New Photos on our Website!

At last! As Webmistress, I must extend my apologies to all who have repeatedly checked our website only to find the SAME OLD CONTENT. I had a baby at the end of July so my time has been taken up by the sweetest little lady, but now that she's a little older (and being a good napper), I can get back to the task at hand!

Additional updates are in the works, but for now, please check out our updated Photo Gallery section. You'll find pictures from our productions of Much Ado About Nothing (finally), Sunset Motel and The Block.

Thanks and we look forward to bringing you an exciting season in 2010!

First Time's the Charm

Tina Trimble, first-time director of Paper Thin, shared a few words with us about her experience.

For some time I’ve had the idea in my head of how the director and actors should collaborate to shape the play. My recent experiences on stage have been as a member of a large cast where the director has had little time for discussion of why the action is happening, what the characters hope to gain or fear to lose, how a gesture or position of a hand or inflection of a voice alters the audience’s expectations. To me the director’s role is not only to discover and reveal the play’s intention but also to explore with the actors each character’s impact on the action, to examine the validity of his/her emotions in each scene and to nurture the actors’ choices of voice, manner and spirit as they relate to the rhythm of the whole. I wanted to direct to see if I could do the job as I thought it should be done.


Marlise Garde and Gerard J. Savoy as Maggie and Clark

I chose “Paper Thin” for my directorial debut not because it spoke to me, but because it shouted. I fell in love with the characters – two damaged people who are emotionally distant from each other and from their own selves struggling to control the untamable human desire for connection. That’s juicy stuff. From the beginning I saw Clark and Maggie locked in this battle for control with the power constantly shifting between them right through to the final fade-out. Fortunately Paul Weissman, the playwright, shared my vision and gave me the opportunity to run with these beautifully complex people.


Marlise Garde and Gerard J. Savoy as Maggie and Clark

Paul conceived “Paper Thin” as a screen play and to me it felt far more cinematic than theatrical. I wanted to present the intimacy of film on the stage, and to achieve this we did numerous “takes” for each scene and even for many moments until we found the right mood or soul that worked. The challenge for me was to strike the right balance between the two characters so the audience would see them as equally matched in their emotional wounds as well as in their desire for and inability to embrace healing. The play has so many layers – so many choices could be made that would change the audience’s expectations and perception of what was happening. The actors brought numerous ideas about their characters’ essences and intentions which we discussed, tried, tweaked and sometimes threw away after several weeks. It was a wonderful gift getting to know Marlise better as a person and as an actress. She brought a lot to the table and kept adding more and more layers to Maggie as we worked. Being married to my leading man was not very different from living with him while he worked with another director since we always discuss his character when he is preparing for a role. The biggest difference in being his director is that this time he could argue with my suggestions but he had to try them anyway.

As Maggie and Clark came to life, anger became understanding, sorrow replaced empathy, stoicism morphed into humor (and sometimes back to anger) and we all laughed -- and ate -- a lot. I could not have had a better cast or a better experience as a first time director. Would I like to direct again? Absolutely!

Almost Over

Sunset Motel has had a great run... we've had fun crowds and amazing performances. I want to thank everyone for coming out to the far West Side (the theatre is across from Chelsea Piers if that gives you any indication) to support our production!

There is still time to visit the Sunset Motel! We close on Saturday, so reserve your tickets now.

We'll leave the light on for you...

Sunset Motel Tickets are on Sale Now!

Hi Folks,

Just wanted to let you know the SUNSET MOTEL is now open for business! You can purchase your tickets at TheaterMania. com by clicking here.

Tickets are only $18. Seating is limited, so we suggest you purchase your ticket in advance. If you choose to purchase your ticket at the door, please note we ONLY accept cash.

Any reserved tickets that have not been pre-paid will be released 15 minutes prior to curtain, so plan accordingly. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the house staff.

The two plays are coming together really well and we are excited for opening night! We look forward to your visit at the SUNSET MOTEL!

