Friday, December 31, 2010

Young Playwrights' Theater 15th Anniversary

The year is winding down and as the new year approaches, there is always the need to meet deadlines of all kinds: big projects at work, getting gifts for family and friends, figuring out what to do on New Year's Eve... This year, I have been taking time to help out a local non-profit group, Young Playwrights' Theater, meet their goal of $50,000 for their 2011 programming. I've been working in the capacity of an actor with YPT for the past year and just recently became a community ambassador for them, which has allowed me a bit more interaction with the supporters who make YPT possible.



If you already know of this group, then you know of the great work they do and the skills and confidence they provide young people in the DC-metro area and know that any amount you give can help! If you don't already know about this group, YPT is an organization that sends teaching artists to run during and after school playwrighting programs for students in DC, Maryland and Virginia. As the students progress through the course, they learn about all the elements of a play and then spend time writing their own plays which go through a series of drafts and are read and performed by professional actors right in the classroom. Every student has the opportunity to submit their play for consideration to be chosen to be performed at local professional theatres such as the Kennedy Center and the GALA Hispanic Theatre.

YPT is truly an amazing program and one that continues to require support and funding to thrive. I hope you will consider giving a tax-deductible donation today!

-Vaness
www.vanessastrickland.net

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

First Dracula Review!

Our first review of Dracula at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre is out!



By Roy Meachum of The Tentacle:
"Much more high-camp than scary, “Dracula” weighs in as the best production I’ve ever seen in Maryland Ensemble Theatre history, stretching back for nigh onto 13 years."

You can read the entire article here.

We run for 3 more weekends and sold out this opening weekend, so make your reservations and come on out to see us! We have a special 11pm show on Saturday, October 30th, so if you'd like to get particularly creeped out late at night (and in costume!), please do join us!

**PLEASE NOTE THE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28th SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED**

October 29 & 30 @ 8pm
October 30 @ 11pm
October 31 @ 8pm
November 4, 5 & 6 @ 8pm
November 7 @ 2pm & 7pm
November 11, 12 & 13 @ 8pm

TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE! or call the Box Office: 301-694-4744, press '1'


Tickets: Adults ($23.50), Students/Seniors ($20.50), Thursday & Sunday Evenings (All seats $16.50). Ticket price includes a $1.50 handling charge.

No Refunds- Exchanges Only!

Please do not order tickets online after 4pm on the day of the performance you wish to attend.

All shows take place at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick, MD - http://www.marylandensemble.org

Street parking is available or, you can make a left onto South Court St. and enter the parking garage. After 5pm, parking there is only $1 (exact change (coin or bill) required). Credit cards also accepted at parking machines.

-Vanessa
www.vanessastrickland.net

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Steven Dietz's "Dracula" - This ain't "Twlight"...

"I want your fear. For your fear, like a current, rushes through your body. Your fear makes your heart pound, it renders your veins rich and full."

Rich with both humor and horror, this new adaptation restores the suspense and seduction of Bram Stoker's classic novel. As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they try to piece together the clues of his appearances.


Earlier this month, we had a very successful night out on the town in Frederick for First Saturday. People were very receptive and seemed to enjoy playing along with Miss Mina and Dracula himself. Opening night is fast approaching and I'm looking forward to experimenting with effects, props, and the set for the upcoming tech week.

We've a strong cast and I'm eager to see what kind of audience reaction we'll get; particularly for some of the more gruesome moments of the show! ;)



DRACULA by Steven Dietz
Directed by Tad Janes


PERFORMANCES:
October 22 @ 8pm [Preview]
October 23, 28, 29 & 30 @ 8pm
October 30 @ 11pm
October 31 @ 8pm
November 4, 5 & 6 @ 8pm
November 7 @ 2pm & 7pm
November 11, 12 & 13 @ 8pm

TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW!
Tickets: Adults ($23.50), Students/Seniors ($20.50), "First Friday" (All Seats $5 on 10/22 ONLY*), Thursday & Sunday Evenings (All seats $16.50). Ticket price includes a $1.50 handling charge.

*$5 Preview tickets are only available at the box office one hour before the performance and are CASH ONLY!
No Refunds- Exchanges Only!

Please do not order tickets online after 4pm on the day of the performance you wish to attend.

