Mar ‘13

Memory 5 “Costume parade”

Costumes parades are awesome. Period. Its like a day off from school when you’re a kid. Lots of fun showing of your stuff. Trying different options. One of favorite things said that night was from our amazing director Scott, “Dev can we please add more clothing for Sylvia, remember we’re in an office!” “But Scott, come on! She’s totally the office hottie!” Yes, lots of Sylvia the slut jokes that night. It was so great seeing everyone’s character come to life even more once they revealed what they were wearing. I think the design in this show is pretty spot on! Very fortunate to have that! Even though the picture of Jonathan in his black motorcycle pants was apart of the show, I just wanted to share the photo, those pants are awesome! And I actually didn’t end of keeping the cape for Hunter, all the fight choreography, would restrict me so, we cut it. 

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Here is yet another incredible piece of work that involved Mr. Gaiman! 

This is an incredible project! Lets help get it produced!

“Blood Kiss” by Michael Reaves

And for the set…. the world of London Below… inspired by Lee Bontecou

Memory 3

Walking into London Below as it was being built!

Feb ‘13

Parking my car and walking towards the theater in normal fashion. However that night was different. I was aware that they were build because of the heads up from the production the week prior, but I could hear the sounds of welding and see people moving large pieces of metal wood, and tools into and out of the space. I curiously scurried to the theater to see all the excitement going on. Wow was I surprised. It had been while that I had even seen the theater that bare; we were so use to rehearsing on the “Absolutely Filthy” set. It was also exhilarating to know all the genius that our set designer Michael James Schneider had in mind, was being created at that very moment! He has such vision and passion! It was also the first time, I got to run a small portion of the staff fight on the proper platform. Wow was I terrified; it was so little space we had and such a high platform to jump off of. I was very intimidated. Thinking back now, I’m so thankful for such a set, it gives me the best workout ever during the show! 

Here’s some more information about Michael’s inspiration for London Below! 

http://www.blcksmthdesign.com/2012/10/23/in-between-the-warp-and-weft-or-a-sublime-monstrosity/

Feb ‘13

Blocking the “reveal” of whose behind all this…..

That’s right, when we are not working hard away at blocking, or scene work, we are on our phones and in our books!

Top to bottom

(Michael/Richard, Natasha/A.D, Ezra/Croup; Sondra/Hunter u/s, Donnelle/The Beast)

Feb ‘13

“Neverwhere” Memory 2

Man this damn staff! At this point in the process I was hating this damn staff. I hadn’t yet learned to be one with her yet, hardly able to hold her upright and maintain the rest of the scene. It was such a long journey to get to Serpentine. Yes that is my staff’s name. I figure since we don’t have Serpentine in the play, I wanted to fit her somewhere :) Anyhow, the very first day working with her was a nightmare. The next week was ever worse. And half way through rehearsals it was only slightly better. Afraid each and every rehearsal at the thought of killing my poor castmates by accidents, I could never really get in sync with her. At the time my apartment was to hard to practice in, so every now and then I’d take her to the roof and practice. Practice during breaks, before and after rehearsals. And sometimes, well sometimes I just wanted to burn the damn staff. I wish I could remember which day it was that Serpentine became Serpentine and I Hunter, truly, in sync, partners, together, but I don’t. I can’t recall, all I remember is that it just became easier, and I began to feel more confident. I took her home every night. I painted her and repainted her, repaired her, cared for her. It was relationship. A beautiful one at that. All this of course, well, most of this work became unconscious because I had such a great fight choreographer and fight partner. Andrew( fight chor) and Bryan (Vandemar) remained patience and open the entire time, while I huff and puff and cursed my staff with all my might. They and as well as the cast and crew reassured me that I was Hunter and that I could do it. Today as I prepare to get on stage, we run through our fight call without worry. Bryan and I get to fly and have so much fun up there. I call it making love, not fighting. We take such care of one other and our staffs. The whole process has become even more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. And to think, I’ve never even used a weapon on stage before this! Now I proud boast about my training and technique. And that day will come, and soon, when I have to put Serpentine away…but until then…let it roll!!

Feb ‘13

Blocking “The Ordeal” on the set of “Absolutely Filthy” @ Sacred Fools Proper

(left to right to front) 

Carlos (Islington/Gary), Ezra (Croup/Man 1), Cassandra (Jessica/Lamia), Julia (Woman 1), Michael (Richard), Scott (Our freakin rad director!) 

“Neverwhere” Memory 1

As we dwindle down on performances, I’m going to go back to recount some of my favorite, or more memorable moments from this amazing journey.

A sunny Sunday afternoon in March. Our first week of tech. I had just moved into my new apartment and had a party to celebrate the night before I believe. Exhausted but super satisfied with how tech was going, I was giddy about leaving early that afternoon. Strangely, Paula (Lady Door), Carlos (Islington), and a few other kept hearing squeaking noises from outside while we were running around backstage. I was under the impression it was some cat or mouse or something. But once we finished Josh (Islington u/s) comes to find these little guys outside with a security guard at a near by palm tree. Apparently these 3 little guys fell out of a very high palm tree and lost their mama. I remember that moment of discovering what it really was. I felt terrible. I consider myself an animal woman more than a baby woman, but this was unbearable. Easily the most precious little creatures I had ever seen and to be so in pain. Watching their little bodies struggle for air…my heart was breaking as Paula and I scrammed around to call nearby animal clinics, and hospitals; panicing and trying not to get overwhelmed and start crying in public. I just kept thinking call after call, that they were going to die if no one took them. Both her and I were willing and ready to take them home, even if for the night. However, after about 45 minutes of struggling to find someone to talk to about this, we found a place in Burbank that had a squirrel specialist who nurses squirrels out of his huge SF Valley home. I was beyond relieved, the tightness from my chest began to lift. Paula carry our little guys safely to the squirrel guy in Burbank. We set up an online connection to our friends on facebook, twitter, etc, about how to donate to get the little guys back on track. It was such an amazing day of rehearsal already, but to have such an experience, was even more powerful. So grateful to have found them. Paula named them Islington, Carabas, and Hunter…

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Inimitable ISLINGTON.

neverwherela:

The ultimate Cinemagraph from the fabulously talented Shaela Cook, featuring Caligulos Larkin as the inimitable Islington!

An amazing entry by my awesome castmate Donnelle Fuller!

neverwherela:

I’ve always been a lover of “worlds”. A book nerd before I could even talk, I loved nothing as much as steeping my youth in fiction that transported me from the mundane to the fantastical. I visited Oz, Wonderland, Narnia. Grew older. Took several spins through Hogwarts (who didn’t?). Grew older…

neverwherela:

A mix inspired by the people, places, and things of @neilhimself’s “Neverwhere,” by @michael_rholmes

neverwherela:

“Greetings, and welcome to Sacred Fools’ production of ‘Neverwhere’…”

So begins the pre-show speech, delivered wryly by Jonathan Kells Phillips, playing the Marquis de Carabas in Sacred Fools Theatre’s production of Neverwhere. Jonathan is one gear in a well-oiled machine, a production so…

Amazing amazing words by the sensational Bryan Bellomo, way to go man! We love you!!

neverwherela:

RICHARD

Forgotten? Oh right… Should I meet you there then?

JESSICA

You’re already fifteen minutes late for meeting me at your flat.

RICHARD

Right. Sorry, Jessica.

Thus begins Richard Mayhew’s tale, the epic journey of a…

neverwherela:

Richard Mayhew and The Lady Door. The first in a series of Cinemagraphs from London Below courtesy of Shaela Cook Photography.

Click here to see the trick!

neverwherela:

Great stories are infectious and last longer than the moments it takes to read them, as do great experiences. They linger in the mind like an excellent taste on the tongue. Neil Gaiman’s work lingers like this for me. Years back when reading “Neverwhere” the first time I distinctly remember Lamia…

neverwherela:

“Nothing is ever easy, especially when journeys are involved.”

Any production of an adapted work by an author of great reknown is going to be met with a rising tide. Borne upon that tide are rafts made of the gnarled and knotted beliefs of my nerd brethren and carried upon those rafts are…

neverwherela:

Alliances are funny things, and allegiances are even trickier. Everywhere you turn, it seems, things can change. Enemies become friends, terrorists become heads of state, families unite and split apart, lovers become lethal foes…

I like to think the Marquis de Carabas has a healthy respect…

neverwherela:

You hear actors talk about their “dream role” or the “role they were born to play” from time to time. But then it happens to you and you realize exactly what a powerful experience that can be.

Since I was a kid, I’ve felt, well, off from everyone else. A bit of an outsider, or at least just…

neverwherela:

(Editor’s Note: Carlos actually wears several different hats in the show, but Islington is what some might call his “hero” part. Here are his thoughts on it.)

So… it would seem that I have been charged with playing an Angel. And not just your usual, run of the mill, appearing out of flame,…

neverwherela:

I knew “Neverwhere” was a popular story and, of course, that Neil had a huge following, but I had no idea how insanely popular the piece was. When I posted on my Facebook page that I’d been cast by Sacred Fools in the role of Mr. Croup, one of the “finest cutthroats in all of space and time…” my…

Day 20

SF North

(Pictured Photo 1: Left to right Suze (Stage Mgr), Scott (Dir), Michael Holmes (Richard Mayhew) Paula Rhodes (Door) Photo 2 Left to Right Bryan Krasner (Vandemar), Sondra Mayer (Hunter Understudy), Guy (Croup Understudy/Dialect Coach), Suze, Scott), Photo 3 Ezra Buzzington (Croup)

Devereau Chumrau as “Hunter” in Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere at Sacred Fools Theater in Hollywood.

Devereau as “Hunter” in Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere at Sacred Fools Theatre in Hollywood

“Las Meninas” Asolo Repertory Theatre

“Las Meninas” Asolo Repertory Theatre

“Las Meninas” Asolo Repertory Theatre

“Las Meninas” Asolo Repertory Theatre

“Antigone Now” Asolo Repertory Theatre

“Antigone Now” Asolo Repertory Theatre

“Antigone Now” Asolo Repertory Theatre

“Game of Love & Chance” at FSU/Asolo Conservatory

“Machinal” at FSU/Asolo Conservatory

“Imaginary Invalid” at Cal State Northridge