Casting call for a one act play!

My Directing Debut at Ellerslie Theatre

A casting call to my fellow thespian.

I have been asked to direct a one act play at Ellerslie Theatre's One Act Play Festival. 

I'm looking forward to directing again as it has been a while since I wore my directors hat. I've directed a number of hit plays over the last 4 years most recently being 'The Fox on the Fairway' at Dolphin Theatre which received multiple awards, including best production. In February I directed my first short film 'Pahutukawa' which is currently in post production, and I'm also currently working on three other short films and a web series. I am excited to be returning to theatre and I'm immensely looking forward to my directing debut at Ellerslie Theatre

'Farewell', written by David Blakey is a play about David, a successful lawyer who is reminiscing about a 22 year-old debate with Jesse concerning the complexities of time travel. At the same time he is searching for the truth about what happened to his best friend that night and trying to put on a brave face for his wife Alison, and son Simon.

'Farewell' is a "slice of life" style of play - a style that I enjoy working with both as an actor and as a director. I find it particularly fulfilling when I am able to work with cast members to delve deep into the relationship between the characters and themselves.

The festival itself will consist of a total of six one act plays that are split into two groups of three where each groups performances will alternate over the season. 'Farewell' will be performing on 20th, 22nd, 26th, 28th and 29th August.

Please have a read of the cast list below, and if you are interested feel free to use the form provided to request a copy of the script.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Marvellous!

Carl Drake

---

Farewell cast requirements

• David - male - teen - 18 to 20
• Jesse - male - teen - 18 to 20
• Alison - female - late 30s to mid 40s
• Dave - male - late 30s to mid 40s
• Simon - male - teen - an 18 to 20

Name *

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address *

Subject *

Message *

Thank you!

 

Ellerslie Theatre

138 Main Hwy
Ellerslie
Auckland

ellerslietheatre.co.nz

Practising the art of playing.

Recently, thanks to Equity NZ, I was given the opportunity to attend and photograph an acting masterclass with Juliet Furness held at the home of Maori Theatre, Te Pou in New Lynn.

Having returned from a teaching stint in New York in January, Juliet Furness was excited to introduce the latest techniques in use in New York to these Equity members. These ideas are about eliminating the 'Acting' - supporting the idea of PLAY- training the actor in contacting truthful emotional response to material.

Each actor was asked to prepare a monologue to perform  in front of the class. After their performance Juliet would give each actor individual techniques in order to challenge them out their comfort zone and more importantly, out of a performance patterns.

Equity Foundation Acting Masterclass 2015

---

Juliet also demonstrated a cold reading technique that surprised everyone at the spontaneity and emotional depth of the performance.

---

To check out more information on Juliet's technique and her classes  you can go to her website here.

Juliet Furness - Acting Coach
www.julietfurness.com

---

The Fox on the Fairway Update

Carl Drake accepting the Best Production Award

Sean Hurst receiving Best Decor Award.

I'm very proud of my cast and crew for winning a number of awards including Best Production Award at the Dolphin Theatre Awards 2014.

Thank you to my team for their time and commitment to producing such a great show: Tim Skinner, Donna Verey, Henry G Warner, Alice Yuretich, Jethro Wright, Maxine Cunliffe, Sean Hurst, Mando Clark, Jordin Lincoln, Christina Christopher, Matthew Poole & the members of the Dolphin Theatre. A special thanks to Annie Whittaker for being my moral support.

Other awards were Best Male Actor went to Tim Skinner, Best Newcomer went to Henry G Warner. Sean Hurst and I received Best Set Design and Sean Hurst received Best Set Decor.

Congratulations to the entire cast and crew, there were some challenges but we managed to push through them. I couldn't be more proud of you all.

Sean Hurst and Carl Drake receiving Best Set Design Award

Tim Skinner receiving Best Male Actor

Henry G Warner receiving Best Newcomer