Happy Memorial Day!

My Memorial Day was pretty uneventful. I drove into town with the boys--and we tried to find a restaurant in downtown Glasgow that served food at 3pm.

It was harder than it sounds.

I finally remembered Andy me telling me about a good brunch place called Oasis.
So we went there.

It was probably one of the worst bar/restaurant experiences of my life. The woman working the bar was very displeased with the fact that we wanted to order food at 3:00pm, but she did finally give us menus.. Our choices were hamburger, chicken strips, nachos, buffalo wings, or pizza. At least, that's what the menu said our options were. Stephen ordered the buffalo wings--but they were out.

We then hit up the movie theater downtown. The incredibly remote/abandoned movie theater downtown, that only had two movie theater rooms.. (Flashback to seeing movies in Bowling Green, Ohio's scary mall/movie theater.)

 Here I am in front of the theater(s) with my peppered jerky that I bought at the concession's stand.
(Where am I..)
(Don't answer that. I was being rhetorical.)

 Aaand so--after what seemed like a very long time----we drove to Pamida before realizing it was already closed, due to today being Memorial Day. We left the parking lot, almost getting stuck in a giant puddle (it had been raining all the time), and headed to the local grocery store. ...It continued to rain, and never got over 45 degrees, I bet. So much for SUMMERtime. I anxiously await the day when temperatures finally rise out here.

9am call tomorrow--back to the grindstone.
Blessings,
D

Day Off!

Today I get to enjoy my first day off since I've been here in MT. We plan to go to Pamida (think Wal-Mart + thrift store + Hobby Lobby) and probably the grocery store.. in town, which is, yes, 15 miles away. And everyone for All Shook Up is finally here. Stephen (playing Chad) put things pretty well this morning:

"I find it strange that they don't even have like.. a coffee shop around here.. Or a gas station.. Or a movie theater.. .."

Opening night went relatively well.
Unfortunately, we only had about 30 people make it out to the theater on Friday (maybe it was more than that. The house is huge.) due to the fact that it's been so COLD AND RAINY HERE. All this week it's been in the 40s. And overcast, for the most part. My phone tells me it's supposed to get up into the 70s by the end of next week.. It better be right.....

We had a sweet after-party after Friday's show. Board members brought finger foods and alcoholic beverages for us to have as we mingled and met everyone who'd braved the wind and the freezing rain to come out to see us in Fort Peck. Here's a shot of "The Odd Couple" with their odd director. (I say that with love of course.) <3 Eric really was a great director. Serious about his work, but not too serious about setting things in stone, which gave me a lot of freedom to do what I wanted and made the rehearsal process really fun.

Saturday night's numbers doubled, and then they doubled again for the Sunday matinee (the house was about 65% full). I've been told that we'll probably get a lot more people as the weeks drag on, and more people here of the show--and it gets warmer--.

There've been a few minor mess-ups but nothing too huge. During Saturday's show I forgot to set the stage for the upcoming scene because I kept thinking about my quick change. Jacob ran over with Annie on the mic saying: "Where's Florence?! Florence out onstage NOW." I couldn't remember why I had to be onstage. Actor's worst nightmare. Or, well, up there with the underwear thing. I've already gone through that one though.

In other news, they've moved a small organ into our house.. took it up from the rehearsal rooms.. .. So now 1 or 2 of the men in the house who think they can play goof around on it until it makes me want to chop their fingers off. Luckily my room's pretty far away from the sitting room downstairs. :)

Rehearsals have started for All Shook Up. I'm playing the same role that MJ (fellow OCU grad) is currently playing in Kansas. Small world. My song sounds like something out of a Baptist Revival--complete with old church ladies, 6 part harmonies, and a high C at the end. This week should be pretty easy for me, with lots of shop time and not much rehearsal time.

I'm off for now. Ta - ta!
Danielle

Cowgirls 'n Angels trailer

Wellp. Made it into mah first official movie trailer! :)
I worked as an extra on this about a year ago (around the time I was doing the all female version of Henry V with Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park). It comes out in select movie theaters tomorrow, so if you go see it, look for me! I'm wearing a cream colored shirt, jeans, and a cowboy hat.

Pause this at 0.08 or 0.09 to see me--I'm the one holding the white horse in the background.


