I do WHAT for a living?!!?

Sotto Voce

2009-03-31T17:08:00.000-04:00

So … here I am, a mere four weeks away from a nearly 3 octave range while performing in Dogpark: The Musical, and I have come a long way since then. I say that mainly because at the moment I am on permanent vocal rest after a virus came in right after I got done. Within two weeks I had no voice at all. So now, per doctor’s (and my own) orders, I am on vocal rest for a week.

So … I have taken the down time to revamp my website and bring it up to speed. Which means no more flashy flash graphics, at least for the moment. I’m making the web-hosting I have been paying for actually WORTH something. Hopefully.

In the meantime, while I am updating the website, I have also been research laryngitis.

Here are a few treatment tips from the Mayo Clinic Website:

You can manage most acute cases of laryngitis with self-care steps, such as resting your voice, drinking plenty of fluids and sucking on lozenges, and breathing humidified air.

Make an appointment with a doctor if hoarseness lasts for more than two weeks.
(I am currently beginning my second week … though it seems like two MONTHS!!!)

Home treatment can help with symptoms:

* Breathe moist air: Inhale steam from a bowl of hot water or a hot shower.
* Rest your voice as much as possible.
* Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (avoid alcohol and caffeine).
* Treat the underlying cause of laryngitis, such as heartburn, smoking or alcoholism.
* Suck lozenges, gargle salt water or chew a piece of gum — this won’t help your vocal cords, but can ease throat irritation.

And … more importantly … how to prevent it:

* Don’t smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke. Smoke dries your throat and irritates your vocal cords.
* Drink plenty of water. Fluids help keep the mucus in your throat thin and easy to clear.
* Avoid clearing your throat. This does more harm than good, because it causes an abnormal vibration of your vocal cords and can increase swelling. Clearing your throat also causes your throat to secrete more mucus and feel more irritated, making you want to clear your throat again.
* Avoid upper respiratory infections. Make sure to get your annual flu shot if your doctor recommends it. Wash your hands often and avoid contact with people who have upper respiratory infections such as colds.

Hey … perfect … Don’t get sick! Brilliant! Thanks Mayo Clinic!

Sheesh!

At least I have my fingers. God help me if my hands become broken. (Knocking on wood!)

Unemployment Blues

2009-03-01T17:13:00.002-05:00

Well tonight is the last night of Dogpark: The Musical at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. It's been great being on the ground floor of another Hillgartner/Beecham/Hume extravaganza.

Thus begins the inevitable pavement-pounding, searching for work. Stay tuned though ... there are a few positive little nibbles here and there, I won't be down for too long.

Dogpark: The Musical Backstage Video Blog #04 - On The Road!

2009-02-16T08:38:00.002-05:00

Chip gets away from the theatre to explore what makes the concept of Dogpark: The Musical ring true. He visits the Granville Dogpark, The Mitchell Park Dog Exercise Area (which he knows is West of downtown rather than North) and Muttland Meadows in Grafton, WI.

Meet Romey, Bagley, Sadie, Genghis and other notable mutts on this tour of Milwaukee's Dogparks. (Parts 1 and 2.)

Dogpark: The Musical Backstage Video Blog #03 - Transformation

2009-01-27T08:03:00.003-05:00

This is episode #3 of the backstage Video Blog series, and features a time-lapse viewing of the make-up application for Chip Duford's character, Bogie.

Dogpark: The Musical Backstage Video Blog #02 - Unsung Heroes

2009-01-20T17:03:00.001-05:00

This is episode #2 of the blog series and special because it provides a rare interview with three of the hardest working members of the production of Dogpark: The Musical. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. And you get a real feel for what makes these guys so important.

Dogpark: The Musical Backstage Video Blog #01 - Meet The Writers

2009-01-20T16:59:00.000-05:00

This is installment #01 (of what will be many, hopefully) of a video blog which will give you a glimpse into the creation of a new musical. Specifically, the creation of Dogpark: The Musical at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. This episode features Malcolm Hillgartner and Jahnna Beecham, the Composer and writer (1 of 2) for the show, and is a sneak peak at the creative process for the show.

