Musicians Needed for Rock Opera "Tommy"
Current mood: crazy
Category: Music

Illinois State University Theater (Bloomington/Nromal, IL) is looking for rock musicians for "The Who's Tommy" -- the rock opera by Pete Townsend and Des McAnuff:

Guitar player (electric)
Guitar player (electric and acoustic)
Bass player (electric)
Drummer (full kit)
Percussionist (tympani and various percussion instruments)
Keyboard Player 1 [Matt Richert]
Keyboard Player 2/Conductor [Pete Guither]
Keyboard Player 3
Horn player (preferably French Horn)

Band members do not sing, but we're looking at the band onstage (rock concert feel), so they should be "performers." Own instruments preferred (except Tympani, obviously).

It's going to be a lot of fun, and a lot of work (it's a rock opera, so the entire show is music).

If you're not already heavily familiar with the music, check this out:

www.thelivingcanvas.com/temp/PBWizard.mp3

We plan to have band auditions at the end of this semester. We'll be jumping right in as soon as the Fall semester starts. Performances begin October 5.

Contact Marissa "Rissa" Grandone or Pete Guither if you're interested, or know someone who is.

You can contact me by phone at 217.556.5712 .
-Rissa Grandone

P.S. if anyone intereted in the band is staying here over the summer, let us know. THANKS!

11:14 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

SIUE BATTLE OF THE BANDS 15 BANDS 5 BUCKS!
Current mood: mellow
Category: Music

BATTLE OF THE BANDS SHOW FOR THE SIUE USITT BRANCH

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Date: Saturday January 20, 2007

Location: Dunham Hall Theater on the Southern Illinois University Campus

Time: 5:00pm until Midnight

Cost: $5

Bands:

Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship
Everest

Jinriksha
The Inviting
Our First Summer
Bear Hug Jersey
Broadside Heart
Jaemin Roe
Dead by Tuesday
Jason and the Argonauts
Bridgeford
many many many more!

myspace.com/superfunyeahyeahrocketship
myspace.com/everesttheband
myspace.com/jinriksha
myspace.com/theinviting
myspace.com/ourfirstsummer
myspace.com/bearhugjersey
myspace.com/broadsideheart
myspace.com/jaeminroe
myspace.com/deadbytuesday
myspace.com/jasonandtheargonautsband
myspace.com/bridgeford

Where else can you see 15 amazing local bands under one roof for only 5 bucks? GET YOUR BUTTS THERE!  

3:29 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Female musicians needed!
Current mood: chipper
Category: Music

Dear Artists,

I am currently working on a production of Caryl Churchill's VINEGAR TOM at Illinois State University in Bloomington/Normal. One of my jobs are to help find 3 to 4 talented FEMALE musicians in the surrounding area to play in a 3 to 4 piece all girl band for the show. If you are interested please read the message below to get all the details on this event.   

Email from Deb Alley (Director)

"We are looking for women musicians to perform as a band for an Illinois State School of
Theatre production of Caryl Churchill's VINEGAR TOM. This feminist play
includes 7 songs that comment on the action of the play. There are
words and music already written and included in the text, but these can
be performed in many different styles. I'm open to rap, hip-hop, rock,
grunge, or anything else that's got a bit of bite to it. I'm primarily
interested in guitar, bass, drums, and a lead singer, but am open to
other options. Rehearsals for the band will begin in mid-January.
We'll work around everyone's schedule until we go into techs on March
18. Then we'll need the band every night through April 1. We'd like
to audition musicians on Saturday, January 13 at 7:00pm. If you're interested,
please email Deb Alley at dralley@ilstu.edu."

Thanks,

Deb Alley and Rissa Grandone

7:01 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Who is coming to the film festival with me!?!?
Current mood: excited
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

