Guest Blog: Company Member Soroya Rowley!

Hi everyone!  "Ragnarok" opening is drawing near and we are busy working to make the show a huge success!  Have you grabbed your tickets yet?  This week's blog is brought to you by the beautiful Soroya Rowley- Company Member and featured Actress in "Ragnarok".  Here she chats a bit about her experiences thus far:  

"A femme fatale is a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetype of literature and art. Her ability to entrance and hypnotize her victim with a spell was in the earliest stories seen as being literally supernatural; hence, the femme fatale today is still often described as having a power akin to an enchantress, vampire, witch, or demon.” (wikipedia.org)

In CCdd’s new original play 'Ragnarok', I play Lilly: an average young lady just out of highschool, trying to find her place in the world.  But in the magical, fantasy world of LARPing she is Ravenna, a powerful sorceress and seductress. Ravenna is indeed a Femme Fatale in every sense of the word.  She uses her womanly charms to manipulate the men in the Kingdom and gain power.

But it isn’t just in the fantastical world of LARPing that Lilly manipulates the hearts and minds of her cohorts.  Her powers extent into the everyday world, causing mischief in and around the borders of the park were the Unit meets every weekend.

As a feminist I first found the prospect of playing the Femme Fatale to be a little distasteful.  To me she is an archetype built from centuries of oppression.  Women with power must be evil witches or demons like the ones you see in Disney movies. 

But there really have been women through history that really did use their beauty and seductive powers to gain status and wealth.  The famous Mata Hari is a great example of this.  She was a dancer and courtesan who was executed for being a German Spy after WWI. 

Like all stereotypes, this one is based on truth.  Of course people with low status (like women through most of history) would use every tool at their disposal to better their lives.  It doesn’t make them evil, it makes them human.  And that is what I have found while delving into the psyche of Lilly.  She may not be an abused wife struggling to survive on her own during the turn of the century (as Mata Hari was) but she does feel insecure and powerless in her everyday life.  The LARP word gives Lily a chance to gain some control of her world, even if it is an imaginary one.  The world may be imaginary but the power is real, the power of the femme fatale.

Thanks Soroya!  We are really excited to see you steam up the stage in this production. 

"Ragnarok" opens November 23rd and runs until December 10th!

Guest Blog: 'Ragnarok' Director Stephen Schmitz!

Ok... so this time 'round CCdd brought in the awesome Stephen Schmitz to direct our latest production.  He's the best!  We asked him if he would write for our blog...and well...the magic below is what came out of it.  Enjoy: 

For Love of the Play, or, How Kevin Costner is Helping Me Direct This Play.

Greetings!

Well, I was graciously invited to provide a guest blog for CCdd, and as I’m the director of their brand new play, Ragnarok, I should probably talk about how, uh, that… happens. Give you some mind-blowing insight into the mind of a genius, and all that. So. As my status as a genius is dubious at best, how ‘bout I toss in a Michelangelo quote later, and we’ll call it even? Awesome. Directing… directing… directing…

There are words and phrases I use a lot when directing a play, and sitting around listening to me in a rehearsal is not unlike listening to a bunch of pubescent high-schoolers drinking behind the bleachers, awkwardly one-upping each other with their burgeoning grasp of foul language. It’s not for the faint of heart. (Hear that, mothers? Don’t let your babies be in one of my shows. Alas, for some of you, it’s too late.) Maybe it’s not that bad. Perhaps admitting this won’t help you glean anything about my psychological issues, but merely speaks to my lack of simple tact and common manners. Or maybe I just really like fricatives and plosives. All I’m saying is: to me, at some point in the process, every play looks like a “Giant Cluster[bleep],” and I am not afraid to let everyone know.

So clearly you can see how that comes around to Kevin Costner.

There is a quote attributed to Michelangelo (everyone who’s been inside an art classroom or in a motivational seminar or on the internet has seen it) that proclaims, “Every block of stone has a statue in it, and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” In much the same way, I guess I believe that every cluster[bleep] of actors has a story in it, and it is my task to help you discover it. And lest you think I’m comparing myself to Michelangelo, I assure you I’m much more like that guy in the mall around 1991, trying to explain to you that if you stare hard enough, and unfocus your eyes just right, you can see that 3-D image of the Statue of Liberty! You know, instead of a cluster[bleep] of colorful dots and lines. Exactly like that, after you see one my plays, you will hopefully proclaim loudly to everyone around you, “Oh, I get it!” Secretly, everyone knows you could be lying, but as long as they proceed to mill about and stare at my show, too, I guess I’m okay with that.

Again, obviously, ties right in to Kevin Costner.

