Actors Lab

[devlinmann]

So far the theme emerging is comedy, or lighthearted fare... couple that with it's rightful counterpart and we may have something here

[JaxNative68]

I agree with the Captain on anything geared towards lighthearted humor; hell even black comedy is up my alley.  Judging by the posts of many people on this site, there isn’t enough of it going around, because they take everything way to serious. 

Since I've been in the thick of this site's discussions, let me attempt to explain my responses. Re yr above quote: Yes, I take acting seriously, but not myself. Nevertheless, I found Capt. Z's comments insulting, and would suggest that if your motives on a subject you hold near & dear were sarcastically questioned, you might also respond.
I'm looking forward to future topic related posts.

I wasn't alluding to you.

[devlinmann]

On to the future...

We are currently in talks to confirm our season.  These talks are challenging as they involve several actors and directors that are "high profile".  I know that sounds crappy but if I said their names you would know them and as they don't commit until things are set and solid I run the risk of losing them...

suffice to say we may be bringing emmy, tony, and oscar winners...

now we need the right space and we want it to be downtown, any suggestions?

[Captain Zissou]

So devlin, if I understand you correctly, you are a looking to create a space/venue for local thespians with some already established talent to collaborate and hone their craft?  Would this be drawing performers from already existing Jacksonville performance venues??  What is the local scene like?  Is there a hub or center for actors to have dialogue, or is each venue largely independent?

[devlinmann]

That is largely what we have created already, the Lab is in session twice a week. It supports the existing venues and performers.

What we are interested in now is expansion and the move toward production.

Jacksonville has some excellent community theaters and a very strong acting community, we want to take that further, provide more opportunity, and establish a national and international identity.

I work a good deal in NY, LA, London, and France and it is my goal to make Jax a destination for theatre and film professionals... to make work, present work, workshop new pieces, shoot more tv and film here etc...

Lofty ambitions I grant you but more than achievable.

It will not happen overnight but I believe that it will happen here and that we will benefit greatly as a community when it does.

[devlinmann]

as far as the lab this is a quote from our website:

"The Actors Lab,
(Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6:30-9:30 pm email devlindirector@mac.com for locations)

An intensive session for advanced actors to "workout" in safe space focusing on particular areas of craft that interest the individual. It will incorporate scene work, monologues, technique development, warm up variations, vocal and physical enhancement and overall refinement of the individual.  (Requires invitation/interview/audition)."

[sheclown]

Welcome all. 

<don't sweat the frat hazing>

[devlinmann]

After completing my Masters at the Central School of Speech and Drama (www.cssd.ac.uk) I was honored to be invited to direct at the Embassy Theatre in London.

Shortly thereafter I directed and acted in productions that premiered in London and toured through France.

My wife, who completed her Masters at the Laban Centre London, has had her work with The BackLight Dance Company presented in Paris, Berlin, Portugal, Peking and London.

Additionally, we have conducted extensive dance and theatre study abroad programs in France and Berlin.

While we establish the base of BackLight here in Jacksonville our goal remains to develop work here and then present it in some if not all of these cities again.

[devlinmann]

Now I may seem biased but I think anyone would objectively say that my wife is amazing! 

She was the first  Distinction ever awarded in Masters in Choreography program at The Laban Centre London.

Her work has been presented all over the world as I mentioned in an earlier post and now she is returning to the faculty of Jacksonville University as a co developer of their new MFA program. 

Which is the first low residency MFA of its kind in the US that combines both European and American studies on advanced Dance practice. 

The program will even have a residency at White Oak.  The list of Guest Artists is extremely impressive on an international scale.

And she does all this while being the most amazing mother and wife! Ok I am biased after all.

[devlinmann]

The whole production team for that show was spectacular.  

Shelley and I continue to work together on a number of things and he has expressed a desire to return to Jax for more shows...

[devlinmann]

I should leave the White Oak stuff to the experts but suffice to say it is a wildlife preserve that includes a Dance studio built for Barishnikov.

[devlinmann]

And plays host to international luminaries form time to time.

[devlinmann]

The lab will be open to new members this week.  If interested please email me devlindirector@mac.com

Thank you

Devlin

[scottjsmith]

White Oak?

I keep hearing about that.  Can you explain what that is?

As close as you are to the performing arts, I'm sure you'd like to research this topic further.

Seems pertinent to this thread, so didn't start a new thread.  I'm sure the moderator can split it, if deemed appropriate:

http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/052399/met_2a1White.html
Even those who live by White Oak hardly know about it

http://www.whiteoakplantation.net
Official Site for the Conservatory upon which the studio is located

http://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/21/arts/dance-sowing-the-acorns-of-the-white-oak-project.html
1990 - JACKSONVILLE, Fla.â€" Slender-horned gazelles and wattled cranes range listlessly in the late summer heat over the sprawling nature preserves of the White Oak Plantation on the Florida-Georgia border. In another corner of the 7,500-acre estate, the home of Howard Gilman, head of the Gilman Paper Company, a one-time equipment shed has been turned into a pristine white dance studio for another exotic species.

Dancers of the White Oak Project are at work rehearsing for a 3-week, 17-city national tour, consisting of mostly one-night stands, plus two-night engagements in Minneapolis and Tampa, Fla. The tour begins Wednesday with a performance at the Wang Center in Boston, the closest it will bring them to New York City. Produced by Mikhail Baryshnikov and Mr. Gilman, a dance patron and long-time friend of Mr. Baryshnikov, the Project will present five pieces choreographed by Mark Morris, performed by Mr. Baryshnikov and seven other dancers...

http://mfa.ju.edu/whiteoak.htm
The residency program at White Oak provides a care-free, bucolic setting for the development of the new works by emerging choreographers and dance companies. Some of those who have stayed at White Oak over the past 12 months include The American Ballet Theatre - Studio Company, Trey McIntyre Project, and Julio Bocca - Ballet Argenino.

http://search.jacksonville.com/index.php?query=%22white+oak+plantation%22+dance&scope=general&engine=Fast
Florida Times-Union Coverage

[devlinmann]

Excellent stuff scott, thank you