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Latest News

Your Weekend Buzz (5/23/13)

Student Shows, Updates | by Black Box Acting

May 23, 2013

Student Shows, Updates

Here it is…Your Weekend Buzz!

Your weekly source for what to do, where to go, and who to sleep with.


WHAT TO DO?

Don’t Blame Us in September
STUDIO classes are filling up fast for the Summer Session. Remember, this is the last chance to take class before the Fall.  
More info: http://blackboxacting.com/studio/ 

 


WHO TO SEE?

You Got a Little Something On Your Shirt
It could just be Smudge, featuring studly Black Boxer, Scott Allen Luke. Industry performance on Monday, June 17. Mention “industry” at the box office to get a $10 discount. Runs 5/25-6/23. More info: click here

Like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (you know who’s Grumpy)
Alright, Snow White might not be involved, but GRIMMFEST does have seven fantastical Black Boxers in it: Elizabeth Birnkrant, Kate Cornelius-Schecter, Andrew Cutler, Eleanor Davis, Amanda Fink, Patrick Gannon and Fred Schmidt-Arenales. Use code FFTIND for $10 industry tickets any night. Runs 5/23-6/1. More info: click here

Can You Lear What I Lear?
If you thought that was funny, you might be a Fool. As in the Fool from King Lear. Check out Lear at Red Tape, featuring BB Student, Johnard Washington. Runs 5/9-6/23. More info: click here

My Milkshake Gets John the Baptist’s Head Cut Off
That’s not a Weird Al song. That’s a preview of what happens in Salome by Mechanical Advantage with spicy Black Boxer, Ellenor Riley-Condit. Runs 5/23-5/26. Online tickets are only $10. More info: click here  

That Woman is a Thief!  
Lovely Black Boxer Moira Begale can be seen in Strange Loop Theatre’s all female cast of The Robbers now playing through 5/26.
More Info: click here or call 773-757-6689

If You Saw Run #1216, You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet
Enjoy the always wonderful, Mandy Walsh, in Factory Theatre’s Incident on Run #1217. Staying on the track through 6/1. More info: click here

 


WHO TO KNOW?

Two Guys, a Girl and an Acting Place
If you haven’t had a chance to meet Black Box’s newest instructors, Ashley Neal, Jake Carr and Andrew Cutler, check out the video below: 

Alright…that’s all for this week!

Click here to submit for next week’s edition or email [email protected]

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What’s So Funny? by Conor Woods

Inside the Box | by Conor

May 22, 2013

Inside the Box

Humor is subjective. We all know that.

There are very few things that are universally funny. A fart in church, perhaps. But other than that, everyone probably has a different definition for what qualifies as humorous.

I, for one, enjoy dark humor. Take for example this piece of artwork from the Wikipedia page for “Black Comedy”:

Now, there are many people (specfically, my mother) who would not find this funny at all. Sure, I could explain to her that the image is an ironic juxtaposition of a popular children’s game with the morbidity of falling off a building. However, I don’t know if I could necessarily convince her that it’s worth laughing at.

So where does that leave us as actors?

We are raised from an early age to think that theatre is divided into two halves: comedy and tragedy. I blame Shakespeare. Well, not Shakespeare himself, but rather the scholars who decided to classify his and other classical works into specific categories. Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy! Oedipus Rex is a tragedy! And while these labels originally had nothing to do with whether a piece of theatre was funny, these distinctions have become distorted over time.

Today, we assume that a comedy makes us laugh and a tragedy makes us cry. When I’m in a “comedy”, I feel a certain obligation to make people laugh. There is no greater frustration than when a funny line gets no laughs. As an actor, it can make you feel guilty. Inevitably, this desire to get the big laugh can consume your entire performance. The success or failure of each night hinges on whether the audience laughed at the delivery of your witty quip. It’s exhausting.

Maybe we should remind ourselves that plays aren’t naturally comedies or tragedies. Dramas can make you laugh. Comedies can make you cry. In reality, plays are merely stories. How they are received depends less on the actors than the audience. It’s all subjective.

So perhaps, as actors, we should focus less on whether the audience is laughing and instead focus on our main task: to live honestly through imaginary circumstances.

After all, you can’t control what other people find funny.

 

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Meet Black Box’s Newest Instructors!

Updates | by Black Box Acting

May 17, 2013

Updates

Give a big welcome to the newest members of the Black Box Team:

Andrew Cutler, Jake Carr and Ashley Neal  

We’re extremely excited to have these three talented instructors joining us. Check out the video below to learn a little more about Ashley, Jake and Andrew!

