November 9th, 2008 | Current Projects: November 2008
Lots of stuff going on lately!

3.1.81 is up and running at the Quickies short play festival at Bryant-Lake Bowl. Two more weekends to come and check that out! Plays Fridays and Sundays at 7pm.

Just finished shooting a short film called "Guy Meets Girl" with Urban Mountain Media, directed by Harrison Reeder and co-starring Clarence Wethern. It was a fun film to shoot, and UMM was a really great team to work with. Harry has a rough cut already, so I'll put up more news when the thing is fully edited.

I'll be back on the train for one more performance this Thursday noon, so if you want to ride the Zephyr, that's the day to go!

I was just cast by Murder Mystery Players, and will be joining them. I'm excited! Most of the parties will be private, but if any public parties come up, I will make sure to post info about them.

"LOVE: A Documentary" by Dave Ash and 355 Productions was featured on Matt Peiken's blog 3 Minute Egg. Check it out!

And also, my improv class/team will be performing at Six Ring Circus as we close out level 3 of our performance track improv class. Come see us play in front of an audience on November 18th! (I think that's the date...I'll update this if it's not right)

Hope to see you in the audience at one of my performances soon!

October 12th, 2008 | 3.1.81 in the Quickies Festival at Bryant-Lake Bowl, coming in November!
I'm in rehearsal for a short play with 20% Theatre--I'm playing one of the Russian revolutionaries who helped assassinate Tsar Alexander II in 1881. Info below!


20% Theatre Company, 3AM Productions, The Flower Shop Project, Kaleidoscope Theatre, and Swandive Theatre Company come together for
QUICKIES #2
an evening of brand spankin' new short plays!

including . . .

3.1.81 by Valerie Jean Johnson
directed by Claire Avitabile
Starring Danielle Siver, Emma Gochberg, Eva Nelson, Billie Jo Konze, Ariel Pinkerton, and Caitlin Hammel.

Six women. Revolutionaries. Terrorists. A meditation on violence as political action, inspired by the real-life memoir of Vera Figner. This play is about choosing violence, choosing terrorism, as a means of liberation and freedom from oppression. It is a play about a woman choosing to abandon and betray her pre-established role of wife and mother in order to live the life and seek the life she desires. Vera Figner was a revolutionist who, with a gaggle of female friends in tow, known as "The Will of the People", planned to and successfully overthrew Czar Alexander II in Russia on March 1, 1881. She was not arrested until two years later, and playwright Valerie Jean Johnson draws the text of 3.1.81 from Figner's journals, poetry, and prison scribbles.

November 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23 at 7pm
Bryant Lake Bowl - Minneapolis

October 11th, 2008 | Shooting A Short Film With Urban Mountain Media
Today was my first of two days shooting a short film titled "Guy Meets Girl" with Urban Mountain Media. For the first time EVER on a film set, we were actually ahead of schedule the WHOLE DAY! I had a fantastic time working with this group of people, director Harrison Reeder, Thomas Bishop, Jess Dalbec, and everyone else on the crew. And of course the other cast member, Clarence Wethern.

We have one more shoot date at the end of October. I'll keep the info updated, so check back here for screening info in a few months!

October 11th, 2008 | "LOVE: A Documentary" Premieres Monday, October 13th!
Although it was "sneak previewed" at the Minneapolis Underground Film Festival a few weeks ago, "LOVE: A Documentary" will have its official premiere Monday night! I won't be there, because I'll be at class, but I hope people make it down. I've seen rough cuts of the film, and Dave's character work is fantastic. It's a hilarious film. Check it out at the website listed below, and get on down to the premiere!

Where: The Parkway Theater, 4814 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55417

When: Monday, October 13, 7:30 PM

Following the screening will be a Director Q&A and then an after-party next door at Pepito's.

More info on the film, including clips and a trailer, is available on the official website: http://www.loveadocumentary.com/

September 15th, 2008 | "Cirque de Guerre" One Final Performance!
This coming Friday, September 19th, we will be doing one more performance of "Cirque de Guerre" at a peace conference at St. Thomas.

Details following:

7:00 p.m.
University of St. Thomas, O'Shaughnessy Center, 2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul

"Cirque de Guerre" (French for "Circus of War"), uses a circus motif to present a series of comedic and satirical acts or scenes about the absurdity and immorality of the Just War concept.

Tickets: $20.00 (Students: $10.00).

Sponsored by: Every Church a Peace Church (ECAPC).

September 15th, 2008 | MN Zephyr
I am now performing on the MN Zephyr! (It's a train that does lunch and dinner runs out of Stillwater). The Zephyr Cabaret is a quartet that delights Zephyr guests with well-known tunes from the 40's and 50's. Enjoy an elegant five-course dinner while viewing the fall colors!