5th Annual Route 66 Film Festival - Sept. 16-17, 2006 - 1-Sep-2006 The 5th Annual Route 66 Film Festival will be held at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Fourth Street, Springfield, Illinois. Awards will be presented for Audience Favorite Comedy, Drama and Documentary; Best of Fest, and several other categories. Meet filmmakers from Illinois and throughout the country. Buy festival passes ($25) and individual sessions ($5) at the door. Cash or check only.  Saturday Schedule   1:00  Audience Choice Documentaries   For Glory and Gashes Brandon Clayton, Taylorville, IL Rob Miller chases his dream of professional wrestling in Springfield, IL.  20 min.   87 Topaz Bill Kersey, Oro Valley, AZ Kersey remembers his grandfathers life through his love of cars.  8 min.   Do You Want the Elephant Music? Leslie Dektor, Studio City, CA Circus performers describe the joys and challenges of living with their jobs.  17 min.   Illinois Route 66 Steven Puglia, Springfield, IL Sights and history explain why a road has captured the interest of so many.  28 min.   Fat Cake Leslie Dektor, Studio City, CA A South African musician braves apartheid for his art.  25 min.   3:30  Audience Choice Comedies   Jimmys House of Hugs Julia Radochia, Los Angeles, CA Jimmy and his talented staff help women with their hugging needs.  6 min.   Bill & Meriwethers Excellent Adventure Tom Brandau, Moorhead, MN What if Lewis and Clark never left St. Louis in the fall of 1804?  19 min.   Getting Lucky Michael Baez/Stacy Marr, Los Angeles, CA Can a woman searching for true love get lucky with internet dating?  19 min.   Were the Governmentand Youre Not David McElroy, Trussville, AL Satire imagines a government training film to teach good citizenship.  11 min.   Cell Division Tania Raymonde, Los Angeles, CA Lonely girl finds some surprises in her search for one to complete her.  22 min.   Teenage Bikini Vampire Devi Snively, Mishawaka, IN Can a vampire girl find true love with a surfer dude?  7:00 min.   The Clench Expression College for Digital Arts, CA Dinner with boss is complicated by gastric distress and airhead girlfriend.   10 min.   7:30  Thriller and Feature Winners   Team Queen Leah Meyerhoff, Brooklyn, NY Music video features the queer-post-punk band Triple Crème and stars the best of New York burlesque.  4 min.   Under My Skin Best Thriller Vito Lapiccola and Greg Berry  Los Angeles, CA A young actress finds how far she will go to win a coveted role.  26 min.   Troubadours - Best Feature Tom Snyder, Adam Galassi, Tom Galassi Chicago (formerly of Petersburg) Haunted by nightmares and anxiety in the Big City, Art Stone returns to downstate to find the self he lost and discover who he will become.  107 min.   Sunday Schedule   12:00 Noon Audience Choice Dramas   Call Me Sugar Plum Tyrone HuFF, Anaheim, CA A computer nerds dream date turns out to be not so sweet.  11 min.   The Walking Ink Thomas Barndt, Las Vegas, NV A mechanic gains superhuman powers of persuasion after eating a hot pepper.  8 min.   Akaroa Kelsey M. Johnson, Orange, CA Student learns about life and love during summer in New Zealand.  7 min.   aMISS Robert Amico, Van Nuys, CA Young man suffers when his love leaves him.  7 min.   Thick Ben Pierce, Los Angeles Separated from their company, two soldiers must work together to stay alive.  10 min.   Broken Steven Puglia, Springfield, IL Man finds trouble when his car breaks down and mechanic is found dead. 13 min.   A Thousand Words Expression College for Digital Arts, CA A photograph leads to love and loss for young students.  12 min.   2:00 Special Features   Matutinus Dan Hughes, Leicestershire, UK Experimental film features morning rituals in England.  3 min.   Film Camp Paul Jamali & Tim Unger, Springfield, IL Mysterious deaths and a creepy janitor frighten a young girl at film camp. 12 min.   Twitch Leah Meyerhoff, Brooklyn, NY Award-winning drama explores girls rela-tionship with handicapped mother. 10 min   365 Boots on the Ground Kc Wayland, Orange, CA Filmmaker documents his year of deployment in Iraq.  58 min.   4:00 Award Winners   John Doe and the Anti - Best Debut Film Jeremy Rush, Los Angeles, CA Is it their choices or fate that strands two friends in Nowhere, Arizona?  19 min.   Drawings of War: The Testimony of the Children of Uganda Best Documentary Daniel Garcia, Grand Rapids, MI Abducted by the Lords Resistance Army at 15, Grace Akallo after escaping the rebels  serves as a volunteer at a recovery center where she helps other abducted children  reconstruct their experiences through drawings.  33 min.   Elegy of Falling Snow Best Student Film Travis R. Stoll, Chicago A warrior gives up his life of bloodshed to be with the woman he loves, but returns to the blade when he finds her dead.  11 min.   Raven Gets a Life Best Comedy Devi Snively, Mishawaka, IN Diagnosed with depression, a young vam-pire girl seeks solace in prescription drugs, Bela Lugosi and the Grim Reaper.  10 min.   A Cigar at the Beach Best of Fest Stephen Keep Mills, Topanga, CA An approaching storm mirrors the storm inside a man fantasizing as he enjoys a cigar away from his family and responsibilities. 15 min.   Announcement of Audience Favorite Winners and Awards Presentation immediately following the films.     