Hello my dear FOD's (Friends/Family of Doug)!
Fasten your seat belts! This Fearless Mensch is eating danger for breakfast. Breaking out the new headshots (BAM!), Leaping onto the Web (ZOWIE!), Bursting out of the day job to act and coach full time (POW!), and Singing in the upper range for a whole evening (AMEN!). All of this living outside the boundaries, this trapeezing across crocodile-infested waters, just makes a MAN want to...
...hide under the bed with his childhood pillow person Cap'n Charlie.
But, we soldier on, even when we almost finish this newsletter and the computer deletes everything after seven hours of work.
Now, tell your Swedish spokesmodel to start on your pedicure (you need your hands to work the computer) and join me on this e-journey--and at the e-conclusion, oh yes, oh yes, there shall be the two (by which I mean four) items of interest for FOD's!
 |
Doug Imaged (BAM!)
Above and to your left, you see the results of my third go-round with headshot photographer Joe Henson. Great man, incredibly funny, always up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry. Joe’s main studio is located in New York City but he also regularly shoots in Boston, Washington DC and various colleges and universities. You can check his website JoeHenson.com for the dates of his out-of-town shoots. The makeup was by Kerry-Lou Brehm, who used an incredibly cool airbrushing device to apply the base. She's also trained in permanent eyelash extensions, but I decided not to go with that. They were both incredibly receptive to my ideas about branding (intelligent charm of Kevin Kline meets physical wit of Groucho Marx meets sensitive soul...and hair...of Patrick Dempsey) and we chose the final shots based more on "Does this fit my brand?" than "Does this make me look handsome and virile?" I've already started sending them out to casting directors and we'll see how they're received!
Doug Committed (ZOWIE!)
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 Episode 8, "Committed," 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. It's hysterical. Watch it now!
Doug Instructive (POW!)
It really happens! I left my day job of eight years at the end of March and in the space created by that, more gigs and coaching work has come in. My client base as an acting career consultant with The Savvy Actor is growing rapidly and I am in love with this work. Jodie Bentley and Kevin Urban have built a remarkable company that helps actors turn their craft into their business through classes, coaching and seminars. Interested in doing this work for yourself? E-mail me at doug@thesavvyactor.com or call (917) 929-0998 to set up a free half-hour intro session. We also coach by phone for those of you outside of NYC.
Doug Passionate (AMEN!)
What does a good Jewish boy do on the first night of Passover? Sing for the Catholics, of course! I was brought in by the remarkable music director/organist John Failla to sing the baritone role in "The Seven Last Words of Christ" by Théodore Dubois at the Church of Our Lady Fatima in Scarsdale, NY. Maintaining an entire work of music mostly above middle C was a stretch outside the comfort zone (mantra: open throat. closed mouth. flow of air. open throat. closed mouth. flow of air) but completely worthwhile when the incredibly gracious congregation stood at the end for John and the rest of us. Along with the FODs of the chorus (Deb Failla and Tom and Kimberly Shay), I solo'd with Christopher Preston Thompson (tenor) and Cidalia Alvarez (soprano). By the way, do you know the difference between a Catholic Grandmother and a Jewish Grandmother? The Catholic Grandmother says, "You finish what's on your plate or I'll kill you." The Jewish Grandmother says, "You finish what's on your plate, or I'll kill myself." Ladies and Gentlemen--Doug Shapiro, Kosher Ham.
Doug Gnomely (HAR!)
UNLOCK'D is a gorgeous new musical by Sam Carner and Derek Gregor and was the winner of last year's New York Musical Theatre Festival. Producer Jana Robbins and La Vie Productions LLC are taking it to the next level, which included two table reads in New York City at either end of their week-long work session. I sang the roles of Caleb (a Gnome) and Lord Littlewit (a suitor). This work is one of my favorites and this time around it was directed by Amanda Denhert, music directed by Brad Haak, and fellow performers included (I didn't get everyone's name) Maria Couch, Alison Cimmet, Jordan Kai Burnett, Christopher Totten, and Gerritt VanderMeer.
Doug Sycophantic (MWAH!)