More specifically, I feel that my job as director is to have a clear image in my mind of what I want the entire show to look like: of how I want it to feel, to flow, to sound, and to impact. To see it in three dimensions amidst the collage of colorful dots, the haze of the empty space, and the cluster[bleep] of actors. And then comes the hard part: eliminating everything else. And that really does bring us to Kevin Costner, and a phrase I say to myself at least once every rehearsal, sometimes out loud, sometimes in silence:

“Clear the Mechanism.”

For the two of you out there that have seen the movie For Love of the Game, you probably have some idea of what I’m talking about. He’s a pitcher. He’s on the road. He has to focus to get rid of the noise. Yada, yada, yada. Here, just watch HERE. 

You didn’t even go watch, did you? Gah. This is why I don’t blog. Anyway, I feel that in order to direct effectively, I spend as much or more time getting the unnecessary out of the way as I do imposing my will upon the work. (The clust… er,… the Actors might tell you otherwise, but I swear it’s true!) And sometimes I don’t see it. And I stare and stare and drool and drool. And I try to clear the mechanism again.

I hope you enjoy Ragnarok as much as I am enjoying whittling the stone down to what’s important. In this case, the stone is alive and breathing, and made up of fantastically talented and giving cluster[bleeps], designers, story-tellers, and managers. So when I am unable to clear the mechanism, they are always there back me up, and help me see my way forward. Sometimes I am, myself, just a piece of stone that needs to be cleared out of the way.

Thanks Steve!  I'm proud to be a Clusterbleep for you! 

Get your Ragnarok tickets today!

'Ragnarok' Press Breakdown!

We are busy bees again!  Preparing for our upcoming production of "Ragnarok"!  And since this is the centralized location to get all your info on our productions, we are sharing everything you need to know about the show right here on our blog!  Below you will find our postcard images, and abbreviated press release.  Tickets are onsale now!

This is the front of our postcard.  Isn't she a beauty?  Designed by the incredibly talented Matt Lescault-Wood!  Photo by Rich Soublet. Expect to see these around town soon!  Here is the back:

Here is our abbreviated Press Release on the show:

RAGNAROK
Written by Katherine Harroff in collaboration with members of the Live-Action Role-Playing Community of San Diego. 

Directed by Stephen Schmitz

Opening: November 23rd, Show Runs: November 25th- December 10th. (Dark on Thanksgiving).

“Ragnarok" is the second production of the freshly- conceived Theatre Workshop called Circle Circle dot dot.   This production features reflective stories from a few brave D&D enthusiasts that decided to take part in the “LARP” (Live-Action Role-Play) Community of San Diego.  Playwright Katherine Harroff, Director Stephen Schmitz, and Company Members of Circle Circle dot dot have once again collaborated to create an original production that gives audiences a glimpse into the lives of members of different communities of San Diego.  ‘Ragnarok’ is an explorative performance of true stories shared with Circle Circle dot dot by real LARPers that live in our society. 

*Show appropriate for ages 13+.  Some mature language and adult content. 

The Cast of RAGNAROK includes:

NEIL- Patrick Kelly*  

CLAYTON- Brendan Cavalier*

DANNY- James P. Darvas

GERALD- Adrian Brown

BRI- Samantha Ginn*

DOT- Katherine Harroff*

TRAVIS- Julio Jacobo

LILLY- Soroya Rowley*

LIONEL- Evan Kendig*

JEREMY- Rich Soublet

*Company Members of Circle Circle dot dot

The Design Team for RAGNAROK includes:
Kristen Flores
(Scenic Design)
Kevin Lidel
(Light Design)
Melissa Coleman-Reed*
(Costume Design)
Matt Lescault-Wood
(Sound Design)
Patrick Kelly/ Brendan Cavalier
(Props and Set Dressing)

The Crew for RAGNAROK includes:
Crystal Mercado*  (Stage Manager)

TICKET PRICES: $10, $15, $20

HOW TO BUY TICKETS: Tickets for RAGNAROK are available only at
www.circle2dot2.com before the show, or by e-mailing circle@circle2dot2.com for reservations. 

Tickets may also be purchased one hour prior to each performance.

Groups of ten people or more may purchase tickets for $10 before the day of the performance. 

Student/Senior/Military/Actors Alliance tickets are $15. General Admission is $20.

SHOWTIMES: Opening: November 23^rd.  Show Runs: November 25^th- December 10^th (Dark Thanksgiving) All performances are at 8pm.  Wednesday-Sunday. 

IMAGES/PHOTOGRAPHS for RAGNAROK or of the Circle Circle dot dot company can be obtained by e-mailing circle@circle2dot2.com.