 

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Your Weekend Buzz

Student Shows, Updates | by Black Box Acting

May 16, 2013

Student Shows, Updates

Here it is…Your Weekend Buzz!

Your weekly source for what to do, where to go, and who to sleep with.


WHAT TO DO?

Stu-Stu-Studio
That Phil Collins reference might be lost on some people. A message that shouldn’t get lost on anyone is that STUDIO classes are filling up for the Summer Session.
More info: http://blackboxacting.com/studio/

Free is Always Good
Black Boxer, Joy Valdez-Pappas, has hooked us up with free tickets to The Green Festival this weekend. Enjoy the entire Green Festival FOR FREE by using the special code “GREENSALSA”! Then go watch Joy do some improv with Los Improviachis! More info: click here

 

WHO TO SEE?

Not 1, Not 2, Not 3…But 8 Black Boxers!
Go see: First Floor Theater presents GRIMMFEST starring Black Boxers – Elizabeth Birnkrant, Kate Cornelius-Schecter, Andrew Cutler, Eleanor Davis, David Federman, Amanda Fink, Patrick Gannon, Fred Schmidt-Arenales. Use code FFTIND for $10 industry tickets any night. Runs May 23 to June 1. More info: click here

Your Lear Fell Off
It’s King Lear. But there’s no King Lear. Sound interesting? Check out Lear at Red Tape, featuring BB Student, Johnard Washington. Runs 5/9-6/23. More info: click here

She’ll Just Cut Your Head Off
That’s what’ll happen if you don’t see Salome by Mechanical Advantage with Black Boxer, Ellenor Riley-Condit. Runs 5/23-5/26. Online tickets are only $10. More info: click here  

Like 12 Angry Men in a Brutal Prison
That’s one way of describing The Brig. Featuring studly Black Boxers, Eric Lindahl and Conor McNamara. 
Runs through 5/23. More info: click here 

Who Rob the World? Girls.
Lovely Black Boxer Moira Begale can be seen in Strange Loop Theatre’s all female cast of The Robbers now playing through 5/26.
More Info: click here or call 773-757-6689

Runaway Train Never Comin’ Back
Mandy Walsh, a wonderful Black Boxer, can be seen in Factory Theatre’s Incident on Run #1217. Catch the train by 6/1. More info: click here

 

 

Alright…that’s all for this week!

Click here to submit for next week’s edition or email [email protected]

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First, I’d like to thank… by Sarah-Jayne Ashenhurst

Inside the Box | by Sarah-Jayne

May 15, 2013

Inside the Box

Have you ever tried to explain to someone why you’re an actor? Let me go on record as saying I would not recommend it. Maybe you’ve had better luck, but for me it usually goes something like this:

“I’m an actor,” I say.

“Oh, neat!  So do you want to be on broadway?”  they ask, with honest enthusiasm.

“No,” I answer, all self-righteous, “Through my work as a perpetual acting student and infrequent fixture on the Chicago theater scene, I hope to impact social change and challenge the status quo in a way that is at once unconventional and subversive yet deeply meaningful.”

“Oh,” they say, deflated, “That sounds…fun.”

“Well it’s not really a job that’s just for fun, you know, it’s…oh, you’re leaving, ok, well, talk to you later then, I guess.”

It’s painful.  For everyone involved.  I try to give myself little pep talks here and there, reminding myself that I have to own my work, and that means taking seriously the reasons behind why I do it. But what I always end up asking myself is, “Why does this sound like such a bummer?”

I think it’s incredibly important to have a point of view as an artist, to know why you do what you do and to own that 100%.  But as we know from our work onstage, we can’t get so precious about it.  As Black Box is wont to remind us, we are not curing cancer here.  And you know what?  Yes, Aunt Esther, being on Broadway would be really neat! In fact, it would be so neat that I’ve spent plenty of nights imagining what my Broadway debut would look like, sound like, feel like and fucking taste like, and shouldn’t I have to own that just as much as my deeply held belief that a play should affect people in more ways than the ticket price?

This feeling that I have to be deadly serious about my work because other people don’t take it seriously, can very easily bleed into a preciousness that makes me feel gross.  And because I let it happen in my life, it happens in my work, too. When I’m onstage experiencing the crap out of my circumstances, meticulously executing my activity, and honestly feeling the very profound emotions that come along with plotting how best to stab my cheating fiance in the face with my dead father’s swiss army knife, and my partner waltzes in soaking wet and laughing hysterically, I will dig in and refuse to see that behavior.  I am going through something here, ok?!?