Dogpark: The Musical @ Milwaukee Repertory Theatre Promotional Video

2009-01-20T16:56:00.004-05:00

This is the promo video that The Milwaukee Repertory Theatre put out for Dogpark: The Musical, the show that I am currently going into the second week of performances of at their Stackner Cabaret.

I have augmented the video with actual music from the show, and a few titles for informational value.

Dogpark opening soon ... oh! and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2008-12-31T11:00:00.003-05:00

We are in the final week of rehearsals before tech begins on Dogpark: The Musical. I had a big EUREKA moment yesterday which should make the transition to the final week much more pleasant and productive. We finally gained our long-lost cast member, Katherine, FULL time, so we are a complete functioning unit! HOORAY!

The show is shaping up quite well, and it should be ready and rarin' to go on January 9th, 2009.

Just occured to me ... It's New Years Eve Day (and I will be rehearsing both today AND tomorrow.)

Ah well ... might stay up if there are people that I know that are doing something ... otherwise ... it might just be a quiet christening in of the New Year at Chez DuFord.

So ... Happy New Year to everyone and come see us in Dogpark in 2009. (My calender will be updated soon with performance dates.)

Meantime ... here's the cover art for the script.

Holding Pattern

2008-11-29T12:44:00.005-05:00

I've been here before, and been pretty impatient about it, but right now, frankly I just need the frickin' REST! We did basically a long weekend of shows for 1940's Radio Hour, and, though it was long, it was also fun and rewarding. Got to hook up with some old friends I hadn't seen in ages, as well as recreate one of my favorite college experiences again.

The 1940's Radio Hour at Hope College in 2008, was, by all accounts, a success!

Here are some pics from the camera of Paul Anderson.

Next up in December ... DOG PARK! More on that later!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hiatus is OVER! ... for the moment.

2008-11-20T11:26:00.002-05:00

Okay! So it's been six months or so since the last post! I have been lax. Nevertheless, making the effort here to 'get back on the ol horse.' To coin a phrase!

Currently I am mere hours away from opening an exciting project at Hope College in Holland, MI. For those of you who know me well, I KNOW! I KNOW! Hope College AGAIN!?!? But the project was just too good to turn down. Quite frankly, ANY work is too good to turn down.

20 years ago, when I was a student here at Hope, and still 'figuring things out' regarding what major I would focus on, I got cast in a musical in the theatre department called The 1940's Radio Hour. I played the role of Neal Tilden, cab driver by day, radio comedian by night. I loved the production, if for no other reason that the Hope College Jazz Band was going to be live onstage as the Zoot Doubleman orchestra. Singing with a 15 piece Big Band behind you! Pied Pipers-style vocal harmonies! Who can turn that down!

Well ... Hope is once again doing 1940's Radio Hour, and the concept is not only an homage to radio shows of the 1940's, but also to the original production I was in in the 1980's.

I'm taking on a different role this time. Age dictates that I play one of the more mature (read OLD!) characters, so THIS time around, I don the double-breasted suit of Clifton Feddington, radio producer. Less singing, but basically 'The Voice' of the radio show. And Brian Coyle has brought his jazz group from the Hope College music department up to snuff and they sound fantastic.

Some fun happenings connected to this production, loosely I'll admit, are that a few of the original cast members, including Joel Tanis, who was the Sinatra-esque Featured Vocalist Johnny Cantone in the 80's production, and who I have been working with for the past 3 summers on the children's TV show, COME ON OVER, will be attending, as well as 2-3 other members of the original cast, who have moved on to other areas of interest, but still live in the area.

We open tonight, as I mentioned, and play through the weekend. I'll try to get the calender updated, but it is pretty 11-nth hour so anyone interested should go to

http://www.hope.edu/pr/pressreleases/content/view/full/20725

For pertinent information.

More info on my Milwaukee project in the days and weeks ahead!

Feast or Famine

2008-04-22T11:04:00.002-04:00

Looks like it's either with me these days. So I'll take the feast when I can get it. Just had a couple of work opportunities over the weekend (more info later,) and I've begun taking a class in Acting For The Camera out of the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea. So, while no actual $$$ will be coming in for another month, the work is beginning to come in slowly, but surely. Fingers crossed.

