July 31 2012

 Tech Rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Tech Rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff - Just more office work. Meanwhile, SDB has more summer programs going on.

July 30 2012

Tech Rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Tech Rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff - Office work. Also putting together a slide show for a talk on Wednesday at Horton Plaza.

July 29 2012

 In studio rehearsal for KPBS event. Photos by Greg Olive.

In studio impromptu shot. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff -  Day Off. Will drop by Zoot Suit to see how they are doing and possibly swing by the SDB office to pick up stuff to work on.

July 28 2012

 In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

 In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff - Today, we had a big strategy session with the SDB Board. Almost done getting our strategy plan in place. They will probably have one more meeting but I don't know if I will be able to attend, as I will be out of town until the 21st.

July 27 2012

 In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff - Went in this morning to go over Facebook stuff with Julie. Then put together a To Do list before I go off across the pond (and its a big to do list, I'll be busy.)

Had lunch with Steve Gunderson about a couple of upcoming projects; a production of SUDS and a workshop at Moxie in September.

Then went back to the studio and did some more work on the next season.

July 26 2012

 In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff - Sitting in the office getting material together to upload to the San Diego Foundation's Better Giving Program. this morning I had a nice picnic lunch with Andrea, her husband Alan, and Don and Bonnie Ward and their son Kirby and daughter-in-law Beverly.

The (elder) Wards were the artistic directors of San Diego Civic Light Opera (Starlight) back when I was a young dancer. Kirby and Bev (who also performed at Starlight with me) have gone on to successful careers in musical theatre. They were teaching a tap component in the mornings at San Diego Civic Dance, while I was teaching afternoon Jazz technique classes.

As far as the ballet, I have to get the postcards designed and sent off to our printing house before I leave for Europe.

July 25 2012

 In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff -  Last day at San Diego Civic Dance Arts. Today, they learned the basics of the Hinge (for all you jazz dancers out there.)

Also, watched them perform their little routine in groups and tried to give some personal critiques.

July 24 2012

 In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff -  2nd day at San Diego Dance Arts. Today we tackled Cole Rolls and bridges. Also learned Spiral Sits.

Pulling together some video for the kids to watch.

Made it into the SDB studio today.

July 23 2012

 In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff -  First day teaching for my friend Andrea at San Diego Civic Dance Arts. I 'll be working with her advanced group of students for the next few days on some early jazz dance techniques.  Today the kids learned how to do chest suspensions, hip suspensions, modern descents, parallel and opposition hipwalks and learned a little combo.

Afterwards, I was planning on going into the studio but my car wouldn't start. So I called my mechanic. We think its the ignition. :(

July 22 2012

 In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff - Went into Zoot Suit to do a surround event today. Spoke to patrons about the partnership between the Rep and the SCPA. Watched the show and it is still holding up. Took my parents to see the show as well and they enjoyed it.

Here are a few photos of the production, courtesy of Daren Scott.

 The opening number, Zoot Suit Boogie.

 A more dramatic take on it.

A number from Act Two.

July 21 2012

 In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff -  Moderated a talkback with Luis Valdez and the cast of Zoot Suit today. Part of the experience for the kids is that they get to work with professionals. Luis came in for opening and he was nice enough to agree to come in and talk to the students about art, politics, and society.

July 20 2012

 In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff- Opening Night of Zoot Suit. Congrats to all!

Opening night catering by Porkyland, but no Carnitas :( Chicken instead. Thats just not right.

July 19 2012

 In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet February 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet February 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff - Zoot Suit. Final preview. The audience gave the show a standing ovation. Which doesn't really mean that much anymore, as audiences seem to like giving them. But the cast was energized and the playwright was in the house.

Had to change a lift for a couple was having a few issues with it and do a little bit of clean up with the female singing trio. Other than that, its in pretty good shape.

July 18 2012

 In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.


Daily Stuff -  Took a day off from Zoot Suit today. Went to SDB and had a morning meeting with our new Facebook co-ordinator, Julie Maiorano. We have to make some big changes to the page, so we had to make sure we were all looking for the same outcomes. Afterwards, we took a look at the SDB website to get it ready for the upcoming season.

Had my last class with Dewey Elementary today and then had a parent show and tell in the evening. All in all, a good effort.

July 17 2012

 In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff -  Zoot Suit Rehearsal. We officially open in 3 days. Today was spent cleaning up 2 numbers and adding a few new little touches. Also, choreographed a little dance break for one of the lead characters.

