Only a couple of days until opening night!!!

It dawned on me yesterday, while Kiwi and I were in the middle of rehearsal that FULL DISCLOSURE opens  in less than a week!!! Wow, seriously? Where does the time go?!?! It’s been such an interesting process working on a one person show. In some ways it’s exactly like every other show that I’ve directed: we have rehearsals, we decide on blocking, we find the characters, and that I’ve produced: I hustle to raise the money, market the show, get butts in the seats… but in other ways it couldn’t be more different.

For one thing, with this show, because of it’s set up as an actual open house, in this play we don’t have a stage manager. We don’t have a lighting designer. We don’t have a sound designer. We DON’T WANT it to feel like the audience is at a theater so we’ve been focusing on things to make it feel like a home. So for most of the time it’s just been Kiwi and me. Because it’s just been the two of us we’ve rehearsed in a home – namely mine. Now, yes, partially we did this to save the money on rehearsal space rental but also, as the director, I wanted throughout rehearsal for Kiwi to feel like she was in an actual home so that when we get to a performance space (that though it doesn’t feel like a Broadway theater still doesn’t quite feel like the living room of a 3 bedroom house in Westchester either), she would have the sense memory of being in an actual living room. Also, because it’s a home, our breaks are more about sitting around the kitchen island eating the homemade pb&j’s we’ve made rather than actors scurrying to grab coffee, run lines, and check voicemail while director/producers scurry off to pee, grab a drink and check voicemail. It’s taken some adjusting. Then again, there’s something really wonderful about waking up, sending some email and then wandering out to my living room to prep for Kiwi’s arrival and our rehearsal. I have no idea how I’ll readjust to a regular rehearsal with a stage manager and a bunch of actors when we gear up for Persuasion next year. (Laura, don’t be concerned if I show up to the first few rehearsals in my slippers and pjs). If only my living room was big enough to rehearse with a full cast.

All that being said, I can’t wait for folks to see this show. Kiwi is fantastic. She makes Sunny such a loveable character. Your heart really opens up to Sunny as she desperately attempts to sell you this house. It will be fun to settle into our new home for the next two weeks (the POCO space at The Secret Theatre) tomorrow. Turning that room into the living room of this Westchester house will be a nice change of pace and actually opening the doors to the audience on Tuesday night (and for the following 12 nights and afternoons) will be an absolute blast. Tomorrow we have an invited dress rehearsal for company members and, for the first time in 4 weeks, Kiwi and I will get to see how an audience reacts to all that work we’ve been doing in my living room. I can’t wait.

Remember, tickets are available here:

 

New show, new campaign, new content, new, new, new…

So you’ve probably heard rumblings but we’ve got some new stuff happening over here on the island of Tahiti…

#1) NEW SHOW!!!! That’s right, we are currently in rehearsal for our next show. Full Disclosure by Ruth McKee is a comedic take on relationships, love, and life amidst the ever changing, volatile world of the NY real estate market. A one woman show, Full Disclosure showcases Tahiti’s own Kiwi Callahan as Sunny Smith a pregnant realtor who really really really wants you to buy the house she’s selling. Full Disclosure will run for 14 performances December 6th – 18th at The Secret Theatre in Long Island City. Tickets available here

Join us for an open house! (There WILL be cookies!!!)

#2) NEW CAMPAIGN!!!! Yup, new show means a new RocketHUB campaign. Please consider fueling FULL DISCLOSURE. Your rocket fuel will help us soar. Even small donations add up quickly so please, be a part of the show (and get some nifty rewards in the process). Take a look here:

#3) NEW CONTENT!!!! GTTP has officially entered the world of podcasts. Our first monthly installment of Tahiti Dispatches is up and available here:. If you would like to listen to the podcasts in iTunes, open iTunes, go to the advanced menu, click “subscribe to podcast” and then type or paste this URL: http://goingtotahitiproductions.com/feed It’s as easy as that! Check us out and stay tuned for monthly interviews with GTTP folks and other theater artists making a statement in NYC.

#4) NEW PARTY!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to everyone who showed up to our Season Kick-Off Party! The party was a great success and those lucky party-goers got a little preview of FULL DISCLOSURE…In fact, they got to meet Sunny Smith, in person! You too can meet Sunny in person at the show in December (see item #1 on this list).

