St. Sebastian Players Monologue Match Up

Last year I had the great opportunity to be part of the St. Sebastian Player's Monologue Match Up, contributing a complete head shot package to be part of the prize pool. This year I have that honor again.

The St. Sebastian Players have been part of the Chicago theater scene for a long time. When I was starting out, I'd see audition notices for their productions -- great scripts that I would have loved to have done, but the group was characterized as a community theater to me. I was a serious acTOR and focused on doing work that would be taken SERIOUSLY, that would build my CAREER, that would make me a STAR! The St. Sebastian Players, my reasoning went, were probably a cute little group that put together little plays in the basement of a church, but they weren't going to be doing any work that was worthy of me.

As an actor I could be an arrogant, superior, self-involved little prick.

So, I contributed my headshot package and agreed to attend last year's competition not really knowing what to expect. The St. Sebastian Players do, indeed, produce in a church basement. But in my illustrious, glamorous acting career I did productions where we would have killed for the luxury of a church basement. And they only perform for a few performances, but truth be told there are many productions of "serious" theater that should not run any longer.

Even before the contest began, what became immediately clear was that the St. Sebastian Players produce theater for no other reason than because they love it. Unlike my retired theatrical ambitions, they aren't trying to prove anything, they aren't striving to be something they are not. They are a group of dedicated artists who love theater and produce scripts that they know their audiences will enjoy. At the end of the day the purpose of theater isn't any grander than that.

I was shocked at how well attended the event was. There were thirty competitors and probably a hundred spectators. The judges represented some of the best and brightest theatrical groups in the city. The talent that presented their monologues represented a wide range of experience, but it was clear that each and everyone of them brought their A game. Years ago there used to be a non-Equity general audition and I had the responsibility of attending for one of the theaters I worked with. The lack of preparation that was tossed up on that stage, for professional consideration, was shocking. And like me, many of those actors would never deign to do a "community theater" production in a church basement. Steven Speilberg would never happen to stop by and discover them there! (And be truthful, you know actors with that attitude.)

Such attitudes are not in evidence at the Monologue Match Up. Any director would tell you that if they could have a general audition with the quality of talent and preparation that is seen at the St. Sebastian Players, they'd feel like they had died and gone to heaven.

On October 27, the competition begins for the sixteenth time and I promise that for any actor it is once of the most artistically inspiring events of the entire theatrical season. The St. Sebastian Players Monologue Match Up is an event that really should not be missed by anyone who considers him or herself a true artist or a real professional. It gives an actor of any experience level the rare opportunity to see how other actors handle monologues in a situation not at all unlike a general audition, and it gives them a taste of what it is like to be an auditor. It's not like an audition class. Here the stakes are real. There's no nuturing teacher to hold your hand. Like a real audition, you're competing, but here you get to watch the competition. Such experience is invaluable to every actor.

Plus, it's just plain fun.

There are a limited number of competition slots, so you should contact The St. Sebastian Players immediately to secure your place in the competition. And if all goes well, you and I may be working together very soon to create the perfect marketing image to springboard your career to the next level.

Jo* and Nicole

Early in the summer I made the decision to begin expanding my business into the wedding market. The wedding photo is an interesting genre, with a whole host of expectations and high-water marks that a photographer is expected to hit. You only get one shot at some of these pictures. In a lot of ways it's like going into a Broadway show as an understudy. You've studied and practiced, and maybe done other shows, but going on as an understudy on Broadway is a whole other animal. You may have never even met the actor who is playing your lover and suddenly you have to convince a thousand people that the man standing opposite you is someone you can't live without. He's going to give you line readings you don't know, his blocking is going to be different from what the stage manager told you -- and he's always going to be right and you're always wrong. And you'll have to go through all of that with a smile on your face.

That's also the life of a wedding photographer.

And not unlike acting, you kind of have to have had a lead role to get a lead role. And make no mistake, the bride maybe getting all the accolades, and taking the final bow, but the photographer is the star of the show at a wedding. It's all about getting the good picture and doing it in such a way that the wedding party and guests aren't even aware.

I spent most of the summer reading book after book on how to prepare for a wedding. I studied countless wedding websites. I talked to recent brides and future brides. I practiced finding interesting angles and working in different light settings. But it was all academic until I had a real wedding to shoot. To get a wedding, you have to have shot a wedding.

