Friday, July 27, 2012

Ok, this isn't the real Dance Naked blog.  It's a temporary holding blog while the REAL blog gets worked out on Wordpress.  (Caveat - while the technical aspects of running a theater company continue to escape me- i.e. the fancy shmancy website I commissioned IN JANUARY is still not up and running - we are hard at work on the things we do best.  Inviting Desire 2012 is IN THE WORKS!)

I've gone back to the humble website I built on iweb in the meantime, and while not flashy, it's serviceable.  If there are any techie subs out there that want a nice spanking while writing my code, I'm all for it. 

We have recently put out a survey, inviting women to share their thoughts on sex and sexuality.  This provides material for the show we are writing (the aforementioned Inviting Desire - this time subtitled The Dawn of Sex).   If you would like to take the survey (ladies) PLEASE DO!

Here's the link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/InvitingDesire2012

Rest assured, the updated blog with all the posts from the past year should return soon.  In the meantime, here's a little reminder of what we do best.

XXX,
Eleanor O'Brien
Dance Naked artistic director

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Life Launch

Tomorrow is my last day at Besaw's.  I've waitressed at a lot of places in Portland (my first job at 19 was at Korblatt's on 23rd - before Besaw's I was at El Gaucho, Pazzo's, and South Park).

But Besaw's has been my favorite restaurant.  I love the casual yet professional atmosphere, I love my regulars, my co-workers, and I really love my boss. 

I have been enormously lucky to have a gig that provides such regular income, and has been so flexible with my career.  And yet - I have to go.

I have waited tables for 20 years.  It's time to run my theater company. 

9 months ago this was only a fantasy - I couldn't actually imagine getting the ovaries up to walk away from health insurance and reliable money-making shifts. 

I made a little Besaw's commercial back then as a favor to a friend who was practicing his video skills (and he included snippets of my solo show, Dominatrix for Dummies). 

It's kind of remarkable to watch it now, on the eve of my last shift. 

Saying Your Dreams Outloud can have serious consequences

I wish you courage and strength as you follow your dreams.

See you in the theater,

XO
Eleanor 

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Auditions Inviting Desire 2012

Truth be told, I completely forgot we had a Dance Naked blog.  (Seeing as my last entry was over a year ago, that might be obvious).  But now, a new show is brewing and I am excited to get the word out.  We are looking for a new ensemble.  Here's the details.... (beware, it's a little wordy).

Audition Announcement

Auditions are Saturday Oct. 8th from 10:30am-12:30,
Monday October 10th from 7-10pm. 
Callbacks Tuesday October 11th from 7-10.

Inviting Desire 2012:  The Dawn of Sex

You are invited to prepare an audition piece for Dance Naked Productions upcoming show, Inviting Desire: 2012, as well as an upcoming sketch for Coho Productions Fundraiser.

Inviting Desire is an devised  ensemble production (which is a fancy way of saying the cast writes the script).  The sketch will also be devised. 

During the course of the rehearsal period, we will discuss, ask questions, send out surveys, improvise, write scenes and monologues, play games, brainstorm- whatever it takes to stimulate our creativity.  The topic is sex.  The desire is enlightenment.  Better sex, more pleasure, increased openness, greater understanding - that’s the goal. 

We are looking for women (yeah, I know.  Sorry guys.  Maybe next time) -  all kinds of women - virginal and matriarchal, all shapes and sizes, colors and preferences.  We are interested in your ability to tell a story, to share your fantasies (even if they never make it to the stage).  Dance Naked is about vulnerability and joy.   Do you know how to have a good time?  Are you willing to make some sacrifices for the sake of the show (rehearsals in winter!  Masturbating for material!) Are you willing to work with the idea that pleasure and sexuality are gifts from the universe and meant to be shared and enjoyed? 

We will be devising and rehearsing starting almost immediately. 