Phew…I think that’s everything for now. We hope to see you soon!

GTTP joins the podcast world with “Tahiti Dispatches”!!!

GTTP has entered the 21st century!!!! We now have our very own, brand-spanking-new, sparkly podcast!

Tahiti Dispatches is a monthly podcast devoted to interviews with Company and Ensemble members (and other theater artists who jive with GTTP’s mission). Along the way, we’ll also feature performances from our Tahitians – the first example of which you will hear in our Tahiti Dispatches theme music which was composed (and performed) by our very own Patrick Metzger. The podcasts will be a great way to get all the behind the scenes info about everything we’ve got going on at GTTP. Please enjoy our very first episode.

Episode one of Tahiti Dispatches can be found here: “Tahiti Dispatches – Episode 1“!

To subscribe to Tahiti Dispatches click the “Subscribe to Our RSS Feed” button on the right side of the screen!

Run Run Run…to see ENDURE…

Ok, so last weekend I saw an AMAZING show. ENDURE, a Run Woman Show is difficult to describe but is, nonetheless, a transcendent experience. I’ll quote directly from the show’s website (because, let’s face it, I have a hard enough time coming up with concise descriptions of my own shows, let alone someone else’s).

“ENDURE is immersive, outdoor, athletic theatre that offers audiences a unique artistic experience. The show addresses themes of endurance, sport, obsession, loss and resilience – through a human story set within the drama of a 26.2 mile (42.2km) marathon race.” But honestly that doesn’t even begin to describe it. The performance is moving and exhilarating and exciting and scary. Melanie Jones takes you on a ride through every emotion we as human beings experience when we endure anything from a 26.2 mile race, to a breakup with that person you thought would be in your life forever, to that obnoxious dude talking non-stop at a party. As Melanie says on her website “Everyone endures something”. And she takes us on this emotional ride, while also physically moving us through the beauty that is Prospect Park. The show is accompanied by the gorgeous, contemplative and inspirational music of Christine Owman. It also features some pretty impressive technological wizardry that allows for the audience to be listening to sync’d ipods during the entire show. The performance starts about a mile away from Prospect Park at The Old Stone House and the “preshow” is a brisk walk into the park where Melanie is waiting to take you on the run/walk/stroll/sprint/dance/performance/movement ride that is ENDURE. If you are able to see it, I warn you to be prepared and wear clothes and shoes you can move in (I went in my full running outfit including my Vibram Five Finger Shoes). Though you can go at whatever pace you wish, actually running with Melanie offers a special joy whether you are a marathoner or an occassional-but-wish-you-ran-more-than-you-did-and-totally-could-if-you-wanted-to-runner like me. There are 4 more performances – Saturday and Sunday 10/29 & 30 and Saturday and Sunday 11/5 & 6 at 3pm. Get tickets at the website: http://www.runwomanshow.com/

I’m not kidding guys – if you only see one show this month – see this one…And make your next “one show this month” FULL DISCLOSURE, GTTP’s next show, coming in December…

The Party’s Over…for now…

So, as many of you already know, SKIN FLESH BONE has closed…

We had a wonderful run at the Secret Theatre and look forward to whatever new and exciting projects the future holds for GTTP.

There’s a lot of stuff brewing at Tahiti headquarters so keep checking back here or sign up for the RSS feed to get notified of new posts and new announcements from Going to Tahiti.

Last Performance of SKIN FLESH BONE, tonight!!!

For anyone who hasn’t seen it yet, tonight is your last chance to see this exciting new show from Going to Tahiti Productions. Join us in Long Island City (a 15 minute subway ride from Midtown) at 8pm. Tickets are available at the box office door. For more details, check out: http://goingtotahitiproductions.com/skin-flesh-bone/

See you tonight at the show!!!!

Sad news for the SKIN FLESH BONE family…

Last weekend, Laura Bultman, our beloved Stage Manager, suddenly lost her grandmother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Laura as she heads to Guatemala for the funeral. Laura is such an instrumental force in Going to Tahiti Productions and her absence for these few performances will be acutely felt. I will do my best to perform her duties in her absence, but know I can’t come close to filling her shoes. I apologize in advance for missed or late light and sound cues and want it known that they are my mistakes and not hers.

