Hello my dear FOD's (Friends/Family of Doug)!
Swell things are happening in the world--a great pilot with an unfortunate name landed his passengers safely in the Hudson River, the inauguration in DC brings wonderful possibilities to our country and the world, AND you can raise a margermellon wadderita with me at FODapalooza IV on February 17! Come with me on this e-journey through things filmed, taped and sung recently and at the e-conclusion, oh yes, oh yes, there shall be the two (by which I mean three) items of interest for FOD's!
(And if you're not interested in my monthly e-mail lovin', just let me know and I'll take you off
my e-mail lovin' list.
FODapalooza IV:
Join me for the fourth FODapalooza!
WHEN: Tuesday, February 17, 2009
6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
WHERE: People, in the Loft upstairs
163 Allen Street, New York, NY
See below for directions or go to the
Google Map
COST: No cover, cash bar
RSVP: Requested, but not required.
RSVP for FODapalooza! here
Gather, ye FODs (Friends/Family of Doug), and meet your brethren at the fourth FODapalooza! I know, some of you asked for Wednesday, but I'm taking a Wednesday night intenSati class with instructor, Erin Stutland. I'll try for Wednesday next time. In FODapaloozas past, accountants have bonded with singer folk, lyricists have found composers, and actresses have met men who actually want to kiss them. And do you know who will also be there? Alexandra de Suze! (Surely you've heard of Alexandra de Suze!) We'll have the upstairs lounge all to ourselves with the Wall of Rain, meat on a stick, and (hopefully) de-lishish Margermelon Wadderitas. (Translation: delicious Watermelon Margaritas.)
Directions
People is just a block and a half below the intersection of First Avenue
and Houston (the east end of the F and V train).
DougToons is brought forth into the world...
I am kvelling up a storm here. Back in July 2007, my good friend Rob Voisey challenged me to stop talking about wanting to voice cartoons and to start making it happen. The advice simmered in the back of my brain until March 2008 when I bribed some creative types with pizza in Bryant Park and now, with the incredible creative forces of animator Ken Truhan, writer Crystal Skillman, producer/engineer Brett Barry and voice actor me, the first installment of DougToons has hit YouTube and Facebook. Suggestions for the next episode are flying in. Please log on to the YouTube site, give it a rating, and share with your friends!
Come to the Cabaret...
On January 29, I'll be singing with featured composer Hector Coris for the cabaret event BIG NIGHT OUT, "Hosted By The Fabulous Jennifer Wren and Featuring The Musical Genius Bill Zeffiro."
WHEN: Thursday January 29, 2009
9:00 PM to 11:00 PM (I go on between 10:00 and 11:00)
WHERE: The Reprise Room at Dillon's Lounge
245 West 54th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue)
Google Map
COST: $10.00 Cover + 1 item minimum (1/2 price cover for MAC, AEA, and EMC Candidates)
RSVP: Not required
50 to Death...
I'm a huge fan of the web series 50 to Death, which stars Norm Golden, Joan Barber and Jon Freda under the production/direction of Jason Sokoloff. In my first AFTRA principal role, I played one of (the character) Joan's vocal students (I am a proud student of the real Joan in real life) being trained in her new "holistic" singing method. Please check out the show's website, and then consider nominating them for the Streamy Awards by writing in "50 to Death" for Best Comedy Web Series. Voting ends January 23rd, so get a move-on! I will let you know when the webisode I am in will air.
Managing the career...
I have started to train as an acting career coach with The Savvy Actor. Jodie Bentley and Kevin Urban have built a remarkable company that helps actors turn their craft into their business through classes, coaching and seminars. They have been assisting me in defining my goals and my "brand," and soon I will doing the same for other theatre artists. Interested in doing this work for yourself? e-mail them at jk@thesavvyactor.com or call (212) 479-7732. We also coach by phone for those of you outside of NYC. By the way, guess who one of our clients is? Alexandra de Suze! (Surely you've heard of Alexandra de Suze!) (Not you should worry about confidentiality. She gave me permission to include her name.)
Schvitzing in the studio...
I'm taking a fascinating exercise class called "The Actor's Workout" with an incredible intenSati instructor, Erin Stutland. The practice of intenSati offers a training for your body and your life. The greatest power to influence our life, our health and our happiness is our thought power or our spiritual power. So, in class, we simultaneously work through challenging aerobic exercise and spiritual yoga while voicing our goals to cover mind, body, and spirit. Intrigued? Send Erin an e-mail at stutsreal@yahoo.com.