So, I sent out the word in my network and almost immediately I heard from a friend, who had a friend, who was getting married. They already had a photographer, but they were interested in having a second. They couldn't pay me, but would I be interested in the experience?

Does a bride wear white?

So, I e-mailed one of the brides and we arranged to meet. Jo* and Nicole are the coolest people I've ever met. I've heard stories about high-strung brides, and with two of them I was a little nervous, but they were very casual. Jo* is a professional stage manager, so we immediately were able to speak the same language. Nicole is a midwife and birthing coach and faces much more stressful situations than a wedding on a daily basis. Of the three of us, I was the nervous one. I can only hope I always work with brides who are as accommodating as Jo* and Nicole.

Basically, they already had the wedding and the wedding shots planned. The first photographer was already engaged. But the guest list had grown and they thought it might not be a bad idea to have a second photographer. The first photographer would do all of the wedding party shots, and I could basically shoot whatever I thought looked interesting.

Who could ask for a better first wedding?

The day was gorgeous. The ceremony took place on a small country acreage under some spreading oak trees and next to a pond. The light was gorgeous and so were both brides. The ceremony and reception were flawless. Lots of family and lots and lots of love. I was able to snap away and make all the mistakes I wanted. It was an invaluable experience. A sampling of some of the non-mistakes is on display at the Archetype website.

Then, this week we got together so that I could give them the disc with the pictures and so I could do a formal portrait. When Nicole and Jo* arrived at the end of a long work day, they had lost none of that newlywed glow, and were as accommodating as could be while I adjusted lights and tried different poses. Studio portraits are second nature to me, and I'm really happy with this one. I like to try to get at least one shot that is timeless and I feel like we did it with this one.

I was so lucky to have Jo* and Nicole for my first wedding couple and the experience prepared me for my second wedding...

Happy Anniversary to Me!

A year ago I sat down with three books and began to try to figure out how to put together a photography business. I had spent the previous month wrestling with the Adobe Creative Suite, teaching myself how to build a website.

And as I was putting this business together on a very limited budget, I was trying to come up with ways to promote Archetype Images that were creative, dynamic, and free.

And one year and one day ago the Archetype Images Blog was born.

This past year has been more successful than I could have imagined. Not only has the quality of work improved immeasurably -- I'd be horrified to show the first headshots I took -- but I feel like I've grown as an artist in many unexpected ways.

If you've been following this blog, you may have noticed that I tend to use the plural pronoun in describing the Archetype events. That's not because there's an enormous Archetype Images staff. Right now, it's just me. But I purposely use the pronoun because I feel like I'm building a community. When I get behind a camera and start taking pictures of people, I feel a bond. I develop a genuine interest in the people I shoot and that's why I periodically send out update requests. I really do want to keep in touch and stay abreast of how careers progress.

And as I expand into the wedding industry, I don't just want to be the "wedding photographer," but I want to be part of the big events in my clients' lives. On one level it's about creating unique, artistic expressions, and on another it's about capturing the emotion of the moment.

I've worked with some amazing people in the past year, and I'm expecting to do some incredible, amazing work in the coming year. Happy Anniversary to me, and to all Archetype Alums.

Congratulations Joseph Jeff Nominees

Production – Play – Large
Around the World in 80 Days, Lookingglass Theatre Company
As You Like It, Writers' Theatre
The Comedy of Errors, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
The Crucible, Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Passion Play: a cycle in three parts, Goodman Theatre
Superior Donuts, Steppenwolf Theatre Company
The Trip to Bountiful, Goodman Theatre

Production - Play – Midsize
Cadillac, Chicago Dramatists
Defiance, Next Theatre Company
Juno and the Paycock, The Artistic Home
The Philadelphia Story, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
Requiem for a Heavyweight, Shattered Globe Theatre
A Steady Rain, Chicago Dramatists
W;t, The Gift Theatre

Production – Musical – Large
Carousel, Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre
La Cage aux Folles, Theatre at the Center
Les Misérables, Marriott Theatre
Passion, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
The Producers, Marriott Theatre
Sweet Charity, Drury Lane Oakbrook

Production – Musical – Midsize
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
Nine, Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago

Production - Revue
Ain't Misbehavin', Goodman Theatre
Campaign Supernova! or How Many Democrats Does It Take to Lose an Election?, The Second City e.t.c.
Ella, Northlight Theatre
The Mistress Cycle, Apple Tree Theatre

Ensemble – sponsored by Actors' Equity Association
Altar Boyz, Alter Boyz Chicago, LLC
Around the World in 80 Days, Lookingglass Theatre Company
Because They Have No Words, Piven Theatre
Campaign Supernova! or How Many Democrats Does It Take to Lose an Election?, The Second City e.t.c.
Funk It Up About Nothin', Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Les Misérables, Marriott Theatre
Nine, Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago
Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler (Old School vs. New School), Black Ensemble Theater

New Work
Yussef El Guindi, Our Enemies: Lively Scenes of Love and Combat, Silk Road Theatre Project
Keith Huff, A Steady Rain, Chicago Dramatists
Bill Jepsen, Cadillac, Chicago Dramatists
Joel Drake Johnson, Four Places, Victory Gardens Theater
Tracy Letts, Superior Donuts, Steppenwolf Theatre Company
GQ and JQ, Funk It Up About Nothin', Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Eric Rosen, Wedding Play, About Face Theatre

New Adaptation
Laura Eason, Around the World in 80 Days, Lookingglass Theatre Company
Ron West, The Comedy of Errors, Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Director - Play
William Brown, As You Like It, Writers' Theatre
Lou Contey, Requiem for a Heavyweight, Shattered Globe Theatre
Barbara Gaines, The Comedy of Errors, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Mark E. Lococo, The Miser, Northlight Theatre
PJ Paparelli, Speech & Debate, American Theater Company
Edward Sobel, Cadillac, Chicago Dramatists
Russ Tutterow, A Steady Rain, Chicago Dramatists

Director - Musical
Jim Corti, Meet Me In St. Louis, Drury Lane Oakbrook
Jim Corti, Sweet Charity, Drury Lane Oakbrook
Gary Griffin, Passion, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Dominic Missimi, Les Misérables, Marriott Theatre
Charles Newell, Carousel, Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre
Marc Robin, The Producers, Marriott Theatre

Director - Revue
Stafford Arima, Alter Boyz, Altar Boyz Chicago, LLC
Jim Carlson, No Country for Old White Men, The Second City
Kurt Johns, The Mistress Cycle, Apple Tree Theatre
Rob Ruggiero, Ella, Northlight Theatre
Chuck Smith, Ain't Misbehavin', Goodman Theatre

Actor in a Principal Role - Play
Jon Michael Hill, Superior Donuts, Steppenwolf Theatre Company
D. J. Howard, Driving Miss Daisy, First Folio Shakespeare Festival
John Judd, Shining City, Goodman Theatre
Nick Sandys, Much Ado About Nothing, First Folio Shakespeare Festival
Randy Steinmeyer, A Steady Rain, Chicago Dramatists
Sean Sullivan, Requiem for a Heavyweight, Shattered Globe Theatre

Actor in a Principal Role - Musical
Larry Adams, Phantom, Theatre at the Center
Guy Adkins, The Producers, Marriott Theatre
John Cudia, Les Misérables, Marriott Theatre
Ross Lehman, The Producers, Marriott Theatre
Jeff Parker, Nine, Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago

Actress in a Principal Role- Play
Karen Aldridge, The Cook, Goodman Theatre
Shannon Cochran, The Lion in Winter, Writers' Theatre
Mary Beth Fisher, The Little Dog Laughed, About Face Theatre
Alexandra Main, W;t, The Gift Theatre
Lois Smith, The Trip to Bountiful, Goodman Theatre
Mary Ann Thebus, Four Places, Victory Gardens Theater

Actress in a Principal Role - Musical
Ana Gasteyer, Passion, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Heidi Kettenring, Little Women, Marriott Theatre
Johanna McKenzie Miller, Phantom, Theatre at the Center
Summer Naomi Smart, Sweet Charity, Drury Lane Oakbrook
Kathy Voytko, Passion, Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Solo Performance
Bradley Armacost, C. S. Lewis on Stage, Provision Theater Company
Thomas J. Cox, Nelson Algren: For Keeps and a Single Day, Lookingglass Theatre Company and the Museum of Contemporary Art
Judith Ivey, The Lady With All The Answers, Northlight Theatre
Michael Joseph Mitchell, Underneath the Lintel, City Lit Theater in association with BoarsHead Theater and CRM Productions, Inc.
Nilaja Sun, No Child... Lookingglass Theatre Company