This patent refusal to live fully through all of our experiences, not just the ones that make us look the best and smartest and most unique, is the death of our art. We have to fight against it.  That means being able to let go of our planning, our preparation, our hopes and expectations when the time is right and trusting that we will not throw the baby out with the bathwater.  The work we do, and the reasons we do it, live in us no matter what.  We have to be able to acknowledge every facet of our experiences, and be brave enough to respond truthfully.

So here it is, ok?  I am Sarah-Jayne.  I’m an actor who believes in the necessity of constantly exploring our understanding of the human condition, who revels in the beauty of watching an artist live truthfully through something onstage, and who grips her hairbrush with white-knuckled fervor as she gives her tearful yet eloquent Tony acceptance speech to the bathroom mirror.

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Your Weekend Buzz

Student Shows, Updates | by Black Box Acting

May 9, 2013

Student Shows, Updates

Here it is…Your Weekend Buzz!

Your weekly source for what to do, where to go, and who to sleep with.


WHAT TO DO?

Get Your Ass to Class
Summer Enrollment has opened at The STUDIO.
More info: http://blackboxacting.com/studio/

Hurry It Up
ACADEMY Applications must be postmarked by tomorrow, Friday, May 10!
More info: http://blackboxacting.com/academy/

Bikes And Gangs? What’s Not To Like?
Black Boxer, Ceda Xiong, co-created a new web series titled Bike Gang and they are looking to cast six actors. So grab your Schwinn and helmet and go audition!
More info: http://bikegangshow.tumblr.com

Where Everybody Knows Your Name
The Ministry of the Flightless Parrot Productions and ACADEMY member Zach Stinnett seek actors for Cheers 1773, a period parody in the style of a Cheers. Auditions are this Sunday, May 12th at Theatre Momentum, 1800 W. Cornelia Ave. from 10:30-5:30.
For an audition slot e-mail headshot and resume to [email protected]


WHO TO SEE?

I’ve Been Promised Male Nudity
That’s word on the street about The Brig. Oh, and that it features two handsome Black Boxers, Eric Lindahl and Conor McNamara. 
Runs through 5/23. More info: click here 

Stop! Thief! She Stole My Heart!
Black Boxer Moira Begale just might when you go see her in Strange Loop Theatre’s all female cast of The Robbers now playing through 5/26.
More Info: click here or call 773-757-6689

Half Price? Just for Me?
Go see ACADEMY Member, Simone Roos, in Lascivious Something. Use the discount code “Blackbox” and get half price any performance .
That’s pretty sexy. More info: click here

Still Has Nothing to Do With Katy Perry
Check out Patrick Mahaney in Teenage Dream at Gorilla Tango.
It’s a parody, it’s rated “R” and it involves Prom. What more do you need to know?
More info: click here

Alright…that’s all for this week!

Click here to submit for next week’s edition or email [email protected]

No Comments →

Old Habits Die Hard by Darci Nalepa

Inside the Box | by Darci

May 8, 2013

Inside the Box

I am a procrastinator. I wait until the last possible minute to complete anything. Even writing this post. When met with the challenge of writing, in particular, I am met by old thoughts that have always kept me from conquering a task in advance rather than waiting until the last possible minute. I feel lesser than, insecure, unintelligent, undeserving and unclear — lots of “un’s”. I feel like I don’t have a right to offer my point of view and that if I do, who would want to hear it? What is my point of view in this moment? What monumental event or advice can I offer my community? These feelings and thoughts result in a paralyzing fear that makes it very hard to breathe…or type.

Black Boxer Tate Geborkoff, a phenomenal writer, gave me the following sage words of advice when I was feeling scared that my writing wouldn’t amount to much. “We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.” -Kent Nerburn

When I read this my shoulders dropped, I exhaled deeply and felt the crease in between my eyebrows release. I need to talk about what I do know, not try and squeeze myself into an idea of how to sound, how to appear to my audience or frankly, how to appear to myself instead of confronting who I really am. Sounds pretty familiar to when I was a student and learning how to release myself of this perfectionism as an artist.

Beauty and perfection lie in their opposites. When I think about artists I respect and admire it’s because they are willing to get ugly and messy to better share a truth and honesty with their audience. When I think of the bravery students show in the classroom it is because they are willing to explore all aspects of themselves, especially the imperfect ones. Audrey Francis likes to say that your imperfections are your money makers, but only if you let them be and I have been resistant.

