Homestead Theatre Project's "Empty Boxes"

Empty Boxes, written by AJ Laflamme, asks, how you divide and pack two lives that are going in different directions?  It's a play that explores the role of apathy in a relationship.  We watch as two lives intertwine and then untangle to go their separate ways .

The first thing that needs to be said about Empty Boxes is that the show is delightful.  It speaks to anyone who's been in a modern relationship, and to anyone who's lived with someone for an extended period of time.   It explores some very real issues that arise and not some melodramatic unbelievable situation that could only be found in a soap opera.  That's the appeal of Empty Boxes: it's grounded in real issues between two people.

 At times, the show struggles with being a touch heavy handed in it's metaphor and the dialogue gets a bit confusing in it's attempt to be quick and witty.  This usually only happens when the two couples - both past and present - are all on stage and speaking together in a series of one liners.  But the charm and joy of the show carry you through these moments easily.  The real golden moments happen when the couples are in their separate times and separate moments alone on stage.

The cast is solid.  Each one has moments that could use strengthening and each one has moments that win the audience over.   The point is that no one takes you out of the story, and everyone works together in a real sense of ensemble.  The result is a cast that supports one another.

Going back to the first, and perhaps main, point now, the show is delightful.  Worth your time and money.  Go see it and tell me what you think.

Playing at RED Castle Theatre, 922 Queen St. E, Toronto.  For tickets and show times please visit the Empty Boxes website.

IWCC Launch

Victoria Murdoch, Ash Catherwood, and Joanna Haughton

Ash and I are producing a feature film this summer.  This is our 'Producer' face.

Last night I attended the launch of the Independent Web Series Creators of Canada launch.  It's a professional organization that is dedicated to supporting Canadian Independent web series creators. 

It's a great organization that is sorely needed in this world of online media.   Web series are becomingly increasingly important and an increasing draw as audiences discover new and exciting content daily.  If you're Canadian and you're committed to creating quality web content, I would suggest checking this out. 

*p.s. No, I'm not affiliated with this organization.  I am an actor, who loves web series, and wants to be in many, many of them*

Actors Rehearse

My friend Ash and I got together to rehearse a scene, and we recorded it so we could view it back.  The camera was on me, as we were working on a scene for me, and so wanted to watch my performance. But the most interesting parts were the parts in between.  Two actors, working and procrastinating a bit too.  Enjoy!

Swing Rehearsals Results In Short Films

I shot a feature film a long while back, and as part of the process we had improv rehearsals to develop our skills and characters.  Each rehearsal brought out a unique aspect.   From those rehearsals our director has begun to cut little short films.  Fully improvised. Eeek!

Here's one in which I'm in:

No One Cares

There's something you should know about being an actor:  no one cares how you feel.  True, feelings and emotions are our bread and butter, but only in the sense that we bring what is needed to a scene.  No one really cares how you are feeling on this particular day.  Depressed?  Bummed?  Who cares, jump in and do that birthday scene.  Or in my case, a head cold that has you feeling like you want to crawl under the covers and die?  No one cares, get your butt to that audition and kick some ass.

And to tell you the truth, I don't care either.  If I can stand, and sometimes even when I can't, I'll get my ass to an audition or a set and love it.  I've got plenty of time to lay down when I'm dead.

New Shots

Hey,  so I know it's been way too long since I've written here.  But to be fair things have been slipping my mind lately.  Anyway, I had some great shots done with the lovely Denise Grant and thought I'd share them with you.  Make-up by Jessica Jean Myers

Great Message About Being Pretty

I like to share things with you that speak to me,  not just the things that I say to you.  Watch this please.  It's a pretty great message *pun fully intended*