Here's to hoping I get to be in another trailer real soon! <3

Food. Glorious Food.

Ran the show this morning. With food (for the first time).

From left to right that's:

-"Crab salad with curry sauce and a little dash of dill on swedish rye" i.e. tuna on wheat.

-"Brown sandwiches and green sandwiches" i.e. white bread with apple jelly & white bread with mint jelly

-"Old potato chips" i.e. sour cream & onion potato chips that are relatively fresh

-"Not spaghetti. Linguini." i.e. plain, cold linguini. with nothing on it.

And guess which one I get to eat..
....

........

....

Yup. Linguini for one, please.

Then, we had the afternoon off which was pretty awesome.

Check out the view with the Toy Story clouds:

 

And now I'm off to go run the show, again.

Must remember to take my makeup with me.. .. And my script.. ..

Have a good night, my readers!
Sincerely,

Danielle

First drech

Our first dress tech was this morning. Or "drech", as Eric likes to call it.
And then we ran the show again this afternoon.
We'll be running it again tonight, and then at least twice tomorrow and at least once on Thursday.

Lots of costume changes. Lots of running around frantically in heels. (I'm contemplating burning mine after the run of this show is over.)

I hardly even recognize myself.

 

Everyone else in the house seems to have so much energy on our breaks. I had no idea HOW, until I realized that practically everyone else in the cast gets a huge break. They get to sit out in the house for at least half of the show. I don't come in until page 20ish in the script, but then it's literally go-go-GO. I'm constantly on the move: frantically running to the bathroom, yelling at Winslow for calling my husband, cleaning the living room, putting clothes away, hanging up sports trophies, rearranging Trivial Pursuit, putting away baseball gloves and croquet mallets and golf clubs. And that's just the first act. During intermission I get to clean up MORE, pick up a giant air conditioning unit and force it into the UR window, bring out an air purifier and plug THAT in, get out my big heavy suitcase and decorate the living room with doilies and picture frames.. Yeah.. It's a lot.

Nearly all of my costume changes come right after I spend time onstage cleaning or organizing SOMETHING. Florence doesn't stop.

Off to go try to catch a quick nap before our run tonight!

Until next time, my readers!

Danielle

Work. Work. Work.

I painted today.

 

Anddd moved furniture.

Anddd organized the costume shop.

Anddd swept the scene shop.

Anddd painted some more.

Anddd then emptied trash bins.

I'm beat.

Moreso than usual.

I wish I was Equity.

I hope I'm not coming down with something.

Everyone else here seems to be..

I think I just need a full day off.

House-to-work distance.

The Most Chill

It's so interesting to me to see how people change throughout the run of a show--particularly, the actors. Usually, a director will tell you to observe how your character changes, but I like noticing how the extent of being the character during rehearsals seems to offset each actor's normal, everyday life. Florence is incredibly high-strung for the majority of the show. This has led me to, in balance, become a lot more "chill" than my usual self. I seem to want to offset Flo's neuroticism by naturally coming off as more calm and laid back. Winslow on the other hand, has been frantically worrying about her lines. She's become the worrier offstage, since I worry enough for the both of us when we're on (as I should..)

We did a photo shoot the other day to promote the show.
The Bergers ran the camera. Thus far they've bought the entire cast and crew dinner, as well as left us watermelon, firewood, and a volleyball net. <3

 

I look like Bea Arthur.

Until next time, my readers!

-Danielle-

Spoiler Alert

Tried on some costumes today.

And here's my spoiler alert:
We've got two guys in the show playing Hispanics (that look NOTHING like Hispanics) who speak with a Castillian accent. For any of you who may be coming out to see the show, stop reading here.

Their bits are hilarious.

OLIVE: Well, this is really nice . . . I was telling Flo the other day how we met.
MANOLO: Ahh . . . Who ees Flo?
OLIVE: She is.
FLORENCE: I am.
OLIVE: Flo is short for Florence.
JESUS: Noo. She is not too short.
OLIVE: No. Her name is.
JESUS: Her name ees too short?
OLIVE: No. It's like er . . . a nickname. Like my name is Olive. But sometimes they call me Ollie. It's shorter.
JESUS: Ollie ees shorter than Olive?
OLIVE: . . . It's a tricky language.

