Progress Report Weeks #4 & #5

Final Project, weeks of October 12 - October 19

Week of October 12th I had practically nothing to report. Some weeks are like that. I'd sent out letters of inquiry and follow-up emails and just hadn't gotten any response.

This past week things picked up.

- Katie Shook, puppet princess, is officially on board. She has two pieces she is currently working on, one with playwright Sibyl O'Malley, who I love and would like to work with. Having worked with Katie before I more or less know what to expect from her, so having her committed to the project was for me the important thing. We will talk in a few months about which project she is gravitating towards and focus on its specifics then.

- Closer to a director/collaborator for Jennifer Barclay on THE EXILE OF PETIE DELARGE. Maureen Huskey is interested in the piece. She and I are in discussion about the play and its parameters. Feeling optimistic.

- Got confirmation that Rogue Artists Ensemble is definitely in. That's exciting! And apparently THE GOGOL PROJECT which they are doing now is doing very well and they have extended.

- I've begun a dialogue with the Hollywood Fringe Executive Director, Ben Hill. The Fringe is still not open for submissions. What I am proposing essentially is to program a venue, and now I am on their radar. Ben gave me a list of suggestions, and a geographic guideline for where the venue would need to be located for inclusion. Like Edinburgh the Fringe organizers will do what they can to help me find and secure a venue, however also like Edinburgh I am 100% responsible for the cost. I'm just not sure that a rental is something I can afford, even in an alternative space. Or should I say, especially in an alternative space where I may have to provide lighting, sound & video equipment.

- Dates for the Hollywood Fringe are June 17-27, 2010.

- Next steps. For me, I just need to keep all these conversations going. I need to spend some time researching potential venues in the Hollywood area and see what looks like a good fit. I need to write out a preliminary budget and start strategizing my fundraising. You know, if anyone has a couple of thousand dollars lying around that they're not using, I'm a worthy cause.

More later -- Liz E

Progress Report Wk #3

Final Project, week of Oct. 5:

Feeling a little stalled. Trying not to fall behind on my timetable.

- Sent letter of inquiry to Jesse S. at Poor Dog Group, still waiting to hear back.

- Rogue Artists Ensemble was supposed to have met last week and Sean to present my proposal for collaboration. Haven't heard back.

- Did have some more in-depth exchange with Jen Barclay re: "Exile". Sharing ideas about directors, music, video, and other directions we would like to see the project go.

- Have part of a letter of inquiry to the Hollywood Fringe that I *have* to finish and send off. Every time I sit down to finish it something interrupts.

- Read through Karole Foreman's "Venus Hottentot" draft and I need to give her some feedback.

- Wrote a bio/artistic statement to add to this blog page, with the intention of sharing this blog with more people and using it as a tool to communicate about this project.

Alternate EXILE Blurb

Courtesy of the playwright --

Petie DeLarge, the great leader of the campus coup, has been exiled and the faculty of BumBums has once again taken their corrupted control of the Rummy student body. If Petie and her gang of Borgies and Bessies are going to regain leadership, they must first infiltrate campus under cover and get to bottom of the splattering suicide of sweet, flighty Wendy. An ensemble of actor/musicians rocks this tale of revolt. A Peter Pan/ Lord of the Flies/ Clockwork Orange remix with live music, mask and video.