2006 Filmmakers Bios   Robert Amico AMISS Robert is a veteran working actor and a product of the Actors Studio in New York.  He has appeared in many films including 8MM and Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills and has an upcoming supporting role in Henry Jagloms Irene in Time.  He directed the short films Life Imitates Art, which won a Telly Award for directing, and A Peace of Jackie.  This film was written, shot and completed in 48 hours for the Lost Weekend 48 Hour Film Competition.   Michael Baez, Stacy Marr Getting Lucky Michael Baez (director) has worked for the past nine years as a writer, director and producer.  He has produced and directed over 30 TV commercials for Cablevision and Time Warner Cable. He is a member of the Independent Feature Project, the National Association of Latino Independent Producers and a graduate of the New York Film Academy.  Michael is currently preparing to shoot his next feature film, a supernatural thriller called Butterfly in the Fire set in the streets of the Bronx.   Stacy Marr (writer/producer/actress) holds a B.A. in television, radio and film production from Syracuse University and is a member of the Independent Feature Project of Los Angeles and New York.  She has previously worked on Woody Allens Sweet and Lowdown and Neil LaButtes Nurse Betty.  She was the lead actress in the 2004 Audience Favorite at the Route 66 Film Festival, Sallys Dream House.  Her latest project is a feature film A Picture Speaks.   Thomas Barndt The Walking Ink Thomas grew up in Ohio and currently resides in Las Vegas.  He started making short films in 2002 after working for seven years in an unrelated field. He picked up his filmmaking education at various workshops and books.  He writes, directs, shoots, and edits all of his films.  The average crew size is three people.  The actors usually share duties with the crew, and the crew are sometimes asked to act.   Tom Brandau Bill & Meriwethers Excellent Adventure A graduate of The American Film Institute, Los Angeles, Tom has worked as a freelance writer/ director on many regional and national commercial campaigns and spent five years as writer/producer/ director for Fox 45 Television in Baltimore.  His films have won numerous awards and have aired on the Discovery Channel.  He is currently teaching film production at Minnesota State University, Moorhead.   Brandon Clayton For Glory and Gashes Born in Central Illinois, Brandon decided to venture into the world of filmmaking when he was 16.  In 2006, he graduated Magna cum Laude from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale with a degree in Cinema and Photography.  At SIUC, he produced over 11 films and received the Robert Dennis Film-making Award for outstanding cinematography.  This film won the 2006 Best Documentary award at the Little Muddy Film Festival at SIU.   Leslie Dektor Do You Want the Elephant Music? and Fat Cake Leslie began his career as a still photographer in Johannesburg, South Africa, but his desire to move beyond the frozen image prompted a migration to film.  He immigrated to the U.S., directed several documentaries, produced hundreds of TV commer-cials and garnered 12 Directors Guild of America nominations, winning Director of the Year twice.   Expression College for Digital Arts The Clench Unlike Hollywood with its hierarchical structure, students work together and rotate in the positions of director, camera and boom operators, audio mixer, gaffer and production assistant/continuity.  This film was co-written, co-produced, co-directed and co-edited by Jason Key, Matt Cornick, Max Rodriguez, Sam Westra, Nick Heeney, and Adrian Gonzalez.   Expression College for Digital Arts A Thousand Words This digital movie was co-written, co-produced, co-directed and co-edited by the following students:  Adam Ardans (Reno) constantly fighting the battle between his two loves, music and filmmaking; Tiffany Lo (South Pasadena) who is pursuing a career in music; Travis Munn (Oakland, CA) who is happiest when playing the bass; Eric Night Pipe (OKreek, SD) who keeps the great, purple meat-eating jackalope; and Darrin OHara (Santa Rosa, CA) who constantly pursues knowledge in all forms of art.  Joselito Sering, a seasoned multimedia producer, programmer and performer, was the instructor for the students making this film.   Daniel Garcia Drawings of War: Testimony of the Children of Uganda Born in Trujillo, Peru, Daniel obtained his B.A. in linguistics and literature at the Pontific Catholic University of Peru.  He spent several years teaching high school literature and language, working as a creative writer in a local advertising company, and serving as a theatre director and writer for plays performed in local churches and university campuses before earning his M.F.A. from Ohio University in communications and film. His thesis film, a documentary about the lives of minority inmates in the Peruvian prison Lurigancho, received the Student Enhancement Award at Ohio University. He teaches introductory and advanced video production as well as screenwriting at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI. He currently is working on a video installation inspired by the life and writings of Trappist monk Thomas Merton.   Tyrone HuFF Call Me Sugar Plum A native of the bay area, this San Jose, CA filmmaker is currently studying toward an MFA at Dodge College Conservatory of Motion Pictures, Chapman University.  