All shows take place at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick, MD - http://www.marylandensemble.org

Street parking is available or, you can make a left onto South Court St. and enter the parking garage. After 5pm, parking there is only $1 (exact change (coin or bill) required). Credit cards also accepted at parking machines.

I hope to see you there! Please do stick around afterwards if you can and I'll be sure to come out and say hello. :)

-Vanessa
www.vanessastrickland.net

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Falling into place(s)

My... been awhile!

This past labor day weekend the Kennedy Center is hosted its annual Page-to-Stage Festival. I had the opportunity to perform in The Inkwell Theatre's reading of "Darwin's Cousin" by Christin Seims.



From the Inkwell press release:

"Layne is given everything she thought she ever wanted after in-vitro fertilization. But with that wish fulfilled comes a horrible choice...to choose among five unborn babies...to decide who is weak, who is strong, who will be happy, who will be miserable...to choose who will survive."

The readings went extremely well, and we performed to a standing-room-only crowd! I had no idea what to expect in terms of attendance and I was really blown away. Thanks to all those who came out to support these plays and playwrights!

Despite the long time away, I've been busy as usual. I took some time off in July and August to travel; first to Canada and then Chicago. In between those trips I've been working, wrapping up illustrations for the children's book being released by Jo Ann McKinney of Greater Homewood, and auditioning around the area.



The first two weekends of August I worked as an assistant makeup artist for The Mystery Workshop's new short: "The Pickman Incident." We shot in Baltimore and are looking forward to a release soon. Check out the Mystery Workshop's website for further news, updates, and upcoming cast interviews.

You can also follow their updates on twitter @mysteryworkshop.

Rehearsals begin for Dracula at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre tomorrow night! I'm quite excited, and to kick things off, the table reading starts with a potluck dinner. Better not bring any garlic bread...

ZING!

-Vanessa
www.vanessastrickland.net

Friday, June 11, 2010

Baltimore 48HFP, adaptations and interpretation


48 Hour Filmmaker: Baltimore 2010


Wow... I can't believe it's been over a month since I last posted. Certainly I've been busy, but I always like to regroup and fill people in on what I've been doing between updates.

I'm re-joining Running Storm Productions again to perform in their 48HFP that shoots this weekend! Dean first cast me as the lead in his short for the inaugural 29 Days Later Project, which he also co-founded. I then worked with him again on the "Crash the Superbowl" Doritos Commercial Contest which we shot in fall 2010. I'm excited to see everyone again and work together on what's sure to be a fun project all around.

Our screening will be on Tuesday, June 22nd at 7:30pm
at the Charles Theatre
1711 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD
we are Running Storm Productions in Group A
Admission is only $9
http://www.thecharles.com/
Tickets should be available via the Charles Theatre website probably starting next week.

Later this month I'm meeting with Charles Martin Kline of The Mystery Workshop to discuss my involvement with a horror film he's working on this summer. My involvement would include assisting with makeup and special effects as well as possibly doing some puppeteering on certain effects and monsters in the film! All details should be hammered out for the end of the month so I'll have a better idea of what to expect, but man... I have to say I've always been a huge fan of horror effects (particularly animatronics and stop-motion effects featured in so many early 80s horror films), so this project should be pretty cool to be involved in!

I've hit up a few different auditions this month and last, and I'm in the running for a creepy-evil ghost role in a short called "The Dark," so we'll see what comes of that. Otherwise, I did Stonehenge this past Sunday and had the opportunity to audition for the Maryland Ensemble Theatre's mainstage season, which consists of an adaptation of "A Clockwork Orange," which I am utterly speechless over. I will be seeing it regardless! I read the book and watched the movie endlessly when I was in high school, so I'm really interested to see it interpreted onstage.



In addition to attending the MET's auditions, I have been looking over lines for their steampunk adaptation of "The Canterbury Tales," for a potential fall tour of the show. I saw the production earlier this spring and was approached by writer-adapter Reiner Prochaska to perform in it. Again, an exciting opportunity to work on a very cool, stylized vision. This is the kind of work I really am drawn to.

With all these adaptations I've heard of/seen in the past few months, I've been kicking around an adaptation idea in my brain a bit and perhaps with a few more conversations and planning, I may be interested in putting up a production for next summer's Capital Fringe Fest. It's just an iron in the fire for now, but the past week has got me very seriously considering it as a real possibility.

