And what I meant by ridiculous set and prop pieces is that they exist in their current state because of my hardened will to make this show as immersed with the reality of Vincent as possible. A few things the audience won’t even notice, a few things they simply couldn’t know.

I just took this photo a half hour ago in the apartment/performance space. Will this chair look familiar to any of the audience members? Maybe, but within my play, it’s never directly referred to as any chair in particular.

Van Gogh’s Chair, 1888.

thanks to vangoghletters.org

Of course, it’s Vincent’s chair (almost). Of course I spent a bunch of time searching on ebay to find it (as did my props mistress). But you know, whatevs.

See that canvas stretcher hanging in mid-air? Looks about right in size as far as Vincent’s paintings go, right? Well, it’s actually a very precise size…

“Yes, during the autumn I’d very much like to do a dozen or so square no. 30 canvases, and that may very well be achieved, as far as I can see.”  September 25, 1888

“And so I have 7 square no. 30 canvases on the go. [...] More than once I’ve done a no. 30 canvas in a day, but then it was the case that from morning till sunset I didn’t move from the sitting except to eat a bite.” October 2, 1888

“I’m behind myself as far as croquis go, being so totally absorbed these recent superb days with square no. 30 canvases, which wear me out considerably and I intend to use to decorate the house.” October 3, 1888

Basically, this “no. 30″ canvas size was what he got very into using for awhile (and interestingly enough, it was during the part of his life that I would totally set the time machine at, if I had one: early autumn of 1888, before Gauguin got there). So yeah. I made sure the canvas stretcher was his favorite size.

Also, how amazing does that painted wall look behind it?

And that couch looks awfully comfy, doesn’t it? You’ll probably wanna sit there sometime soon, so I’d recommend buying tickets (yes, click on those purple words) cause there’s only room for 20 people in the audience at each show. :)

Alright, I’ll do my best to update over the next two weeks, but life might be too crazy, so bear with me? Don’t abandon me? Because if you’re reading this, I love you. At least a little bit. Thank you for reading.

Secondly, I’d like to invite all of you to our fundraiser parties in Chicago! We have three super awesome nights planned all for your enjoyment, and money made at each event will help Vincent’s Yellow come to life.

Tuesday, JUNE 22nd at The Spot (4437 N. Broadway Avenue) at 7pm
Play TRIVIA! Win Money! Drink!
$5 entry

Thursday, JULY 1st at 63 East Lake Street (at Wabash) at 8pm
ROOFTOP EXTRAVAGANZA! Raffle! Jacuzzi! Great views of Chicago! Drinks! Sponsored by Magic Hat!
$10 entry, email me to get on the guest list

Thursday, JULY 14th at The Spot (4437 N. Broadway Avenue) at 8:30pm
Sing KARAOKE! Free drinks for an hour and a half!
$15 entry

Now, I don’t care if I hardly know you, I’d love to see you at any and all of these events. You can go out and drink anywhere, anytime, but why not support great art while doing so? I think there are pretty much no excuses. ;)If you do not live in Chicago, and cannot come to these parties, or — heaven forbid — cannot come to the show, I’d like to encourage you to make a donation to this project. I am self-producing Vincent’s Yellow, which means the whole budget (except for what I raise) is coming out of my own pocket. Your help, even if it’s $5, would mean the world to me. If you can’t come to the show, but wish you could, then why not donate the price of a ticket, $18? Every penny helps us buy costumes, paint, chairs, postcards… the list goes on and on.

Also, you’d be helping a project that I’m convinced has huge amounts of karma blessing it, and so that karma would also be spread to you. This I’m positive about. Press the donate button in the right-hand column of the webpage, it will allow you to donate through paypal.

Lastly, I wanted to share a little yoga with you all.  Yoga is a major part of our ensemble’s practice within rehearsal. It builds our strength, our flexibility, our stamina, and our team spirit. Enjoy the little video (also by Timothy Caldwell) and have a wonderful week!