I was brought in by The NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program to workshop Jason Young and Bomi Lee's BRADLEY COLE, a story of a successful anonymous blogger and his roommate whose lives are turned upside down when they use the blog to benefit a friend working on a cooking show. I played the suck-up assistant to the Cooking Show Diva. (Take Mark from UGLY BETTY, drop his voice two octaves, and add the breathiness of Marilyn Monroe--that was me.) Directed by Kara-Lynn Vaeni, Music Directed by Ben Cohn, Stage Managed by Lauren Epsenhart, Jaime Lozano, and Leah Miles, and performed by Leo Ash Evens, Claybourne Elder, Patricia Noonan, Anne L. Nathan, me, Benjamin Howes and Sarah Statler.
Doug Beneficial (THANKS!)
I'm singing in two events to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
The 23rd Annual Easter Bonnet Competition
I'll be one of the pit singers for the opening number, under the impeccable music direction of Jeffrey Biering.
WHEN: Monday April 27, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Tuesday April 28, 2009 at 2:00 pm
WHERE: The Minskoff Theatre
200 West 45th Street, NYC
See the
Google Map
COST: $20-$350, depending on where you choose to sit
Tickets: Order Online or call (866) 840-0770 x268.
The Music of Hope
Westchester based theatre company Little Fig Stage will be presenting “The Music of Hope,” a benefit concert for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. The benefit will feature an all teen cast with special guests from the professional theatre community (one of whom is me) and 20 new songs from a variety of composers and lyricists including FODs Robert Lopez, Deborah Abramson, Steven Alper, Kristen Anderson, Dan Acquisto and Sammy Buck, Haim Cotton, Michael V. Ficocelli, Adam Overett, and Amanda Yesnowitz. Directed by Marci Elyn Schein, Music Directed by Michael V. Ficocelli, and Choreographed by Megan Hawkins. They are also still seeking a set designer and someone to do computer projections. Interested? Send an e-mail to Marci Elyn Schein at mezzobari@aol.com.
WHEN: Saturday May 16, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 3:00 pm
WHERE: The Players Theatre
115 MacDougal Street, NYC
See the
Google Map
COST: $25
Tickets: Order Online or call (866) 811-4111.
and one more benefit for The New York Society for Ethical Culture...
Jekyll & Hyde in Concert
SAW Theatricals, Inc., will be staging a one-night concert benefit performance of Frank Wildhorn's Jekyll & Hyde to benefit the New York Society for Ethical Culture. I will be playing the Bishop and singing baritone. FOD's will include Sarah Melissa Rotker (Producer/Music Director), Richard Binder, Sal Sabella and Tony Wolf. They are also still seeking an oboe player. Interested? Send an e-mail to Sarah Melissa Rotker at sarahmelissarotker@gmail.com.
WHEN: Monday June 15, 2009 at 7:30 pm
There will also be a FREE pre-concert panel discussion on the ethical issues of Jekyll & Hyde.
WHERE: The New York Society for Ethical Culture
2 West 64th Street, NYC
See the
Google Map
COST: Concert Tickets $15-$20
Post-Concert Donor Reception Tickets $50-$75
Tickets: Visit www.ethicaljekyll.com or call 212-352-3101.
Dougbytes
***We continue work on the second installation of DougToons! This one is also going to double as my animation voiceover reel, so we've got a wonderful challenge ahead of us. If you have yet to see the work of animator Ken Truhan, writer Crystal Skillman, producer/engineer Brett Barry and voice actor me, the first installment of DougToons is on both YouTube and Facebook. Please log on to the YouTube site, give it a rating, and share with your friends!
***I will be recording the role of the Invisible Man for Jay Alan Zimmerman's show of the same title. The man knows how to write for a bass/baritone. I was recommended to Jay by one of my very favorite composer/lyricists, Adam Gwon.
***I continue to participate in "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.
***I'm still continuing to monitor casting sessions, train readers, and meet casting directors weekly at The Network. Recently, I took seminars with three of the casting directors from the Law & Order series as well as the casting director of Ugly Betty. I cannot recommend this organization highly enough.
***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!
***Every Friday at 8:00 a.m. I have a phone gathering with fellow voice actors Brett Barry, Cristina Doikos, Marc Garber, and Jamie Hurley.
***I continue to sing Sunday mornings at The Madison Avenue Baptist Church with choir director Paul Stephan, singers Renee Jarvis, Christopher Preston Thompson, Andy Redeker, Daryl Freedman, and Alexandra de Suze! (Surely you've heard of Alexandra de Suze!) Paul Stephan not only put together beautiful services for Good Friday and Easter, but composed and arranged all of our Good Friday solos. For Easter, we were joined by singers Edd Clark, Bettina Covo and Brian Taylor and a choir that came over from Austria. The congregation is led by the fabulous Reverend Susan Sparks. The sermons are now podcast! (The choir is not.)
