Hal Brooks

I hate the news

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 03:29:00 +0000

I can barely even read it anymore. Too painful. It's as if it doesn't matter.

Certain

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 02:29:00 +0000

First day of rehearsals today at Juilliard. Sight Unseen by Donald Margulies. I saw this production way back in 1992 or 1993 at Berkeley Rep.

It's an interesting piece - out of sequence, full of flashbacks. Heartfelt and earnest. Is the play about becoming an artist, loss of first love, fear of assimilation, all of the above?

We will find out together.

Amazingly, it's my tenth time directing at Juilliard.

Uncertain

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 02:23:00 +0000

Attempting to see if this works. Please stand by.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 00:36:00 +0000

Veselka. I'll have to find the old pictures and post 'em. But here we were: Alan, Mike, Paul and Dan. Back again on New Year's Day (observed). Hard to resist the pierogis and I didn't. Benji didn't really take to them, but maybe that's because he had a milkshake.

Alan thinks we've been going on or about New Year's Day since 1990. That's about right. I couldn't resist the Vegetarian Combo Deluxe: 4 pierogies boiled, stuffed cabbage, choice of soup or salad, and fried onions and sour cream. Yum. And some milkshake.

Had a long and fruitful conversation with my Board Chair at the Pearl about education, the conservatory and training in general. Stand by for some changes in the next few weeks!

Resolved

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 03:17:00 +0000

I am going to hit this, once again. It's been, what, 3 years? Had a lovely first day of the year, mostly with Rachel and Benjamin. Book Court's first day not in existence...very very chilling. We started the day at Rachel's cousins in Cobble Hill. Benjamin was beside himself, playing with his cousins. Then it was off to PS 261 playground for some monkey bars. Back home for some hot chocolate and Peter Pan, the DVD. And then dinner and bedtime. I spent the night answering emails and getting grades finalized for Yale, my college seminar, Composing and Performing the One Person Play. It's never a good feeling giving a grade when you know and wish your student could have done better. But fair is fair. And as I have been saying all semester, truly, if I had to do it all over again, I would not have cared at all about grades. Ah well. Tomorrow: meeting the boys at Veselka. As it should be. Way to start things, 2017!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 14:57:00 +0000

Off to Cavallo Point today. We thought about spending the night after our wedding here, but didn't. Cannot wait to go away!

Woody's resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 15:17:00 +0000

Work Schedule, 1932-1933 - Henry Miller Miscellanea

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:56:00 +0000

With thanks to Meghan Kennedy for posting this:
COMMANDMENTS
1. Work on one thing at a time until finished.
2. Start no more new books, add no more new material to “Black Spring”. [Black Spring is Miller’s second published novel]
3. Don’t be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly on whatever is in hand.
4. Work according to Program and not according to mood. Stop at the appointed time!
5. When you can’t create you can work.
6. Cement a little every day, rather than add new fertilizers.
7. Keep human! See people, go places, drink if you feel like it.
8. Don’t be a draught-horse! Work with pleasure only.
9. Discard the Program when you feel like it -but go back to it next day. Concentrate. Narrow down. Exclude.
10. Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you are writing.
11. Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema, all these come afterwards.

Interview with Annie Baker by Hal Brooks - HowlRound

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:42:00 +0000

Interview with Annie Baker by Hal Brooks - HowlRound

General Audition Rules

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 May 2011 22:46:00 +0000

Found these today cleaning, which I put together a few years back while in the Bay Area....

General Audition Rules. Or Rules for a General Audition:

1) always take off your shoes and ask permission when doing so.

2) Do a piece dealing with suicide, being sure to mention the word
"cock."

3) Stare down the auditors and move right in front of their faces.

4) Take prolonged pauses.

5) If the auditor asks for a second contrasting monologue, it is best to be unprepared.

6) Drop a name or two.

7)Always prepare: before, during and after your audition.

8) Wear only as much jewelry as will make distracting noises.

9) The only thing better than a German accent Is a Southern one.

10) Consider miming.

