Though it's a bit sad to be continually saying how fast the years are going by, I try and remember to take solace in the best of what happens and go forward from there. Some nice creative things happened in 2012 which, as always, I am grateful for.
In January/February, I played the stern and somewhat cunning Mr. Briggs in Michael Schwartz's adaptation of Horatio Alger's
Shifting for Himself in the basement theatre of PS 122 as part of Metropolitan Playhouse's Alger Festival. It was around this time that I had completed my first children's picture book,
Halsey the Hippo's Special Day, which I am still hustling.
In April, I played the key role of Joe, owner of an auto parts shop in debt to some "heavies" in the short film
Sucker, written and directed by Shai Casey, which was shot in Chester, NY. Currently available on Vimeo.
In April/May, I revived my Award-nominated solo show
The Hyenas Got It Down in a special and acclaimed late-night run at the WorkShop Theatre.
I also got to perform in a nice staged reading of
The Conversation by Dennis Corcoran, playing English Secretary William Cecil, with Fallen Angel Theatre Company at the Irish Arts Center, directed by Paula D'Alassandris.
This followed in June with my appearing as Alan, a blue-collar Jersey-ite construction worker in Jenny Contuzzi's compelling
Body Language with Active Theatre Company.
In late June, I directed the first public reading of my latest full-length play THE VAGRANT
at the WorkShop.
On June 29th, my better half Judy and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. I'm a lucky guy! And she's a tolerant woman :^)
I then recorded the first of two voice over sessions for Scholastic's
Infinity Ring series. (Part 1 is currently out.)
Shortly after, I had the privilege of teaching a Summer Workshop in Playwriting at
Acting Out, a wonderful performing arts school in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn run by my friends Roberta Loew and John Isgro. This was one of the more satisfying experiences of the year for me; teaching several 6th-grade students the elements of playwriting which led them to the writing of their own short plays which we later presented as staged readings to an invited audience. What fun!
In August, I played the charming lead role of British lawyer (now residing in NYC) Michael Castle in the premier of
The Standard Upgrade by Angie Montgomery and Howard Leader. This played at Theatre for the New City as part of their Dream-Up Festival.
August also saw the 3-day reading of my soon-to-premier play
THE GOLDEN YEAR at the WorkShop.
In September, I created a short animated slide film of my poem,
If the Pigeons Vanished from the Streets of New York City... (which you can watch on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EXr6Jdh5vk)
By the end of September, I was hired to adapt the screenplay -
Woman at the Funerals into a stage play, which was great fun and a great learning experience as well.
In October, I had the unique of opportunity of working with a company called Effective Arts performing simulations with Organ Donor reps at NJ Sharing; the foremost provider of organ & tissue donations in the Garden State. This was a mind-blowing experience, portraying both grieving family members as well as doctors in simulation to actual reps who dedicate their lives to such noble work. Very special.
In November, I staged the second public reading of my newly revised play
THE VAGRANT at the WorkShop.
November also saw me direct the premier of a wonderful one-act by Bob Manus entitled
TO LIVE, which focused on two German Jews in a Polish death camp during WWII. Another lovely experience.
As far as some other acknowledgements; my play
Graphic Nature (about a French executioner in 1913 France) was a Finalist for the Fulton Theatre's Discovery Project Award, while my one-act
CUT was a Finalist for the 2012 Arts & Letters Prize.
I was also fortunate to have several poems published in the Newtown Literary Journal; the first Queens-based journal focusing on poetry and prose by NY-based writers. I am especially proud to say that, as of this writing, I am a nominee for the prestigious Pushcart Prize for Poetry for my poem,
If the Pigeons Vanished from the Streets of New York City...
I did accrue some new clients with my Headshot photography side business this year, and have even started to do some special event photography; why just this past X-mas Eve I had the honor of photographing the wedding of Mrs. Carli Beardsely in Mr. Sandy Moore at City Hall.
As for 2013? Well, things are a bit (disturbingly) quiet for the moment, but I am inclined to think that that won't last too long. I look forward to two World Premiers in St. Louis and NYC, respectively;
DAY OF THE DOG with St. Louis Actors' Studio in March and
THE GOLDEN YEAR with the WorkShop Theater Company in June. Any playwright knows that any professional production of a full-length work is a perpetual climb, so I feel all the more fortunate that, for now, I have 2 to look forward to. It ain't easy, kids!
All we can do is keep putting out the vibes and love what we do as artists. It's all I can do...because it's all I friggin' know.
I'm grateful for my wife and grateful for my life.
Thanks for your indulgence, if you made it this far. I am immensely appreciative of your continued support and wish you a wonderful, healthy and prosperous year ahead.
See ya' in '13!!!
Be well,
Danny
