The Journal of Michael Merriam

As some of you may have heard (because it’s all I‘ve been able to talk about for the last two weeks) I was a late entry into the Minnesota Fringe Festival. How late? I got into the festival the Monday before it started, had tech that Friday and the first performance that Saturday.

Despite this handicap, careswen, greykev, and I managed to get all the information needed to MNFringe on time, finalize the script, make postcards and programs, and then spent an evening at the Rarig Center (on the U of M campus. It is one of the Fringe venues and has four stage) handing out postcards and talking about how we were a late entry and were not in the program.

The tech went fine, except that my script was three minutes over the limit. Not a hard thing to fix, fortunately. The two techs assigned to my show, Glen and Julia, were amazing, creating a light plot that really emphasized the stories.

We had a little bit of an adventure on opening night when, right as we were leaving for the opening performance one of the toilets backed up and then we couldn’t find my mobility cane, which not only do I need to travel safely, but is also a prop in the show. Crisis averted, we reached the theatre in plenty of time. After the show we had a nice gathering at Pizza Luce on Franklin Avenue. It was the first food I had actually tasted in days.

At the second performance, I rushed the beginning, but settled in on the second story. At this point I had my ever changing script about half-memorized, but knew there was no way I was going to get off book. I tried to make up for that by being more physical and using voice to the best of my ability. The second show was a good show, though it was pointed out to me that I tend to swing my arms at my side when not using them for a point or gesture.

The third performance continued the trend of each show getting better. I had studied other storyteller performers and watched how they handled their bodies in performance, making notes and incorporating the good things.

The fourth show was supposed to be my best time slot, but was pretty sparsely attended. It’s probably just as well, since I walked out unhappy with the performances. I stumbled over words, lost my place once, and in general thought I did a poor job. I have to remember next time that I need to be rested, because a big part of what went wrong was that we had been running around from show to show all day, and I was tired by the time it was my turn to perform. Lesson learned.

The final show was, from a performance stand point, the best of the bunch. I was rested, had command of the material, and was about as comfortable as I could have been. It was also the poorest attended, though we did record this one to video.

And just as I hit my comfort zone and got the script where I wanted it, the festival was over.

Some things to remember:

If you come off the wait list late, don’t panic. We put together a credible show in five days. Would we have liked more time to prepare? Sure! I could have memorized my script and been able to use the stage more, but those weren’t the cards I got dealt.

The Rarig Center is the most effective place to market, because it has four stages and eventually everyone who is seeing multiple shows will come through the Rarig. Having cards on the table and working the lines is crucial.

Though we might have an Artists Pass and want to see every show possible, it is crucial to get sufficient rest. My show on Saturday night suffered because I was worn out from running from show to show and staying out late at Fringe Central.

I’m not sure how well Fringe Central works for me. It was crowded and noisy, which is pretty much hell for me. I only know a handful of people in the local theatre scene, so it’s hard for me (a dedicated introvert of the highest order) to strike up conversations. Plus, I didn’t like the location of Fringe Central this year. The loss of the Bedlam Theatre was felt.

Am I glad I did it? Sure. Would I do it again? Sure. That said, I’m worried that we didn’t even break even. We plunked down an application fee, a producer’s fee, bought postcards and programs, had to eat on the run, and burned gas mercilessly in rush hour traffic. The perk of the Artist Pass makes up for it by letting us see 20+ shows, but I had a 75 seat venue (a small one) and never had more than 24 people in a show, and as few as about 12 on the closing.

Thank You to:
Rob Callahan for advice and buzz.

John Heimbuch for the same.

Amy Rummenie for hanging out with us at Fringe Central and introducing us to people.

Tim Wick for the same.

Bad September for letting us use a song they haven’t released yet in my pre-show music.

Matt and Dena Stoll for the loan of the video camera.

Sam at KFAI Radio for the last minute interview.

Glen and Julia, the two amazing techs assigned to our show. They were a joy to work with.

Kevin McIntyre for taking over production assistant duties and handling them with calm ease.

My wife, Sherry L.M. Merriam, who took over as producer and got the marketing in full swing.

And thank you everyone who came out to see the show!

The first two performances of my 2011 Minnesota Fringe Festival show are over and I have survived. I did not faint. I did not vomit. I actually got through all the material in the time allotted. We had a little bit of an adventure when, right as we were leaving for the opening performance one of the toilets backed up and then we couldn’t find my mobility cane, which not only do I need to travel safely, but is also a prop in the show. Crisis averted, we reached the theatre in plenty of time.

After the show we had a nice gathering at Pizza Luce on Franklin Avenue. It was the first food I had actually tasted in days.

The second performance as recorded for our archives. I think I rushed the beginning, but settled in on the second story. Each show is a little different, since we are tweaking both the script and performance as we go. This is one of the hazards of being a late entry and having only five days to put your show together before opening night. I’m at the point where I have the script about half-memorized, so I hope to do more physical movement. Thanks to everyone who has given me suggestions and ideas for making the show better.

Despite being a performer in the Fringe Festival, it looks like we will see more shows this year than ever. We are up to eight shows seen do far, plan to see four more tonight, and there is still plenty of Fringe left! Tonight, after we see the last show, we will be hanging out at Fringe Central (Moto-i) in Uptown.


Show Information:

Darkly Through The Light Waters: Twin Cities Tales

Presented as part of the 2011 Minnesota Fringe Festival
August 4–14, Minneapolis–St.Paul

Playwrights' Center
2301 E Franklin Av
Minneapolis, MN

A Fringe Festival storytelling performance by Michael Merriam!