While earning his BA in Cinematic Studies at Fresno State University, Tyrone won awards for Best Overall Short Film, Best Drama, and Most Outstanding Dramatic Programming.  He is currently working on pre-production of another short film and plans to begin his first feature after completing the short.   Daniel G. Hughes Matutinus A native of Leicester, England, Daniel had a keen interest in film and television and how its done from an early age.  Being dyslexic, he struggled in school, but gained the qualifications to enroll in Hinckley College where he studied media, music and performing arts.  He decided to take a year off to work at a tortilla factory in Northhamptonshire.  Despite good wages, he grew weary of the job and returned to study media production.  His credits include writing, producing and directing several film and video projects and a TV program The Vicar of ASDA.   Paul Jamali  and Tim Unger Film Camp Paul is a 17-year-old filmmaker from Springfield, Illinois. A senior at Rochester High School, he plans to produce a school video yearbook, never before done at RHS.  He wants to one day work for a studio or maybe MTV. Paul works as a digital imaging specialist at an electronics/media store and at a local movie theater. Paul and Tim of Mundelein, IL met at "Adventures in Filmmaking" hosted by Western Illinois University. Thus Film Camp was born during the five days ofyou  guessed itfilm camp.   Kelsey M. Johnson Akaroa A native of Danbury, Connecticut, Kelsey developed an interest in films as an undergraduate at Florida Atlantic University.  After college, he traveled and lived in New Zealand before entering graduate school at Chapman University in Orange, CA.  Akaroa is based on an experience in the small town in  New Zealand.  Kelsey has worked has worked as producer, writer, editor and director on several short films as a graduate student.   Bill Kersey 87 Topaz Bill is a Tucson filmmaker whose short films have been screened widely at dozens of festivals nationally and internationally.  His credits as director, producer and editor include the award-winning Solace and 87 Topaz, the experimental Permian Flow, and as co-director and co-producer, the comedic favorite Garpenfargle.  In 2005 he received his BFA degree in Media Arts from the University of Arizona.   Vito Lapiccola, Greg Berry Under My Skin  Vito Lapiccola was born and raised in Springfield and studied film, video, and theater at Columbia College in Chicago.  He served for three years as the house manager for the Organic Theater (founded by William H. Macy, Joe Mantegna, and Dennis Franz) before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue a filmmaking career.  Currently employed at Paramount Pictures,  Under My Skin marks his professional directing debut.   Executive Producers Gregory E. Berry and Doug Berry collaborated with Beef Tips on Rice Productions award-winning producers Steve Gelder and Joe Braza to bring the film to life. Screenwriter Tom Sklar-Blake and composer Michael Collins also hail from the central Illinois area. Many of the films investors are also Springfield natives making this film a unique collaboration between Hollywood and the Midwest.   David McElroy Were the Governmentand Youre Not Born in Birmingham, Alabama, David moved all over the South as a child.  He studied journalism and political science at the University of Alabama and became a newspaper journalist before getting into politics.  He is currently a political consultant based in Birmingham.  "We're the Government and You're Not" is his first film.   A sucker for homeless animals, he lives alone with more cats and dogs than he's willing to publicly admit to.   Leah Meyerhoff Team Queen and Twitch Leah is a graduate film student at NYUs Tisch School of the Arts and is currently featured on the Independent Film Channels popular series Film School.  Her films have screened at over 50 film festivals, garnering a half-dozen First Place awards.  She was recently nominated for a Student Academy Award.  Her films have screened at Cannes, Slamdance, and the Chicago International Film Festivals and she is currently working on her first feature.   Stephen Keep Mills A Cigar at the Beach  A graduate of the Yale School of Drama in 1969, Stephen began his professional life as an actor with The Guthrie Theatre Co. and performed with many leading regional theatre companies in the US and Canada, appeared in three Broadway productions, and worked on new plays at the Public Theatre in NYC in the time of Joe Papp. Much of his TV and film work can be found on IMDb by searching for Stephen Keep.  Mills began writing, directing, and producing his own plays in 1985, and in 2003, turned one of them, Hotel Lobby, into a digital feature. He is making his debut as a film director with A Cigar at the Beach which has, since January, been officially selected into 54 festivals in the US, Canada, UK, Italy, Greece, Denmark, and South Africa. Cigar has  garnered 15 awards in the Best Of categories for Narrative Short and Cinematography. Mills lives in Topanga, California. He is married with children.   Ben Pierce Thick Ben was born in San Francisco and moved to Southern California at age 19 to pursue a career as a pilot.  After completing his required hours, he decided to try his luck in show business.  