First Week on the Job

What's this? A post that's not about Frankenstein!!? (Man, that was hard to punctuate.) Well, ok, one little tidbit about Frankenstein!!...did you see us on the cover of the LA Times Calendar section? Or rather, did you see Liesel? I opened the paper a couple of weeks ago to see a giant, full-color photo of the Test Tube Lady seducing Michael York, and really, what better news is there than that? If you missed the article, you can find it in our press archives. I have to say, it was pretty cool.

Anyway, moving forward. Things are racing ahead at a crazy pace around here. We barely had time to catch our breath after Frankenstein!! before heading into increased rehearsals for Frog Belly Rat Bone, which makes its San Diego debut this weekend in Balboa Park. Aside from that, we're working on applying to an AMAZING space for the upcoming The Cowboy Elektra Project (but ssshhhh...it's still a secret) and finalizing our deal with the fantastic Bootleg Theater for the remount of Mr. Punch.

What a time to become the Managing Director, huh?

As if filling Megan's shoes wasn't challenging enough, I've managed to get myself elected in probably the busiest period the Rogues have ever faced. Which is awesome, of course, but it means I'm responsible for a lot right now. And although I'm fully confident in myself and this group, there have definitely been surprises.

I'll tell you what, though. Last night, Patrick brought me dinner before I headed up to a meeting at the Bootleg, and I gave him his contract for a little side project we worked on called Don Juan. He handed back the paperwork and pointed to the spot for a "Rogue representative" signature. And I've got to say, signing "Cari Turley, Managing Director" feels pretty great.

Ready, set...Superman dance!!!

My favorite part of Frankenstein (!!) was the carpool, but there's no way to vote for that in the poll.

You guys, you have absolutely no idea how much it means to me that I was able to be a part of this incredible show. I was so worried only two weeks ago, since I am still somewhat of a noob to this mask and puppet stuff, not to mention the anxiety of working with Logan oh my god. That fear was soon replaced with nothing but endless Rogue/carpool love. Seriously, you guys are some of the sweetest, funniest, and most talented people I know and it helped so much that no matter how hectic or exhausting rehearsals got, or how many times something had to be re-blocked, we were always in it together. We created such an amazing show together, you guys!!!

Remember our travelling pizza party? Remember our little friend Secret?

Hey guys, do you remember the scene in Ghostbusters where they steal the baby? The Ghostbusters Baby Steal?

Cari, Jenny, B-rock...I just finished a show with you guys! I saw you every single day for weeks! WHY AM I NOT SICK OF YOU YET?!? We've gotta do something to hold us over until we can re-instate the carpool for another show, right? (I'm dreaming big here, I know, but I am seriously falling in love with the Rogues...) Omelette Parlor reunion is on. Maybe we can invite Mr Jazz Pants, too.

But Jenny, if you're ever late again, the carpool is totally leaving without you.

<3
Liesel

FRANKENSTEIN!!! Love and carpool.

Cari, your post made me tear up!!

I wrote this in a comment to the last blog, but I don't know if it will show up because the blog was giving me grief. Anyways, I woke up from a nap today around 7pm and freaked out because I thought the carpool left me (again). I scrambled for about 30 seconds before laughing and getting a little sad.

This project was so much fun, and so rewarding. I feel honored to have shared a stage and a carpool with such talented people. It all started on that one ride to Brigadoon a short two weeks ago...haha.

Looking back, I'm amazed and proud at everything we created and acheived in this short two weeks! It was quite a journey. From the edge of the earth to the alley where I deposited all my important things (my puzzle, oatmeal, bread, and shoes) to the place for YO!, we made it. And we had a blast getting there.

I feel really special to have performed with and spent time with such talented and wonderfully entertaining people. You guys reminded me why I do this.

I also am looking forward to carpool reunions. Omlette parlor this weekend?!? We can meet at Liesel's!!!

In addition to the carpool, the show itself was a unique experience. It was...bizarre. And fantastic! It was great to get the experience of working with real professionals, not to mention the sheer coolness of being on a first name basis with Michael York. At first it was a struggle to get all the elements of such an exciting and complex show in balance...but once we figured it out, (I believe the turning point was lunch at Burger King...) we were unstoppable.

Thanks everyone. I'm honored to have had another amazing experience with the rogue artists and hope to work with you all in the future. Thanks for reminding me why I do what I do.

Hang It on a Fish

This post goes out to the carpool.

In the beginning, Frankenstein!! was about building. It was Sculpt or Coat under my fingernails in the morning, late nights with Pat in the garage, lots of Harvey Danger and Why?.

In the middle, it was the rehearsal space in Long Beach. It was bright lights, unfinished puppets, bonding lunches at Burger King, and a healthy dose of anxiety--are we going to get this done in time? (Fortunately, yes.)

But the last week or so was all about the carpool. Sure, we started carpooling as early as that first week, but it was in fits and starts, and never all four of us at once. That last week was when Byron, Jenny, Liesel, and I started speaking a language no one else could understand, born of that special kind of crazy you become when all your nights and weekends are spent with werewolves and Michael York.

Those carpools were glorious. We shared secrets, ate pizza (thanks, Jenny!), threatened to take Byron to MOLAA, compared everyone to Raven-Symone, and asked Tyler about his jazz pants. See, you have no idea what that means. But B-rock, J-fresh, and the test tube lady do. So, carpool, I salute you. Without you, it would have been just another show. With you, it was a wonderful experience I will never forget.