Alright. I'm off to learn my lines before I collapse tonight.
Until next time my readers!
-Danielle-

Rehearsal Blooper

Doing Neil Simon is rough.

We've all begun to turn delirious.. so it's getting harder to keep a straight face.

Luckily, I'll be offstage when this is delivered.

Technical Difficulties

I apologize that I haven't been keeping up more on here: I've been experiencing some technical difficulties with my computer as of late (on top of being in rehearsal or the shop from 9am to 10pm everyday). The "clicker" button on my computer has gone kaput.. Or at least it had.. before I realized that I could take out the battery pack from underneath my computer, which would bring it back to life.

(I don't really know how my computer's still running at the moment. But we'll see if this no-battery-option works until I can post this entry.)

I got to drive the company truck the other day. We brought a bunch of scrap wood and paint cans to the dump. I had Shy shoot me driving it:

Rehearsals have been going well so far--Wins and I are just overwhelmed by the amount of quick-witty-banter we'll have to throw at each other.. but I'm sure we'll have it in no time. (We're already pretty much memorized for Act 1, and although Act 2's longer, I think we'll be alright. I bet we'll be off book by this weekend.)

I've spent so much time in the shops lately, my arms and hands are sore.
Pulling out staples from 2x4s and 1x4s is NOT fun.

And I've got some GOOD news to report!
I will be returning to Canterbury Summer Theatre this season to play Marcy Park in their 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, along with the "Actress" in Play it Again, Sam who portrays multiple dinner dates for one of the main guys (I think. I have to go research it more.)

For those of you who don't already know, I have a special love in my heart for "Spelling Bee". I saw it with my family when it first came out on Broadway after Jesse Tyler Ferguson left to be on Modern Family, when Barrett Foa took over Coneybear. During the show Foa offered the audience member sitting beside him half of a sandwich that came from who knows where, and to Foa's surprise, the guy took it from him and began eating it. Since then, the "offering half the sandwich" bit has been cut from the show--in case a future audience member were to also take Foa's sandwich, choke on it, and then potentially sue the theater

Spelling Bee's on my list of shows I've always wanted to do, along with Millie (already checked) and Hairspray (sadly, not checked. I always seem to be too tall to get cast.)

Anyways--I'm so glad that I'll be able to see my old friends again! It'll be great to go back to Panini Panini, and Roma's, and McGuinness, and the beach. And I'll definitely have to hit up the "Taste of Michigan City" one more time.

Until next time, my readers.
-Danielle-

First Day

Hello hello!
I've settled in to my new accommodation (casting house near the theater in Fort Peck) quite nicely and thus far my first day has been a success! Did a bit of work in the shop, went grocery shopping, did a radio ad, had our first company meeting (not in that order) and in about half an hour I'll be heading back over to the theater to participate in our FIRST READ THROUGH! :) #excited

Yesterdays twelve hours of traveling was quite tiring.
Ever seen The Proposal? I felt like Sandra Bullock pulling into "Sitka" when my plane finally arrived in Glasgow. This was what I saw, when I landed.

(The woman on the phone there was my ride.)

  

And this was the luggage cart that contained all of the luggage from our plane..... (Yes. The two largest bags are mine.)

 

Our house is quaint, and within walking distance of the theater which is nice. Here I am with my co-actor, Winslow, before we headed out for our first company meeting.

My meals thus far have been unexemplary to say the least. A slice of pizza from the radio station for lunch, and a tuna sandwich with a banana for dinner. I looked like QUITE the college kid as I sat there with my tuna while the older members in the house cooked pork chops and applesauce. Well maybe I'll get a kick for this cooking thing someday. Or maybe not. Maybe I can just find a man who'll cook for me.

Spotted at Osso.

The paparazzi caught us Friday night.

Love these kids.

Note Shaun White on the left. And JT in the middle there.

Talk is cheap.

Ever been in a room and felt like you're not really there, because everything else exists around you without your seeming to interact into it?

My deep thought for the day. I'm channeling Gabe.

Speaking of Gabe: an old (long-time old. not 40s old.) friend of mine will be playing Gabe this summer in the mountains of Colorado somewhere.. Wish I could see that..

Speaking of things you want to see!
Want to see me?! Come drive or fly out to the Glasgow airport and stay with me at the comfortable Fort Peck Hotel, located within easy access to the theater!