Please Don't Panic! I'm as busy as a unicyclist juggling rabid fire-breathing weasels -- but for you, I'll find the time. Should you require your song sung, your cartoon voiced, or your print campaign modeled, let's create something great together.
And now the monthly Two (by which I mean Four) Items of Interest for FODs...
All the great recommendations...
Looking for a great voiceover class? chiropractor? transcriber/arranger? Check out the Resources page on the Savvy Actor website! Most of the great classes, coaches, and resources about whom I've told you in past FOD updates are there, as well as Jodie and Kevin's recommendations. (Pete DeMeo, Nadette Stasa, and Paul Liberti all have great classes coming up.) Be sure to check them out!
All the great successes...
Thanks to Jodie from The Savvy Actor and Erin from intenSati for pointing me towards this. A Success Journal! There's so much about which we should be worrying, such a long list of things we should be doing, and we can never keep up with all of it. Each night, I list in my success journal five successes I've had during the day, from getting to an audition to letting someone in the subway before me to just getting out of bed in the morning. I also list three things for which I'm grateful. Then, during the overwhelming times I can look back and realize, okay. I'm actually accomplishing things and my life is very good. A quick list like this is also an easier commitment for me than "write in your journal every night."
All the efficient mailings...
Mailings--Faster, Smarter, Cheaper!
A fantastic FREE seminar offered by The Savvy Actor. Mailings are a very important part of our acting business. Yes, we know, they can be tedious, time consuming, and not always affordable. Most of us will do them without the consistency truly needed to both brand ourselves and maximize the effectiveness of our marketing efforts.
How would you like to....
• Send a 100 piece postcard mailing in less than 10 minutes?
• Send thank you cards with your headshot printed inside?
• Keep track of who you sent to, what you wrote, when you sent it and even be reminded to send your follow up?
AND... save time and money.
We are ecstatic to share with you this amazing service where you can CREATE, PRINT, STAMP, and MAIL your personalized cards and postcards – at the click of a button! It is time to work smarter, not harder so come experience our free demo of the system.
Free Seminar: Mailings - Faster, Smarter, Cheaper!
WHEN/WHERE: Monday April 20, 2009, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
at Pearl Studios at 500 8th Avenue, 4th Floor
COST: Free!
RSVP: To reserve your spot for the seminar, please e-mail jk@thesavvyactor.com
Should you not be able to attend the seminar, I would also be more than happy to set up a time to take you through this individually.
All the brilliant financial plans...
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. Shawn and I have enjoyed a whirlwind holiday season, including a delicious seder with so many distractions that few realized we had read the Four Questions three times...bringing it to Twelve Questions, and little else. We also saw Watchmen. Cool Flick! You know who else would totally love it? Alexandra de Suze! (Surely you've heard of Alexandra de Suze!) Shawn and I are wishing all of you the best during this season of renewal.
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
Hello my dear FOD's (Friends/Family of Doug)!
Thanks to all y'all who raised a margermellon wadderita with Shawn and I at FODapalooza IV on February 17! They were delicious and so are you.
Now, put on whatever music makes you feel adored...Barry White, Dixie Chicks, BJ Snowden...and join me on this e-journey--and at the e-conclusion, oh yes, oh yes, there shall be the two (by which I mean four) items of interest for FOD's! Beware! Here come the "I"s of March!
Doug Insane
Did you ever think, "Gosh, that Doug is a nice guy, but I'd feel much closer to him if he was swearing, drooling, fighting through mental disorders, and busting out with rock music"? Funny you should say that, because the Abraxas Stage Company's CRAZY HEAD SPACE opens this coming Thursday!
WHEN:
Thurs 3/12 @8pm, Fri 3/13 @10pm Sat 3/14 @2pm, Sun 3/15 @3pm
Mon 3/16 @8pm, Thurs 3/19 @8pm
Sat 3/21 @8pm, Sun 3/22 @4pm
Tue 3/24 @8pm, Thurs 3/26 @8pm
Sat 3/28 @2pm, Sun 3/29 @4pm
Thurs 4/2 @8pm, Fri 4/3 @8pm
Sat 4/4 @8pm, Sun 4/5 @7pm
WHERE: @ Seaport! 210 Front Street, South Street Seaport,
New York, NY 10038 (Beekman Street)
See the
Google Map
COST: $18.00, with some proceeds going to benefit Creative Alternatives of New York (CANY)
Tickets: Through SmartTix.com or call SmartTix at (212) 868-4444.
