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in media res
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Posted: Sat Jan 20th, 2007 03:36 pm |
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Mr. Dempster died. He was a great Champion of theatre and especially American Theatre. I put this under "Collaborator" as he and Ensemble Studio Theatre were, and still are, a great group of collaborating theatre artists. They also have a very active West Coast group located in Los Angeles. If you are in those two cities, take advantage.
Here is the link to his obit in the NY Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/20/obituaries/20dempster.html?ref=obituaries
It is worth reading to see how much of an effect one devoted person with an idea can have.
Below is the link to the Theatre's website for any who might be looking for info if you are on either coast or just general information to see the size and swath of their membership. I have seen some truly wonderful stuff there on both coasts. With stars and without stars. And I have seen some truly crappy stuff. With stars and without stars. But the point is, Mr. Dempster provided the space for theatre people to safely use it for experimentation to develop new work.
http://www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org/
Thank you for it all, Mr. Dempster. Let's hope it continues...Last edited on Sat Jan 20th, 2007 03:40 pm by in media res
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katoagogo
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Posted: Sat Jan 20th, 2007 10:17 pm |
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As an Ensemble Studio Theatre Fellow I got to spend a few days in the Catskills with Curt and his dogs as he worked with us on our plays during a week-long retreat. It was a laid-back way to get to know the man outside of the city. Sitting around the bonfire into the chilly summer nights with a case of beer nearby was a great way to swap stories and hear about the beginnings of the Off-Broadway theater movement.
The morning Curt arrived he was in the dining room when the five playwriting fellows showed up to eat. He greeted us by saying "Here are the playwrights," and invited us to join him. It was the first time I had walked into a room and been called a "playwright" by a stranger. It was an important moment for me.
He was an advocate for new plays and playwrights. He championed my play, and rallied several theaters in NYC and elsewhere to read it.
He'll be missed.
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in media res
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Posted: Sun Jan 21st, 2007 03:13 am |
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katoagogo,
I know the Catskills well from summers and autumns. And the Berkshires.
And the cold beer. And the gin. And the Scotch. And the conversation. Oh, and let us not forget, the theatre!
You were fortunate to have known/worked with Mr. Dempster personally and been connected into a long line of theatrical history.
Treasure it. Always. That is what it is all about. Handing it all down from person to person; not textbook to textbook. You have been given the responsibility to do the same.
You are much richer for it.
best,
in media resLast edited on Sun Jan 21st, 2007 03:17 am by in media res
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jimmydime
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Posted: Tue Jan 23rd, 2007 06:49 am |
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I was 19 when I walked into EST and Curt pushed my Chicago street smarts buttons when he kicked me out of his office (laughing) for even thinking I could be in his precious summer lab in Tannersville.
I showed him my college professors glowing recommendation letters and he said "I have never heard of ANY of these people".
Before leaving I paused at the door, thinking I had nothing to lose and said "that's funny cuz I never heard of YOU either till about a week ago, I guess you couldn't make it as an actor, so this is your TRIP" and left.
I cursed his name, his bald arrogance from 10th Avenue all the way to Broadway, got on the A train to 181st in Washington Heights only to find a message waiting on my answering machine from an intern… telling me Curt would like me to join his lab this summer.
That was the mixed message I got from Curt, I’ll mess with you to see how you react and if you stand up for yourself….I’ll do it again, cuz… that’s how I show you I care about you.
I had lost my father the year before I had this first encounter with Curt. I was just trying to find my way in NY. So in typical Curt style, he put me to work. Cleaning toilets, doing box office, trying to fix the elevator and getting to be a reader for the Marathon auditions, which to this day was a great learning lesson.
Over the next few years I started to find my way as an actor by studying at the Institute, with Gina Barnett & Debra Hedwall and doing the Summer Conferences with Frank Girardeau & Curt’s Labs in Tannersville, where one summer I turned 21 and had my first legal drink at the Tannersville Tool & Die.