Interview with Adam Szymkowicz for HowlRound

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 May 2011 12:52:00 +0000

A fun interview I did with Adam for Arena Stage's New Play Institute website

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:48:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:15:00 +0000

Fwd: PlayPenn

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:14:00 +0000

Begin forwarded message:

From: Hal Brooks <halbrooks@gmail.com>
Date: April 25, 2011 9:05:16 AM EDT
To: Blog <halbrooks.scruffylives@blogger.com>
Subject: PlayPenn

Working on lauren yee's play at playpenn this summer. I'm in beautiful Philly for auditions. Going from 930-6.

Looking forward to meeting lauren and sitting in a room with paul. He's one of my faves - and a huge phillies fan.

Glad to be back for year three at playpenn. I've thoroughly enjoyed working in the city where I was born. I'd love to make it more of a habit.

A year and a half?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 12:29:00 +0000

My my my. It's been a year and a half since I posted. Time to resuscitate this? Why not.

Let's begin: URGE FOR GOING ended a week ago. I feel an enormous sense of pride in the work. Working with Mona Mansour on it was an amazing experience. From Ojai, to Beirut, to Tyre, to the Public - some amazing work went into this.

I will post pictures at some point (promises, promises).

But now - in truth - the next big project is baby brooks, due in a month. There's much to be done in the interim, workwise (design meetings, auditions, etc) - and there will likely be some imminent announcements of some exciting projects soon.

As for this second, today is a day to keep reading plays for Ojai as we have got to get down to our final six plays.

Welcome back.

H

Let Me Down Easy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:58:00 +0000

Off to see this tonight with Rachel. Excited to see this for obvious reasons. Might be the last thing I see this year. Who can tell?

How often do I go to the theater? Once a week? More?

Resolved for next year: once a week for sure.

bush theatre to host all received scripts

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:49:00 +0000

Funny...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:56:00 +0000

BY THE DIRECTOR:

* Wow, the designers were right, weren't they?
* No, today is the tech rehearsal, we'll re-work that scene later.
* I think the scene changes are too fast.
* Of course I think that we'll be ready in time for opening.
* The crew? Why they're just wonderful!
* That’s fine, I’ve got my own torch.
* Leave it where it is, we’ll re-block it.
* This chair’s fine, thank you.
* No we don't need to use glitter in this show as it takes the stage crew hours to sweep the stuff up. One small bubble machine should work.
* Thank You.
* We’ll use it as it is.
* My round, are all the crew here?
* No thanks, I don't drink.

BY THE DESIGNERS:

* Of course all of my drawings were turned in on time.
* Yes, it is absolutely my fault that the set looks awful.
* You know, you might have a point there.
* The director knows best, obviously I wasn't giving him what he wanted.
* We may have too many gel colours in stock, I can't choose.
* The shop will have the costumes ready on time.
* No thanks, I don't drink.

BY THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR:

* This is the most complete and informative set of drawings I've ever seen.
* We built it right the first time.
* No problem, I'll deal with that right away.
* I love designers.
* No thanks, I don't drink.

BY THE ACTOR:

* Don't.... Let's not talk about me.
* I really think my big scene should be cut.
* This costume is so comfortable.
* I love my shoes.
* No problem, I can do that myself.
* I have a fantastic agent.
* Let me stand down here with my back to the audience.
* No, leave that spot where it is - I'll walk into it.
* I'm sure someone told me there was a wall down here, I just forgot.
* Without the crew the show would never run - let's thank them.
* No thanks, I don't drink.

BY THE STAGE CREW:

* There's room for that over here.
* We'll get in early tomorrow to do it.
* No, no, I'm sure that is our job.
* Anything I can do to help?
* All the tools are carefully locked away.
* Can we do that scene change again, please?
* It's a marvellous show.
* I don't need this many on the crew.
* I'm getting loads of sleep - everythings going really well.
* No thanks, I don't drink.