Get ready for the ferocious first debut of CRAZY HEAD SPACE, a manic musical celebrating a dizzying kaleidoscope of mental and emotional disorders! Step out of your normal routine in this A-to-Z merry-go-round of maladies—some hilarious, some magical and unnerving. Taking inspiration from the (in)famous DSM IV Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, this musical will leave you wishing for a disorder of your own!
Artistic Team:
Elisabeth S. Davis (Music and Lyrics), Michelangelo Sosnowitz (Composer), Errickson Wilcox (Director), Matthew Neff (Choreographer), Tom Lenz (Set Designer), Jay Scott (Lighting Designer), Nick Meo (Stage Manager), Alicia Upchurch (Choral Director), Sarah Singer (Assistant to Choreographer), Katherine Rosen ( Kampfire Films PR-Publicist)
Cast:
Jennifer Agnelli, Jacquie Aquines, Billy Butler*, Eddie Cooper*, Adriene Couvillion*, Sheena DiMatteo*, Sarah Fichtman*, Tauren Hagans, Mike Harrison, Nam Holtz*,
Tina Jensen, Racy Joseph, Kendra Leigh Landon, Nathaly Lopez, Lyndsey Makovsky, Ron Nummi*, Joanna Richardson*, Doug Shapiro*, Alexandra C. Smith, Michelangelo Sosnowitz, Logan Tracey, Carl Anthony-Tramon*, Alicia Upchurch
* (denotes members of Actors Equity Association)
Doug Instructive...
My client base as an acting career coach with The Savvy Actor continues to grow. Jodie Bentley and Kevin Urban have built a remarkable company that helps actors turn their craft into their business through classes, coaching and seminars. 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.
Doug Invisible...
I sang the role of the Invisible Man from Jay Alan Zimmerman's show of the same title. The man knows how to write for a bass/baritone and it was a joy to flex my legit singer muscles while in rehearsal for a rock musical. Jay was the guest composer for BIG NIGHT OUT, hosted by the Fabulous Jennifer Wren, guest hosted by Samia Mounts and Featuring Musical Genius Bill Zeffiro. I was recommended to Jay by one of my very favorite composer/lyricists, Adam Gwon. By the way, guess who is one of the new co-producers of the Guest Composer series? Alexandra de Suze! (Surely you've heard of Alexandra de Suze!)
Doug Integrated...
I met with the new head of the on-camera commercial department for The Mine, Michele Bianculi (with whom I had the great pleasure to work before), and we are beginning to freelance together.
Doug Imaged...
By the time most of you read this, I will be taking my new headshots with Joe Henson. Yep, it's been five years since the last ones, so it's time for our third go-round together. This year, I'm going for something a little more Kevin Kline charm meets Groucho Marx wit meets Patrick Dempsey hair.
Dougbytes
***I'll be meeting this week with Crystal Skillman to begin work on the second installation of DougToons! This one is also going to double as my animation voiceover reel, so we've got a wonderful challenge ahead of us. If you have yet to see the work of animator Ken Truhan, writer Crystal Skillman, producer/engineer Brett Barry and voice actor me, the first installment of DougToons is on both YouTube and Facebook. Please log on to the YouTube site, give it a rating, and share with your friends!
***I continue to participate in "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.
***I participated in a presentation of Ilann Maazel's song "I.S.A." at BMI's Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. Adam Gwon recommended me for this project as well.
***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. I cannot recommend this organization highly enough.
***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!
***Every Friday at 8:00 a.m. I have a phone gathering with fellow voice actors Brett Barry, Cristina Doikos, Marc Garber, and Jamie Hurley.
***I continue to sing Sunday mornings at The Madison Avenue Baptist Church with choir director Paul Stephan, singers Renee Jarvis, Christopher Preston Thompson, new additions Brian Long (who just booked an amazing gig and will be leaving) and Daryl Freedman, 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.)
Please Don't Panic! I'm as busy as a herd of bipolar kittens in a catnip factory -- but for you, I'll find the time. Should you require your song sung, your cartoon voiced, or your print campaign modeled, let's create something great together.