Can't see me, but want to let me know you're thinking of me?!
Send me snail mail at:

Fort Peck Summer Theatre

Attn: DANIELLE GENDRON

P.O. Box 331

Fort Peck, MT 59223

Want to send me a package?!

That address is:

Fort Peck Summer Theatre

Attn: DANIELLE GENDRON

201 Missouri

Fort Peck, MT 59223

Clueless as to when the shows are?

ODD COUPLE

Runs from 5/25 to 6/10

ALL SHOOK UP

Runs from 6/15 to 7/1

Now you have no excuse. <3

Alright. I'm off to finalize my packing.

Get ready for my travel entry tomorrow. I'm thinking I may have to include a video in here.

Until next time, my readers.

Danielle

"Those who operate with principles will be respected, but those who operate with a passion for what they do will be infectious."

"Don't leave me!"

Surprise Party

Woof. Got up extra early this morning to plug in this entry.

For those of you who may not already know, I surprised my mother last December with a 50th birthday party that involved many of our close friends, back at our house. (We had the thing a few days before her actual birthday, so she really had no idea.. which was great.) Decorations were brought, I made martinis, it was great.

LAST night.. it was my turn to be the one who was surprised:

My parents gave a beautiful send off party at Osso here in downtown Charlotte. Lots of friends and good food. The venue was amazing (snake skin couches. furry couches. well-cushioned white chairs.) as was the menu. My mom put up a few posterboards with a collage of show photos on a table with a few candles, where the guests could leave cards. Like a shrine. Sort of. :P A colorful, lively one at that.

The manager of the restaurant came up to me at one point and said, "That's just amazing how you can become all those different people!!! You have so many different looks!"
 
Alright. Time to get packin'.
I have much to do and not very much time to do it in.

I'll let you know how my flights turn out tomorrow as I venture out to the ol' West. I'll be getting on three planes to get there (which should give me plenty of downtime to check in.. I think?)

I spoke with one of the company members recently who said something about a bunch of people picking me up from the airport, all at once. That would be fantastic. :)

Until next time, my readers!
Danielle



"Take pride in how far you've come and have faith in how far you can go."

Photoshoot

I had a very successful photoshoot today that I'm quite happy about! (Thought I'd give you all a taste of my work!) The natural lighting served us well today.

In other news, my sister, her boyfriend, and I came to the realization today that we had close to nothing in the refrigerator to cook for "dinner". So we dined on chicken wings, homemade pizzas, and chicken bakes that resembled giant hot pockets.

Which got me to thinking, that I'll begin to start thinking about what I'll be eating while out in Montana. Last summer, my easy-on-the-go diet consisted mainly of tuna, pb&j's, oatmeal, and leftover pizza. (I keep telling myself I'll marry a cook someday and all this mania will sort itself out.)

So. Tomorrow I shall begin the long and arduous task of packing up my life. Fortunately for me I've become accustomed to the tradition, and should be able to get everything into my giant blue suitcase relatively quickly. "Cold" clothes.. "Warm" clothes.. Dance shoes.. Headshots.. Scripts.. Umbrella.. 

Yeah. ... I've got this..

Until next time, my readers!

And just remember: even though some of you may not be flying across the US this summer---“the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” 

               

Gearing Up.

Ah, yes. The day has finally arrived.

Having recently graduated with my Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting from Oklahoma City University, I am now well on my way to the real world--and all that that entails.

For those of you who're reading my words for the first time, hello and welcome! I hope that something in here inspires you to go out and do what you love, despite how difficult or out of reach it appears to be.

Last summer I had the privilege of working with a great company of people at Canterbury Summer Theatre (the link to that blog can be found here)--I kept updates on the shows, posted articles, and included a few video links. And now: for the first major chunk of this summer, I will be a member of FPST in Glasgow, Montana!! My immensely long flight leaves in 4 days. ;)

I forget how many people the house can sit. I've heard 1200.. I've heard "over 850.."

But. We have a balcony. Which I'm pretty excited about.

 

I'm on their company bio page if you want to check it out!! :)

Feel free to check in every now and again to hear how I'm doing! If you have any questions, or requests, let me know!

"Life is short. Waste it wisely."

Danielle