Grinder's Grumblings

Our open auditions this past Saturday saw over 30 new members added to the Grinder family. Since there’s no membership fee to join our company once you’ve auditioned – congratulations! It’s like the Teamsters, you’re in for life. I earnestly hope that all of our new members enjoy their time with us, and I look forward to making some great theatre with each and every one of you. This newsletter will be delivered monthly to your inbox, packed full of information about the shows, auditions and special events that are happening at Grinder, as well as the occasional bit of lighter fare. Back issues of the newsletter are also available on our website (which would be great if, for example, you’d like to find Chapters 1,2 and 3 of Standby, Mackenzie – they’re in this year’s previous issues). And as I may have mentioned at the auditions, I am a theatre junkie through-and-through. Feel free to get in touch with me anytime if you have a question about anything and everything t...

Our auditions this past Saturday were a lot of fun. I had a great time, met some great people, and was genuinely impressed more than once - that in itself is more than enough to declare it a success. But it has left me oddly drained. Most of Sunday I felt exhausted, irritable and down, as if coming down from the high I was on the day before. Has it really been that long since I've been out of the game? Does the cut-and-thrust affect me so profoundly. It's only in the dawn of the next day that it all becomes clear - the ups and downs are still there, but they aren't as profound as before. Three years ago a great day of auditions could translate into a week of melancholy, and while we're by no means out of the woods yet on this one I am feeling more like my old self sooner. Such is the rollercoaster ride of theatre.

Our open auditions on World Theatre Day have come and gone. It maybe wasn't the largest call we've ever had, nor was it the smallest, but it felt different to me than some of the previous ones we've had. In fact, I don't think I've felt that way about an audition call since our first really big one, back in 2006. That was a day where magic was made, knowingly or not, and the seeds of future successes were sown. Did the same thing happen on Saturday? Jules seems to think so. She's only got one previous experience with this, but she tells me that this time feels better than the last. I think I agree with her, and while I'm careful not to put too much stock into gut feelings (and we've still got a long road ahead of us before we can declare any sort of victory) I do feel, well, good. I sent out the offers last evening and it's now 6:30am and both acceptions and rejections are starting to come in. A lot of people wanting more information - which I guess ...

... see you there! 519-780-7593 grinder@grinderproductions.org

It always seems to be a busy week. There's just so many tasks that stretch out before us on Monday, and so few of them that seem to be done by this point, and so many more that have been added. How do you keep up? I've been wondering a lot about that lately. It seems that no matter how much I do, no matter how hard I work, I never seem to get any further ahead, or so it seems. But upon closer inspection it becomes apparent that something fundamental is going on, and that rather than not seeing the forest for the trees I'm not seeing the trees for the forest. Yes, I am behind schedule in almost every aspect of my life (professional, financial, literary, take your pick). But it turns out I'm a lot less further behind than I used to be. There is less that I have to do in order to be "on top of things" than there was a year or even six months ago. I am closer to being "caught up" than I have ever been. What's more, the things I was worring about a ye...

I thought I'd post a little bit of one of the shows we're doing this summer. This is a selection from The Heart of Eden - a romantic comedy that will be a part of our "Mostly Music Lunch" series. I may be using this as material for the cold read auditions, I may be not - check it out and enjoy! Music begins. The stage is in darkness. The lights begin to rise ever so slowly, revealing the scene. The scene consists of a park bench, a garbage can, streetlamp and a fire hydrant. Large, thick undergrowth forms an impenetrable wall upstage, and two large bushes form an entrance on either side of the stage. As the lights come up it is apparent that someone is lying on the park bench, covered by a newspaper. As the Overture finishes it is replaced by the sounds of the city, intermingled with the sounds of the park. Suddenly, a loud siren goes past. The figure on the bench is startled awake, and frantically tries to pull the newspaper off of her and get up. This is Ed...

There are still a few days left to sign up for the auditions! Call 519-780-7593 or email grinder@grinderproductions.org for more info or to book a time. If you've been sitting on the fence don't delay any longer! I guarantee you'll have a great time with us, so come on down!