And now the monthly Two (by which I mean Four) Items of Interest for FODs...
Voiceover skills class with Emmy nominee Pete DeMeo!
As a twice Emmy-nominated voice over artist for over 16 years, Pete DeMeo's career spans all areas of the VO field: commercials (voice of Dr. Scholl’s, Kohl’s, Visa, Tylenol, Howard Johnson, Avis), promos (NBC, HBO, Turner, Fine Living) and over 300 documentaries (Discovery Channel, History Channel, National Geographic, TLC, Biography). Pete also offers private VO coaching and full demo production services by request for additional fees. (He also used to be a part of my Friday morning voiceover call.)
VOICE OVER SKILLS CLASS
WHEN: Mondays March 16, 23, 30 and April 3, 2009
6-8 PM
WHERE: 3 of Us Studios 39 W. 19th St. Rm #301
FEE: $450 ($400 if you mention you're an F.O.D.!)
REGISTER: e-mail pete@petedemeo.com or call 212-924-2240.
On-Camera Commercial Class with Casting Director Nadette Stasa
I was taking Nadette's class in Boston when I booked my first national commercial. (She also used to be a part of my Friday morning voiceover call.)
ON-CAMERA COMMERCIAL CLASS
WHEN: March 12, 19, and 26, 2009
7-10 PM
WHERE: THE STUDIO
1133 BROADWAY (BET. 25TH & 26TH), RM. 624
FEE: $299 ($249 if you mention you're an F.O.D.!)
REGISTER: e-mail nadettecast@aol.com or call 212-971-1989 to reserve your space and she will follow up with payment information.
This class is suitable for seasoned professionals who want a refresher, commercial actors who are not familiar with her approach to commercial work, actors seeking a basic commercial class and non-actors who are interested in doing commercials. The workshop is designed to take you from wherever you are and bring you to the next level. She is committed to leaving you with an understanding of what you need in order to succeed in the field of commercial acting.
Nadette Stasa is a freelance casting director who works with New York's top commercial casting offices including Strickman-Ripps Casting, Martine Casting, Toni Roberts Casting, Donald Case Casting, Foreground, Inc. and more. She has also run New York sessions (primarily voice casting) for Maura Tighe Casting. Nadette has more than 15 years of experience as a casting director, and 12 years of experience coaching and teaching commercial acting. In addition to her casting work, Nadette is an experienced on-camera commercial and voice-over actor. She was recently seen in network spots for Jenny Craig and Kleenex and currently can be heard as the voice of HBO Family Jam.
Mailings--Faster, Smarter, Cheaper...
A fantastic FREE seminar offered by The Savvy Actor. Mailings are a very important part of our acting business. Yes, we know, they can be tedious, time consuming, and not always affordable. Most of us will do them without the consistency truly needed to both brand ourselves and maximize the effectiveness of our marketing efforts.
How would you like to....
• Send a 100 piece postcard mailing in less than 10 minutes?
• Send thank you cards with your headshot printed inside?
• Keep track of who you sent to, what you wrote, when you sent it and even be reminded to send your follow up?
AND... save time and money.
We are ecstatic to share with you this amazing service where you can CREATE, PRINT, STAMP, and MAIL your personalized cards and postcards – at the click of a button! It is time to work smarter, not harder so come experience our free demo of the system. Free Seminar: Mailings - Faster, Smarter, Cheaper! (Two upcoming seminars)
WHEN/WHERE:
Friday, March 13, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
at The Network at 312 West 36th Street, 4th Floor
OR Wednesday, March 25, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
at Pearl Studios at 500 8th Avenue, 4th Floor
COST: Both seminars are free!
RSVP: To reserve your spot for either seminar, please e-mail jk@thesavvyactor.com
Should you not be able to attend the seminar, I would also be more than happy to set up a time to take you through this individually.
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. Shawn and I had the time of our lives in Brooklyn at Conni's Avante Garde Restaurant: not a locale but an elite group of adventurous theatrical performers. Their events mix the ingredients of fine food, drink, song, dance, text, spectacle, and most importantly: you. As their guest, you will enter a lively and welcoming social environment and enjoy a five-course, home-cooked meal presented through exquisite performances. We will say no more. Just go. The next show is in April and they sell out immediately.
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
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
Happy New Year to All of You from Shawn and Doug!