There are fantastic stories in the spaces between realities. Storyteller Michael Merriam will reveal a mythic world hidden under the one we perceive, and you will see your Twin Cities in a wondrous new light.
~Follow a blind, middle aged magician as she tries to protect a new friend and potential lover from her half-fae brother.
~Hear the happy tale of a snarky Goth-girl, a snarly Unseelie, a dead body, and the Mississippi River.
~Encounter a soul-devouring monster running afoul of the eccentric patrons of an all-night diner.

Three One-Hour Performances Left to Choose From:
Thursday, 8/11 @ 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, 8/13 @ 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, 8/14 @ 2:30 p.m.

Single adult tickets are $12
+ $4 festival admission button.

More information and to buy tickets:
http://www.fringefestival.org/2011/show/?id=1582

Today is my tech rehearsal for my Minnesota Fringe Festival show, Darkly Through the Light Waters: Twin Cities Tale

I have resigned myself to the fact that I do not have time to memorize the entire script, so will be doing some of the storytelling off of printed material. I had to print it twice, because it was too small the first time. I am reminded that being blind sucks, but them's the breaks.

Darkly Through the Light Waters: Twin Cities Tales

Presented as part of the 2011 Minnesota Fringe Festival
August 4–14, Minneapolis–St.Paul

Playwrights' Center
2301 E Franklin Av
Minneapolis, MN

A Fringe Festival storytelling performance by Michael Merriam!

There are fantastic stories in the spaces between realities. Storyteller Michael Merriam will reveal a mythic world hidden under the one we perceive, and you will see your Twin Cities in a wondrous new light.
~Follow a blind, middle aged magician as she tries to protect a new friend and potential lover from her half-fae brother.
~Hear the happy tale of a snarky Goth-girl, a snarly Unseelie, a dead body, and the Mississippi River.
~Encounter a soul-devouring monster running afoul of the eccentric patrons of an all-night diner.

Five One-Hour Performances to Choose From:
Saturday, 8/6 @ 1:00 p.m.
Monday, 8/8 @ 10:00 p.m.
Thursday, 8/11 @ 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, 8/13 @ 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, 8/14 @ 2:30 p.m.

Single adult tickets are $12
+ $4 festival admission button.

More information and to buy tickets:
http://www.fringefestival.org/2011/show/?id=1582

I will be interviewed on KFAI radio's "Disabled and Proud" program this Thursday at 6:30pm about my participation as a disabled storyteller in this year's Minnesota Fringe Festival!

KFAI - 90.3 FM Minneapolis - 106.7 FM St. Paul on the air.

This is the link to the program if you want to stream it over your computer.
http://www.kfai.org/disabledandproud

As I posted yesterday, I am a late (very late) entry into the Minnesota Fringe Festival. careswen and I worked long into the night setting things up, once we managed to get all the information I needed to MNFringe by the 5:00 pm deadline. There is still a ton of stuff to do, since we only have five days to finish things that other producers had months to work on, but I’m in, and that’s what matters. I hope to see some of you at one of the shows!

Show Information:

Darkly Through the Light Waters: Twin Cities Tales

Presented as part of the 2011 Minnesota Fringe Festival
August 4–14, Minneapolis–St.Paul

Playwrights' Center
2301 E Franklin Av
Minneapolis, MN

A Fringe Festival storytelling performance by Michael Merriam!

There are fantastic stories in the spaces between realities. Storyteller Michael Merriam will reveal a mythic world hidden under the one we perceive, and you will see your Twin Cities in a wondrous new light.
~Follow a blind, middle aged magician as she tries to protect a new friend and potential lover from her half-fae brother.
~Hear the happy tale of a snarky Goth-girl, a snarly Unseelie, a dead body, and the Mississippi River.
~Encounter a soul-devouring monster running afoul of the eccentric patrons of an all-night diner.

Five One-Hour Performances to Choose From:
Saturday, 8/6 @ 1:00 p.m.
Monday, 8/8 @ 10:00 p.m.
Thursday, 8/11 @ 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, 8/13 @ 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, 8/14 @ 2:30 p.m.

Single adult tickets are $12
+ $4 festival admission button.

More information and to buy tickets:
http://www.fringefestival.org/2011/show/?id=1582

I'm in Minnesota Fringe!

Two shows dropped out over the weekend (during tech) and I got one of the spots. All I know right now is that I will be performing at the Playwrights' Center. I'll have time slots and more information soon.

Tech is this Friday! I am trying not to panic. I am failing at not panicking! I've got so much to do over the next five days.

Flails! Runs Around! Falls Over!

Finished the first draft of the possible Fringe Festival show about my long weird journey into blindness. I also have my "Break Glass in Case of Emergency" Fringe show, Four Fantasy Tales of the Twin Cities.

I've been working on Dark Water Blues rewrites, but may set it aside to work on the Steampunk things that is not exactly a sequel to The Horror at Cold Springs.

Lots of rejections in the last couple of days. I've turned them around and sent them all back out.

The Northern Lights: 20 MinnSpec Tales anthology is still on schedule to be released in early September. I need to start working on the various marketing things I want to happen.

Had a job interview today. I think it went well.

I've been thinking about SF and the problems I have with the SF that is currently in favor and what I think is wrong with SF. I'm trying to order my thoughts enough to post about it.