In early 2012 I received an unexpected opportunity to work with Walking Shadow Theatre Company, a lovely group that I highly recommend to anyone. They are a genuinely wonderful group of people, and I had an amazing time working with them on Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband.” We experienced great houses (it was the first time in Walking Shadow history that they had to add an encore performance, and it sold out!), and it was fun spending that time in Victorian England (the costumes and hair were AWESOME as well).

And of course, I just wrapped up work on Theatre Unbound’s Julius Caesar, with an all female cast. The craziest part about this experience was the fact that it was set in Ancient Rome. I don’t think I’ve ever done a truly period Shakespeare piece, and to do it with an all female cast was a wild ride! Also, 15 women and one 8 x 12 dressing room? An exercise in sisterhood. We nailed it though – everyone in the cast was warm, friendly, and respectful of each others’ space and rituals. I couldn’t have asked for a better group to share a tiny, tiny space with.

And now I have reached hiatus! I just spent my first week without a project since last October, and I’m loving it. Nowhere to be, nothing to do, it’s a nice change of pace. I’m not sure how long I can keep it up (it’s my nature to be creating or working toward something) but I’m confident that I’ll find my way to where I need to be. I’m planning on spending some time from the stage, and focusing more on film work, so I’m watching the audition postings for that. I love film as a creative media, it’s so different from stage (I know, that’s pretty obvious. Great revelations by Anissa). I will save my musings on that for another post.

I hope that spring is finding you well, and that you are as full of enthusiasm for the coming summer months as I am. I plan to embrace this summer as it is the first one I’ve spent in the Twin Cities without a theatre project in the five years we’ve lived here! There are all kinds of adventures that are calling to me.

Best,

~Anissa~

I hope your Thanksgiving holiday was safe, warm, and calorie laden! It’s just starting to get cold here in Minneapolis, although we have yet to have a snowfall that sticks around for more than a few days. The Mall of America is bustling with Christmas shoppers, the bicyclists are considerably more bundled up (but still out, the crazy-heads), and I’m opening a Christmas show tonight!

When I was in college, I saw a production of “The Eight: Reindeer Monologues” and I loved it. Dark, at times irreverent, thought provoking, and surprisingly relevant subject matter despite a cast of characters made up of Santa’s eight tiny reindeer, I knew I wanted a chance to bring it to life on stage one day.

I’m getting that wish tonight. Tonight we open “The Eight” at the Workhouse Theatre Company, the Ivey award winning theatre company based in North Minneapolis. There are four of us in the cast, each playing two of Santa’s reindeer. I’ve had a really wonderful time over the last few months with this talented bunch of people, including Ben Tallen, Noe Tallen, and Richard Jackson with direction by Mark Webb.

There’s also a lot of other fantastic theater happening right now in the Twin City area; including Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory at the Minnesota Historical Society, and Le Cirque Rouge’s original burlesque production of the “NUTCRACKER SUITE”. I’m really excited about both of these productions, and I can’t wait to see them come to life.

So, if you’re looking for a great live theatre production to help celebrate the holiday season, check out one of the shows above, one of the other great live theatre productions that can be found around town, or “The Eight: Reindeer Monologues” at Workhouse Theatre.

Audience support of live theatre in the Twin Cities is how theatre artists are able to keep doing what we do. You are the reason we are able to live this life – thank you for that and have a safe holiday!!!

The Eight plays Dec 3rd-Dec 18th 2011 at The Warren – An Artist Habitat, 4400 Osseo Rd, Minneapolis MN 55412.
Show times Thursday (Dec 15th only), Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
There is a special pay-what-you-can performance on Monday, December 5th at 7:30pm
Tickets are $15 at the door ($13 online); $13 for students and senior citizens ($11 online).
To make reservations, call 612.216.1583. To purchase tickets online, visit www.workhousetheatre.org

2011 is shaping up to be busy, and I like busy! Here’s a quick glimpse into all the latest news for me:

March, 2011: I got new headshots! (you can see the first on my home page, and I’ll get some of my other favorites up eventually as well)

April – May, 2011: I started rehearsal for Theatre Or’s OY! , a “comic tribute to all things Jewish and all things human”. I play Eve (yes, THAT Eve) as well as a few other parts. It’s shaping up to be lots of fun, and I’m excited to be a part of it!

July – August, 2011: I’ve been cast in the Fringe Show “The Duties and Responsibilities of Being a Sidekick” with Barkada Theatre. I had a lot of fun in the audition, which is always a great sign. And it’s a show about super-heroes, so I’m looking forward to having TONS of fun with it!

Fall, 2011: Trojan Women with Green T Productions. This Spring I’ve been participating in a dance training workshop with Green T Productions, for the purpose of feeding into their Fall production of Trojan Women. It will incorporate Balinese dance/chant traditions, and I think it’ll be fresh and interesting.

So that’s 2011 so far! Lots going on but I’m thrilled to be so involved. I will try to post regularly so keep checking back or subscribe to my RSS Feed (link on the menu bar) for updates!