I will performing on lunch runs only--dates coming up that I will be on the train: Sept. 16, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 30th. I will put up my October schedule when it becomes available.

Hope to see you on the rails!

August 10th, 2008 | Late Summer News--Screenings and more performances!
I have just returned from a wonderful trip to New Haven, CT, where I participated in the Cabaret Conference at Yale University. What a great experience! (For more info about my experiences at the conference, see my blog)

I will be performing in a piece from The Illusion Theater's "Cirque de Guerre" at Spark 24 (Time TBA--I was told 3:45PM on Sunday, August 31st, but the schedule on the Spark website says differently) which is a non-stop marathon of free arts events taking place just before the beginning of the Republican National Convention, showcasing arts organizations from the Twin Cities.
http://spark24.org/

Cirque de Guerre will also have one more performance coming soon. I will post details when I have them.


Also, LOVE: A Documentary, the film I worked on almost a year and a half ago, will be shown as part of the Minneapolis Underground Film Festival on Saturday, August 30th at 1:30PM at MCAD. See the website for details.
http://www.loveadocumentary.com/
http://www.minneapolisundergroundfilmfestival.com/

LOVE will also be screening as part of the Homegrown Cinema series on Monday, October 13th at 7:30PM at the Parkway Theater at 4814 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis.
http://www.myspace.com/homegrowncinema

LOVE was recently featured on Minnewood's website in an interview about the making of the film. Check it out at http://minnewood.com/ Go to "Local Scene"

Keep checking back for more upcoming performances, screenings and the like!

June 24th, 2008 | "Cirque de Guerre" at the Illusion Theatre's Fresh Ink!
Hey everyone!

From July 17th-20th I will be performing in a new musical-in-progress called "Cirque de Guerre" for the Illusion Theater's Fresh Ink Series. Only four performances, so I hope to see you there!


Cirque de Guerre

by Beth Gilleland, Blayn Lemke & Bill Berneking

Told in a series of vignettes, Cirque de Guerre is a comedic satirical piece about the mayhem of war. A menagerie of daredevil acts with philosophers, mothers, clowns, businessmen, a bombshell, and a wolf in sheep's clothing. Collaborating on Cirque de Guerre are Illusion Theater Artistic Associate Beth Gilleland, a noted Twin Cities playwright and actor; Blayn Lemke, an actor and educator who has worked in the Twin Cities Theater Community for over 20 years; and Bill Berneking, a long time social activist devoted to Peace and Social Justice work, who is currently advocating for Every Church A Peace Church - the transformation of war-justifying churches into peace churches.

The impulse for creating Cirque de Guerre comes from several members of the Twin Cities' Every Church a Peace Church movement. This movement reflects how the Church has moved from an original position of non-violence to the adoption of criteria for a "just" war to the argument that a "just" war is not possible in today's world. This philosophical perspective is the underpinning of the argument of the play, but the collaborators soon realized that a sobering piece about the devastation of war would not be the best way to communicate these views. What they came up with instead is Cirque de Guerre, a circus of theatrical and musical ideas about war. In Illusion's Fresh Ink Series this summer, they will stage a first take on this idea of a comedic play about the absurdity of a "just" war.

Cirque de Guerre
Thursday, July 17 at 8pm
Friday, July 18 at 8pm
Saturday, July 19 at 8pm
Sunday, July 20 at 7pm

Tickets: $15
To order, call 612-339-4944 or go to www.illusiontheater.org.

June 2nd, 2008 | New Photos Added!
I have added new photos to the Headshots, etc. section and to the Fun Photos section. Please go check them out! (They're not all new, just things I haven't thought to add before.)

Enjoy!

April 30th, 2008 | "Paper Mache" Feature Film
I just found out I have been cast in the local feature film "Paper Mache" which has already begun production. More info as it becomes available.

April 23rd, 2008 | Cabaret Conference at Yale
I have been accepted to the Cabaret Conference at Yale University, which will take place at the end of July. I am very excited to be a part of this conference and know it will be a great opportunity for me.

Here is information about the conference from the website:

The Sixth Annual Cabaret Conference At Yale University will be held July 25-August 3, 2008, and is an internationally focused, nine-day teaching program that offers an intensive look at the art of cabaret performance technique, and trains professionals for the live entertainment industry in the 21st century. The Great American Songbook will be addressed and promoted in its entirety, from its origins in the late 19th century through the classic pop standards of the 1930s and 40s to today’s contemporary cabaret, musical theater, jazz and pop music.