Dougbytes
***I modeled men's tights on a VERY cold snowy day in Union Square for a segment on the British Morning TV show GMTV. Then reporter Carla Eckhardt interviewed customers in the Green Market about their views on men in tights. (Just to brag for a moment, I did get some compliments, as in, "They look very good on him, but there's no WAY I would let my husband wear...") In a very New York City moment, I grew impatient with the bathroom line and changed into the dance belt and tights in the back hallway of an Au Bon Pain while asking my fellow citizens to stand in front of me. No. That will not be seen on show, so stand down, you saucy thing.
***I did a day on 30 Rock as a waiter in Barney Greengrass. The scene starred Tina Fey and Mad Men's Jon Hamm.
***I have been invited back as a guest speaker for the Television and Radio Performance class at SUNY New Paltz. This class, led by voice artist and audio producer Brett Barry, teaches the theory and practice of performance using the technology of radio and television--including announcing, interviewing, newscasting and acting.
***I have been participating in several readings of New Works. For the Writing the Musical Libretto class at HB Studio, I have been working with librettists Robert Grogan and Dan Furman. At the Flea Theater, I will be reading the role of a shopping channel host in Michael Mitnick's BABS THE DODO under the direction of Lauren Keating.
***I continue to coach with Joan Bogden for voice-overs, Joan Barber for singing, and Tina Marie Casamento for vocal coaching.
***I'm still continuing to monitor casting sessions, train readers, and meet casting directors weekly at The Network. Guess who's working there?! Alexandra de Suze! (Surely you've heard of Alexandra de Suze!)
***Every Thursday at 7:00 a.m. Jill Burk and I continue to be the voices of New York Times for InTouch Radio reading news and periodicals for the visually impaired over the air. By the way, one can hear the broadcast by registering at intouchnetworks.org, but then must be able to verify that they are visually impaired. Tell your visually impaired loved ones to sign up, and then bring the pizza and beer over at 7:00 am to listen to us!
***I continue to sing Sunday mornings at The Madison Avenue Baptist Church with choir director Paul Stephan, singers Renee Jarvis, Christopher Preston Thompson, and Alexandra de Suze! (Surely you've heard of Alexandra de Suze!) We're led by the fabulous Reverend Susan Sparks. The sermons are now podcast! (The choir is not.) THERE ARE TWO OPENINGS FOR ONE BARITONE AND ONE MEZZO-SOPRANO and I'm always compiling a list of potential subs, so let me know if you're interested. I will be singing the solo on Sunday, January 18: Twila Paris's "When You Speak to Me."
Please Don't Panic! I'm as busy as a box of tissues during flu season -- but for you, I'll find the time. Should you require the voice of Lincoln for your President's Day sale, the profile of Lincoln for your marketing campaign, or just the right cat to swing "Pennies from Heaven" for you, let's create something great together.
And now the monthly Two (by which I mean Three) Items of Interest for FODs...
Excellent Animation Voiceover and Voiceover Tune-Up Class...
Veteran voice actor from Nickelodeon, PBS, Noggin, Pokemon, Disney and former Muppet performer – Paul Liberti is teaching two excellent classes at Actors Connection. We worked together on a video for John Caraffa and he's a great guy with a lot to offer.
Character and Animation V/O Technique Class-5-weeks of animation V/O work with Professional Voice Actor Paul Liberti
Dates: Fridays, February 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th & March 6th.
AND...
ADVANCED Voice Over Tune Up! with Stacy Seidel, Casting Director with Broadcasters, and Voice Actor Paul Liberti
(six weeks with surprise guest agent at last class!)
Dates: Mondays, Feb. 9th, (skips 16th), 23rd, March 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd.
Need some astrological advice?..
I've been enjoying the blog of my college friend Robin Curtin. She is an NCGR Level I astrologer and has put together an excellent blog consisting of her e-newsletters called "Robin's Astrological Advice". Also, if you live in Massachusetts and are interested in a reading, she's available for one on one sessions, too. (Robin is also a rock singer. How cool is that?)
Perhaps it's time to talk with my husband...
I must brag on my man for a moment. After eighteen years as an actuary, Shawn brought his industry savvy to the people side of the business four years ago to be a financial planner. His business has grown wonderfully and he is helping a lot of people start to save money and protect their loved ones. Have you been reading the news lately? Perhaps it's time to talk with him. He knows his stuff, will not try to sell you something you don't need, and is quite easy on the eyes. Send him an e-mail at scowls@mac.com to start the conversation.
Life is good here. After we plugged the wrong earpiece into my cell phone and fried it, I just had to go to the Apple Store to purchase my new iPhone. I have named her Xie Xie, which is Mandarin for "Thank You." Shawn and I also went to the Contra Dance recently and had the chance to reconnect and dance with some old friends.
Take some breathing time for yourself, tell me your birthday, and thanks for being in my life. Please let me know what's going on in yours!
Enjoy Yourself!
Doug
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