Performance Calender

2008-04-15T12:33:00.002-04:00

For those of you who haven't noticed, I've added a performance calender to the blog. It directly links to my google calender, and will show current performance info (dates, roles, directions - if possible.)

As you can see, sadly, it's a lonely little calender at present (I.E. no dates) ... poor calender.

BUT ... if you use the little scroll arrows in the upper left, you'll see that June, July and August are just chock full O' goodies.

Hooray for employment! It doth make the world go 'round. And won't come soon enough!

Off the grid

2008-04-03T16:29:00.004-04:00

(heavy sigh)

Back in the doldrums again ... but only temporarily. In reference to my most recent posting about the print ad procurement ... well ... no sooner had I snagged it (which would have been a great victory for overweight fella's everywhere,) then I got a call from my talent agency saying that I had LOST it! Not because they went a different route (I.E. using another overweight guy) but by simply scrapping the project. ARRRGGGGHHHH!

So ... I have SOME things to do, but basically I am going off the grid, so to speak, until the summer starts. I am taking a class on acting in front of the camera at the Purple Rose, and am still being sent out on auditions.

In my copious free time, I need to explore the other talent agencies in the area as well, just to see who is willing to send me out on things. And ... depending on how upcoming michigan auditions go, it may be time to pack up and head elsewhere.

I am employed for the summer, THANK GOD! I'll be spending my 15th summer in Holland, MI at the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, taking on the roles of General Harrison Howell in Kiss Me Kate, and Froggy in The Foreigner. And things are looking favorable for the filming of more episodes of Come On Over, the children's TV show in which I portray the antagonist-of-sorts, the curmudgeonly next-door-neighbor, Mr. Flabbinjaw.

... and the main character's housecat.

As promised

2008-03-28T10:31:00.002-04:00

Well, I said I'd give more news if things developed. So I get a phone call this morning from Reka at Talent Shop. Remember the tiny little blurb I had at the end of one of my posts about having a fun audition involving boxer shorts?

well ....

.... I GOT IT!!!!

Who knew my gut was actually worth something? This is ironic as I was at a rehearsal for a performance of Tony and Tina's Wedding, which I am performing in this evening. A very good friend of mine (you wouldn't think it from the upcoming comment, but she is) looked at my belly (it had been about a month since I'd seen her ... maybe a month and a half) and said something like, "OH! Where'd THAT come from? Looks like you've let yourself go." All said in a joking way.

Well, now I can use the excuse that I've been working on it for the audition!

More details on the shoot after April 1st!

Hmmmm ... April 1st .... Could this be an elaborate April Fools Joke by Talent Shop?!?!

Holidays

2008-03-23T20:52:00.002-04:00

Happy Easter, everyone! It was a regular reunion at Casa de DuFord. Nice to see everyone, and the kids were .... relatively well behaved. It was great to catch up. But now I'm rather bushed, and looking forward to relaxing for the rest of the evening.

OH!

My sister brought a DVD of a performance my niece, Alicia, had of her synchronized skating team. I believe they placed 3rd at a synchro skating championship competition in Nashville, TN.

Here's a video of their routine.

First Foray!

2008-03-19T23:52:00.002-04:00

Okay, so I taught a class (of sorts) this evening for the very first time.

I had my work cut out for me, as the class was for 5-12-year-old kids.

But I think I did pretty well. They were rambunctious, and hyper-energetic, as kids their age would be, but there were real moments of discovery (at least on my part, ... time will have to tell whether they retained anything.)

I think there could be some future in this kind of thing.

The Actor's Life! (sigh)

2008-03-17T17:27:00.003-04:00

So ... I've just had a good round of auditioning in the Michigan area, and while I have a great feeling of 'a job well done,' I still cannot escape the feeling that it is all for naught. When you're waiting around for someone to offer you something (or even to call with a rejection ... which, while it seems like something you WOULDN'T look forward to, actually means a lot if a producer takes the time to actually call you up and give you one,) and you're still looking for work, you've entered the 'soul-sucking' portion of the job.