I would see Curt and he would LOOK right though me like an X-Ray machine and ask “whadda ya doing?” We’d have some small talk…BS a bit and then he’d make some off handed remark about what I SHOULD be doing to be a better artist. Which pissed me off, as all I could think about was paying my rent on the $6k a year I was making at the time. But his comments made me stop, look and question “where I was at?” which in hindsight I really needed to hear from someone. The way he did it… was not the best, but it needed to be said…by someone.
I became a member of EST at 21 and learned how to act and produce my own projects through Octoberfests, did the Marathon and then moved on to Los Angeles to help create EST-The LA Project which is now in it’s 14th year.
I would call Curt from time to time and fill him in on our West Coast progress, my marriage, the birth of my 2 children and each visit in LA, we would spend a little time together being in awe of how my artistic life was born at EST. I thought about it recently and EVERY job I have gotten in the last 20 years, had SOME connection to EST either though my work at EST, relationships built from EST or inspired by EST’s mission. Without EST I have no idea how my life would have turned out. Curt IS EST, so that applies to him as well.
22 years later I have lost a mentor and an artistic father, flawed as he may have been, he was one of my biggest fans and taught me to "Protect & Respect my craft” before I even knew what the word meant. The last time I saw him in LA, he said “hey… Jimmy Do, whadda ya doing?”
I had way too many things to tell him… and his attention span was short, so I just said “who invited this guy?” He laughed…gave me a firm hug and I felt like I was home again at EST. I will never forget him and will be forever inspired by him. He will be missed… but not forgotten.
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in media res
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Posted: Tue Jan 23rd, 2007 02:45 pm |
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jimmydime,
Very elegant tribute. Everything you mention is a real lesson for people and they should read it over and over.
One: Stick up for yourself. If you had wimped out on your first meeting, you might never would have gone any further.
(Same thing happend to me in NYC. As a new arrival non-equity actor from Chicago knowing no one, I went to an Equity audition. I was derisively told several times by the audition monitor, "They won't see you." I left. I walked two blocks to Astor Place and said to myself with my Irish up, "I didn't come to New York to be told 'no' by that little shit." I went back in and firmly told the shit, "I'll wait." He shut up. I waited all day. The end of the day came, and to the resilient, tired few, the casting director said, "Are you all non-Equity?" "Yes" was the reply. "I can see you now," she said. Well, I auditioned. Got a call back and was CAST! And I continue to have a lovely career. I owe it all to that one dear casting director, now sadly deceased and who was wonderful to many young actors in NYC...and to my own bull-headedness. Woody Allen said in one of his movies, "70% of success in life is just showing up." You gotta show up.}
Another lesson: "Pitch in and help" at a theatre. Do anything. And people get to know you. John Patrick Shanley once was the House Manager at Manhattan Theatre Club. You learn as much about theatre by that as trying to write plays.
And, a mentor with the best information does not necessarily come from the kindest and nicest people. (If they are, that is a bonus.) But pay attention to the information, not the attitude of the person. A good mentor does not have to be a good, close friend.
Again, a lovely tribute, jimmydime.
Best,
in media resLast edited on Tue Jan 23rd, 2007 02:49 pm by in media res
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jimmydime
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Posted: Tue Jan 23rd, 2007 11:02 pm |
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in media res,
Thank you so much. Seems we have a few things in common. The journey not the destination thing and what not. Being irish, doesn't hurt either.
Did you ever encounter Sheri Mann in Chicago? She was my First female mentor in "the biz"
Keep in touch
jimmydime@yahoo.com
http://www.speedreels.com/talent/jdumont
JD
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in media res
Member
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Posted: Wed Jan 24th, 2007 08:27 pm |
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jimmydime,
Yes, I knew Sheri. Lovely woman. Sad she died so damn young. But she died with grace and, most importantly to Sheri, with such grace, dignity and style!
I loved your site. Very nice.
''Part of being Irish is knowing that someday the world will break your heart.''
- Daniel Patrick Moynihan
best,
in media resLast edited on Thu Jan 25th, 2007 01:24 am by in media res
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