Hello, Doug here with the Doug section. 2008 has been a great year.with
a good balance of acting, training, and enjoyment. Best of all for me
has been the advent of FODapalooza (FOD standing for “Friends/Family of
Doug’). There were three FODapaloozas in 2008, at which composers met
lyricists, artists became friends with people who really enjoy math, and
some people even went on for dinner and smooches at a later date.
My biggest dream has always been to voice cartoons, so--with the help of
some incredibly skilled friends—it got done. The first installment of
DougToons can be found at
http://www.knob-o.com/dougtoons/dougtoons.html.
On stage, I performed 43 roles in 13 plays, readings, and musicals. On
television, I made my soap opera debut on All My Children. In film, I
landed my first seen/speaking role in Horizon and voiced a Yorkshire
Terrier for Tea With Zoey. In voiceover, I recorded gigs for
Monster.com, The Norman Agency in Canada, and Lexmark and continue to be
the Thursday morning voice of The New York Times, along with Jill Burk,
for InTouch Radio. In song, I made my cabaret debuts at BIG NIGHT OUT
and The Algonquin Salon, voiced several demos of new works, and continue
to sing with The Madison Avenue Baptist Church Quartet.
In the New Year, I will begin training with The Savvy Actor as a career
coach, helping theatrical artists find tangible steps to achieving their
business goals. It’s an exciting new chapter in my life.
Shawn here! It's been quite a year. With the financial industry in
turmoil and markets up ended. Still my practice continued to grow as
some great new clients came on board and most existing clients were able
to continue their plans. I continue to head up FFR/Princeton BTGALA,
the LGBT alumni association for Princeton University. Both of the
post-doctoral fellows that came to Princeton as a result of our
sponsorship were offered tenured positions. My mother and father came
to New York in December visit and both are in great health, which is the
one of the best things of all!
Last night, we celebrated the 5th anniversary of our meeting and we are
very grateful to all of you for your friendship and for being in our
lives!
May your 2009 be filled with laughter and fulfillment.
As Always,
Shawn & Doug
Hello my dear FOD's (Friends/Family of Doug)!
In this time of Thanksgiving, I am especially grateful for all of you that raised a margermellon wadderita with me at FODapalooza III! A great time was had by all and I'm looking to set the next one sometime in January. I'm taking an exercise class, getting organized for better career choices, and am in rehearsal for a great show. Also read to the end for the two (by which I mean three) items of interest for FOD's!
On Stage...
Been looking for an excuse to visit Asbury Park in New Jersey in December? Your quest has now been fulfilled! SCROOGE IN ROUGE is going to be hilarious and you can decide for yourself whether or not I make a pretty girl. or matron. or ghost. or excessively perky nephew. Here are the details:
ReVision Theatre
Producing Artistic Directors: David E. Leidholdt, Thomas Morrissey, Stephen Bishop Seely
Scrooge in Rouge
An English Music Hall Christmas Carol
Book & Music by Ricky Graham
Additional Material by Jeffery Roberson
Other Interesting Bits by Yvette Hargis
Original Music Composed by Jefferson Turner
Choreographed by Mimi Quillin
Music Directed by Justin Stoney
Directed by Michael Barakiva
Starring Linda Marie Larson, Katherine Pecevich, & Doug Shapiro
3 actors. 23 characters. A fast-paced new musical so hilarious you'll want to bring your entire family. A Christmas Carol that even your weird Aunt Edna will love!
WHEN: December 4 thru December 28, 2008
Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 8:00 pm
Sundays at 7:00 pm
(No show on Christmas Day)
Friday, December 26th at 8:00 pm
Saturday, December 27th at 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 28th at 3:00 pm
WHERE: The VFW Hall
701 Lake Avenue
Entrance on Bond Street between Lake and Cookman Avenues
Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712
Click here for the
Google Map
COST: Tickets $35 & $25; Children Under 12 $17.50 & $12.50
Buy tickets online at www.ReVisionTheatre.org or call 732-455-3059
In the Movies...
I will be playing the role of a doctor in the upcoming movie HORIZON, written and directed by Vladan Nikolic. This movie will also be Assistant Directed by FOD Heather Murphy. I would tell you more, but I know I hate it when someone tells me the end of a movie. What I can tell you is that I don't get a cool death scene and I'm totally bummed. (I felt the same way when I was on The Sopranos...and didn't even try to get my hopes up for that time on Sex and the City.)