Actor in a Supporting Role - Play
Joe Dempsey, Wedding Play, About Face Theatre
Kevin Douglas, Around the World in 80 Days, Lookingglass Theatre Company
Kevin McKillip, Jeeves Intervenes, First Folio Shakespeare Theatre
Rob Riley, Cadillac, Chicago Dramatists
Brian Sills, Cymbeline, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Mark Ulrich, Juno and the Paycock, The Artistic Home
Larry Yando, As You Like It, Writers' Theatre

Actor in a Supporting Role - Musical
Richard Todd Adams, Les Misérables, Marriott Theatre
Brandon Dahlquist, Knute Rockne All-American, Theatre at the Center
Rob Lindley, Carousel, Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre
Michael Aaron Lindner, The Producers, Marriott Theatre
Stephen Schellhardt, Little Women, Marriott Theatre

Actress in a Supporting Role - Play
Lesley Bevan, Othello, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Hallie Foote, The Trip to Bountiful, Goodman Theatre
Ora Jones, Carter's Way, Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Polly Noonan, Passion Play: a cycle in three parts, Goodman Theatre
Jacqueline Williams, The Miser, Northlight Theatre

Actress in a Supporting Role - Musical
Marilynn Bogetich, Phantom, Theatre at the Center
Cory Goodrich, Hello, Dolly!, Theatre at the Center
Jessie Mueller, Carousel, Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre
Alene Robertson, The Full Monty, Marriott Theatre
Kathy Voytko, Les Misérables, Marriott Theatre

Actor in a Revue
John Steven Crowley, Ain't Misbehavin', Goodman Theatre
Brian Crum, Alter Boyz, Altar Boyz Chicago, LLC
James Rank, The American Dream Songbook, Next Theatre Company

Actress in a Revue
E. Faye Butler, Ain't Misbehavin', Goodman Theatre
E. Faye Butler, Ella, Northlight Theatre
Laura Grey, Campaign Supernova! or How Many Democrats Does It Take to Lose an Election?, The Second City e.t.c.
Angela Ingersoll, The Mistress Cycle, Apple Tree Theatre
Amber Ruffin, No Country for Old White Men, The Second City

Scenic Design - Large
Brian Sidney Bembridge, The Goodbye Girl, Drury Lane Oakbrook
Brian Sidney Bembridge, Meet Me In St. Louis, Drury Lane Oakbrook
E. David Cosier, The Trip to Bountiful, Goodman Theatre
Allen Moyer, Passion Play: a cycle in three parts, Goodman Theatre
Keith Pitts, The Defiant Muse, Victory Gardens Theater

Scenic Design - Midsize
Kevin Depinet, Cadillac, Chicago Dramatists
Kevin Hagan, Suddenly, Last Summer, Shattered Globe Theatre
Kevin Hagan, Requiem for a Heavyweight, Shattered Globe Theatre
Chelsea Meyers, Juno and the Paycock, The Artistic Home
Jacqueline & Richard Penrod, The Philadelphia Story, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company

Costume Design - Large
Nikki Delhomme, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre at the Center
Ana Kuzmanic, The Comedy of Errors, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Nancy Missimi, The Producers, Marriott Theatre
Nancy Missimi, Les Misérables, Marriott Theatre
Tatjana Radisic, Meet Me in St. Louis, Drury Lane Oakbrook

Costume Design - Midsize
Karen Kawa, Fatboy, A Red Orchid Theatre
Rachel Laritz, The Philadelphia Story, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
Elsa Hiltner, Driving Miss Daisy, First Folio Shakespeare Festival
Cybele Moon, Suddenly, Last Summer, Shattered Globe Theatre
Bill Morey, Nine, Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago

Sound Design - Large
Cecil Averett, Passion Play: a cycle in three parts, Goodman Theatre
Barry G. Funderburg, Carter's Way, Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Andrew Hansen, As You Like It, Writers' Theatre
Joshua Horvath, Around the World in 80 Days, Lookingglass Theatre Company
Andre Pluess, The Turn of the Screw, Writers' Theatre