The award-winning faculty, and renowned special guests, will guide thirty-six students in a collaborative process of critical refining and honing. The conference will feature classes and lectures covering cabaret performance technique, acting for singers, lyric interpretation, focus and concentration, act structure, act writing, material research, and comedic development, to musical director and director relations, arranging, orchestration, composer/lyricist relations, maintenance of the vocal instrument, and image consultation. Examine the final stages of act presentation through club relations, marketing, press and public relations, to the technical language of light and sound, representation, booking, management and personal networking; with an emphasis on integration into the live entertainment community.

Public performances will allow the students to observe first-hand the performance techniques of professionals in the industry, while continuing to study those of their peers on a daily performance basis. At the Cabaret Conference Curtain Call the students will perform, demonstrating what they have accomplished in their nine days at the Cabaret Conference at Yale University.

April 11th, 2008 | Cox Communications "Law Office" spot
Last night I did a shoot for a Cox Communications spot created by Periscope and produced by Blue 60 Pictures. I played a receptionist in a law office.

April 8th, 2008 | New Headshots and Wehmann's Book
A few weeks ago, I had new headshots taken by Dani Werner. I should have these within the next few weeks, and they will also be included in Wehmann Agency's new book that will be going out to the ad agencies and casting agents.

I am very excited that I will finally have shots of what I look like with the new hair!

I will post them here as soon as I have them...keep your eye on the photos page!

March 10th, 2008 | What's Done in the Dark Review
Matthew Everett, blogger extraordinaire, reviewed our show this weekend. We are all very happy that our only review was a glowing one. Read on:

Review - What’s Done In The Dark - No Refunds Theatre - 4-1/2 stars Mar 08, 2008


“His hands were clean. The rest of him was a mess. But his hands were clean.”

Damn, that was a hell of a lot of fun.

That was my first reaction at the end of watching the all-too-brief offering currently on stage at the Red Eye from No Refunds Theatre Company, “What’s Done In The Dark.” When you bill your production as “A Graphic Novel On Stage,” you set the bar of expectations pretty high. On nearly every front, “What’s Done In The Dark” delivers in fine style.

Personally, I’m not a big reader of graphic novels (or comic books). That’s more my brother’s bailiwick. Me, I drop in and out occasionally, enjoying something off-kilter like “The Flaming Carrot” or hopelessly mainstream like “Spiderman.” I’ve probably seen more movies based on comic books and graphic novels than I’ve actually read the source material. Things like “Sin City” tend to amuse the hell out of me. I like to think I can appreciate a good story, well-told, regardless of the genre or the style of presentation. If I’m tremendously entertained, so much the better. “What’s Done In The Dark” is tremendously entertaining. Bottom-line, it’s just good theater, which is really refreshing.

It’s hard to talk about “What’s Done In The Dark” without giving the twists and turns away, and they are a large part of the fun, but I’ll do my best not to be a spoiler.

There are only three characters - police officer Michael King (Kiseung Rhee); Deborah Seever (Billie Jo Konze), a woman widowed by the brutal murder of her husband; and a man known only as The Witness (Robert C. Hammel). All three actors turn in solid, enjoyable, substantial performances. Only one of these characters is what they seem to be - to say which one, would be telling. And unfortunately, to go into detail about why each of their performances is so effective would also give the game away.

The Witness was given an unusual gift as a young man. A psychic ability was passed on to him (how, again, would be telling - the story has several layers before the truth is revealed). When The Witness is presented with the scene of a murder, and he touches the spot where it happened, he takes on both the life story of the victim and the murderer, including the motive for the crime. As you might expect, this gift is a mixed blessing. Over thirty years’ time, many violent crimes were solved with his help, but the flood of painful experiences took their toll. Suddenly, twelve years ago, The Witness vanished. No explanation, just withdrew from the world. Now Deborah Seever has tracked The Witness down, intent on solving her husband’s murder of five years back, which has stumped the police, and all private detectives she hired to take the case. Michael King, The Witness’ former contact on the police force, has mixed feelings about teaming up again with the man who abandoned him. Why The Witness disappeared is another secret best kept until one sees the show, but it’s a doozy.

There are a number of things about “What’s Done In The Dark” that are impressive. One of them is that they do it all with a metal table, three chairs and three actors. The reason you don’t feel they’re skimping is the stunning use of projections on the back wall, the kind of thing the Red Eye space was built for, and of which No Refunds takes full advantage. For some reason, I can’t find the information crediting the artist in the program, but if I’m remembering correctly from the end credits (it’s animation as well as individual images throughout), the amazing artwork is the contribution of Ian Llanas. Not only does the artwork capture that look of panels in a graphic novel - vivid, clean, two-dimensional verging on three-dimensional - it often springs to life in unexpected ways. Pictures layer one over another, leading the audience through a sequence of images and ideas, propelling the scenes forward and fleshing out the backstory. The special effects which take the audience inside one of The Witness’ crime scene contacts are great fun. Also of note is a truly lovely evocation of the inside of a church that serves as the scene of yet another crime. An apartment, a graveyard, an isolated cabin, a deserted field, a police interrogation room - they all come to vivid life and set the stage for the action.