Hang it on a fish, you guys. Hang it on a fish.

Two projects...simultaneously...at the same time...

We survived the recent redevelopment of Frog Belly. Though there is still plenty left to do, I feel a warm sense of accomplishment that comes with seeing a project come to life and knowing it has grown and improved. We had rehearsed the new script for about two weeks when we met with OCPAC's Arts Teach team. The show had seen a complete run through exactly once before. And yet the presentation was refreshingly free from error (except for the skipped three pages at the end, which conveyed the message of the piece), and despite a few pauses here and there the heart of the project was clear. Everyone in the room was having fun, and that's a huge accomplishment. The notes we received were all about things we were aware of. Moving forward: this project is awesome right now, and is going to be even more awesome in the future!

The evening after presenting to OCPAC (which concluded a two-week span of not-enough-sleep and too-much-stress), I and some fellow Rogues went to see Frankenstein!!. We had been sharing workshop space with the Frankies, but hadn't seen any of the results of their labor. I, for one, was intrigued by the weirdness I had seen. The show did not disappoint. It was hilarious, engaging and bizarre: all the things Rogue theater should be. I wish it had a longer run so that more people could experience the joy.

I walked away from that evening feeling incredibly proud to be part of such a powerful group of artists. Not only had we pulled off two simultaneous productions, we had done so with great success on both of them. Frog Belly is a joy to watch, and kids across Southern California will love it. Frankenstein!! is a feast for the eyes. Great work, guys. I'm proud of ya.

Frankenstein Rehearsal

So last night I was at rehearsal for the Frankenstein project and I got to witness Michael York choke out and rip the head off a puppet that I designed...it was one of the more surreal moments I have ever experienced and a highlight in my short career as a designer.

Shadow puppets from Frankenstein!!

There has been so much going on in the studio over the last few weeks and I can't wait for you to see all the beautiful images that have been created for this new show, so here is a little preview.

I'm in heaven designing shadow puppets, handpuppets, and even a video short for Frankenstein!!. Here is me working on a scene from the John Wayne piece.

Stay tuned for some more lovely surprises...

Frankenstein Build: Week One (and a Half)

More Frankenstein!! building is afoot in the Rogue workshop. I'll skip the introduction for today and just give you the pictures...they just about speak for themselves.

Here's Becca (we met her when she worked on the crew for Mr. Punch) working with a puppet head. Pat glued several layers of foam together, then sculpted out the shape he wanted. Now Becca is covering the whole thing with tarlatine and Sculpt or Coat to make it stronger.

Our mess of a worktable. You can see the puppet head Byron was working on last time, a candelabra Pat made, lots of coffee filters (they're good for papier mache), and--if you look closely--the Frog Belly suit hanging in the background.

Pat considers a job as a pizza delivery man while standing in front of a large cardboard tree.

Tyler, just back from Disneyworld, is working with the removable werewolf features that attach to the mask I made last weekend. You can see a closeup below.

Frankenstein Build: Week One

So far, my predictions about 2008 have been right on the money: the Rogues have never been busier, and it doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon. Every time we finish a project, something new comes along and we're right back in the workshop, building more puppets and masks and generally making a mess. I'm tired, but it's pretty satisfying to be able to tick off a half-dozen projects already, less than two months into the year.

Last weekend, we started really working on Frankenstein!!. Pat and Joyce have been working hard on this project for weeks, but we're just now starting to work together as a group and crank out the bulk of the stuff we need. Friday, we filmed this insane video about Batman, Robin, and Superman...I can't even describe it; it has to be seen to be believed. Joyce made this incredible two-room set and had all these tiny props, and Pat, Byron, and I puppeteered the action figures while Joyce's friend Mike filmed the whole thing. I wish I had taken pictures, but the video (once we edit it and get it uploaded) will have to be enough. It's hilarious.

Saturday, Pat, John, and I met up with Byron and Elizabeth (two of our students from the UCI workshop) to start building the puppets and masks. I started sculpting a full-face werewolf mask (I called dibs on that project, inspired by my recently renewed obsession with Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Pat worked on a three-foot rod puppet, and everyone else...well, why don't I show you.

Here's Byron (possibly the nicest young man I've ever met, for the record) adding layers of Sculpt or Coat and tarlatine to a puppet head. I've been assured it's going to be a girl, but right now it just sort of looks like something from Pan's Labyrinth. Or a wet football.

Here's Elizabeth, doing the same to a mask. We have big foam eyeballs to stick in those eye sockets, but not until the Sculpt or Coat dries. I think it's going to look pretty cool.

And Pat, getting ready to cut PVC pipe for his rod puppet.

That's all for now, but we've got a full week's worth of building ahead, so expect more updates in the days to come.

We Met Michael York!

I promised Michael York photos would be forthcoming, and here they are! (If you're just tuning in, the Rogues are collaborating with Long Beach Opera and Michael York to present a Frankenstein story this March.) Mr. York was exeedingly professional and courteous, and was very patient while the photographers took hundreds of pictures of him in the Rogue workshop. Here are some of our favorites:

That's me with the dead dog from D is for Dog on the right, and Kerry with a Visitor from the same show on the right. That classy gentleman in the middle is Michael York (!!!).

Above: Michael York gleefully holding the disembodied head of a Visitor.

There are a couple of other Frankenstein!! pictures on the project page on our website, as well as a link to buy tickets if you're interested.