Travel safe, Laura! We love you and look forward to your return!

“It’s better than SPIDERMAN!”

SKIN FLESH BONE has opened and the audiences loves it. One attendee saw SPIDERMAN THE MUSICAL the night before and preferred the characters, the script, the performances, the set, the sound design, and the costumes of SFB to that other little show that recently opened in this big bad town.

Laurel Lockhart in a scene from SKIN FLESH BONE

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SFB Performances continue through June 25th. For details go to: http://goingtotahitiproductions.com/skin-flesh-bone/

 

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/834315

or by calling Ovationtix at 866-811-4111.

David Eiduks* and Maria Silverman* in a scene from SKIN FLESH BONE

Performances are:

Thursday, 6/16 at 8pm

Friday, 6/17 at 8pm

Saturday, 6/18 at 2pm

Saturday, 6/18 at 8pm

Sunday, 6/19 at 2pm

Sunday, 6/19 at 8pm

Tuesday, 6/21 at 8pm

Wednesday, 6/22 at 8pm

Thursday, 6/23 at 8pm

Friday, 6/24 at 8pm

Saturday, 6/25 at 8pm

 

Kiwi Callahan and Gavin Alexander Hammon in a scene from SKIN FLESH BONE

 

 

 

OPENING NIGHT!!!!

It’s time to play the music…It’s time to light the lights…

The set is up, the lights are on, the sound cues are loaded and the actors are ready to go! That must mean it’s opening night. Join us tonight at the Secret Theatre for opening night of SKIN FLESH BONE.

As a special bonus, immediately after the performance tonight there will be a talkback with members of the cast and crew.

For details and tickets click herehttp://goingtotahitiproductions.com/skin-flesh-bone/

Day Two if Tech

So the wall is up, one coat of paint is on and the island is built. A huge thank you to EVERYONE who showed up early and stayed late. Off to day two, where we will hopefully get through two run throughs.

LOAD IN!!!!!

In about an hour, we will start the SKIN FLESH BONE Load In. We’ll be bringing all of our stuff in to The Secret and we’ll start construction of the sets. Today we’ll spend the day getting settled into the place that will be our home for the next two weeks. It should be a busy few days of set construction, sound engineering, lighting the stage, costume prepping, set painting and general tech madness. I remember tech week for high school drama club being insanity. It’s no less insane at the professional level but it definitely seems to have shortened. Now, instead of a full week of hell week, we get a hell four days. It should be quite the experience. And, really, seeing as hell week is one of the reasons we all do this theater thing, can you really call it hell week? Perhaps it should be renamed to “Incredibly Stressful But You Know We Love It” Week.

Anyway, time to put on my paintin’ pants – let the tech insanity BEGIN!

ROCKETHUB Campaign comes to an end.

So the ROCKETHUB Campaign has ended. :( But don’t feel that means you can’t still support GTTP and SKIN FLESH BONE. If you didn’t get a chance to support us on ROCKETHUB but would still like to donate, just click the DONATE tab above for directions on how to contribute to Going to Tahiti Productions. And, to everyone who has contributed already:

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!

A THOUSAND TIMES THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Although we didn’t quite make our goal, it was still an incredibly successful campaign. Raising several thousand dollars in a month’s time is no small feat and we REALLY APPRECIATE everyone who joined our little SKIN FLESH BONE family. We hope you enjoyed the little behind the scenes updates on the RH blog and hope you will make it to The Secret Theatre, starting WEDNESDAY, for the 12 performance run of SKIN FLESH BONE!!! For everyone who donated, we will be contacting you shortly with details about your rewards. Thank you again.

With your support GTTP will continue to bring you exciting and innovative independent theater!

Lots of Updates on ROCKETHUB

Check out our ROCKETHUB site: http://rockethub.com/projects/1589-skin-flesh-bone for lots of updates. We’ve got the trailer up on the site and guest blog entries from new people every day this week. Take a look and while you’re there, feel free to become a fueler!

 

THE TRAILER IS LIVE!!!!