If there is any other information anyone needs feel free to contact us at circle@circle2dot2.com!  We are very excited about this production!  Buy those tickets!  Opening night (November 23rd) will include a post-show party! 

Lots more to come! 

Guest Blog: Technical Director Patrick Kelly on "Ragnarok"

This week Circle has begun rehearsing for our November performance of our next original play: "Ragnarok"!  This piece is being written by Artistic Director Katherine Harroff in collaboration with CCdd, based off interviews from members of the Live-Action Role-Playing community of San Diego.  It's also being collaborated with and directed by the amazing Steve Schmitz.  It's already shaping up to be an awesome production.  Here is what Patrick Kelly, Technical Director of CCdd- and star of "Ragnarok" has to say about the rehearsal process thus far:

Rehearsals have begun!

Wow what a journey already. We’ve been so busy preparing for this show through
fundraisers and planning that it’s hard to believe we’ve hit the start. Rehearsals began on Monday and it’s already been a joyous and wild ride.

As you hopefully know our company focuses on producing entirely new pieces. That means that the script is written in house. Working in this way can pose some challenges, but also some amazing freedoms. It makes the process seem so much more alive than the usual pick up your Sam French copy, memorize a week before rehearsal and go type of situation.

We were presented the script a few weeks ago and it gets tweaked and edited
everyday making it better and better. Sometimes these changes are presented by the production team, but many come from our amazing group of performers. This gives the entire work the collaborative air where everyone’s opinion matters which we strive for as a company. We as actors are helping to develop the world that we are going to live in 5 nights a week on stage. Now that’s freedom!

There is a scary side for the actor in this kind of development which is that it pushes
your memorization back a little bit as you never know what new change may come.
You could have a monologue completely prepared and see it gone that very night or
suddenly be given 5 new pages in which you control the conversation. Working in this way calls for a lot of flexibility and trust in all involved. I feel we have gathered some really amazing people who are taking on this challenge beautifully. It’s only been a week and the characters are coming to life so vividly. I myself could barley hold it together watching James Darvas, a very tall guy, transform into the puniest thing ever as our Orc (Julio Jacobo) stomped his way on stage. We get to come in, turn into foam sword-wielding enthusiasts and enjoy talk about slaying for 3 hours each night. I’m not embarrassed to say this is right up my alley. We are having fun and that’s what the process is supposed to be. I really think that this heartfelt, funny, action-packed adventure is something I would love to watch, so I hope that you will enjoy it!

Thanks Patrick!  So much more is coming your way about "Ragnarok"!  Hold onto your hats San Diego.  Or your armor in this case. 

Photo Gallery Aftermath: Trolley Dances and Morp!

A picture is worth a thousand words!  So we're going to talk a little but show a lot of fabulous pictures from all of our happenings that took place in September: Trolley Dances and Morp. 

Our performance installation for Trolley Dances was called "Trolley Sprites".  This is the little blurb we had written about our piece in the program: 

Circle Circle dot dot is proud to present "Trolley Sprites"- a site-specific performance installation project to go along with San Diego Dance Theater's Trolley Dances.  CCdd is a Community-Based Collaborative Theatre Company that focuses its work on the stories of the people of San Diego.  For most of our population public transportation is experienced as a heavy burden- something used mostly in dire straights.  The only trolley riders who truly seem to really enjoy a trip are the many children that journey with their parents every day.  We dedicate our piece to them- and hope our performance can capture a sense of excitement, and joy that encapsulates their spirit.   We think that even in the most challenging of times- public transportation can still be viewed as an adventure- an exciting trip through San Diego full of stimulating personalities and sights- exactly the attitude we witnessed in the children that utilize a trolley ride.  Look for the brightly colored "Trolley Sprites" throughout your journey filling beautiful architecture, playing games, and perhaps even riding the Trolley with you!

Here are some fun images from the crazy weekends: 

The performance was challenging!  But- it was also Circle's first paid gig and we learned a lot about site-specific performance.  This is something we would love to visit again. 

Next up- Morp!  We talked quite a bit about this event, and we must admit- it was pretty stressful planning for it!  We needed to raise money for our November show- and we needed to host a killer party.  We did both!  It was a huge success and we are happy to announce that we will be hosting this fabulous party annually.  So plan those costumes for next year!  Here are some of our favoite pictures by the amazing Rich Soublet! 

Morp King and Queen!:

As you can see this was the best night ever.  Circle loves a party! 

That's all for today- stay tuned for information on our November show "Ragnarok" that simply would not be happening if is wasn't for all of you!