Friday, July 22, 2011

THE COCKEYED COMPLAINT OF AN OPTIMIST

In 2008 I auditioned for a show called ALMOST, MAINE. I was 28 years old, a 6 year veteran of New York City, a Quarter Life Crisis survivor, and seeker of an artistic home. I had worked on cruise lines, toured in musicals, learned the cruelties of Children's Theatre, moved from Astoria to Manhattan, and worked just about every job one can think of to support my acting habit. I was also struggling with my artistic choices as an actress- I was tired of Musical Theatre. The 16 bar audition wore out my soul to get into shows that had no soul...it just wasn't alive in my reality. I wanted to be an actress and was tired of looked for acting "jobs". I needed to be creatively inspired by people I chose to work with rather than hoping to be picked for a show every 3 months- its exhausting to one's creativity to shuttle around working on pieces that come with a suitcase and super short contract. I wanted to work on projects with people that had staying power. I was searching for a group that I could initiate growth and hone a sense of artistic self. I found that place with the COCKEYED OPTIMISTS. Brenda & Brian Foley cast me in ALMOST, MAINE and I became a company member.

COCKEYED OPTIMISTS is the first group of artists that I felt a sense of ownership and really had to ask the question, "What can I bring to the table." Then I realized what a great damn resource I am. I used to feel like my only talent in life was being a performer- that's the only thing I wanted to be good at. As I age I have gotten less tunnel visioned about what I "ought to be doing". I'm not just an actress; I'm an Auctioneer, web personality, athlete, wine girl, floral designer, acting teacher, producer, and writer...and much more that would not be humble of me to carry on about. All of these things I found in my search of happiness and fulfillment. Opening up my lens has helped me become a better artist and optimal human being. I have been able to use these skills as an actress and ensemble member of the COCKEYED OPTIMISTS. I acted and fund raised for ALMOST, MAINE, helped produce, builid, and fund raise for ONE THING I LIKE TO SAY, produced and acted in THE TIES THAT BIND night of one acts, and now I am the Managing Director currently fundraising and acting in THE COMPLAINT in the Fall. I work with many theatre groups in Manhattan, but the CEO'S have been my steady girlfriend, and she is looking hotter as she ages...

Randy Noojin is the playwright of THE COMPLAINT, the CEO's fall production. I met Randy Noojin when I was 19 years old. I was working in the box office at SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN REPERTORY THEATRE in Mars Hill, NC on the campus of my alma mater, Mars Hill College. I finally got to work with him onstage for the first time in SART'S 2000 production of THE SECRET GARDEN. Randy was handsome, talented, poetic, and very much fun to work and play with. I worked at SART every summer of my college years and got to work with the most spectacular people who have become like family to me: Michael Mattison, Ben Coates, Bill Gregg, Liz Aiello, Tony Medlin, Kris Geddie, Chris Allison, Bob Gay, Rebecca Phippard, Amanda Woodward, Brandon Harmon, Ronnie Fender, and of course, Randy Noojin. I can not describe the joy and freedom I experienced in my 20's working with SART and exploring stories and late nights with these characters. Randy has been one of the artists who have worked with SART for over 20 years. That place is very special and attracts the best damn artists I have ever had the pleasure of working with. It is where I learned from people like Randy what kind of artist I wanted to be. I worked with Randy on HANK WILLIAMS, LOST HIGHWAY & NOISES OFF. He is a tireless perfectionist that pours every ounce of energy into the characters he plays. Watching him as Hank was scary good.

I didn't even know that Randy was a playwright til years after I had worked with him. I have done several readings of his plays since we both became city dwellers. I find his plays to be romantic and well told. His female characters especially leave the page feeling fulfilled. I see so much of his own personality in the plays that he pens- he has a humorous sensibility that is unabashed and curious. Most recently I was in a production of his sweet short play JUST SAY SOMETHING with Artistic New Directions. The one play that has stuck out over the years as my very favorite is THE COMPLAINT. I have done 3 separate readings of this show with various companies and every time we revisited it I'd say to myself, "I can't wait until someone does this show". I brought the play to the COCKEYED OPTIMISTS earlier this year and after much laughter around the table the group all agreed- we have to do this play. It deals with some hot button issues like racism, marijuana, and police brutality...but NEVER does it get preachy or predictable because the characters and relationships are written with compelling idiosyncrasies that leave an impression on the audience. Watch my video with Randy to learn more about THE COMPLAINT.

I will be playing the lead character of Gayle in THE COMPLAINT. I really identify and love Gayle. She is an Internal Affairs Investigator, but also has aspirations to be actress. Her whole family are cops, so of course that's the path she has chosen, although she went to acting classes in New York City and took a year off to see if she could make it. She is a frustrated artist who wants nothing more than to fulfill her dreams of performing. I can totally relate to that! I became an Auctioneer just like my Father so I would have something to fall back on and also have the opportunity to work with the family business. This is just one of the many endearing qualities I look forward to exploring in rehearsal.

Bryn Boice is directing it, who is AMAZING. She directed me in two other short plays: PUPPET LOVE which I won Best Actress at The American Globe Theatre's Turnip Festival 2010, and THE DISSOLUTION ROOM in the DARE PROJECT with TAX DEDUCTIBLE THEATRE. She is funny funny funny with a strong no bullshit attitude that makes acting for her clear and easy in communicating the beats. I can't wait til she gets her hands on this piece.

Producing independent, non-profit theatre in New York City is challenging. We just put down a deposit to produce THE COMPLAINT at THE 45TH STREET THEATRE in Midtown. It is $6,100.00 for a 3 week rental of this theatre. This is exciting for us because our other 2 full length productions were both downtown at THE ACCESS THEATRE (which is lovely, but we're so happy to be in a more central location!). It is a 50 seat house on 45th st btwn 8th and 9th avenue. THE COMPLAINT will run from October 27- November 13. So...we have some serious funds we have to raise to make this show happen. We still have to come up with around $10,000.00 for this production. Asking friends and family for money for this project is tough, but when you believe in what your doing it makes it alot easier. THE COMPLAINT is a story that I want to share with the world. It has great insight into going after what you want no matter the fall out might be. That is what I am trying to do in my life and wish more people would take that leap of faith to find happiness. Producing this show is a leap of faith for the entire ensemble of the COCKEYED OPTIMISTS, but we believe in this project, and in each other, so nothing but good can come from leaping. I have invested myself in THE COMPLAINT financially and artistically. I have great Optimism that it will be a success and that audiences will love it.

This project is really important for the future of COCKEYED OPTIMISTS. We have an opportunity to do a NYC premiere of a really good play that deserves some attention. I am trying to do everything in my power to aggregate the right people and get a vibe going that elevates the future of our full length productions. I want the COCKEYED OPTIMISTS to grow as a company and be a place artists want to bring their skills to the table in a collaborative effort. THE COMPLAINT for me is a realization of the kind of theatre I would like to buy a ticket to see.

So friends and family who I am ever grateful and inspired by- I need you to give something. Whatever the amount, I am humbled to ask you to support this venture. I would be nothing without you and this project feels the same way. Thank you for taking a chance on an actress who is living her dream- cheesy yes, but that's okay- I'm willing to own that...Live the dream- give a buck or two.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE: http://igg.me/p/24951?a=122208&i=shlk

AmandaRama files THE COMPLAINT...interview w/ Randy Noojin