Gorilla Repertory Theater’s Joan of Arc

June 29, 2009 by Dennis Baker 

I am currently rehearsing for Gorilla Repertory Theater’s production of Joan of Arc. It is a recession friendly show that should be a lot of fun. You can RSVP at the Joan of Arc Facebook page. Remember to leave your seats and blankets at home because in typical Gorilla Rep style, each scene will move from location to location. Read an article about the play.

July 9th – August 2nd
Thurs. – Sun. @ 8pm
Cost: FREE
More info @ www.gorillarep.org

Written by Robert Steven Ackerman
Directed by Christopher Carter Sanderson
Stage Manager: Alexis Qualls
Music: Andre-Philippe Mistier
Artistic Associate: Stephen Fried
Fight Director: Dennis Baker

Location: Fort Tryon Park – Pinegrove
Subway: A Train to 190th
Exit up the Elevators
Take a Right out of the Subway and follow the signs


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Rehearsal of Joan of Arc. Pictured: Tim Scott, Tim Moore, Dennis Baker, Josh Silverman

Filed under: Acting, New York, Theater/Theatre
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Artists and Money

June 29, 2009 by Dennis Baker 

It Is Okay for Artists to Make Money…No, Really, It’s Okay
From a Harvard Business School ‘Working Paper’ published June 3, 2009 by Robert D. Austin and Lee Devin:

When art and commerce are mentioned in the same sentence, many people become bad-tempered or think something needs fixing. This paper argues that more artists ought to make more money more often. Harvard Business School professor Robert Austin and theater dramaturg Lee Devin identify and undermine three fallacies about art and commerce, and suggest that it is necessary to carry on a more careful and less emotional conversation about the tensions between art and business and to overcome a general aversion to business common among artists and their patrons. They also stress the need to develop better theories about how art and commerce can achieve integration helpful to both. Key concepts include:

  • The interests of art, artists, and business can be best served if more commerce enters into the world of art, not less.
  • There are three fallacies, often implicit, about relationships between art and commerce: (1) art is a luxury and an indulgence, (2) art is clearly distinguishable from “non-art,” and (3) commerce dominates and corrupts art, and subverts its purpose.
  • Good art should achieve appropriate commercial value consistently, not just occasionally. A conversation takes place when art and commerce are in tension, a conversation in which neither artists nor managers should dominate.

Pay My Rent
Alan M. Berks, writing on the blog Minnesota Playlist, June 28, 2009
Would you feel comfortable with a part-time dentist? Someone who’s got some talent filling cavities and performing root canals but who only squeezes them in at night, after she comes home from the full-time job she does all day, typing at a desk, let’s say, to pay the bills? Or, do you think, the work is going to be a helluva lot better if your dentist could concentrate on the job full-time, all year round? What about your plumber, lawyer, electrician, and accountant? Why then do we accept a system where performing artists have almost no expectation of making a real career in their chosen profession?… I don’t believe that everyone who wants to do theater deserves a living wage. For most people, theater is always going to seem like more fun than dentistry, so more people will want to do it. I think that a market that squeezes young performing artists a little so that they have to choose whether they’re really committed to it is probably appropriate. But anyone who doesn’t think that theater is already a ruthlessly competitive market has no idea what an audition is.

Filed under: Acting, Chicago, Educational Theater, Film, Los Angeles, Music, New York, Theater/Theatre
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Passed SAFD Single Sword SPT

June 26, 2009 by Dennis Baker 

I received a recommended pass for the proficiency test in single sword through the Society of American Fight Directors. My instructor was Joseph Travers from Swordplay and the test was adjudicated by Fight Master J. Allen Suddeth. I am slowly working through the eight tests that are held by the SAFD. I am have already passed unarmed and now single sword. I will also take the broadsword and shield class this summer. Once that is done the weapons I have left is rapier & dagger, smallsword, broadsword, quarterstaff, and knife.

The video above is from our rehearsal the day before. For video to the actual test, click here.

Filed under: New York, SAFD, Stage Combat, Theater/Theatre
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New Facebook Fan Page

June 11, 2009 by Dennis Baker 

DENNIS BAKER LLC now has a new Facebook fan page. Check it out!

Filed under: Social Media, Web 2.0
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DENNIS BAKER LLC Nominated Best Culture Blog

June 7, 2009 by Dennis Baker 

DENNIS BAKER LLC has been nominated by Blognet Blog Awards for the best culture blog.

From Blognet:
The nominator said “I just love this blog. It covers all aspects of the creative process, but particularly theater something that I have always had an interest in”. This is the blog for the actors, directors, bloggers and teachers who are hard core theater buffs. If you don’t really know your stuff, you might feel a little lost at first, but if you do, you will appreciate this site for the opportunities and education it offers. (Wannabes like the BlogNet Awards Team just review the blog and try to steer the talented among you in the right direction.) Not content with limiting their scope to the theater, this site also offers helpful tips on web design, marketing opportunities, and even the chance to write for the site and share your own expertise in the area of theater. We know you’ll improve your craft with the lessons gleaned at this site.

PLEASE VOTE TO NOMINATE DENNIS BAKER LLC FOR BEST OVERALL BLOG. You need register and log in to vote and leave comments. Both votes and comments count in the BlogNet Awards Comment Contest. Remember when you click on the stars one star means “poor” – 10 stars means “best”. Click here to rate the website and leave a comment. You can also view the video below.

Filed under: Social Media, Theater/Theatre, Web 2.0
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