she is of failing: failing her mom's dream for her, failing as an actress. It seems very playable - and certainly a sense of frenzy seems to help.

How kaye's response works is also challenging. It clearly brings her down that she is hearing terry, the best actress in the house, talk about failure. She then exposes the truth about her husband having previously not let on to anyone about her own backstory. Playable, but challenging.

Anyway, we'll have another crack at it tomorrow. I just want to make sure its more than just wordiness and actually two people have needs from each other.

palin webathon

from my friend Kathryn:

Dear Friends,

I am an actress and new media producer working on a unique online project in protest of Sarah Palin's nomination for Vice President of the United States.

Inspired by a letter that has become an internet sensation (you can find Lyra and Quinn's letter on our site, http://womenrespondtopalin.com) I am producing an 8 hour Webathon, a LIVE streamed reading of some of the over 170,00 responses to this letter that have been submitted by woman from all over America. This is a very simple project that I believe has the capacity to become a major internet event. I am looking for 40 or 50 actresses who are very diverse, physically and vocally, and who might resemble the very women who are currently on the fence regarding their support for Sarah Palin.

This is a complete grass roots efforts so unfortunately there is no pay involved, only the chance to have a positive and creative effect on this years election.

Our event is being held on October 30th, in NYC, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m..

If you are interested in participating I wonder if you could forward me your headshot and contact info including the state you are originally from. Because I'm an actress too, I want you to know that I am not judging you or making any decisions based on your resume. If you are a recommendation of Hal's that is more than good enough for me. We are looking for a very diverse "cast" and that is the only element that will go into the decision making process.

Also, if you naturally speak with an accent that would not be identified as standard american, could you please let me know.

Thank you so much for your time and attention.

I so look forward to hearing from you.

Very Truly Yours

Kathryn Velvel Jones