I've already come to terms with the fact that I am merely one of hundreds/thousands/hundreds of thousands of actors who are going through the same thing, but it doesn't make it ANY easier. I've gone through most of the rationalizations. Usually the first thing out of my mouth after being asked the obligatory 'How'd the audition go?' is an obligatory 'It went great!' (Which fortunately has actually been the case the past few weeks.) This is then followed by the obligatory 'But it could probably mean absolutely nothing,' or something to that effect, which is to calm the excitement of both the asker and myself. This way, if something comes from it, it will be a blessing, and if nothing comes from it, then the disappointment won't be as bad.

... which is almost always NEVER the case. You ALWAYS want to get that job!

I love my job, but sometimes it sucks ... even after a great audition.

P.S. You can see on my 'shelfy' thing what plays and books I am currently reading. If you're curious.

Neat Little Plays!

2008-03-15T00:24:00.002-04:00

I happened to have a little energy so I thought I'd check out a theatre where I have been auditioning for the past couple of months. It's the Williamston Theatre

http://williamstontheatre.com

Their current offering is a great little play. It's a two-hander called Hate Mail, and it's really quite good. I was in the running to be in it, but the two person cast was excellent, and there are parts of it that ... well ... hit close to home. It takes place over the course of the period of a relationship between a man and woman, but they only speak through their correspondence (I know, I know ... sounds like THAT play ... but it isn't ) and it's really quite funny, lovely, abrasive ... you know ... ALL those things.

Click on the link above and check it out!

P.S. had a fun audition today for a print ad. Stripped down to boxers, looking forlorn as I step on a scale. Sometimes I was just born to play some parts!!!!

More news if I get it!

Cheers

Unmotivated! :P

2008-03-13T22:54:00.000-04:00

Oh boy! It's days like today that make being unemployed really HARD! You expect the phone to ring, and because you are in between interviews/auditions during the week, sometimes you just feel like you're not moving at all!!!!

Spent a majority of the day answering emails, and updating things, paying bills, but at the end of the day not a lot was accomplished. I did get an audition appointment today. It's for tomorrow. So ... I have something active to do tomorrow. Well ... sort've ... it's for a print ad. So I imagine I'll be told to hold still more than move. More on that tomorrow.

I did manage to drag myself out of the room and move some of my father's coinage upstairs for my mother. Then as the afternoon wore on, I realized that I have an audition for Mason Street Warehouse on Saturday. That wasn't so bad until I realized that today is THURSDAY!!! TWO DAYS! and I have a song on the guitar to prepare. So I spent 2-3 hours working on 'Back In The Saddle Again." I'm pretty sure it'll be good by Saturday morning.

Had dinner with my friend, Rusty this evening. Indian food. There's something I have always found ever so slightly lacking about Indian food. I've simply never felt completely satisfied after eating it.

All for now!

March Trip to New York City!

2008-03-11T18:09:00.000-04:00

So as I mentioned, I am currently searching for work.

Did I mention that?!!?!? ...

Since the options in the midwest are pretty slim at the moment, and since there was a theatre that was interested in seeing me in New York City for a theatre production in the fall, I decided to spend a little dough and head to the big apple for a week.

I drove 700 miles last Sunday (March 2nd,) parked Gwendolyn (my new used 1999 Oldsmobile 88 - she did quite well, BTW, managing 31 miles to the gallon on one tank of gas - YAY!!!) at Tom's River, NJ for a week and bussed the rest of the way in via New Jersey Transit.

Special thanks to Quincy, Jeff and Kara for providing a roof over my head for the week.

Highlights: The Barter Theatre audition seemed to go pretty well. I went a little risky, doing a song that was prepared, but had never been performed before a group before. I also took my tenor guitar and played a little Carter family music, for consideration for possible appalachian musicals in future seasons.

On the last day, Cornell University was holding open auditions for their RPTA program (Resident Actor/Teacher) and I was CALLED BACK! This, even though, even at the last second I was simply thinking about wrapping the week up, I was tired, and thought about bowing out, but they did remember me from 2 years before, when I got called back by them. This is a great year round acting opportunity, as well as teaching experience!