Picked up payroll for SDB.

Oh and my actual ticket for the Olympics came in yesterday. So August 7th, I will be sitting in Olympic Stadium in London, watching them toss the discus.

July 16 2012

In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

In studio rehearsal Romeo et Juliet 2012. Photos by Greg Olive.

Daily Stuff - Sorry, I have been super duper busy and unable to upload images to accompany the blog until today. So I took a couple of days off.

Over the weekend, we had two more previews of Zoot Suit, which continues to get stronger. 

Today, I went into the studio and met with Robin and Karen to start chugging into the next season. We discussed some dates and scheduling for Nutcracker auditions both in San Diego and Montana. Also set up a meeting to deal with social media strategies.

This evening I attended a lovely memorial for a dear friend from my old days dancing at San Diego Civic Light Opera (Starlight). As is always the case, it takes these sorts of events to bring together groups of people who should really be seeing each other more often.

July 13 2012

Publicity Photo for Zoot Suit at the San Diego Rep.

Daily Stuff - We had our first "audience" today at Zoot Suit. It was an invited dress. The show was well received the cast did me proud. We have a week to finesse and fix.

On the lighter side, I am helping out a bit at San Diego Comic Con. So I get to see the madness that overtakes downtown this time of year. So many people. But at least they are (for the most part) courteous and just trying to have a fun time. 

July 12 2012

Rehearsal for SDB's Guitar Concerto 2010. Photographer: Manny Rotenburg. During our summer hiatus, I decided to post some pics from the archives.

Daily Stuff - Sorry missed a day, but things have been frantic. Zoot Suit rehearsal. We got through to the end of the show last night. Today, we ran the show and I have a few spacing issues to fix but apart from that it looks pretty good. First audience tomorrow, but we still have a week to work on the show before the official opening.

July 10 2012

Rehearsal for SDB's Guitar Concerto 2010. Photographer: Manny Rotenburg. During our summer hiatus, I decided to post some pics from the archives.

Daily Stuff - Back to Zoot Suit today. Still tech-ing through the show. It's a slow go right now. Pretty much just got to do the end of one number and a small transitional number. Most of the day was spent on the court room sequence. But at least we got into the second act. :)

We should hit the most difficult sequence in the second act by the middle of tomorrow.

The good thing is that once a section is finished, it looks beautiful.

First audience isn't until Friday night. First paying audience isn't until Saturday night. So we have time. 

July 9 2012

Rehearsal for SDB's Guitar Concerto 2010. Photographer: Manny Rotenburg. During our summer hiatus, I decided to post some pics from the archives.

Daily Stuff - Went into the ballet office today. Got a contract off to a returning dancer. Also met with Matt Carney to formalize a new position he will be taking on, Director of Community Engagement. Its kinda like public relations but a bit more "holistic." Also exploring new ideas for non-traditional programming. 

The school was buzzing with an early morning summer dance camp. Tomorrow, back to Zoot Suit.

July 8 2012

Rehearsal for SDB's Guitar Concerto 2010. Photographer: Manny Rotenburg. During our summer hiatus, I decided to post some pics from the archives.

Daily Stuff - Zoot Suit rehearsal. Started tech today. It began really slowly but we managed to get into a bit of a (slow) rhythm by the end of the day. The stage is still slick so we will be rubbering everyone's shoes. Problem solved.

Every once in while we get a peek at what the show is going to look like when it all comes together. And its going to be impressive, if I say so myself. 

July 7 2012

Rehearsal for SDB's Guitar Concerto 2010. Photographer: Manny Rotenburg. During our summer hiatus, I decided to post some pics from the archives.

Daily Stuff - Zoot Suit rehearsal. Moved into the theatre today. Spaced out the musical numbers on the stage. The stage was a little slick, so we need to decide whether to retreat the floor or to add rubber to everyone's shoes. More tomorrow.

July 6 2012

Rehearsal for SDB's Guitar Concerto 2010. Photographer: Manny Rotenburg. During our summer hiatus, I decided to post some pics from the archives.

Daily Stuff - Zoot Suit rehearsal. Last rehearsal at the SCPA today. Worked a bit with the Pachuca trio. Then fixed some transitional problem areas into numbers. And fixed the Finale of the show. 

I had decided that I wanted everyone facing different ways to begin the number and had many of the leads facing upstage. That wasn't such a hot idea. Today, I had them facing each other and it works much better. 

Then we did a run thru of the show and it continues to tighten up. Tomorrow, we go to the theatre.