What I am sharing with you now is not a grand, life-altering moment, but it’s an amazing lesson that I learned from something small. My procrastinations towards writing an Inside the Box made it clear to me that my expectations for myself are unnaturally high. I am so often moved by others and in wanting so badly to do the same in return, I revert back to old habits and lose my sense of self. I set the bar far too high so that I end up defeated before I’ve even begun. And I don’t begin because I stop believing that I am enough. Old habits, man. They keep coming back. And I’m actually thankful of that because it means I always have work to do.

I’m going to explore my imperfections more and find my voice in what is honest and true versus how I wish others would perceive me. And I’m going to try doing this in advance. We’re worth the time and exploration.

 

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INTRODUCING: Your Weekend Buzz!

Student Shows, Updates | by Black Box Acting

May 2, 2013

Student Shows, Updates

Welcome to Black Box’s 1st edition of Your Weekend Buzz!

Your weekly source for what to do, where to go, and who to sleep with.


WHAT TO DO?

Voice-Over Workshop
Sam Buti, one of Black Box’s original students, is offering an amazing Commercial V/O Workshop. The workshop is May 20th.
More info: click here

Get Your Shit Together
ACADEMY Applications must be postmarked by May 10th. Get ‘em in.
More info: http://blackboxacting.com/academy/


WHO TO SEE?

Half-Price Tickets for Half-Clothed People
Go see ACADEMY Member, Simone Roos, in Lascivious Something. Use the discount code “Blackbox” and get half price any performance (except opening on 5/4).
That’s pretty sexy. More info: www.signalensemble.com

Spicy Latin Action
This weekend is your last chance to see Patria Libre. Featuring Black Boxers, Jay Espano and Heather Jencks and directed by Tara Branham (honorary Latina).
Runs through 5/4. More info: click here 

It’s Not a Porno…It’s Not a Katy Perry Song…It’s Better
Check out Patrick Mahaney in Teenage Dream at Gorilla Tango.
It’s a parody, it’s rated “R” and it involves Prom. What more do you need to know?
More info: click here


WHO’S HOT RIGHT NOW?

Delicia “I’m the Mayor” Dunham
Why? Because she won the FourSquare Check-In Contest and earned a free spot in the Hybrid Bootcamp this weekend.
Bummed that you can’t be like Delicia? The next contest might be right around the corner. Keep your eyes open.


Alright…that’s all for this week!

Click here to submit for next week’s edition or email [email protected]

 

No Comments →

Why I’m Here by Conor Woods

Inside the Box | by Conor

May 1, 2013

Inside the Box

Given the fact that I’m now both a teacher and administrator at Black Box, it may surprise you that I spent most of my time as a student ferociously questioning everything Black Box threw my way.

Yep. I was the skeptic. The Doubting Thomas. I was the one in the bar after class grilling my classmates with questions like, “Remember when Audrey said that I had a wall up? Do you think I had a wall up? I don’t think I had a wall up. What’s so bad about having a wall up, anyway?” To which my classmate would reply, “So are we getting the sweet potato fries?”

I questioned everything. What is the point of repeating? Aren’t actors supposed to be entertaining on stage? How does going to the Salvation Army to get supplies for my activity make me a good actor? Why do I have to stay in hyperspeed for seven minutes? If the words don’t matter, why don’t we say different words? And, of course, the mother of all questions: what’s so great about being honest on stage?

Thankfully, I had learned from junior high science that raising your hand three times a class inhibits people’s ability to like you, so I kept most, but not all, of my philosophical questions to myself. And while I had my usual post-class rants, I would eventually come to my senses, think about the notes, do my homework, and trust that Audrey and Laura knew what they were doing.

And I was right to trust them. They did know what they were doing. Gradually, everything started to make more and more sense. Lessons were learned. Examples were given. Connections were made. Before I knew it, not only had all my questions been answered, but I realized that I actually believed in this stuff.

That’s why I’ve stayed with Black Box. It makes sense. And, on top of that, it works.

Am I suggesting that everyone interrogate their teachers for answers? No. Nor am I suggesting that you blindly agree with everything you’re fed.

Instead, I’d like to pass on some wisdom that my grandfather once gave me: “If you’re in a debate, listen to what the other person has to say. They might just change your mind.”

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Fred Schmidt-Arenales in NEW WORK WEEK

Student Shows | by Black Box Acting

April 24, 2013

Student Shows

BLACK BOXER…

Fred Schmidt-Arenales

WHEN

Friday, April 26th, @ 5:30 pm.
Saturday, April 27th, @ 7:00 pm.

WHERE

University of Chicago
Logan Center, rm. 501

TO RESERVE

Tickets are $5, through “New Work Week,” you can get them at the door or through website.

http://ticketsweb.uchicago.edu/shows/new%20work%20week/events

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