 February is usually a tough time for me to stay focused and productive. The weather and short days of this time of year usually puts me in a lull where I feel immobilized and lethargic. This February, however, was different in that I surrounded myself with positive and energetic people and was able to overcome my usual hebetude. Also, my collaborators were helpful in keeping me present, focused, and positive – thank you Robert and Christopher. I began the month by attending a Write the Night workshop (on Feb 1st) – I find that being around other writers make me more productive and energetic, necessary items in the lull of winter. The workshop series which aims at cultivating a creative community in NYC is completely free and takes place about once a week around NYC. In the first week of February, I had a developmental staged reading of MAGNIFICENT SCIENTIFIC (a drama about medical research) in from of a sold out audience. The audience at the reading was extraordinarily helpful and provided exceptional feedback. I know what needs to be done to complete the next draft of the script and am currently at work in doing so. The development reading of MAGNIFICENT SCIENTIFIC went wonderfully thanks to the exceptional actors and attendees. Cast from L to R: Victoria Giambalvo, Nathaniel Moore, Jazmin Williams, James Lorenzo, Eric Kirchberger, Aron Landy, Matthew Axil. Mid-Febrary, I held another developmental staged reading of JUNG & CRAZY (a dark comedy about love, anxiety, and the ghost of Carl Jung) in NYC. My writing partner Robert Keller just moved to LA so he was unable to make it – but thanks to technology, he was able to command a virtual presence. The two of us got great feedback from this audience and got what we need to complete our next draft. Also, Robert and I are taking JUNG & CRAZY to the Hollywood Fringe Festival this June – after our reading, we began planning our summer production! The development reading of JUNG & CRAZY went wonderfully thanks to the exceptional actors and attendees. Cast included: David Cutler, Stephanie Chloe Hepner, Danny Hoffman, Adam Schroeder.  Development performance at LIC Secret Theater. Victoria Giambalvo (L) as MAGICIAN APPRENTICE, Mike Simmer (R) as MAGICIAN Christopher Erlendson and I applied some lengthy hours to writing MAGIC? (an all-rhyming absurdist drama suitable for children and adults about magic, creativity, and discovery) and are nearing completing a first draft.This is way ahead of expected schedule because (dramatic music swells) the show was invited to perform at Dixon Place on April 19th! Dixon Place is a venue dedicated to the emerging artist – Christopher and I are very grateful to receive this opportunity to present our work. Over the next 2 months, we will finalize our script, cast and design the show – we have our work cut out for us! Put it in your calendar for now (Wednesday evening, 7:30PM April 19th 2017) – tickets will be available at a later point. Lastly, my friend Florence Kim interviewed me for The Arts at Henson-Parks, a non-for profit dedicated to the arts in the community. Read the full article here. Thanks Florence for the writeup!  Thanks for following! Stay positive and surround yourself by good people. (Cats count.) Apollo and I say hello from Harlem.
Cheers! -Yaakov Bressler |
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October 2020
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