BY BELINDA BREMNER
We begin this year
as we ended the last, thanking those in our community who have the vision,
initiative, generosity of spirit, and energy to make things happen.
When
we last left, the intrepid casting directors—Jane Alderman, Mickie
Paskal, Jennifer Rudnicke and Claire Simon—were about to head to
California with a band of Chicago actors they had assembled to perform
before a slew of Hollywood casting heavyweights.
The
showcase, “30 Chairs—No Waiting” held at the AMPAS theatre
at the Mary Pickford Center on Jan. 12, was a resounding success. “The
energy among the actors was terrific,” said Simon. “They were
so supportive—all rooting for each other. It was wonderful on a
human level.” It was also very wonderful on a professional level.
There were many, many meetings and connections. And some actors had work
within just two days. But it wasn’t just the Chicagoans that were
thrilled; over 100 of CSA’s top casting directors were dead impressed.
They praised the Chicago talent, stopped to talk with the organizers,
and pleaded that they do it again.
The
indefatigable Jane Alderman is at it again. After hearing repeatedly how
hard it was for Chicago actors to get in to see the casting directors
for film, radio and television here, she got busy. Representing the casting
directors, she put her clever head together with SAG officer and talent
extraordinaire Lisa Lewis to come up with a solution. AFTRA/SAG members
in good standing will be receiving official notification soon, along with
all the rules and regs, but here is an early report. Our local casting
directors will each set aside a day once or twice a year in which they
will take meetings with actors whom they do not know—just like generals.
The shape of the meetings—audition or interview—will be determined
by the casting director. It will be “a legitimate opportunity for
AFTRA/SAG members to audition for or interview with casting directors
in a professional atmosphere.”
This
is not a workshop, feedback program, nor any guarantee of work. Actors
will get a meeting by making a submission to the AFTRA/SAG office and
casting directors will decide whom they need to meet. Jane will kick off
the project by taking the first slot in April. Union members should be
hearing the full details from the union very soon. Remember, this is an
opportunity for union members in good standing only. And for actors with
whose work the casting directors are not yet familiar.
And,
in the meantime, Alderman will be casting for “ER” when they
come to town. Bookings will run in the next issue.
“ER”
is not the only West Coast action happening here. In fact, I’m told
this is the busiest January here in years in terms of inquiries and scouting.
We have The Weatherman with Nicolas Cage, and indies Southside and Under
the City. And there is LOTS of interest in Chicago with loads of scouting
for projects later in the year. What’s on the radar? We may get
a chunk of Oceans 12 in mid-April and The Intimidation Game from Warner
Brothers is a definite maybe for the summer.
Tenner
Paskal Rudnicke has been extremely busy this New Year. They’ve booked
commercials for Always, Nexium, Miller Beer, Volkswagen, M’Azing,
the McDonald’s Super Bowl spot, Marsh Super Markets, Verizon and
Health Alliance, as well as an industrial for Career Education Centers.
And on the film front, they cast both Southside (a great indie film directed
by Bruce Terris) and The Weatherman. Bookings went to: Janina Gavankar,
John Sterchi, Cedric Young, Mary Jo Feraci, John Lordan, Danielle Hoetmer,
Heidi Drennan, Randy Steinmeyer, Meredith Siemsen, Adrion Richardson,
Mike Spatafora, Kevin Asselin, Rebecca Merritt, Lauren Ryland, Peyton
Callahan, Nadia Monique, Luke Hatton, Tai’Isha Davis, Erin Mosher,
Kim Farber, Sam Zerante, Carole Dibo, Joanne Sylvestrak, Linda Bright
Clay, Joe Krowka, Josh Scott and Alejandro Pina.
Claire
Simon recently finished the casting for the SAG indie Under The City.
Booked were Kwame Amoake, Rolando Boyce, John Carter Brown, Steve Cinabrio,
Freeman Coffey, Maury Cooper, Nikki Cull, Corryn Cummins, Diane Dorsey,
Shana Goodsell, D.J. Howard, Melissa Johnson, Bernie Landis, Mark Montgomery,
Bobby Mort, E.J. Murray, Larry Neumann, Jr., Lauren Neuschel, Elisabeth
Oas, Roderick Peeples, Rich Pierrelouis, Libya Pgh, Regan Rohde, Joe Ryan,
Mike Starr, Jennifer Sydney, and Ronnel Taylor. They also conducted both
a search and an open call for ABC Touchstone’s The Parent Trap and
booked Timothy Johnson, Len Bajerski, Wesley Walker, Eddie Bo Smith, Jane
Blass and Brett Wozniak for Audi. Theatre projects include casting Jenny
McKnight as Maria in Lilliom at Missouri Rep as well as casting for Plaza
Suite at Indiana Rep.
And
praise goes to Chicago talent over on the East Coast as well. Chicago’s
own Molly Kidder, who moved to New York this past fall, is a member of
Eastcheap Rep. Their 9/11 play Jumpers, which she collaborated on both
as a writer and performer—was heralded in Backstage as one of the
year’s best productions. Jeanette Toomer called it, “The most
compelling original drama of this theatre season.” This was the
same play they took to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and which earned
a four star review in the London Times. Congratulations to Molly and justifiably
proud parental units Nancy Kidder and John Lordan.
Peace.