Uh, so basically, acting is pretty cool! :) 'Til next time,

-Vanessa
www.vanessastrickland.net

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Team Peterwagon & the DC 48HFP


48 Hour Filmmaker: Washington, DC 2010


Our 48 Hour Film Project is currently in post-production and there are three hours left before the competition wraps up! Come check out the fruit of our labor at our screening this week:

Team Peterwagon premiere:
Tues. 5/4/10 at 9:30pm
at AFI Silver Spring Movie Theater
8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20902
Buy Tickets Online

Once you get to the site, click on the "Buy Tickets" button next to our show date/time. In the new window, in the middle column (2. Select a Movie) click on the top link for "48 hour film project."

On the right column (3. Session Times) click on Tuesday May 4, 9:30pm.

Choose the number of tickets and proceed! Double check that you got the correct session: May 4 at 9:30pm
Parking/Directions to AFI Silver

Hope to see you there!

-Vaness.
www.vanessastrickland.net

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Films-a-plenty

I would have to say the title describes this month of April perfectly. I booked two short film jobs through personal references this month: "Yellow Socks/INVICTA" as a makeup artist and "Confession," as a supporting role.
By the end of April, I will have performed in my first 48 hour film project!

Please come out and support us: "Team Peterwagon," by checking out our screening:

Team Peterwagon premiere:
Tues. 5/4/10 at 9:30pm

at AFI Silver Spring Movie Theater
Buy Tickets Online staring Monday, April 26th!
(We are in "Group B")
Parking/Directions

In other news, "Yellow Socks/INVICTUS" was shot April 11, directed by Rob Parrish of Hopper Video and produced by Tom Mallan and featured actor Ian Armstrong.
My job was to show the decay of poor Ian's dead body. Below are a few stills of my makeup work. No worries, there's nothing terribly graphic, but it was interesting for me to do
research on the various stages of decomposition in humans:






all photos by Rob Parrish, 2010


I have yet to see the completed product, but just from the stills it has this feel of Wes Anderson-meets-David Lynch. Creepy-yet-kitschy.
Be sure to check my makeup page in the near future for more stills and concept art.

My next film this month was "Confession," a short written, shot, and directed by Matt Hanlon of Town Center Films. Much of the
story will remain under wraps for now until the short is posted on Town Center Film's website. I'll definitely share a link to the film here as well as soon as I'm able.

-Vanessa.
www.vanessastrickland.net

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Young Playwrights Theater and New Writers Now


Photo by Liz Lynch


Back in February, I had the pleasure of participating in a staged reading of three student-written plays about the theme of gentrification in Columbia Heights. The event, which was part of Young Playwrights Theater's "New Writers Now" series, took place at the GALA Hispanic Theatre to a full audience of adults and students alike. Young Playwrights Theater has quickly become one of my favorite and most admired organizations, as I've had the opportunity to participate not only in their staged readings for the public, but in assisting students in the classroom through performance while their plays are still in the developing stages. I highly encourage anyone who has a love for theatre, or even just a love for education and helping young people speak their minds to contribute to this amazing non-profit organization.

Young Playwrights Theater just posted a video which includes clips of the performances and talkback of that night's event. You can check it out below:



To check out the Washington Post article about the evening's performance, click here.

-Vanessa
www.vanessastrickland.net

Friday, March 12, 2010

"Of Dice and Men" and adventures... and water?



Earlier this week, I completed a poster design for a play titled "Of Dice and Men," written by friend and fellow actor Cameron McNary. The play is having a staged reading at the PAX East convention in Boston, MA on March 27th. Tickets are needed to attend the convention, but the reading itself is free of charge.

The show is "a blisteringly funny and deeply affecting play about a group of 30-something Dungeons & Dragons players, and what happens when one of them enlists to go to Iraq." Cameron created Critical Threat Theatre, a company designed to show "great plays... about geeks." The founders of the company are Cameron McNary, his wife, Maureen McNary, and friend and fellow-producer-actor Tara Garwood, whom some of you may recognize as one of the founders of Molotov Theater.

This past weekend, the Frederick News Post reviewed my current show: "The Amazing Interactive Adventure" at Maryland Ensemble Theatre. If you haven't checked out the show yet, we have three more performances on Saturdays at 2pm: 3/13, 3/27, and 4/3 (no show on March 20th). A blurb about the show is also featured on the Frederick News Posts' "Go and Do" segment.