Steph Drinkard’s work with lights, and director Reid Knutilla’s keen sense of composition, build on top of Llanas’ visuals. There were several moments throughout when the image of actors silhouetted against those backdrops as scenes were gearing up or winding down actually gave me goosebumps. It says a lot about a production when even some of the transitions between scenes are thrilling to watch.

The chief virtue of Matt Dawson’s script is that it strikes that tricky balance between lofty ideas and down-and-dirty murder mystery. The story never devolves into complete fluff, while also never becoming ponderous as it contemplates the larger issues of guilt and innocence, crime and punishment, duty and self-preservation. “What’s Done In The Dark” is sly pulpy fun that you don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying. It’s got a brain, and a twisted heart, as well as adrenalin. While the text often relies on mountains of exposition, it nearly always pulls it off because the story is that clever, at times even poetic, and the performances are that good. Director Knuttila also deserves a lot of credit for taking all that talk and finding ways to stage it and make it compelling to watch.

Minor quibbles - for a production with this much polish, sometimes the scene changes seemed a bit clunky. It would have been nice if the whole thing flowed just a bit more smoothly. Still, if it’s an excuse to hear some Johnny Cash in the dark, I’m game.

Also, despite the great work from this trio of actors, and the wonderfully complex central character of The Witness, the play sometimes showed the strain of being confined to just three characters. With a host of victims and murderers out there, and a well-populated backstory for all three onstage characters, a bit more of the visual presentation of those myriad other people, or even an extra actual body on stage moving about and interacting with the others, might have helped the feeling of claustrophobia. Plus, it almost gives the game away if the audience knows there’s a murder to be solved, and only three possible options for people to implicate. Even so, the play is incredibly creative - no one’s guilty in the way you think they’re going to be.

Also, there’s suspension of disbelief, and there’s suspension of disbelief. There’s a central connecting idea between all the murders which left me scratching my head and wondering, “Didn’t this guy, or the multitude of incredibly fertile women he bedded down with, know anything about contraception?”

But it’s all a symptom of a larger issue for “What’s Done In The Dark” which is - I want more.

This is a good problem for a play to have. While I didn’t feel cheated in any way, I did find myself wanting more. The whole production clocks in at just a little over an hour. It’s an enjoyable and well-stuffed hour to be sure, but with this much talent on display, think what they could have done with a bit more room for the story to breathe. Many productions these days have the opposite problem - you feel they’re over, or should be over, long before they actually stop. It’s not often a production leaves me wanting more. “What’s Done In The Dark” definitely has room to grow. I hope No Refunds continues to explore this production conceit. Like their Kung Fu outings of the past, the basic premise is rich with possibility, and they clearly have the talent to deliver on it.

The night I saw the production, there were only a dozen people in the house. That’s a shame. Go see it. “What’s Done In The Dark” deserves big crowds. It’s the most genuine fun I’ve had watching a piece of theater in ages.

Very highly recommended.

“What’s Done In The Dark” continues through Sunday, March 16th. All performances take place at the Red Eye Theater, 15 West 14th Street in Minneapolis. It plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 4pm, with a special pay-what-you-can performance this coming Monday night, March 10th at 8pm and an additional Thursday performance this week March 13th at 8pm. Tickets are $12 ($10 with Student ID, Fringe Button, black belts, certified ninjas, members of the clergy, veterans (active duty, reserved & retired), a lazy eye, possession of demonstrable superpowers, proficiency in Elvish, Dwarvish, or Creole). (I’m not making that up, it’s on their website.) For reservations call 651-245-2527 or email info@norefundstheatre.com. More information is available at www.norefundstheatre.com

March 1st, 2008 | What's Done in the Dark: A Graphic Novel on Stage


My latest show went up last night, and I realized I forgot to put all the info on my website. Here goes--

Forty years ago, a boy appeared at a murder scene. He hadn’t seen the crime, and knew neither victim nor murderer.Yet, he could tell the police exactly what was done, by whom, and for what reasons. For the next 30 years he assisted the police, leaving no crime unsolved.

Then, he disappeared.

This is the story of The Witness.

