http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/index/ en spfmarketing@yahoo.com Copyright 2008 2008-08-22T17:29:00-05:00 http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/take_me_back_to_spf/ http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/take_me_back_to_spf/#When:17:29:00Z Hi Fellow Interns and anyone else reading. We are now 5 days short of 1 month since SPF 2008 ended and I must say I find myself missing it A LOT.  I am going back to school at Indiana on Sunday and I can’t think of a place I would rather be than in the Public Green Room right now. I hope you all have a great year and that possibly you are reading this and going through withdrawal like I am. SPF 2008 forever! P.S. Hi and Thank you again to Arielle Tepper Madover, Jen Taylor, Jackie Leitzes, Sam Levy, Thom Clay, Scott Pegg, Marty Pavlov, Holly Ferguson and Laura “den mother” Pietropinto General 2008-08-22T17:29:00-05:00 http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/i_wish_i_had_taken_more_pictures/ http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/i_wish_i_had_taken_more_pictures/#When:21:56:01Z Yeah, so right before coming to NYC my digital camera broke and I decided I didn’t want to buy a new one.  That was a mistake. Anyway, one last round of Catchphrase, blog-style so the actors can’t get mad at us for enjoying life too loudly while they’re getting into character. (No hard feelings.) “It’s something that happens when you’re separated from someone.  Like someone you care about. Okay make it plural.” Did you guess? I MISS YOU GUYS, interns, staff, artists, the walls of the public, the sign that says Uptown and the Bronx.  All of it.  I’m back in the woods of Connecticut leading a very lonely life. Anyway it’s hard to know what to say at this point but for the sake of keeping things positive, it doesn’t seem like the end.  SPF truly does feel like a beginning.  Hopefully the writers feel this way.  Matthew Lopez says he’s turned back into a pumpkin, but maybe it’s not the last midnight.  For me though, I’m more excited than ever to pursue my career in the theatre because everything feels so tangible now.  The cabaret, though small was the cherry on top of a fro-yo summer. (Oh God I miss the smell of Beard Papa...Pink Berry can take a seat in the back). But after all the grunt work of being an intern, having a moment to show that you know how to do more than do coffee runs, was beyond satisfying especially the part where dreamboat SPF artists say “Great job.” (And yes the interns did go through and list their festival crushes, jealous?) Anyway, I think it’s becoming more and more apparent that I really don’t know what to say.  Hopefully that Irish chick puts up her photos soon.  SPF, I will be back: in the audience, reading scripts, submitting scripts...so see you soon, save me comp...no really Holly, last week was getting ridiculous. General 2008-07-28T21:56:01-05:00 http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/the_final_blog/ http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/the_final_blog/#When:04:43:00Z How can i possibly sum up my entire experience with SPF in 1 blog entry.  Here goes- Wonderful, Super, Fantastic, Coolness, Remarkable.  Yes, I referenced Black Suits again, you’re not confused.  I can’t even tell you how much I have learned.  I feel like a totally different person and in a year from now I will be able to take on this industry and actually survive. The feeling of confirmation for my love of theater and Stage Management as well as the professional experience that SPF has provided me this summer has been priceless. I could never have fathomed this experience to be as wonderful as it has been and the great people and plays The Summer Play Festival has to offer.  If you are possibly reading this in the future and are considering interning with SPF next summer, DO IT!!!!  (Also, put on a great cabaret!!) Thank you to the entire SPF Staff and my fellow interns for making this a summer that I will never forget and a final project for Graduation from Indiana University that has been unlike any other opportunity in my life.  General 2008-07-28T04:43:00-05:00 http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/a_joint_goodbye/ http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/a_joint_goodbye/#When:17:50:00Z Susannah and April, interns joined at the hip, have decided to write a joint entry as our final blog. As an intern entity, it’s hard to break up our experiences.  We’ve learned to order and carry multiple coffee orders, how to battle the copy machine and win (sometimes...), and how to avoid bitchassness during tech week (aka tech day).  But most of all, we’ve seen that SPF is a perfect exampleof an artistic community that is well-organized, full of talent, and completely dedicated to up and coming artists of all kinds, right down to interns like us.  Not to say that we’ve made an artistry of interning (although, to be honest, we are pretty good at it!), but they treat us like we are the “next hundred people to come of the train” and in through the doors of SPF.  