Coming up this week I'm tech-ing and performing in "Water Water Everywhere," a collaboration between the National Children's Museum and Discovery Theater. I previously worked with the National Children's Museum in summer 2008 for "The Truth About Bunny" at the National Harbor. "Water Water Everywhere" goes up March 18th and 19th at the National Museum of Natural History in the Sant Ocean Hall. There are three shows each day at 10:15am, 11:15am, and 12:15pm.

I'll also be doing makeup for a short film coming up next month. More news about that as it comes up!

Class-wise, I've been continuing my sessions at the Center for Movement Theatre since the end of February with Dody DiSanto's Neutral Mask Comprehensive 2 class. We're getting into some more nitty gritty aspects of Neutral Mask which is making every Tuesday night a pretty exciting time for me. There's nothing quite like coming off a long day of work and being able to "divest yourself" and work freely in movement.

That's about everything for the moment, catch you all next time!

-Vanessa
www.vanessastrickland.net

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Acting amidst Snowmageddon and the 4' of the Snowpocalypse


Clip from a rehearsal for my next show, "The Amazing Interactive Adventure!", video by Allison Lepelletier


Well, seeing as how I'm one of the lucky ones with power and a lot of time on my hands, I thought it'd be worthwhile to write an update!

On January 24th, I performed in a staged reading of "The South Overlook Oaks," a play based on a children's book by John Reardon and adapted for the stage by Young Playwright's Theater teaching artist, Miriam Gonzales and directed by Imagination Stage teacher Matt Ripa. It was held at the Sidwell Friends Middle School Drama Studio thanks to the gracious Tim Reagan. We performed for a full house of adults, children, and even the author, his family, and his neighbors! It was such a great experience and there was much contribution made by the audience (young and old alike) during the talkback.

Afterwards, I had the pleasure of meeting the author and his children-- all of which were characters in the play! I haven't been involved in a performance where I play characters that actually exist in real life or are based on real people since I performed as a Chinese peasant in David Hare's "Fanshen" at UMBC in 2004. I know there's always the need for an actor to create a character that is real for themselves and truthful in every respect, but somehow it rings a much deeper chord within me to be told these characters are actually real people-- let alone MEET these people face to face. It's just different and gives me so much respect and perspective on playing a part than anything else ever could. The fact that you are truly representing someone else and delving into their personality, hopes, fears, strengths, and insecurities. You can only hope that you're doing them justice.



Right now I'm inside staying warm, but really this week I was supposed to be in tech for my next show, "The Amazing Interactive Adventure" at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre. We were scheduled to open this weekend, but opening has been pushed back to next Saturday, Feb. 20th. It's... absolutely for the best, considering we've only had 2 evenings of running the show fully thanks to the snow keeping us from gathering to rehearse. You can catch a clip from one of our pre-snow rehearsals at the top of this entry. We're coaxing the audience to blow some wind into our sails! :)

I've got a few auditions coming up this month and I'm hoping I won't have to do much crazy rescheduling because of the weather, but I've had some time with staying indoors to prep myself, so that's a plus!

Take care everyone,

-Vaness.
http://www.vanessastrickland.net

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Vote for my Dorito-encrusted FACE!

UPDATE! - apparently I was mistaken and a panel of judges have already chosen the top 6 commercials. We didn't make the cut, but you can certainly still watch the commercials by following the links below! Thanks again to those of you who stopped in to check them out. :)

So... those two Doritos commercials I did in fall '09 that I linked up here?

It's time for viewers to actually vote for their favorites! Voting opens today (1/5/10) so please swing by and check out my two commercials and give them your votes. If one of them wins, then our commercial gets featured on the half time show at the Superbowl (and the cast and crew gets a nice chunk of change as well).

"Roommates" features an adorable dog licking Dorito-dust off my face, while the "Chip Fumble" consists of a group of friends tackling each other for the last chip... so take your pick or vote for both!

Here are links that'll lead you directly to my two commercials:
(Please feel free to skip through the flash intro as it will take you directly to the video)

“Roommates:”


http://www.crashthesuperbowl.com/#/video/3209


“Chip Fumble:”


http://www.crashthesuperbowl.com/#/video/3324


Thanks! Further news on the horizon as it comes in!

-Vaness.
http://www.vanessastrickland.net