Showtimes (All performances at the Red Eye Theater, 15 West 14th Street Minneapolis, MN 55403):

* Friday, February 29 @ 8pm*
* Saturday, March 1 @ 8pm
* Sunday, March 2 @ 4pm
* Friday, March 7 @ 8pm
* Saturday, March 8 @ 8pm
* Sunday, March 9 @ 4pm
* Monday, March 10 @ 8pm**
* Thursday, March 13 @ 8pm
* Friday, March 14 @ 8pm
* Saturday, March 15 @ 8pm
* Sunday, March 16 @ 4pm


*Reception to follow
**Pay-what-you can night

Tickets: $12 ($10 with Student ID, Fringe Button, black belts, certified ninjas, members of the clergy, veterans (active duty, reserved & retired), a lazy eye, possession of demonstrable superpowers, proficiency in Elvish, Dwarvish, or Creole.)

For reservations call 651-245-2527 or email info@norefundstheatre.com
Additional information is available at www.norefundstheatre.com

January 11th, 2008 | Theatre Unbound's 24 Hour Play Project & Benefit Gala
On February 2nd, I will be performing once again in the 24 Hour Play Project with Theatre Unbound. Last year's was great fun and also a challenge, having to learn a role in a very short period of time. I'm looking forward to doing it again! See below for ticket details.

Seventh Annual 24 Hour Play Project & Benefit Gala
February 2, 2008
One night only!

Who said Rome wasn't built in a day?
Over 40 Twin Cities playwrights, firectors, and actors dazzle us every year with six new short plays written, rehearsed, and propelled onto the stage. The catch? They only have 24 hours to do it! Eat, drink, bid and marvel as "prominent local artists walk the tightrope of on-the-spot creation" (City Pages).

Special Guest Host:
Allegra Lingo

Eat, Drink and Be Merry:
Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cocktails
Silent and live auctions

Vote on the Secret Ingredients:
Back by popular demand: the Theatre Unbound 24-Hour Play Project Ballot! The items that receive the most votes will become the "ingredients" that playwrights must use in the brand-new plays they'll write for our Seventh Annual 24-Hour Play Project and Benefit Gala. Get your friends to vote! Campaign for the items you want to see onstage! Then join us in February to discover the winning ingredients.

Time:
Doors open at 7:00 PM
Performance begins at 8:00 PM

Location:
The Neighborhood House
in the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Center
179 Robie Street East
St. Paul, MN 55107

Tickets:
Reservations: 612-721-1186
Ticket Prices: $35.00/single, $50.00/couple
(a couple is any 2 people who choose to attend the event together)

You can purchase your tickets with cash or a check at the door on the night of the Benefit. Or you can purchase your tickets online in advance at the website above.

January 2nd, 2008 | Happy New Year!
A new year, a new look...perhaps a new website as well! It may be a while, but a new site is now in the works. More information as it becomes available.

December 19th, 2007 | Adaptations
I have been cast as Deborah in No Refunds Theatre's stage adaptation of the graphic novel "What's Done in the Dark," which will have three weekends of performances in March.

Coming up, I am also workshopping a stage adaptation of Willa Cather's classic novel "My Antonia" at the Illusion Theater.

Keep your eyes on the website for more news and updates after the holidays!

December 18th, 2007 | I'm a brunette!
Who says blondes have more fun?

I've decided to go brunette for a while. I may get bangs at some point as well, but for now it's just going to be long and dark. I was going for a look similar to other pale-skinned, blue-eyed girls like Zooey Deschanel. I'm very excited to get new headshots and show off the new look!

November 12th, 2007 | Short film "A Good Man"
This one came and went before I even had time to post. On November 10th and 11th I was part of a short film being shot by MCAD student Maxwell Becker. The film, titled "A Good Man" was shot in Eden Prairie, MN. Based on a short story, the film is about a family on their way to the cabin who have an encounter with a man called "The Misfit."

Characters:
Mother (Gretchen): Billie Jo Konze
Father (Bailey): Greg Hernandez
Grandmother:
Child (June): Melissa Hanson
Child (John): Blade Yocum
The Misfit: Charles Hubbell
Hiram: Stephen Gurewitz
Bobby Lee: Mike Yocum

Production Crew:
Adam Ginsberg, Britni West, Joe Clark, Rachel Morgan, Stephen Gurewitz

September 11th, 2007 | Tall Grass Tour Continues!
Coming up this week:

Jamestown, ND on 9/12
Detroit Lakes, MN on 9/15

The rest of the tour:
Brainerd, MN on 9/20 and 9/21
Cokato, MN on 9/22
Dawson, MN on 9/23
MSU Moorhead on 9/27
Fergus Falls, MN on 9/28, 9/29 and 9/30

Check the website for more info!