Audition requirements:
A sense of enjoyment
collaborative spirit
WIllingness to commit and work hard
Courage

We are looking for women who enjoy talking about, writing about and ultimately, performing a show about sex.  Generally, this creates it’s own self-selection process. 
That is not to say you need to be into wild, kinky, unusual sex practices to participate- a vanilla palate is a-ok, but an open mind is required.  

Some theatrical experience and training is preferred, but not totally necessary.  Please bring a recent headshot and resume (or your closest approximation).  (If you have neither, a photo and a letter of interest will suffice). 

For the audition, please prepared a three minute piece.   This can be something you have written, or found in a book or play, but it must be erotic in nature.  Preferably, it is something that turns you on.   From the first person perspective generally works best- fantasies are great, memories told in present tense can work too. 

If you have the piece memorized, fantastic.  If that makes you too nervous, you can hold book, but please be very familiar with your material. 

Suggestions for material can be found in Nancy Friday’s books “My Secret Garden,”  “Women on Top”   or any number of The Best American Erotica series.

The TIME commitment for the Coho Fundraiser Sketch is as follows
Rehearsals:
Saturday Oct. 15th 10am-12:30
Tues Oct. 18th 7pm-10
Thurs Oct. 20th 7pm-10
Sat Oct. 22 10am-12:30
Sun Oct. 23 6pm-10 (REQUIRED).

Performance:  8 minute piece performed the evening of October 24th.  (MUST BE AVAILABLE). 
Compensation:  None (we are donating our services to help raise money for Coho theater).

Please plan to miss no more than one of these rehearsals.

Inviting Desire 2012

This is a full length show, not a sketch, and will be written from scratch by the ensemble. 

TIME COMMITMENT: Rehearsals will be 2-4X a week from October 15th through December, and then 5X a week in January (exact dates to be determined by cast preference and availability). 

**Ensemble will be responsible for outside reading and writing as well as rehearsal time.** 

The show will run from Feb.9-26, with shows Thurs-Sun, as well as additionaly shows Feb 13th and 14th.

Comensation: $500 + a percentage of Actor Benefit door sales.

Please be willing to miss no more than two rehearsals in this time period (unless other agreements have been made with producers and director). 

More info about past shows can be found on our website

If you have read this far and still want to audition, please send an email to info at dancenakedproductions.com and put ID2012 Audition as the subject. 

Thanks!  Looking forward to hearing from you.

Friday, May 21, 2010

The Oregonian Review

I'm very pleased that the Oregonian came to review the show.  I think Ms. Wells makes some great points. 
“Inviting Desire” presents itself as revolutionary, and it is. Its cast of talented actresses portrays women joyfully acknowledging their desire, owning it, enjoying it, expressing it. That this is revolutionary is both thrilling and frustrating. It means that we still, indeed, have a long way to go.

Daily Vanguard - Viva la vulva!

A lovely review in PSU's paper the Daily Vanguard

Daily Vanguard - Viva la vulva!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Opening Night. Tonight. Yes.

We have been through so much with this show - changes in cast (it seems impossible that we just replaced someone only 6 days ago), changes in designers, upheaval with the theater space, emotional break-ups and freak-outs and check-ins.  And I believe that we have handled all the drama with as much grace as we could find, with compassion for ourselves and each other.  Ultimately, I think that the tumultuous path has helped us to create a show that is rich and nuanced and deeply personal.  I believe we are sharing with the world a unique perspective on female sexuality - one that is both funny and sexy, authentic and theatrical.  I sure hope you can make it.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The show opens this Friday! Preview on Thursday!

I am the worst blogger EVER!  But man oh man, how does one create a show, market and sell it, and maintain a rehearsal blog, a twitter account, a facebook page AND a show blog?  It's freakin' hard, yo!  But I'm telling you, this show is gonna be worth all the cum, sweat and tears that have gone into the making of it.  We've had some shake-ups and cast changes (welcome Diana!)  but it just makes it all the more exciting and fresh.   This thursday the 13th is a $10 preview, and opening is Friday the 14th (champagne included with your ticket!)  We run Thurs- Sun until June 5th.  Don't miss it!