This is his first festival short. Steven Puglia Illinois Route 66 and Broken Steven received his degree in film from Montana State University, Bozeman.  He has worked on productions of VH1-Behind the Hits, Legally Blonde II, and Ocean's 12.  Steven resides in Springfield, Illinois, where he is director of media productions at Great Plains Advertising. He presents two original productions:  a documentary study of the sights and characters of Route 66 in Illinois and a drama about a young man who finds himself caught in a murder in a small town.   Julia Radochia Jimmys House of Hugs An Arlington, MA native, Julia moved to Los Angeles in 1998 to pursue an acting career. She had a story idea for a feature film and enrolled at Los Angeles City College to learn enough about filmmaking to write a decent screenplay.  Discovering that she loved making movies, she decided to continue school and won a scholar-ship from Women in Film in 2002.  She has  financed her films by working as a QA analyst/ tester, taking her lunch to work, obsessive bar- gain hunting and sacrificing haircuts and a social life. Her film Sallys Dream House won Audience Favorite in 2004. This is her third year at the Route 66 Film Festival.   Tania Raymonde Cell Division A professional actress since age 11, Tania created a production company at 16 and entered pre-production on Cell Division, her first short, at 17.  Working on an extremely limited budget, she cast actors through Breakdown Services and hired most of her crew under the guise of being a more experienced 25-year-old film student.  She edited the short film on her home computer, her first experience editing a project, and wrapped March 2006, right round her 18th birthday.  Acting credits include recurring roles on LOST and Malcolm in the Middle, guest leads on Medium, The Guardian, and NCIS and upcoming film Chasing 3000 opposite Ray Liotta, Seymour Cassel and Emmet Walsh.   Jeremy Rush John Doe and the Anti Jeremy found his way into filmmaking via the northern California music industry, first studio engineering and then establishing and operating his own recording studio.  After receiving a BA in both Communications and English Literature, Jeremy moved to Japan to pursue a degree in the traditional martial art of Aikido.  Upon his return with a black belt degree, he became an Aikido instructor at the local university.  Eventually persuaded by his passion for visual arts and storytelling, he left to pursue film-making in Los Angeles.  His first film has screened at several festivals and his thesis film will be released next year.   Devi Snively Raven Gets a Life and Teenage Bikini Vampire Devi (pronounced DAY-vee) has worked professionally as a ballerina, Spanish translator, video game writer, newspaper columnist, hair model, book editor, college instructor and documentary filmmaker. Shes been decidedly unprofessional in several other careers.  In her spare time shes written 13 feature-length screenplays and directed 9 short films and a feature-length documentary.  Her work has  placed in such competitions as Slamdance, Austin Heart of Film, Houston Worldfest, Scriptapalooza and Writers Digest to name a few. Her cinematic influences include John Waters, George Romero and Shirley Temple.   Tom Snyder, Tom Galassi & Adam Galassi Troubadours These three filmmakers all attended Porta High School, in Petersburg, IL, but became friends in Chicago.  Tom Galassi performs as a Blue Man with the Blue Man Group.  His brother Adam works on the stage crew for Blue Man.  Tom Snyder is a film graduate of Columbia University in Chicago.  The film was shot in Chicago and Menard and Sangamon counties along the Sangamon River.  The film has been shown at the Show-Me Missouri International Film Festival and the Big Muddy Film Festival.   Travis Stoll Elegy of Falling Snow Travis is a 21-year-old student of the Film/ Video Department of Columbia College, Chicago.  He graduated from Whitney Young High School where I took a Video Production class that really solidified his interest in becoming a filmmaker. His final project of the Production II class was filmed with a Bolex camera on color and black and white Kodak stock during three separate weekends in March and April 2006 and an additional weekend to record sound. It was then transferred to digital and edited at school using Avid Express. The cast including Julia Fung, Michael LaGiglio, and Travis himself also served as crew alongside Brent Goodale and Traviss father, Russ.   Kc Wayland 365 Boots on Ground After developing an interest in acting and film at Orange High School, Kc enrolled in Chapman Universitys Film Program on an academic scholarship in 2001.  In 2002, he enlisted in the US army to assist with college finances and was trained at the Defense Information School in Fort Meade, MD.  He returned to Chapman in 2003 to continue his degree, but was deployed to Iraq soon after.  He spent over a year in Iraq returning to Chapman in 2005.  The documentary about his journey overseas won Best Documentary at Chapman in 2005.  Kc continues to develop short films and screenplays.        All info was taken from: http://www.route66filmfestival.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=39 and from http://www.route66filmfestival.org/DesktopDefault.aspx -Rissa