August 23rd, 2007 | Songs From The Tall Grass Tour Coming to Minneapolis, September 7th and 8th
SONGS FROM THE TALL GRASS - The Musical

At The Illusion Theater, 8th Floor of the Hennepin Center for the Arts
September 7th and 8th, 8pm
Tickets $18 General Admission, $5 for students, $3 discount for Fringe button holders!

The Greeks have their Odyssey. Finland has its Kalevala. And now the Great Plains of America has Songs From The Tall Grass . A new musical that follows a modern story within an historical journey, Songs From The Tall Grass is truly an epic poem of the prairie. Using a musical theater setting, Songs From The Tall Grass weaves lyrics from musical primers from the 1800s with original, modern-day music to create a feast for the contemporary ear. Wrapped around a story of discovery, Songs From The Tall Grass delivers real tales from the past that captivate audiences, enchant the senses, and stimulate thoughtful discussions about history, family, and our hopes for the future.

Winner of both the 2007 National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius grant as well as the 2005 National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America grant, in 2001, Songs From The Tall Grass fittingly made its world's premiere at the historic Ford's Theater in Washington, DC, the cornerstone of American history and culture.

For reservations, please call the Illusion Theater at 612-339-4944
www.illusiontheater.org


Songs From The Tall Grass will also be visiting Fergus Falls, MN; Bayfield, WI; Albert Lea, MN; Fargo, ND; Jamestown, ND; Detroit Lakes, MN; Cokato, MN; Brainerd, MN; and Dawson, MN. Please see the website for tour dates.

June 28th, 2007 | Billie Jo Cast In Touring Musical "Songs From the Tall Grass"!

June 26th, 2007 | Al Vento Spec Commercial Shoot
On Sunday June 24th I spent the evening working with Todd Gross of New World Productions on a spec spot for Al Vento, an Italian restaurant in south Minneapolis. After four hours of sitting in a chair getting prettied up by two stylists (Kenny and Z), I teetered around on high heels playing mistress to a mob boss played by actor Eric David. My fake nails kept falling off, but aside from that my hair and makeup looked spectacular, and it was quite fun looking like Miss Texas for the evening. Todd said we'll be able to view the spot soon. I'll keep you all updated!

June 26th, 2007 | New Headshot Shoot Date Set
July 27th with Dani Werner. That gives me a month to figure out what to wear. ;)

June 5th, 2007 | UPDATE--A Company of Wayward Saints OPENS FRIDAY JUNE 8TH!
A Company of Wayward Saints
By George Herman
Directed by Diane Mountford

The company in the title is a commedia dell' arte company who wander by mistake into the eye of an allegory. Far from home and without means for the return trip, a nobleman may be their only salvation if they can put on a good show for him. But to a group of actors far too selfish, self-important and self-indulgent to work together this proves to be a challenge they may be unable to overcome. They attempt to put on 'The History of Man' in a last ditch attempt to buy their way back home. They parody events in the history of man, from Adam and Eve to the assassination of Caesar, before artistic temperaments, backbiting and jealous outbursts threaten to tear them apart. When they come back together they resolve to focus on the more definitive aspects of human life as they explore The History of A Man, one man.

Performances June 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23
Curtain at 7:30
All performance are at the Warren (4400 Osseo Road)
Tickets are $10 ($8 for seniors and students with a valid I.D.)

Featuring: Eric Avery, Robert Larson, Ann Brummer, Valarie Falkan, Stephen Bucko, Debra Stone, Billie Jo Konze, Christopher McGahan, Luke Weber

To order tickets online, please visit: http://www.workhousetheatre.org
To reserve your seat call 612-237-2014

WANT TO SEE THE SHOW FOR FREE? We will need at least two ushers and two box office staff members for each performance night. Ushers have to arrive at least 45 minutes before the show, help out at intermission, and see the show for free. If you would like to volunteer, please send an email to: jeff@workhousetheatre.org


Hope to see you at the show!

June 5th, 2007 | Headshots Postponed/New Reel On It's Way!
My headshots had to be postponed--no news yet on when they will be happening now.

I have news from my friend Lu in NYC, however, that he should have my new demo reel done in a week! That's very exciting.

I was just cast in a spec commercial based on Goodfellas that's being produced by New World Productions. No news on a shoot date for that yet.

Oh, yeah...come see my show with Workhouse Theater starting this weekend!

May 3rd, 2007 | Untitled Aaron Greenwood Project Wrapped!
Last weekend we wrapped filming on Aaron's 16mm short for MCTC. The film is processed, but it will be a bit yet before a cut is available. I've seen a rough cut with footage from the first two shoots, and it looks great so far! There may be screenings of it eventually--I'll let you all know.