Voicing the Industrials...
I voiced one more industrial spot for Lexmark at The Audio Department, this time with Doug as the engineer.
Voicing the Dog...
"Tea With Zoey" is a short film project that explores the power of friendship and the search for true identity. Starring Zoey, a Shi Tzu-Yorkie mix (voiced by Marisa Miller Wolfson) and Piper, an overweight terrier (voiced by me), this serious and important film is a paw-in for the Oscar. The movie is written by Kate Cook and will be shown in December as a part of the Brooklyn Filmmakers Collective Showcase.
Managing the career...
I have been career coaching with Jodie Bentley and Kevin Urban through The Savvy Actor, 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 action steps through which I can achieve them) and my "brand." Here's what we came up with and I'd love your input:
I am a bass/baritone (down to a Low C) with the intelligent charm of Kevin Kline, the physical wit of Groucho Marx, and Patrick Dempsey's sensitive soul (and hair).
(For voiceover or commercial work, I'd replace Kevin Kline with Hank Azaria.).
Interested in doing this work for yourself? e-mail them at jk@thesavvyactor.com or call (212) 479-7732. They also coach by phone for those of you outside of NYC and, with the holidays coming up, a career coaching session makes a wonderful gift for that special artist in your life.
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. Good stuff, but here's a lesson for you: If you got a flu shot AND were up late the night before glued to election results, the intenSati class can be that much more challenging. I'm just saying...
By the way, Erin has an upcoming free class on November 23 in NYC. If you're interested, send her an e-mail at stutsreal@yahoo.com.
Dougbytes
***I finally had that phone call with the excellent web designers at Traverse City Web Design to learn how to update my website myself.
***I will be 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--inculding announcing, interviewing, newscasting and acting.
*** DougToons is coming even closer to fruition! Animator/Graphic Designer Ken Truhan has drawn the characters and is now plugging away on the animation.
***Every Wednesday morning I pow-wow with fellow artists Stuart Green (in abstensia while he's on tour), Marisa Miller Wolfson, Faith Sandberg, and Alexandra de Suze! (Surely you've heard of Alexandra de Suze!) Every Friday morning is a conference call with fellow voiceover talents J.J. Myers, Nadette Stasa, Brett Barry and Pete DeMeo.
***I continue to coach with Joan Bogden for voice-overs and Joan Barber for singing.
***I'm still continuing to monitor casting sessions and meet casting directors weekly at The Network. Guess who just got hired 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.) I'm still compiling a list of potential subs, so let me know if you're interested. Christmas Eve service will be at 5:00 p.m.
Please Don't Panic! I'm as busy as a travel agent seeking Washington DC hotel rooms on Inauguration Day-but for you, I'll find the time. Should you require the voice of your Christmas elf, the guy to sing your Thanksgiving love ballad, or the narrator for your Holiday recipe audiobook, let's create something great together.
And now the monthly Two (by which I mean Three) Items of Interest for FODs...
New Webisode Production company seeking actors...
Brand new FOD (and Assistant Stage Manager for SCROOGE IN ROUGE) Marti Gould Cummings announces the launch of his production company MGC Productions. He is currenly casting for the role of a charactery mid-30's husband for the pilot webisode of Based on a True Story and will be seeking actors for future webisodes as well. Please e-mail your picture and resume to martigouldcummings@yahoo.com with "Based on a True Story" in the subject line and mention that you're a FOD.
Need some help with gift ideas?..
I'm friends with loads of vocal coaches, monologue coaches, graphic designers, songwriters, career coaches, and more. Would you like to commission a holiday song for the one you love? Songwriters I got. Do you want to give someone the gift of their own website? Web Designers I got. Is a rum cake a good idea for a gift? Such a baker of the rum cake I got. And, if you've been reading, you know I got career coaches too. Times are tough, so send me an e-mail. I'd love to employ my loved ones.
Perhaps it's time to talk with my husband...
Time to 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. A couple of weeks ago, a zillion of us who went to drama camp together at French Woods all descended on the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre to see fellow alum Jason Robert Brown's new musical 13 and had a blast. Then last weekend, Shawn and I went out to my Mom's house on Long Island and MADE mozzarella cheese together. It's true. The stuff doesn't grow on trees in shrink-wrapped packages, you can actually make it.
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!
With Deepest Thanks Given,
Doug
Doug Shapiro Fearless Mensch
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