3:43 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Catching up
Current mood: loved
Category: Life

It's the second week of school here at ISU. But it's my 3rd week living in Normal. Thus far I've moved into my awesome apartment. Ok, its ghetto, but I can style a place and it's looks fab. And speaking of fab, the roommate that I got to go along with the apartment is amazing! (Yay Tiffy!) (Well that was a weird way of saying that. haha)

Anyway, the first week was interesting. I'm taking a lot of classes that teach pretty much the same thing that my classes did at my last school, but since they have one or two different plays that we have to study...I have to take them again. And my professor for lit of theatre (forms) is a lot cooler then the forms one from SIUE...and I don't have to take any more theatre history! YAY! And I hate stagecraft. It's boring! But Chad is awesome! In fact, all the professors/ Dr.'s here are awesome.

I've been making friends, but it's been slow. I'm actually shy at first, and I still feel a bit out of place. I'll come around. And with the people I meet, I see that I am already connected to them from others that I knew in the department before I got here. So at least I have friends in common with them. It's nice. I like to relate to people that way. And sometimes it surprises me how many people I am indirectly connected to.  I'm worse then Kevin Bacon. It usually just takes about two degrees with me. No kidding. I guess that I'm popular, or just good at networking.

Anywho, my first weekend was eventful, and could have been more packed if I went to both concerts and the party (sorry Eric) on Friday, but Lindy came to town...and...well, I only get to see him so often so...I'm happy with my decision. Although, Scott (Pat Boones Farm) called and chewed me out to get to his show. So for Scott, I did stop by for his set. Lucky bastard!  I'm glad that I went. It rocked!

Well, I could tell you guys all that Lindy and I did my first weekend here, but I would like to keep that between him and me. It was just a good weekend, and I can't wait for the next weekend. I will be down at SIUE. Sorry my ISU peeps! Don't worry though because after this weekend I won't be back down until fall break. But then again the following weekend I'm having a "gathering" for a friends birthday. (Aaron, the shit I do for you!)  And the next weekend I will be down in Springfield at the Route 66 Film Fest.  Then the following weekend I hope to be in Chicago, Then the theatre has my ass for the next 3 to 4 weekends with Romeo and Juliet and that's when the theatre kids get me! YAY! Then after that I am busy with building for Othello's Passion: A Kabuki Play. My SIUE theatre peeps know how much this excites me!  And somewhere in those days, weeks, and months, I plan to start booking shows again. I miss it sooooo much. I miss the bands, the fun times, and crazy happenings. I <3 you guys and girls (the few of them that are in bands). 

Well, I guess that's all for now. I hope you enjoyed! 