May 3rd, 2007 | New Headshots! (soon)
Okay, so it's a bit premature to mention perhaps, but I made an appointment with Dani Werner to get new headshots. She has done two other sets of headshots for me, and I think she's great. The shoot date is June 8th, so I won't have them for a few more months yet, but I'm still excited. Now I just have to find a new stylist so that my hair is presentable...

April 11th, 2007 | A Company of Wayward Saints
I have just been cast in Workhouse Theatre's production of A Company of Wayward Saints, which will perform in the Camden neighborhood of North Minneapolis in June, directed by Diane Mountford of the Minnesota Shakespeare Project. I will be playing Isabella. I will post show dates soon; in the meantime, read on to find out more about the show!

Information about the show:
The company in the title is a commedia dell' arte company who wander by mistake into the eye of an allegory. Far from home and without means for the return trip, a nobleman may be their only salvation if they can put on a good show for him. But to a group of actors far too selfish, self-important and self-indulgent to work together this proves to be a challenge they may be unable to overcome. They attempt to put on ‘The History of Man’ in a last ditch attempt to buy their way back home. They parody events in the history of man, from Adam and Eve to the assassination of Caesar, before artistic temperaments, backbiting and jealous outbursts threaten to topple the show. When they come back together they resolve to focus on the more definitive aspects of human life as they explore The History of A Man, one man.

March 22nd, 2007 | Preview LOVE: A Documentary at Fearless Filmmakers on Wednesday March 28th
A seven-minute preview trailer of LOVE: A Documentary (which I worked on last fall) will be shown at this month's Fearless Filmmakers event. If you can't make it to this one, don't fret--the feature-length film will have a full screening when it is finished.

See below for more information, and check out the excerpt from City Pages about the upcoming Fearless Filmmakers:

"This month's entry in the ongoing series of local and regional shorts
programs has style to burn. Justin Pierre's "KAREN" features bleached
compositions, stylized hipster-speak, and one hilarious sequence that
could only be described as an ADD response to long takes. "Girl Next
Door" turns a winking camp-romp into a surrealistic exercise in horror
formalism. A woman alone in a spooky house chit-chats with her
boyfriend on the phone while preparing a late-night snack. He warns
about "that chick who killed all the guys" in the very house she
resides in now; she sets up in front of the tube for some
fundamentalist Christian programming; and somewhere in the dark lurks
a bound, half-naked man. Written and directed by Joe Johnson, this
snarky freak-fest is a fiendishly entertaining lucid dream that
deserves repeat viewings before bedtime. Another visually superb entry
in a well-worn genre is Steve Blehert and Aaron Gelperin's office
comedy "The Man Who Couldn't Stop Eating Cake." Even for those of us
who've had our fill of wry comedies about obnoxious coworkers,
white-walled prisons, and the inevitable cubicle freakout, this absurd
comedy finds a hook: an enormous sheet cake, which answers the prayers of one particularly doomed key-pusher. Methodically spooning chunk after chunk of sugary salvation, our everyman disappears on a
delirious trip while the filmmakers ratchet up style points to rival
his caloric intake." (John Behling)

Thanks City Pages!! AND!!! Justin Pierre from Motion City Soundtrack
WILL BE PRESENT! So mark your calenders with the info below:

What: March Fearless Filmmakers Screening

Where: The Oak Street Cinema (612 331 3134)
309 Oak Street SE
Minneapolis MN 55414

When: Wednesday, March 28th, 2007 Screening begins at 7:30 PM.

Who: Films by Justin Pierre, Ryan Schaddelee, Ryan Taylor, Charles
Bonin, Joe Johnson, Benjamin Martin, Steve Blehart, Matt Osterman,
Greg Winter, Dave Ash.

What Else: Official After party at Stub and Herbs at 9:30 PM.
227 Oak Street SE
Minneapolis MN 55414

Official After Party will feature Free Food, Free Drinks, Live music
by DJ Thea, and the chance to rub elbows with the local film
community. Tickets for this event are available only on Wednesday
March 28th at 6pm at the Oak Street Cinema Box Office. Ticket prices
are $9 General Admission, $7 Students, $5 MN Film Arts members. Get
your tickets early, as this event will likely sell out.

February 10th, 2007 | Theatre Unbound 24 Hour Play Project
I'm posting this after the fact because I've been so busy, but I just participated in the Theatre Unbound 24 Hour Play Project. It was a benefit for the company, and it was a great time!