Saw a couple of shows while in New York:

I might add that I got these from the TKTS booth, and if you look at the upper left corner area, these are half off!!! and still $50 ... OUT OF CONTROL!!!

Loved The Seafarer! Conleth Hill is a comedic GENIUS! (and I have NEVER used that word lightly.)

Not such a big fan of Rock 'N' Roll. It's a bohemoth production, but seems like a smaller play than it was produced as. It did make me go out and get the script, so that I could see what I missed. Had difficulty hearing some of the actor, in particular Rufus Sewell (Sorry, Jill!) I did think that Brian Cox and Sinead Cusack were wonderful though, but the production sure seemed like it needed to be more intimate. Lots of talking going on, but I felt a lot of times like, "Who cares!," which I didn't enjoy feeling, since the crux of the play involves the breaking away of Czechlosovokia from Communism, and freedom of speech, all of which are very important issues, but I couldn't figure out why THESE particular characters were bringing the subjects up.

If the playbill involves a 2-4 page pamphlet which talks about the issues, I knew I was in trouble.

Glad I have the script, so I can read it on my own time and at my own speed.

Here is one of my favorite places to eat in New York:

And here is the reason why ... slices of the Nonna Maria pizza ... soooo good

Other highlights: hanging out with old friends. Such as my friend, Wayne Pyle, who worked with me many many many moons ago at the Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival.

So ... well ... we'll see .. all in all .. I think it was a worthwhile trip ... especially if I can get a job or two out of it.

BLAST OFF!!!

2008-02-29T09:41:00.000-05:00

Want to know the innermost thought's of an actor not making a living in New York City? Well, just stay tuned here. My name's Chip DuFord, and my two older sisters have managed to stick with a blog, so I'm giving it a shot myself .... again.

So what's new? Unemployment!!!! YAY!

Come On! I'm an actor!!! That usually means that, unless you're under a broadway-style, open-ended contract, employment comes in three-month spurts. So you are reading the blog of your normal, average performing artist ... namely, unemployed!

Now ... I've only been unemployed for three weeks, so it's not like I'm completely pathetic! Although, because the last two shows have been at the Meadow Brook Theatre Ensemble in Rochester, MI, I have been staying with my parents to defray the costs ... which is pathetic.

I've been auditioning around various parts of the Midwest (Chicago; Milwaukee; Cattle Call auditions in Memphis, TN) with various levels of success, but it's still a bit early to worry about lack of work. I'm basically in a holding pattern, while auditions creep up and producers make their decisions.

I haven't been a complete couch potato while living with Mom and Dad. I'm basically the Entertainment Director at Casa de DuFord, since I pay the cable and internet bill while I'm here.

A-N-D

My latest project has been to paint the kitchen for my mother. This was an initially arduous project, made initially arduous by my mother deciding she didn't want the wallpaper she had in the kitchen anymore. Have you ever removed wallpaper? It SUCKS! It took forever! After that, mom found someone to re-plaster the walls for a song, and in some ways she got what she paid for, but still, it probably turned out better than having yours-truly take a first-time stab at it.

Then came the week long project (I know, I know, it probably shouldn't take that long but I was moving slowly to make sure I didn't make any mistakes.) Painting the ceiling was the hardest, trying to keep streaks from forming ... I was about 90-95% successful, not bad for a first time attempt.

Just finished the walls yesterday, so mom begin moving back in. She was very excited to move the refrigerator back into its regular position, let me tell you.

Here are some pictures of the kitchen as it stands:

You may perchance have noticed that there are still trace white specks around doors, windows, etc ... don't worry ... the room isn't quite finished yet. Most of that is residual plaster from the, umm, inexpensive plasterwork.

Anyway, I'm quite proud to have not made a mess of the woodwork (floors, cabinets, etc) and managed to make a smooth paint surface on the walls. And I think my mother made an excellent decision on the paint color (with, of course, influence from me!)

Stay tuned! The next post should be post New York City auditions next week!