<3 Rissa     

5:56 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Married to my major.
Current mood: tired
Category: Life

So, I am sitting here in the costume shop wondering if I am the only loser not with their family on Easter. Yep. that's right I am in the theatre washing and ironing and checking in the clothes for "Pirates of Penzance," which opens on Tuesday April 18.  However, I also have a big theatre history paper due on the same day at 9:30 am...unless it is earlier on blackboard where we have to submit the paper as well.  Anyway, these two reasons are why I am not in G-Pie with the family or seeing my G-Pie loves (my friends). See, I opted to stay behind and get the costumes done so that the others can go see their families and so that I do not have to do as much on Monday since if I did I would be at school from 7:30am until midnight that night, and finishing up my paper. Yeah THAT isn't going to happen. But, now I wonder if it is a good idea after all. I mean, I know that I've stood sooo many people up this year due to my major and passion, and I have missed out on a lot...but standing up my family on EASTER! I'm going to hell. :( So, to all those who complain that I don't get to see you and that I am too busy and I work too much...you are right...just don't feel bad, it seems that it doesn't matter who you are because my passion and major are what I am committed to. I am married to my major and it's sad. Okay, the washer just stopped. I gotta get back to work. Have a HAPPY EASTER everyone! *Kisses, hugs, and loves*

XOXO
Rissa

P.S. I will be back in G-Pie on the 7th of May. :) You all can see me then! :) And yes I miss you guys!

11:53 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

The busiest girl you'll meet. (or at least one of)
Current mood: stressed
Category: Life

I feel horrible.  For the past school year I have let more people down due to being busy.  I have hardly been to any shows, and last year I went to one or two a week.  Plus I have only put on one music show this semester.  I have stood more people up then your lame ass ex, and I have broken off more dates then I would like.  I offically suck.  However, it is not due to me liking or not liking the person or people.  I am honestly just that busy.  I am taking so many independent studies and classes and having to make sure that I pass all of them to transfer in the fall.  Then the fact that I am working every single production this semester and I worked two last semester.  And add in my tricky roommate issue (leaving it at that) and you got one fuckin busy and stressed out Rissa.  So basically, this is my blog of apology for being so busy, and to let you all know that I do still care and want to see you!

Sincerely,

Rissa G.     

5:35 PM - 4 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Funny quotes and bloopers from tech week (Hell week) during "The Dispute"
Current mood: bouncy
Category: School, College, Greek

"Cast please restore back  to Whitacre's thing."-Nicole

"Actors touch yoursevles, GO!"-Chuck

"Restore to licking Rachel"-Chuck

"So when are you going to get over this being scared of girls thing?" -Rissa (To Justin Holland)

"Line"-Mayo to Nicole
"Here is where you make out.  There are no lines.  Only action."-Nicole to Mayo

"...full body shaking"-Chuck to Rachel and Phil
"Like me when I am having a seizure"-Rissa to Rachel and Phil

"Have you guys seen Adib's nuts?"
"Adib it was really hard to find your nuts."-Rissa 
"Adib control your nuts!"-Rissa
"How about, YOU control my nuts"-Adib
"Are you STILL eating my nuts?"-Adib
"What you don't like it?"-Rissa
"I can tell you've had practice."-Adib
"Go ahead and release."-Adib (on headset right after nut convo)
"I can't."-Rissa to Adib (ignoring the fact he was on headset)
"They're a good source of fiber"-Roxy to Adib and Rissa (over headset refering to actual nuts)
"I thought they were a good source of protein."-Rissa (refering to the slang version of the word nuts.)
*Rissa looks down at Adib's nuts and sees that they are covered in oil*
"Yuck! Adib your nuts are slimy."-Rissa (Shoving the jar into Adib's face)
"Nuts release oil over time...some get oiler than others."-Adib to Rissa
"HAHAHHAHAH...I bet they do!"-Rissa
"Stop making fun of my nuts!"-Adib
"You can either share or get off!"-Adib
"Why can't I do both!?"-Rissa

"I need to tape my mouth shut during the dancing parts because I keep counting aloud."-Rissa to Adib
*Grabs gaffe tape*
"Don't use gaffe tape!  It costs $20 and we are not wasting it on your mouth. Just go suck on something"-Adib to Rissa
"I'm a masturbator! No! No...wait that's not what I meant...I am a MASTER GAFFER!! (Refering to the tape on my arm) Aw! Guys really that is what I meant! See the gaffe tape?!"
"We already know that"-Adib

"OH YEAH cue button"- Roxy

"Whoa. There's like 8 of you!"-David to Phil (refering to the projectors)
(Gasps) "Wait! There's 8 of me too!"-David (looking at his own screen)

"A well-sexed man can enjoy woman...most of all!"-Mayo

"It's too big for my hands."-Mandy (refering to mirror)
*Rissa giggles*
*Rachel looks at Rissa*
"You have a dirty mind"-Rachel to Rissa