Monday. 6:45AM. Writer's block. I read an article on Helium a while back from a guy claiming there's no such thing as writer's block - anyone who says they have writer's block is just a lazy, unimaginative writer. And while I guess if you're a bitter, struggling mid-level hack your ability to always come up with something to write about when others can't might bring you some comfort, but as I've been told this weekend after one of the most philanthropic gestures I've ever made, it's quality, not quantity that counts. But quantity is what the world is all about. Write, write and write some more, we're told - you need a large body of work, a large portfolio, a large season of plays in order to be successful. But don't forget qualilty! Not only do you need a lot of stuff, but it's all got to be the absolute best. Yeah, you have to be the next Stephen King or you might as well go be a schoolteacher or a plumber or a miserable failure because ...

Just some of what we're looking for this summer! Series Play (Dates) Roles Ennotville Library Mainstage Chaucer Uncensored (May 9 th – July 3 rd ) Act 1: The Miller’s Tale John, the cuckolded husband Alison, his pure young wife Nicholas, a young scholar Absolon, the lusty parish clerk Graves, a blacksmith Act 2: The Reeve’s Tale Simkin, a Miller His Wife His grown daughter John, a young scholar Alan, another young scholar (actors may have one role in each act) Godiva’s Children (May 23 rd – July 17 th ) Leslie Godiva, a hard-working single mother in her 40’s Jerome, Leslie’s teenaged son Lola, Leslie’s teenaged daughter Roughing It (June 6 th – July 31 st ) Rowan, a 50-something business exec, mom Athena, her nearly grown-up daughter M...

I've been doing a lot of writing lately. I can tell because I'm getting better at spotting the typo's, but getting worse at correcting them - I guess it pretty well evens out in the end. My Helium star rating is suffering badly enough that I'm in danger of dropping below 75% - not good, despite my prolific work of late. It seems that writing to low-number titles in an attempt to make a quick buck means my writing has to be all the better to compete with the other submissions, and I'm finding more and more of those are written by the all-stars who's work dominates the site. Unlike other writers though I'm not about to start complaining, I'm just going to redouble my efforts and keep on plugging away until I reach my goal of 5 writing stars, the highest accreditation you can get on the site. In addition, I have a few plays for the summer season that still need some work. Yeah, that's taking up a fair amount of time too. And did I mention it's sprin...

Do you know what people in showbiz often call actors? "The Talent." "The Stars." These are not lovingingly bestowed terms of endearment by awestruck techies basking in the glow of celebrity. These are the sarcastic epithets of jaded veterans who've spent years putting up with and dealing with the consequences from actors and their over-inflated egos. I knew a techie who hadn't slept for days who had to give up his bed so an actor could lay down because he wasn't feeling well. I know techs who've fetched lunch for actors over their own mealtimes and been forced to go hungry. I've been asked to book an actor's tee time. This sort of treatment, while certainly wrong, is the exception and not the rule, and I believe most actors have at least a partial understanding of the complimentary nature of their work and those of the technician, and that both are equally integral to making the show a success. So yes, we're looking for actors right now, ...

We're getting a great response so far to our call for new people, but with so many roles to cast I thought I'd go into a bit more detail today about some of the types of people we're looking for, so if you or someone you know are interested in joining us this might provide you with the incentive you need to to jump on board. We're are pleased to offer up: Kids' Auditions: We have a ten-play children's series coming up this summer, so for kids ages 8 to 12 the chances of landing a role are excellent. No experience necessary, just come on out and be ready to have some fun. For those who are interested we're also offering summer day camps in theatre this July and August at the Library as well - information about these camps will be available at the auditions. Lots of spaces still available. General Auditions: These will be held in small groups throughout the afternoon and are open to anyone and everyone ages 13 and up. They will be relaxed, informal sessions ...

... and I'm completely written out - more to come next week!