Auditions, Round 2

Sorry I have been remiss in posting at least once a month. Here's what you need to know: We have cast both our shows and have started rehearsals.

Marc Adam Smith, director of Family Values referred to our female callbacks as a "grand slam home run" (I'm paraphrasing, so please forgive me if I misrepresented your quote Mr. Smith)!

We saw a great group of female actresses and cast the lovely and hilarious Louise Flory! Check her out at http://www.louiseflory.com

We saw a lot of talented me during our auditons for the role of Jason, but we didn't find just the right chemistry... until we matched Louise up with our very own Johnny Blaze Leavitt! Congrats, Mr. Leavitt.

As I mentioned before, rehearsals are underway and so far so great! Family Values should be lots of fun. Check it out starting October 9th. Tickets will be on sale soon!

Auditons, Round 1

Well, we're only half way through our first round of auditions for Family Values and I just have to say I love this process (and I love having internet while sitting in the holding area!).

I love this process because it's a great chance to meet some wonderful people. Just within the first hour we met some really friendly and talented women. POY is a great company and we are like family, but it's nice to open things up to those outside of our family now and again. Fresh faces, new energy. All good things.

I can't wait to see how things go for the rest of the afternoon!

Auditions: Sat, June 21st for Sunset Motel

Greetings readers,

I thought you would like to know POY will be holding auditions for the female lead in our comedy Family Values. Not to worry 'gents, we'll be casting the male lead within the next few weeks, so stay tuned... You can see the full posting at http://www.backstage.com:

Point of You Productions is casting the comedy Family Values as part of a night of two One-Acts to be performed at the Sanford Meisner Theatre from October 9th-25th, Wed-Sat at 8pm. Paul Weissman, Writer, Marc Adam Smith, Director. No Pay.

Seeking-Amanda, Mid-Twenties, Lonely, Unpredictable, Ex- Child Star.

Auditions will be held on Sat, June 21st between 1-4pm by appointment.

Please email headshot and resume to marcadam@pointofyou.org or mail hardcopy to:

Marc Adam Smith
C/O Point of You Productions
FDR Station
PO BOX 673
New York NY, 10150

www.pointofyou.org

The Art of the Rewrite - Procrastination, Desperation and Margaritas

From the desk of Paul Weissman, Literary Director and playwright of POY's next production Sunset Motel:

Rewrites are a pain in the ass. It takes so long for something to gestate in my head and get it down on paper that when I finally finish the first draft, I just want to shoot it out there and say, “There it is, it’s perfect, enjoy it, I’m going to get myself a margarita.” Of course, it’s never perfect. And readings of the play will always magnify the flaws of the plot, dialogue, character, etc.

So, on to the second draft. This usually means I sit on the couch with a beer (yeah, I drink. I’m an artist. It’s in the rulebook) and my notepad (I don’t write drafts on the computer, I longhand it first) and stare. . . .and stare . . . and I go back to my notes to remind myself of things that need changing, tweaking or sometimes full on rehauling. I curse my lot. “Oy, couldn’t I have been a carpenter or a lawyer. Oy, this writing is hard.” Aaaaand nothing. So I put the pad down and proceed to watch The Daily Show or Boston Legal or whatever. And I go through the week with the deadline for the next draft looming over me. I ignore it for at least two weeks.

But lo and behold, in the back of my head, unconsciously, wheels are turning. I gave my brain a task and it loves tasks. Characters are saying things in my head. I hear them talking as I head up the subway to work. The dialogue is clunky. Somewhat inept. But they keep talking. Then, eventually, they say the right thing. The thing they were meant to say. THAT’S when I start rewriting. And then everything is easy as pie (I don’t understand that phrase. Easy as making pie, sure. Easy as eating pie, absolutely, but easy AS pie?!? I don’t get it). And finally, the words move from my notepad to my computer with ease. And I smile. And I hand it to the gang. And I go off to have my margarita.