I had an amazing opportunity a few weeks back to teach a class at the Decatur Area Arts Council called “Drawing Daily Comics” for ages K – 12th. The above photo (taken by Mark Roberts) was featured in a piece appearing in the Herald & Review. I can’t tell you how happy I was reading what some of my young artists had to say about the class, and can genuinely say they inspired me just as much.
I’ll share one of my favorite examples of just how inspiring they were after the break! Continue reading
A few odds and ends to share with you!
First up, a video produced by the Hoogland Center for the Arts in Springfield, where we (the cast and crew) enjoyed three tremendously “on-board” audiences who happily allowed themselves to be swept up in our insanity. To Gus and everyone at Hoogland; thank you for the invite, the opportunity, and the support you gave our production! It was a wildly enjoyable run and we could not be more grateful.
Next up is a cast & crew photo we took outside Hoogland. I love this pic because it truly represents our show. What you (the audience) see onstage with the actors is only a fraction of what goes on as a whole. This is truly the entire cast of The 39 Steps.
One last bit of linkage: a piece the Herald & Review’s Jim Vorel wrote in support of our roadtrip to Springfield.
Good Times!
–jay
Here’s a fun collection of show photos from Theatre 7′s Facebook page, taken by Hank Norris. There’s also a short collection of rehearsal/set construction photos.
If you are so inclined, here’s the official review for our show, ‘The 39 Steps,’ from the Herald & Review’s Jim Vorel. My jaw happily dropped when I read:
“Jayson Albright shines as the clueless hero, Richard Hannay, benefiting from several long solo scenes and extended speeches that allow him to really flex some acting muscle. Physical muscle actually abounds as well, as Albright’s athleticism allows him to pull off a few unusual moves uncommon to a Theatre 7 stage production.”
Physical muscle? Athleticism? My inner Ren Höek – the one who regularly laments his lack of pectoral muscles – salutes you, kind sir!
Also kind was the (shared via email) review forwarded to me by mother from one Shirley Kistler. I refrain from sharing the entire review since it was not (to my knowledge) a published piece, but I would like to share this:
“Jayson Albright. He is a combination of Dick Van Dyke and Will Ferrell. His English accent never wavers and his physical comedy was outrageously funny. He was just wonderful. And…he is an EHS graduate. He alone is worth the price of admission.”
Yep, I had Mrs. Kistler back in high school. Thank you, ma’am!
What I love about her Van Dyke recognition is that not two nights prior to receiving this I was sharing with my wife how (in one particular scene) I was very specifically channeling VanDyke’s physicality. So that made me grin ear to ear for quite some time! Of course, being likened to Mr. Ferrell ain’t half bad, either 
Both reviews had wonderful things to say about my costars and show crew as well – all of it well-deserved praise I might add. As I’ve stated before, its been seven long years since my last stage production; I was simply hoping for an enjoyable dip back into the pond. What I got was one of my absolute favorite show experiences ever.
I’ll have one more bit of ’39 Steps’ to share soon: I’m working on a movie poster for the show!
I love The Muppets. So a year ago, when I was contacted by the awesome folks over at CUDO (Champaign-Urbana Design Org) and agreed to participate in their 5th volume of the worldwide phenomenon PechaKucha, I knew exactly what my subject would be. After the break, see the official video of that presentation – featuring my illustrated Muppet adventure – and find out just what the heck PechaKucha is…
Meet Richard Hannay.
For the next two weekends I have the pleasure of starring in a production of ‘The 39 Steps,‘ based off Hitchcock’s classic film. The above photo is used in the show; my character is on the run for most of it, and a pair of policemen use the above photo just prior to a chase scene on a train (yes!).
What’s great about this show is it’s a comedy, yet still uses much of Hitchcock’s original dramatic screenplay. Believe me, it works. It’s a small cast – just four of us – though the show is populated by something like 140 different characters (seriously). The bulk of that is done by two “clowns” played by Doug Bishop and Dreux Lewandowski. Sue Powell plays three separate characters. I play Richard throughout.
The four cast member thing is slightly misleading; our crew working behind the scenes is every bit as important as the players on stage. This show is so fast-paced, with so many props and set pieces and costume changes and so on, that we actors rely heavily on the folks backstage. Yes, that’s true of every production, but even more so on this one. It’s that crazy. Couldn’t do it without ‘em.
Hard to believe, but this is my first stage show in seven years. I’ve so totally enjoyed jumping back into this, back home with Theatre 7, and feel we’ve really got something fun for the audience. If you’re in the area the next two weekends, I encourage you to come check us out!
Here’s one from years back I’ve always enjoyed. ‘The Mime’ was done just for me – no commission – which is something I rarely do anymore. Mainly I doodle “for me,” for enjoyment; producing fully drawn-up goodness happens only once in a blue moon. Its something I’d like to carve more time out to do.
Ladies and gentlemen: The Mime.
Talking with someone today, the topic of comic strips came up. While I am actually working on some characters (and the world they live in) for a potential web strip, my thoughts drifted to two strips featuring Troupe Dynamic I produced for the Thrive Entertainment Guide.
See the strips and read more after the jump!
CD cover for a compilation of holiday tunes discovered by Teddi and I in 2011.
It’s been a while, but Troupe Dynamic is back with a new video!
Trouper Timmy just celebrated a milestone; as a surprise, the rest of the gang got together for a down-and-dirty, super fast and furious filming of a four-and-a-half hour opus! Or rather, the trailer for that four-and-a-half hour opus. It runs a mere 1:48.
Enjoy!
Troupe Dynamic is my comedy group passion; whenever and wherever I get a chance to play with this group, I jump (it’s not nearly often enough). “Timmy’s Trailer” was written*, produced, directed, and edited by yours truly, and I also play the character “Jay” (it’s a stretch). It was shot by myself and fellow Troupers Doug and Janet, with further assist by Teddi Lucas. No equipment was used other than my Canon T1i (which accounts for the shoddy sound). We knew going in this was to be a quick-fire project; I’m cool with the audio all things considered.
*Really, I can’t really say I ‘wrote’ it since these characters’ voices live inside my dome. I just type out the dialogue I’m hearing up top 
Coney’s Holiday Cookie Shoppe is open! Located in Downtown Decatur, it features cookies big and small – all delicious, of course – and assorted other goodies. And I’m decorating!
It breaks down like this: Flo bakes, I decorate. I’ve got peeps helping with the basic outlining and filling, but the faces are all 100% Jay. Here’s a peek at a couple’a Frankenstein trays; keep your eyes open for the Easter Egg cookie in the bunch (hint: its not easy being green). I’ll post some more later!