"Amatures! Lets go!"-Phil to cast

"Where's my pillow?"-Rissa to Adib
"Inbetween Nicoles legs."-Adib to Rissa
"Well I am not going to reach inbetween Nicoles legs."-Rissa

"Chuck, I see you found the subwoffers."-Jim (noticing the vibrations moving through the theatre)
"Yeah."-Chuck
"I can really feel the music and..Wait! Chris can even hear the music even if his battery is dead!"-Jim (LMAO)

"He's pleading"-Acacia to Chuck (About Phil needing to use the bathroom)
"He's what? Bleeding?"-Chuch to Acacia
"No he is PLEADING!"
"He's bleeding from the penis? What?"-Chuck

"Actors restore back to 8 minutes and 40 seconds."-Nicole
"And that would be?"-Actors
"In dancing terms?"-Nessa

"Why is my ear so hot?"- Mandy (Who is standing directy by a light)

"So can I jump him already!?"-Rissa to Roxy
"OH SHIT! Is the intercom on to the greenroom?"-Rissa to Roxy
"Yeah, I think so but I am not sure?"-Roxy to Rissa
*Rissa turns bright red*

"Courtney Taylor-Taylor (The Dandy Warhols)  is soo hot!"-Rissa (To Chuck)
"Yeah he is and he knows it. And apparently he fucks everyone."-Chuck
"Well I am a part of everyone and he hasn't fucked me...yet."-Rissa
Rissa and Chuck laughs

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CAN SHE DO IT FOLKS?! (Update:March 10, 2006)
Current mood: anxious

Hi all!

So I have a blog here that has nothing to do with music...well unless dancing counts.  Anyway, this year SETO (Student Experiment Theatre Org.) decidced that they want to put on a prom.  The type where you get your old prom dress out that you swore you would wear again but never found a reason to, and dance your ass off with you closest friends all around you.  And for some reason, probably because it is during the last week of school and I will be transfering in the fall to ISU, this dance/mixer/prom (whatever) is very important to me to be with the theatre people that I will truely miss.  So now, that leaves me with a great reason to get out and dance my ass off in one of my two old prom dresses.  Unfortunately, I was a wee bit smaller in high school, and neither of the dresses fit.  So, with the help of a few good friends (Adam, Cory, and Laura) I am going to try to get back to my high school size.  Eh, although losing weight just to fit back into an old dress is a pretty dumb reason to workout...but...it is a reason...right?  So wish me luck and let's pray that I can do this! Yeah right I got  25 pounds to lose...I was an anorexic model in high school.

 Junior year:

Senior year:

We will see what happens.  And honestly my weight doesn't bother me, but I could be in better shape. :) I had a fuckin 6- pac in high school and I miss it! haha

-Rissa

P.S. Damn I was blonde! haha

UPDATE! (MArch 1, 2006)

So since I last posted this blog I have lost 6 pounds.  I am happy to say that the combo of slim-fast and working out has really started to take shape...my shape...and make it better. :)

-Rissa

UPDATE! (March 10, 2006)

So from March 6-9th I stayed with my lovely friend Eric at ISU while I was checking the campus out.  I brought my slim fast along with me there, but I only seemed to drink 3 out of the 8 of them. And then I never realy got a chance to work out.  I just relaxed and was relatively lazy.  Which now brings my weight back up three pounds.  Oh God why did you give me my mothers genes?

-Rissa

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Update: Grand One Productions and Management
Current mood: hyper
Category: Music

Wow, So I just looked at my old Blog for G1 and man is it dated! So let me get you up to speed on what I am doing with G1.

First off after working with 45 bands over the past year and having about 7 big shows (you must remember I am an actress and a tech worker...I don't have much time) I am glad to announce that my next SIUE show is coming up in Jan.  It is another battle of the bands for USITT (techinical part of theatre).  I'll get more info out about that later.  

Anyway, I am still looking for more bands to book and promote.  I am expanding my business upwards towards Chicago and will start booking around there next fall.  This has been a slow, but steady process and I enjoy it very much.

Now for all the BANDS out there, my booking number is 217 556 5712.  Call me up and let me know when you will be intown.  I'll see what I can do. :)

Well that's all for now. I'll update this thing more often. Also I might get a different account for just Grand One Productions. I realize that this page has turned into more about me then the company. 

XOXO

RISSA G.      

2:09 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment