Welcome to Miss Julie’s Blog, Stageplays Theatre Company’s forum for news about our community – actors, playwrights, directors and designers – all who participate in our activities and share our interests. Expect to read posts about the theatre – plays, actors, performances, special events, play readings - and about films, concerts and other events that might be of interest.But first, let’s start with what's most important! The theatre? Not this time! The dog! Our "theatrical" dog – Miss Julie – Stageplays’ Company Mascot, named after Strindberg’s most famous character.
Those of you who have visited our office, may have met Miss Julie, our Cairn terrier (we’d give her age but that would limit her castability - let's just say she looks younger than she is). Here’s Julie's picture – she's weighing in with an opinion on some casting (doesn't everyone), her paw rests on Jason Tomarken’s headshot. (Jason distinguished himself in several readings with us this year.)
Not only is she cute, she's a great kisser and, true to her nature, she can manipulate anyone into giving her a treat (the first word she learned – kiss. Second – candy!) Miss Julie is a reminder to us of the simple things in life - the way she lives her puppy life, with purpose in her every pursuit, joy and curiosity in her every activity; always at the ready to play, and always ready to love with affection and loyalty.
Observing Julie reminds us one of Fellini's observations about actors, making a point about acting with a purpose, with intention, knowing who you are as a character, what you want, and why you do what you do, etc. To paraphrase Fellini: You put a dog on a set and the dog will not make a move without first knowing where he is going....and why. You put an actor on a set without giving him direction and he will start behaving in bizarre ways, saying all sorts of nonsense, doing strange things for no reason and without purpose… Sometimes acting can be as simple as life. Something Miss Julie knows instinctively, and we know all the better for watching her.
So, it’s Miss Julie’s Blog ‘cause “she’s got vision when all the rest of us are wearing bifocals.” (Paul Newman/Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid).
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