So thank you to everyone for treating us with the warmth and respect that made excited to come in every day and be part of this incredible endeavour. Slan and agus go raibh maith agaibh! General 2008-07-27T17:50:00-05:00 http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/insert_quote_about_how_things_end_here/ http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/insert_quote_about_how_things_end_here/#When:20:38:00Z So here we are. Six weeks, 8 shows and a load of broken plates, showtune, and blood later, we’re at the end. And I have to say, I would do another six weeks. This final week has been far from dull. We’ve met with several industry figures, including some guy who does musicals whose name escapes me. (Kidding. I smiled like a baby watchinga dancing squrriel as we spoke with Mr. Sondheim). Yesterday we had our intern cabaret, which was fantastic. (Many thanks to all those who came.) I performed an original work, and the wonderful response is recived for it is something i’ll take with me this forthcoming year as I attempt to continue on in my writing. But now here we are. This sort of thing always ends in a uniquely sad way. What makes groups like ours so great is that we come from all over, bringing all of our unique perspectives together. But then we have to break apart, and scatter back across the country (or out of it in a couple of cases.) We work together, we bitch together, we create together, and then all of a sudden, we’re gone. And it’s hard. If I have one regret about the program it’s that I wish I knew everybody better. Because of the nature of what we’re doing, we were off in seperate groups for much of the time, only really united in the first and last week. We’ve been told that if we stay in the business we’ll see each other again, so here’s hoping. As I depart, I want to thank the spf staff for being amazing, Laura , for always having our backs, and my fellow interns. You guys are all amazing. Love and Peace -James Corkey Custer the Third, Signing off. General 2008-07-26T20:38:00-05:00 http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/spfing_sweet/ http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/spfing_sweet/#When:18:03:00Z As the Summer Play Festival comes to a most glorious completion, one can only bask the imagined white light of an empty stage and wonder, “Could this really be me one day?”.  Not only has this festival enriched our passion for theater, art, and catch phrase, it has enriched our faith in humanity.  The continuance of philanthropic arts festivals such as SPF makes you appreciate our culture in a manner often difficult to feel in the current state of our nation, and our city.  And it is truly an honor and a privelidge to have been a vertebrae in the backbone of its stability.  Who knows!  Years from now, there may be an embossed plaque proudly hanging in the Newman green room, proudly displaying our smiling intern faces for all to see - forever.  Starring in a production of “The Seagull”, Daniel Radcliffe, minutes before gracing the stage, may observe this likeness of the immortal 2008 intern posse and think to himself, “I would really like to be making some more money from this F**king job… can’t I just play a precocious, pre-pubescant wizard again?!?” And our image will fill him with joy.  To all those who have helped me along the way, and more importantly, those who have dealt with my endless barrage of bullshit, I commend you.  Thank you all for making this experience enjoyable, educational, intoxicational, residential, masticational, and other adjectives.  I hope the best for all of you and may god have mercy on your souls. Signing off, Thomas Wolfson General 2008-07-26T18:03:00-05:00 http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/a_funny_thing_happened_on_the_way_to_the_public/ http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/a_funny_thing_happened_on_the_way_to_the_public/#When:01:25:00Z It’s been an interesting week since Esther Demsack closed this past Sunday.  It was nice to catch up on some sleep after the technical difficulties we faced with Esther.  The highlight of the week (and my life) was meeting Stephen Sondheim yesterday.  I must have jumped three feet when I saw him sitting in the lobby of the Public!  I couldn’t stop grinning like an idiot throughout the entire talk-back. Meeting him provided the necessary inspiration for my cabaret act for this Friday.  Jess and I decided to perform a medley of Sondheim songs to parody intern life.  I just finished writing the new lyrics today so let’s hope it sticks for tomorrow!  Meeting Steve (as I now affectionately call him) has helped us to capture the true essence of the amazingness that is Sondheim.  Wish us luck for Ourtern: A City of Strangers! General 2008-07-25T01:25:00-05:00 http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/another_100_people/ http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/another_100_people/#When:22:04:00Z This morning was one of the most surreal experiences in my life.  Yes, I went to the Tony’s and met the cast of Rent, Avenue Q and Adam Duritz from Counting Crows and that was the 1st unbelievable experience of my life, but today was unbelievable experience #2- Stephen Sondheim spoke to us today.  STEPHEN SONDHEIM.  I am currently wondering how long the shock will take to subside.  I suggest everyone start making a pool, because it may be a while.  I say another 100 people, not just because of the cliche-ness of the fact that the intern cabaret is this friday at 5 and we are performing that song, but I feel like this entire summer has been a compilation of another 100 people that I have had the opportunity to meet. The throngs of people that have wanted to come and speak with us and the random people that I have met, just because of the stars aligning in the right way really shows there is hope and excitement for a life in this business.I can’t wait to move here and quite frankly wish Indiana University could move to NY.  General 2008-07-23T22:04:00-05:00 http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/its_a_city_of_strangers/ http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/its_a_city_of_strangers/#When:21:15:00Z Hey Liz, how was your day? Pretty good...I met Stephen Sondheim today. That’s right folks.  I met Stephen Sondheim today.  Just let that marinate for a little bit.  HOWEVER, it wasn’t everything I’d hoped.  He called his own writing in West Side Story (my absolute favorite work of art) “self-conscious.” How dare he critique his own writing?? Okay he’s allowed but his criticisms have ruined me a little bit so let’s just say me and Sondheim are in a fight. Anyway the intern cabaret is in a few days.  I gotta go memorize my poem.  I took a break from performing my own work and now I’m resurfacing in NYC...no pressure.  Check out the cabaret event on facebook: Ourturn 2008. General 2008-07-23T21:15:00-05:00 http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/top_theatrical_experiences_of_the_summer_for_me_that_is/ http://interns.spfnyc.com/index.php/site/top_theatrical_experiences_of_the_summer_for_me_that_is/#When:02:18:01Z It’s a top ten list! Except there are 12. 12) Seeing “Boeing Boeing” It’s sexist, stupid, and incredibly dated, but dear lord is it fun. 11) The Songs of Black Suits They are catchy as hell. It didn’t help that everyone involved with the show will break into one at a moments notice. I’ll have those damn things in my head for months. And you know what? I’m okay with that. 10) Seeing “Hair” Those hippies won my heart. And there was nudity! Tee-hee! 9) The plates in Esther Demsack. There is a scene in ED in which plates are overturned in a violent rage. They are not, however, supposed to break. That didn’t stop them, though. After and opening inght suprise in which a plate shattered, injuring our lead, we switched to plastic plates. The still broke. By the last show, we were not only prepared for this, but betting on it. True to form, all but one of the plates were destroyed. 8) The Blood in Neighborhood 3. This was supposed to happen. In the Climax of the show, two characters engage in in epic struggle resulting in one bieng hit in the face with a hammer. This results in blood (Actually small squibs the actors had) splattering everywhere. The audience reaction to this was a great pleasure to watch, nevermore so then in the last performance, in which a group of high schoolers let out the loudest scream the show had known. Cleaning up all that blood? Less fun. 7) Noah Galvin Noah (Everret in Esther Demseck) is a theatrical experience in his own right. Watching him backstage is jsut as fun as watching him onstage. We basically got a nightly one-man show out of him every night, always hilarious, yet slightly horrifying. Also, he listens to nothing but show tunes. He basically is Everett Brewster, minus the tragedy. 6) Seeing Spring Awakening A group of spirited youths sing cheery songs about sex and death! 5) The performances in Neighborhood 3 These four actors (David Aaron Baker, Reyna de Courcy, Brian Gerard Murray and Sally Wheeler) gave you chills onstage. Offstage? As lovely as can be. 4) Not enjoying “August: Osage County” Their’s something oddly satisfying about hating the play that won the Tony. Makes you feel like a rebel. 3) Talking with John Patrick Shanely All of the Speakers we’ve had thus far have been fascinating, but Oscar winning playwright and screenwriter Shanely had a unique appeal to me. As an apsiring writer myself, I found his stories and outlook fascinating, not to mention the fact that he’s hilarious. It’ll be a hard session to top, but maybe the big Double S will be up to it That’s Stephan Sondhiem btw. Double S? Get it?....Sorry. 2) Seeing “Sunday in the Park with George” One of the Sondehiem’s best, done beautifully. Nuff said. 1) Being inspired to write my own plays to submit to SPF Awww, isn’t that sweet? Isn’t that an uplifting way to end?  See you in 4 days for my final blog. -James Corkey Custer The Third General 2008-07-22T02:18:01-05:00