Sound Design - Midsize
Jack Arky, Because They Have No Words, Piven Theatre
Andre Pluess, Much Ado About Nothing, First Folio Shakespeare Festival
Miles Polaski, White People, The Gift Theatre
Mike Tutaj, Requiem for a Heavyweight, Shattered Globe Theatre
Mike Tutaj, Suddenly, Last Summer, Shattered Globe Theatre

Lighting Design - Large
Lee Keenan, Around the World in 80 Days, Lookingglass Theatre Company
Jesse Klug, Sweet Charity, Drury Lane Oakbrook
J. R. Lederle, The Turn of the Screw, Writers' Theatre
Philip S. Rosenberg, Cymbeline, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Diane Ferry Williams, Les Misérables, Marriott Theatre

Lighting Design - Midsize
Christopher Ash, Wedding Play, About Face Theatre
Mike Durst, Requiem for a Heavyweight, Shattered Globe Theatre
John Horan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
John Horan, W;t, The Gift Theatre
J. R. Lederle, Fiction, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company

Choreography
David H. Bell, Knute Rockne All-American, Theatre at the Center
Christopher Gattelli, Alter Boyz, Altar Boyz Chicago, LLC
Mitzi Hamilton, Sweet Charity, Drury Lane Oakbrook
Rudy Hogenmiller, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre at the Center
Marc Robin, The Producers, Marriott Theatre

Original Incidental Music
Andrew Hansen, As You Like It, Writers' Theatre
Alaric Jans & Lindsay Jones, Cymbeline, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Darrell Leonard, Carter's Way, Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Kevin O'Donnell, Around the World in 80 Days, Lookingglass Theatre Company
David Pavkovic, Nelson Algren: For Keeps and A Single Day, Lookingglass Theatre Company and the Museum of Contemporary Art

Fight Choreography
Kevin Asselin, As You Like It, Writers' Theatre
Robin McFarquhar, Cymbeline, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Nick Sandys, The Defiant Muse, Victory Gardens Theater
Nick Sandys, Requiem for a Heavyweight, Shattered Globe Theatre

Musical Direction
Rob Berman, Passion, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
George Caldwell, Ella, Northlight Theatre
Eugene Dizon, Nine, Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago
Brad Haak, Les Misérables, Marriott Theatre
Doug Peck, Carousel, Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre
Jimmy Tillman, Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler (Old School vs. New School), Black Ensemble Theater

Artistic Specializations
Rupert Bohle, Passion Play: a cycle in three parts, Goodman Theatre
Marty Higginbotham & Bobby Richards, Speech & Debate, American Theater Company
John Musial, Nelson Algren: For Keeps and A Single Day, Lookingglass Theatre Company and the Museum of Contemporary Art
Mike Tutaj, I Do! I Do!, American Theater Company
Mike Tutaj, Our Enemies: Lively Scenes of Love and Combat, Silk Road Theatre Project

...and we're back...

How is it possible that August disappeared so quickly? Although we still have weeks of great weather -- usually the best of the entire year -- I've always felt like when August is done, so is summer.

And with fall, no matter how long it's been since I've sat in a classroom, I always feel like it's time to start getting ready for school. Or revamping audition materials. For me, September 1 has always felt like the real New Year's Day.

And what's more, I've been doing headshots for a full year now! I can hardly believe it. I've worked with some the best and brightest talent in Chicago and we've generated some incredible, fresh images that have landed people work. From the off-Loop, non-Equity theatre scene, to independent films, to modeling agencies, and soon even in London actors and theater companies will be using Archetype Images to tell the entertainment industry who they are.

And for me, this summer has been one of the greatest learning experiences. I've been expanding my skills and started working in the wedding industry. If you thought a tech week was tough, try juggling a couple of weddings and then get back to me.

But the building of the wedding portfolio has begun. I have three scenarios in the can, so to speak, and two more planned. Wedding photos are an entirely different genre from marketing images, but there are definitely some common themes. It's all about telling a story and using all of the components of a still image to convey that story, including color, composition, light and subject. It's a fascinating area and in the coming weeks I look forward to sharing some incredible images I've taken as well as revamping the website to include my wedding packages.

20080-2009 is going to be a great year!