We need your help! We have a staff member we would like to bring on board this summer who needs a place to stay that is within biking distance of the Ennotville Library and our rehearsal spaces. Would you or someone you know be willing to open your home to a mature, responsible young woman between May and August of this year? Like most other theatres, we can’t afford to pay you in anything but free tickets to the entire season (and of course our utter thanks). Please call 519-780-7593 or email grinder@grinderproductions.org for more info!

Spaces are filling up fast, but there's still plenty of room for you! Please consider joining us, no matter your age or level of experience - we have a lot of fun here at Grinder Productions, and we'd really love to have you join us. Call 519-780-7593 or email grinder@grinderproductions.org for more information or to book your audition time.

Helium as recently started something new - how-to guides. Selected members are invited to join the how-to guide community to write clear, concise instructions on how to do anything and everything, from how to cut, peel and seen an avocado to how to throw a football to yes, How to become and actor or actress . I hope you find it helpful - enjoy!

The first day of rehearsals dawned sunny and clear, another beautiful summer’s day in Sheridan’s Falls. Last summer it would have been the kind of day Mackenzie would have called up Bethany, her best friend, to see if she wanted to head down to the lake for a swim and some boy watching. Sadly though Bethany’s boy watching days were over, as she’d just moved away after school had ended in June to start a new life with her new boyfriend in a big new city. Mackenzie’s boy watching would have to be put on hold for a while too now, and as she walked downtown to the big old stone theatre something told her that she wouldn’t be spending much time enjoying the fabulous weather this particular summer. The theatre was a buzz with the energy of a new play coming to life. Trudy was sitting in the box office, taking phone orders while typing an email and stuffing brochures into envelopes for her latest mailing, furiously gnawing away on her lips as she fretted about whether or not the box offi...

Spaces are filling up fast, folks - reserve your time today! Call 519-780-7593 or email grinder@grinderproductions.org. We have a lot of fun here at Grinder - we'd love it if you would join us!

Check out the March newsletter here . Full of auditions info, summer camps info, and the latest chapter of Standby, Mackenzie.

Saturday, March 27th is World Theatre Day, a day to celebrate, promote, defend and enjoy live performance across the globe. Grinder Productions is pleased to participate in World Theatre Day by holding open auditions for its 2010 season. “Celebrating World Theatre Day with an open call for actors couldn’t be more appropriate for us,” says Eric Goudie, Grinder’s Creative and Executive Co-Director. “This day is about inclusiveness, it’s about entertainment and it’s about giving a voice to people and stories that must be heard. That’s exactly what we hope to accomplish in our upcoming season.” The auditions will be open to everyone, regardless of age or gender. As is always the case with Grinder Productions no previous acting experience is necessary. There are 32 unique events coming up this season. In addition to five plays at the Ennotville Library and 3 plays at the Belwood Hall the company has added a children’s series, a lunchtime “mostly music” segment and four “after hours” p...

That’s right, we’ve got theatre camps! After many years of waiting for all the chips to fall into the right places 2010 is the year we’re finally able to offer day camps for kids ages 8 to 12 at the Ennotville Summer Theatre. Kids, I designed these camps with you in mind. We want to teach you a few things about theatre of course, but we also want to make sure you have a lot of fun. I remember from when I was back in theatre camp that the best part of it all was getting to perform onstage in an actual show. So that’s why at the end of every week you’ll get to use what you’ve learned by putting on a show, written by and starring your class and you! Our camps this summer are designed with Moms and Dads in mind too. Our instructor will have a valid Police Check and first aid certification, our daily rehearsal venue at the Ennotville Library is a historical treasure nestled in a quiet corner of our community, and for four weeks of instruction we hope you’ll find the cou...

We need your help! We have a staff member we would like to bring on board this summer who needs a place to stay that is within biking distance of the Ennotville Library and our rehearsal spaces. Would you or someone you know be willing to open your home to a mature, responsible young woman between May and August of this year? Like most other theatres, we can’t afford to pay you in anything but free tickets to the entire season (and of course our utter thanks). Please call 519-780-7593 or email grinder@grinderproductions.org for more info!