March 2007 Archives

Camenae Ensemble Theatre Company is pleased to announce Monomaniacal, a monologue writing competition for established and emerging playwrights. Steve Dickerson, Camenae Ensemble Theatre Company Board President says, "Monomaniacal offers Camenae Ensemble the chance to find and promote the best writing talent in Chicago while also creating opportunities for women in theater. It's an exciting and ambitious project that accomplishes so many of our goals with one broad stroke, and I'm proud to support it."

Playwrights are encouraged to submit a monologue within the contest guidelines at http://www.camenae.org/monomaniacal.htm . Semifinalists and finalists will be selected by the Camenae Ensemble. Monologues by semifinalists and finalists will be published. Finalists will have their works performed by members of the Camenae Ensemble in front of an audience and a panel of judges, in a showcase performance on June 11, 2007 at Steep Theatre, 3902 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60613. The judges will select a first second and third place winner, who will receive a cash prize; the winner gets the title of Monomaniac. Submission deadline is May 1, 2007.

For more information and a complete list of rules, please visit www.camenae.org.

Kate Tagged me for '6 Weird Things about Me." And while there are way more weird things about me than not, here are a few that come to mind:

1. I hate wearing socks, but if I don't, I sweat profusely. To compromise, if I am home, I will often wear my socks on only half of my feet. I pull them off to my arches and let the rest hang.

2. If I find a song that I really really like, I will listen to it on repeat for hours and not get tired of it.

3. I refuse to read, watch, or listen to the news, because I have no desire to know what is going on in the world. I realize that this makes me ignorant of my rights and surroundings, but ignorance is bliss.

4. When I eat, I eat in even portions, so that I am left with one bite of everything on my plate at the end of the meal. Then I eat the bites all at once, so I don't have to decide what flavor I am left with in my mouth last.

5. I like to lay on top of my fatty cat, Parker. Sometimes I run from far away and "jump" on top of her to lay on her. I call it "clobbering." It comforts me.

6. I have a hole in one of my molars that is the perfect size for a strawberry seed. Every single time I eat a strawberry, or even a piece of one, a seed gets lodged into the hole, and I have to use force to pick it out. It is like they know that hole is there, and it is filled with a comfy bed and a down comforter or something, cause they all wanna go there right off the bat.

And you know, all those other weird things about me. Let's keep this going. I'll tag Margaret, Bilal, Steve, Rine-Stone, and Christopher.

We got a shout out on the Comedy Central blog! Awesome!

The Bottom Line #3-The Continental
2801 W. Chicago Avenue

I just went to The Continental for the first time last week, and I was instantly sad that it was so far away from my house. As much as I love a good dive bar, it was refreshing to have a drink in a clean, beautiful, and sleek lounge. And with every drink comes a couple trips to the ole restroom. So how does it measure up? First of all, I loved the choice of wall color-it was very warm and inviting, a welcome change to the cold, sterile do-your-business-and-get-out that a lot of bars have. It was very clean, but that could be because I was there at 7:30pm (the bar is open till 4am), and though there were no "extras,' there was a lovely chandelier. There were 2 stalls, each with a sort of a saloon door, so that means less "I just had a lot of beer" waiting (yay!) that might result in the doors being cracked open if you improperly "just had a lot of beer" locked it (boo.)
Cleanliness: 4
Amenities: 0
Atmosphere:3
Overall: 3
But maybe I should take the trek over to check it out when it is more 'used.'

The very first DSTW

DSTW January 2007

It is so hard to believe, but Don't Spit the Water is having its 100th show this Saturday, March 10th. It seems like only yesterday that we were not sure what to expect while playing for about 12 people on our first night. Looking back at the old pictures, it is amazing to see what has changed and what is still the same. Cutie Bumblesnatch used to wear a different headpiece each time she was onstage (skunk ears, wigs, tiara's) and change costumes frequently. I think the tutu might not have even made it into the first 4 shows. Timekeeper Willis didn't wear a mask, Sasha and the Noob didn't have vests, we had Mr. Pickles, and the first sign was so adorably homemade.

On the other hand, some things are exactly the same. The vest, the stare, the 'Good Vibrations', and our excitement to put up a show that almost completely makes no sense. And now, 2 1/2 years and 99 shows later, we've performed in NYC, travelled to a number of festivals, have our own cable access show, tons of comedians, an open run, and jammed packed houses. I have been proud of this show since day 1, and I can't wait for the next 100 shows.

Congratulations, DSTW!

(Don't Spit the Water is at the Playground Theatre Saturday nights at 10:30)