BY THE ELECTRICS CREW

* I must fix the light in the publicity office.
* This equipment is far more complicated than we need.
* Of course I can operate sound from here.
* Be sure to keep that instrument away from the flying pieces.
* All the lanterns on the bar a foot to the right? No problem.
* I’ll do that right away.
* All the equipment is working perfectly.
* No, please - take the last doughnut.
* That had nothing to do with the computer, it was my fault.
* Yes, it would be easier to do it on paper, wouldn't it.
* I have all the equipment I need, thanks.
* No, honestly, it’s my round.
* Thanks, but I don’t drink.

BY THE CHOREOGRAPHER

* This floor’s fine.
* Plenty warm enough, thank you.
* Thank you.
* The lights are spot on.
* Leave it; we’ll fit in somehow.
* One dressing room’s fine.
* The costumes are perfect.
* The boom positions are fine.
* The wing space is ample, really.

BY THE ORCHESTRA

* Oh the pit's fine; actually we don't need all that space you could have built a smaller pit.
* No it's alright we can unload our equipment ourselves, we don't want to trouble the stage crew when they are busy.
* Could you turn these music stand lights down? They're a bit too bright.
* Of course we can play quieter.
* The foldback is fine.

BY THE FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER

* Yes, we knew all about the size of the mixing desk. We even allowed a few spare seats in the stalls in case you had some extra equipment.

BY THE PLAYWRIGHT
* Just say the line any way that feels right to you; I'm not precious about my words.
* My agent is wonderful.
* No need to pay me a royalty or a licensing fee -- it's such an honor just to work with this theater.
* I don't think 3% for 3 years is nearly enough back-end participation for this theater, given everything they've done to promote my play. I think they should get at least 20% -- forever!
* You're absolutely right! That character would never say that.
* You understand the character far better than I do at this point.
* I don't know what I did before there were dramaturges.
* That's a fantastic idea for a play. I'm going to stop all my other projects right now and write it. And I want you to have 20% of anything I earn from it, for coming up with such a fabulous concept.
* Why would I need to be at any rehearsals? I trust you guys know what you're doing.
* No thanks, I don't drink...

Rough day at ojai

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 01:19:00 +0000

Precious

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:44:00 +0000

Started staging last night. I like how it's flowing but I have to consider that I've got one stagehand. Summerworks. Its a fully staged play, but it definitely is a good idea to simplify. And so I am doing so.

Love the grand design of alexis's set. Two semicircles that create a movable enclosure. its gonna work great.

Today we played with the sonogram scene. How much of the "image" to show? It seems more important that we experience brodie's reaction than we see what brodie is reacting to.

Auditions for Lev

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:39:00 +0000

had more auditions yesterday, some more today for asher lev. Callbacks tomorrow.

Asher Lev Some More

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:40:00 +0000

Still have not cast the play. Today (before rehearsal for Precious Little) I am auditioning from 10-3. We can cast one role out of NYC - or none. We (Ryan Rillette) and I are seeing mostly Ari and Asher candidates. Very few breaks. Must pack a lunch.

Precious Little by Madeleine George

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:32:00 +0000

What a fascinating play. We began rehearsing on Saturday. Great cast, wonderful design team, and being produced by the incomparable Clubbed Thumb.

Madeleine's script is so intriguing - her intelligence oozes off the pages in a great way. She's made some important changes and additions - and my sense is, she'll continue to change things in the weeks ahead until it all feels right.

Our time is very limited - we have only 100 hrs or so: a standard showcase contract. And there are schedules to juggle. Somedays, we rehearse 11-2 then others, it'll be 5-9. I am trying to find a way not to be driven mad by the odd routine. I know how important routine can be to me. But this is something different.

I had minor surgery last week - and I am finally feeling like myself in the room. We started a few days earlier than anticipated - so it all works out.

Cast is fab. Did I mention that?
Emily Ackerman, Randy Danson, Kelly McReary
Design team:
Sets - Alexis Distler. Lights Lucrecia Briseno. Costume - Becky Lasky. Sound: daniel baker and ryan rumery. Props - Chris Morris.

In san diego

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:32:00 +0000