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Shakespeare's Circle
It”™s midnight on Saturday and I”™ve just returned from the most delightful home that played setting to the most delightful party in honor of Mr. Will Shakespeare”™s birthday. This has been a tradition of Geoffrey Owens”™ since I was still a schoolgirl, way before I knew him, back when and he and his family still lived in New York City. Geoffrey is the casting director for Artemis Eternal and my go-to acting coach. He also works with me on rehearsal direction for Artemis and is a friend. You might recognize him because he was on The Cosby Show for nearly a decade, although that barely scratches the surface of his expertise and work.
Ever since Geoffrey has been in Los Angeles, producer/actor Kristin Stone has hosted the birthday party at her home. Kristin produced a play in NoHo in which I was a cast member, Geoffrey knew Kristin from New York, attended the play closing night, I met him at the reception and that is how I know this wonderful group of people. I missed the birthday party last year because I was location scouting, the first year prior I missed but can”™t remember why. Thus, I was stoked that this year I was finally able to make it out to Kristin's.
Among others, I caught up with Kathy Harmening of Life From the Inside. Kathy and I were in a play together wherein we had a 10-minute scene that was just the two of us. We played sisters, and we got on well from the start. I also hung out with Sandy, the owner of RipRap Studio Theater. She does a mean Queen Margaret.
The most interesting part of the birthday party is the glass tapping. You see, each time Geoffrey taps his glass with his spoon everyone pauses their imbibing, comest-ing and conversation and, in place of a toast; he calls someone”™s name. That person then draws forward and reads from Shakespeare. You don”™t have to be prepared, and you can refrain if you so wish, so it”™s all in good fun. It can be a little nerve-wracking, however. Rather like a game of musical chairs stretched out over a long evening.
Arturo was there (who I just met) and conspired with Geoffrey to record digi-style his calling me out. So thanks to Arturo, here”™s some off-the-cuff footage which, in accordance with this press release, I”™d like to dedicate to you, Wingman:
Always interesting and strange for me to see footage this way. It looks awful to me because I”™m not used to the quality. Low, yellow lighting; funny angle; poor sound””In my mind I see a storyboard with close-ups and all kinds of things proper. But you know; this really isn”™t about production value. It was about being there, and this is the closest I can get you to the night, its moments and the incredible players that walked its stage.
The moon was full on my way out to the ”˜dena. And golden against a hazy midnight-blue background with blue mists of clouds mixing against that fair, perfect hue. Upon my return, there were few cars on the 110 so I sailed on over the hill and suddenly the whole city rose up before me - downtown; with all its drama and skyscraper honeycombs - like I was headed right into the heart of something big just before swooping right toward the Westside down the 101 Hollywood”¦ where the hill swells with its peeking, warm lights; waiting in a softer way. The only way it could have been better is if I was riding a horse.
Now that I”™ve put La Pucelle on her feet, I”™m going to actually play with that passage and rehearse it more intensely. She feels right to me at this point.
At the party there was also a Shakespeare contest: Name all 38 plays. I came in third. (a.k.a. the place that receives no sweet prize). Damn thee; honorable mention! Thou doust taunt me. I did, however, get cake.
Happy birthday, Will!
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