The playwrights started writing at 9pm, and at 8am I got a call to let me know when I'd be needed for rehearsal. I rehearsed with Noe Tallen and Sam Landman from 10am to about noon. The director of our piece was Ellen Fenster, with whom I went to college (Noe as well, actually). We had to be at the theatre at 5:45 that night for a quick tech and then the performance started at 8pm. Our piece was a just-over-6-minute play about a guy, his wife, his fantasy girl (that was me), and a bowling trophy. We crammed our lines like crazy up until the performance. Overall, I think it went pretty well. It was kinda like a rollercoaster...the slow climb up the hill and then once we were onstage (we went first out of all the plays) it went by so fast and without time to think that I really don't know what happened. But people laughed at my lines and I had a fun time, so what more could I ask for?

December 6th, 2006 | TONIGHT!
Come see the trailer for Alter Egos: The Super TONIGHT at the December "Fearless Filmmakers" Screening Event!!

What: A screening of 9 local short films and trailers

Where: The Riverview Theater
3800 42nd Ave South
Minneapolis MN 55406

When: Wednesday December 6th
Screening begins at 7 PM with Q and A with all filmmakers to follow

Tix are $9 General Admission and $7 for students. These can be
purchasedc starting on December 6th at the Riverview where box office
will open at 6 PM.

See you there!

November 2nd, 2006 | Love and Comcast
Up next, I will be filming a spot for Galaxy Auto Centers through Comcast Spotlight. The spot will be a send up of the Twilight Zone 1950's black & white sci-fi style. Should be fun!

I will also be playing the role of Julie in "LOVE: A Documentary," produced by David Ash. The film is a mockumentary about a man who tries to spread love throughout the world...starting with his office job.

The cast for "LOVE":
JOHN......Dave Ash
CAMERAMAN.......Chris Mick
BOSS.......Scott Jorgenson
ROB........Paul Clark
TIM.......Noah Bremer
JULIE.......Billie Jo Konze
MELISSA.......Jeannie Singer

Check out Dave's (really fantastic) website at the link below!

October 12th, 2006 | Reading of Troilus and Cressida
On October 21st, I will be reading the role of Cressida in a reading with The Artists' Shakespeare Festival and director Jeffrey Alan Haas.

September 11th, 2006 | Trailer for Alter Egos: The Super
The trailer for Alter Egos: The Super is now up on the TMJ Productions website. Check it out!

September 1st, 2006 | Dunwoody Spot Now Airing on Local Stations!
I've had quite a few people say "Was that you crying in that spot for Dunwoody?"

Yes. It was me. And yes, I was really crying. I spilled some milk.

August 18th, 2006 | New IMDB Page!
I have added a resume, photo gallery and contact info to my listing on IMDB.

August 10th, 2006 | Evercare Commercial Shoot
I played a nurse in a TV spot for Evercare assisted-living community. The spot was produced by Washington Square Films, out of NYC.

July 24th, 2006 | Dunwoody Institute Shoot
I shot a spot for Dunwoody Institute with Two Popes Film on Saturday, July 22nd. I played a jilted bride. Look for it soon on TV here in the TC! (And check out the Popes' website! It's got all sorts of fun features) I should also have pictures from the shoot shortly and will add them to my gallery when I do.

July 20th, 2006 | New Headshots Soon!
I had a shoot with Dani Werner and soon I will have a new commercial headshot to add! Keep checking back.

June 22nd, 2006 | Alter Egos Episode 1: The Super
I have just been cast as Eve in "Alter Egos Episode 1: The Super," by Sam L. Landman. "The Super" is a local independent feature-length comedy about a man who suddenly and unwillingly is thrust into the midst of a world of dueling superheroes. Eve, unbeknownst to Clyde, is the frumpy real person behind the superhero Miss Sim, who can inhabit up to 30 different bodies at one time.

"The Super" will be filmed later this summer.

May 26th, 2006 | H.M.S. Pinafore
I have been cast in the chorus of Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore at Theatre in the Round! Pinafore will run weekends (Fri-Sun) from July 14th to August 13th. Check TRP's website above for specific showtimes and other information.

April 29th, 2006 | Masterlock Commercial Shoot
I was an extra in a Masterlock commercial produced by Twist Film. It was FREEZING out! Can't wait to see it.

March 25th, 2006 | Ardent Entertainment
I played a flight attendant in Arden Entertainment's short film "Daddy Dearest," shot on March 25th.

March 13th, 2006 | Uptown Girl: the Animated Series
More Uptown Girl fun! I have been cast as the voice of Sulky Girl in Monkey With a Mustache Productions' new project, Uptown Girl: The Animated Series, based on the comic by Twin Cities artist Bob Lipski. Check the Uptown Girl comic website and the production company website for more information as it becomes available.

March 8th, 2006 | Billie Plays Role of Princess Diana in Reading at the Playwrights Center
On March 8th, I got to read the role of Princess Diana in Helene Turnbull's new play at the Playwrights Center's Wednesday evening Roundtable Reading series.

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