![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thehefnerSo these past few days I've been thinking very hard on how to finally make THE HEFNER MONOLOGUES a reality. A performance reality, specifically.
I have the stories in raw form, but what I need to do is refine the performances, memorize the exact rhythm and flow of the stories as I'd written them, find what works and what doesn't. But how? How the hell am I gonna do this? Come up with a rough show and assemble a "test audience" of Rudes and the like, who can analyze and help refine it? That might be the first step.
From there, it's been suggested strongly that rather than just go straight into a fully-produced one-man-show, that I take some of my shorter stories to various coffee-house joints. Problem is, trying to find appropriate venues. The problem is that there are no ready-to-go opportunities for storytellers. There's stuff for stand-up comics and musicians, but nothing really for what the Hefner Monologues are. There's pretty much only one place for storytellers of my type, but 1.) they have a strict 7-minute time limit, 2.) they demand the stories fit into their ready-made "theme" of the night, and 3.) their schedule for shows ended back in May, according to their website.
Where would Spaulding Gray, Garrison Keillor, and David Sedaris go? What if there isn't a place ready to go? What if I'm gonna have to kinda make one?
Good possibilities for venues that have come my way include College Perk and Jammin' Java... those places I'll probably have to talk to the managers and show off my stuff beforehand in the hopes of getting a gig. "I run longer than most open-mic shows, but let me show you what I've got." That is, when I actually *have* something to show them. Basically, try to make the rounds through coffeehouse joints doing shorter bits of Monologues, like the Court Story or the Drunk Story.
I'm also gonna tinker the Grandfather Monologue to see if I can't get on THIS AMERICAN LIFE on NPR.
And then, at some point after that... do a full-blown HEFNER MONOLOGUES one-man show.
Not quite a game plan. But possibilities.
Anyone with suggestions and advice or who would like to help this dream of mine become a reality (I need a DIRECTOR!), by all means PLEASE do tell me. I'm in this for a longish haul, so if you're free only after A/C or something, I'm still gonna need it.
I have the stories in raw form, but what I need to do is refine the performances, memorize the exact rhythm and flow of the stories as I'd written them, find what works and what doesn't. But how? How the hell am I gonna do this? Come up with a rough show and assemble a "test audience" of Rudes and the like, who can analyze and help refine it? That might be the first step.
From there, it's been suggested strongly that rather than just go straight into a fully-produced one-man-show, that I take some of my shorter stories to various coffee-house joints. Problem is, trying to find appropriate venues. The problem is that there are no ready-to-go opportunities for storytellers. There's stuff for stand-up comics and musicians, but nothing really for what the Hefner Monologues are. There's pretty much only one place for storytellers of my type, but 1.) they have a strict 7-minute time limit, 2.) they demand the stories fit into their ready-made "theme" of the night, and 3.) their schedule for shows ended back in May, according to their website.
Where would Spaulding Gray, Garrison Keillor, and David Sedaris go? What if there isn't a place ready to go? What if I'm gonna have to kinda make one?
Good possibilities for venues that have come my way include College Perk and Jammin' Java... those places I'll probably have to talk to the managers and show off my stuff beforehand in the hopes of getting a gig. "I run longer than most open-mic shows, but let me show you what I've got." That is, when I actually *have* something to show them. Basically, try to make the rounds through coffeehouse joints doing shorter bits of Monologues, like the Court Story or the Drunk Story.
I'm also gonna tinker the Grandfather Monologue to see if I can't get on THIS AMERICAN LIFE on NPR.
And then, at some point after that... do a full-blown HEFNER MONOLOGUES one-man show.
Not quite a game plan. But possibilities.
Anyone with suggestions and advice or who would like to help this dream of mine become a reality (I need a DIRECTOR!), by all means PLEASE do tell me. I'm in this for a longish haul, so if you're free only after A/C or something, I'm still gonna need it.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-07-18 11:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-18 11:16 pm (UTC)I actually have several people who could probably do likewise, but since you're the first to offer, yes, please do!
no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 02:14 am (UTC)Hmmm...
Date: 2006-07-18 11:31 pm (UTC)2) I am a firm beleiver that any space with people in it is a valid space, preferably comfortable, urban, with seats and during lunchtime/afterwork.
3)But if spaces are an issue and you don't have time to do the legwork get an agent or a releiable person to act as an agent to get you the space.
4) C-Town. Head back to where it all began and suck the life out of out professors by setting up a show time and date in fornt of college actors and professors. A good starter audience. Plus Andy's and a lot of the little places around there will let you perform even if you don't get paid.
5) Network. Contact Jason Rubin and Dale and anyone else who has a little pull to see if they know anybody else you might get a hold of to do the show.
6) Kick Try Backstage magazine they have a lot of little venues listed looking for acts.
7) no that's all I got.
8)I was wrong Steve Spotswood put on 3am as his thesis, read it and confer, he will be at Cap Fringe either this weekend or next weekend.
Re: Hmmm...
Date: 2006-07-18 11:58 pm (UTC)Re: Hmmm...
Date: 2006-07-19 12:34 am (UTC)Re: Hmmm...
Date: 2006-07-19 03:43 am (UTC)Re: Hmmm...
Date: 2006-07-19 05:58 am (UTC)Re: Hmmm...
Date: 2006-07-19 03:02 pm (UTC)Re: Hmmm...
Date: 2006-07-19 03:56 am (UTC)Dunno where I'd be able to get my hands on 3AM though. Is it actually comparable to my Hefner Monologues?
Re: Hmmm...
Date: 2006-07-19 05:57 am (UTC)Steve has performed alone onstage before a packed audience. It is worth a go.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 12:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 02:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 03:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 12:10 am (UTC)And I beg you, include non-Rudes in the test audience. Try to include complete strangers, if you can. And not because the Rudes won't be honest. The Rudes already know and get all the in-jokes,the things that wider audiences won't. Theoretically, you'll weed all those out beforehand, but it never hurts.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 03:41 am (UTC)I completely agree on the non-Rudes thing, which is why I'm such a HUGE fan of Paul's suggestion to take it back to Washington College, to the professors there and maybe even the students.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 02:20 am (UTC)The Washington Storyteller's Theatre
For the most part, it's open to anyone. They have open mic on the second tuesday of every non-summer month (it won't be starting up again until sep/oct) with a general theme (religion/family/etc). I've only been twice, but it's straight up all-storytelling a la what you do, with a large, captivated audience. Like I said, they have themes, but I noticed in the past that people only stuck to the themes loosely and still went on to tell what they wanted to tell. It's the most ideal event of its type for your stories that I've been to.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 03:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 11:04 am (UTC)Mark your Calendars
Sept. 12, 2006
Opening Night for our regular
Speakeasy season 06-07!
INTOXICATION:
STORIES ABOUT BEING SWEPT AWAY
no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 03:02 pm (UTC)That particular theme could probably work for the drunk story or something. But generally, even thought Speakeasy is the closest thing to perfect for what's readily available, they also are very strict about time limit and incorporating theme. And that's really not for me, long-winded as I am.
But that night? Yeah, that might well be good. Thankee!
no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 03:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 03:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 05:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 06:00 pm (UTC)