So, we did a little video preview for SKIN FLESH BONE. Check it out here:

http://rockethub.com/projects/1589-skin-flesh-bone

And, while you’re there feel free to become a fueler!

ONLY 9 DAYS LEFT for us to hit our goal and for you to get in on the behind the scenes SKIN FLESH BONE action!!!

The show is blocked…

So, on Friday we finished blocking the show. Granted it’s just a first pass and everything I’m sure will change during the next week and a half of scene work, but at least we have a rough framwork on which to build the show and the actors have rough blocking they can use when memorizing (which I’m thinking they spent some time doing during this 3 day weekend). Tomorrow we dive in with scene work though the first two hours of rehearsal will be dedicated to recording voiceovers for the show and shooting elements of a trailer we’re putting together. That’s right, you heard me, we’re putting together a little trailer! Yeah, I love me some previews. But again, as is my tendency, I digress – as soon as those things are done, we’ll be up to our ears in scene work. My favorite part. :)

Blocking almost done…

The blocking rehearsals are almost done and then we move on to scene work. Hopefully we’ll crank out the last 20 pages today and then we get a break for Memorial Day weekend (during which we humbly ask that you Drink (water) to Tahiti! You know that 8th beer/wine/cocktail you were going to have? We ask you instead to consider using that $10 to fuel SKIN FLESH BONE, at RocketHub: http://rockethub.com/projects/1589-skin-flesh-bone) But I digress, where was I? Right. Blocking. So, blocking should be finished today (except for a few short scenes). Next week: Scene Work! Below David Eiduks and Maria Silverman work out a scene from SKIN FLESH BONE…

 


18 down 57 to go…pages that is…

It’s amazing the freedom you have when you finally secure a set designer. I had a meeting with the set designer over the weekend, and, after meeting with him, I finally have a pretty good idea of what our set will look like. Thanks to that, we’ve started blocking the show and after 1 rehearsal we’ve gotten through the first 18 pages. Today we’ll continue with more of the same (actually, who am I kidding, for the next week we’ll continue with more of the same) and hopefully, by next week, the show will be completely blocked.

In other production news, we’re in the process of gathering props and costumes. Although this show is less difficult than DREAMERS OF THE DAY was (in other words we don’t need to find a vintage 1918 cigarette case or the exact type of robes that Lawrence of Arabia would have worn), I’m discovering that the sheer number of props for this show could get a leetle bit crazy. Seeing as our stage manager is also of our props master, I would like to apologize here, in writing, to Laura. Sorry. And I love you. AND You’re awesome.

One Week Down…

First week of rehearsals has come to an end. It’s been a great week of table work. We’ll probably continue more of the same for another couple of days and then we’re on to the blocking. Of course, before blocking can begin in earnest we’ll need a set design. It looks like we may have found a designer though, so the chances of actually having a set design are looking up.

In the meantime, our RocketHub campaign continues. Be sure to stop on by our page and get in on the behind the scenes action. Join the SKIN FLESH BONE family here: http://rockethub.com/projects/1589-skin-flesh-bone

On another note, for anyone who didn’t see it on our main page, tickets for SKIN FLESH BONE are now on sale. You can get tickets here: https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/834315, on our home page, or on our events calendar page.

Postcards are being designed and printed even as we speak and the marketing blitz is about to begin!

And we’re off…

On Wednesday the actors gathered…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The script was read…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, the snacks were consumed…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SKIN FLESH BONE is off to a great start!!!

RocketHub

Have you always wanted to be a part of a NEW YORK CITY theater production?

Have you dreamed of having signed programs, or exclusive backstage videoblogs of a show coming together?

Well you are in luck my friend because GTTP has partnered with to give everyone a chance to get in on the action. For the next 30 days, you can get in on backstage access to SKIN FLESH BONE! Be a part of the project and get exclusive rewards available only to our fuelers. There are rewards for all levels of contribution! There’s also a blog with a production diary from members of the cast and crew. As we move through rehearsals, there will be exclusive content on the RocketHub blog. Checkout the details at: http://rockethub.com/projects/1589-skin-flesh-bone

Be a part of the SKIN FLESH BONE experience! The more the merrier, feel free to re-post the link to your friends!