Luck of the Irish...

"As You Like It" wrapped up this past weekend. A fun time was had by all. A friend that came to review the show liked the "sheep" and gender bending of the roles.

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I've been having a bout of bad luck this week. A tire went flat on my truck while entering a gas station to air it up. The tire was only a bit low. I ended up five feet or so from the air compressor. I don't want to bore ya with the details. Partly cause I've mentioned it all over the inter-webs already, and I'm starting to bore myself. Since the weather is changing so much check on your own tires... Before it's too late!

I once found a four-leaf clover, when I was 9 years old. But now it's lost again. If it has not turned to dust, it's in between the pages of a thick and heavy book somewhere. Coming up is St. Patrick's Day, and for some it's a lucky holiday. They put on their lucky green shirt, and celebrate by drinking their green beverages.
No Lucky shirt? You can find one here!

But one thing about all those holiday shirts. Is that they are a bit awkward to wear any other time of the year. They make you seem like ya prefer one holiday over the others. So I could suggest getting an Irish themed shirt for this St. Patrick's Day, that can be worn anytime. Celtic Knots seem to be a good stylish choice for almost any time of year. For example:

Irish Shamrock Ladies by Funny_Irish_TShirts
View other St T-Shirts

Celtic Gold Knotwork by Spice

make money as an artist using Zazzle.

Speaking of luck. The 2 day shipping for these T-shirts is 50% off. Use Code: IRISHLUCKY50 

Deal ends Monday, March 14, 2011 at 2:59PM PT. 

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I have some more projects that I will report on soon.

Until next time... May your bag be full of tricks, 

and a few Aces up your sleeves.

Dockery James

I'm excited! Current events...

This year got off to a bit of a rough start. In fact, I claimed to put my official "New Year" on hold for a couple weeks. It seemed everything was going to be sluggish. "Another year of spinning wheels", I thought. But now I'm excited! Some projects have been completed, while others are taking flight. And I have great prospects for this year. This year is going to be good. I'm going to Carpe Diem, and catch that fish!

I have been working with Storefront Shakespeare as Technical Director. Their current production is "As You Like It" Bollywood Style. I helped them procure a room for rehearsal and performance at my church.
Community Christian Church, Naperville, IL. [ Yellow Box ]

Performances will be February 11th through March 6th. 
Tickets $10  [ Special Silly Student Night $5 ]
Storefront Shakespeare for more info.

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Chicagoland Puppetry Guild is creating a small event for National Day of Puppetry. April 16th.
My friend David Quesal is making an appearance as a lecturer for puppet manipulation.
See http://www.chicagopuppet.org/ for more info.

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This past week, I was able to launch the website I designed for Gordon Edmund. Check him out for a show full of magic and hypnosis. www.GordonEdmund.com

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Working on a few of my own projects. And it looks like it could be a prosperous year for my family business.
Magic shows, puppet shows, and side shows. My other talents are being recognized. There are people inquiring about getting some of my artwork, and others asking about multimedia and website design.

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What are you excited about, this year?

Here's wishing everyone a prosperous 2011!
-=*=- Dockery James -=*=-

Happy Holidays

Before this blog suffers further neglect, I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays!...

So, how about some re-gifting???
I have created these SketchUp references a few years ago. I have gifted them on a blog before. But I have not mentioned them on this blog whatsoever.
Theatre Flat 8' x 4'
Theatre Flat 12' x 4'

Please note: These references are not exactly correct. The toggles are not placed every 4'. Instead they are placed 6'. I intentionally did this to recognize the type and height of the flat when plotting a set in SketchUp. [And it keeps lazy college students from turning my work in as their own.] I may be redesigning these soon with labels instead of this method. That will allow for a more accurate render.

My next post will most likely be next year. And I will keep you posted to the few projects I'm working on.

Happy New Year!
-=*=- Dockery James -=*=-

Midnight Massacre Haunt Photos

I finally uploaded all my phone pics from the haunt. Unfortunately I did not have more time to take more pictures.


View the Picasa Photo Album here.

Performance Recovery

Performing at a Haunt is much more work than what most people would think.
I enjoy most every minute of haunting. I utilize most of my theatre skills. I project my voice over the loud ambient soundtrack.There is lots of audience participation and improvisation. I even developed a character background for myself. I'm getting a few great comments every night.

But there is a downside to haunting. I'm lucky to get a few days off each week. This allows me to recover from the performance. Each night I'm constantly on my feet. Not just standing in place, but running back and forth within an allotted area. There have been plenty of stumbled cues. Not because a cue had been missed. Sometimes a tour does not move fast enough or they take off running. This makes the cue times unpredictable. I talk and yell so much by the end of the night my jaw is ringing with pain and my voice is scratchy. Thankfully my voice recovers quickly. During the off days I discover bruises. I don't know where they are from. I think one on my arm is from when a customer unknowingly shoved a door into me.

We had to turn down or escort a few people from the haunt. One person in particular bit a couple of our actors. Apparently drunk people and fear don't always mix. It's surprising how many times someone sees me and wants to get out of there as fast as they can. That happened at most 20 times in one night. Our record keeper estimated that more than 250 people have freaked out and used one of our emergency exits. Possibly close to 100 people have had an "accident".

Now that I'm getting some R and R for this week, I'm preparing for "All Hallows Eve" weekend.

What is your favorite way to recover from your performances?

Midnight Massacre Haunted House 2010 Promo Video

This is the promo video for the haunt I'm working at for this season.

My oldest brother is acting as a creepy clown "mom". The baby is an "ugly man" hand puppet that has been in our family a very long time. It's apparently a one of a kind puppet that is part rubber and cloth. Lots of detail that has to be seen in person to believe.

My brother and the "baby" star in this video.
Trust me on this, I'm there but you can't quite see me in this promo.



Until next time...
Dockery James

Creativity Burn Out

I'm having creativity burnout, lately. I just want to create something. Not feeling too inspired, I have rejected a few suggestions I have found tonight. I've tinkered with a few projects that I've been working on. Just tinkering not getting much accomplished. Then I realized, I have an old blog just sitting here with no updates for two years. So I decided to reboot these amusing ramblings.

I'm working at "Midnight Massacre Haunted House" this season. So far it's been rather successful haunt in Naperville, IL. I've read that we had over 2,500 visitors this past weekend. This has left me with cold like symptoms and a scratchy voice. Hoping to recover before Thursday, the 21st. That's when we start another weekend.

Weekends... As of note we have five weekends this year. This happens more often than a recent rumor stated. It's been making the rounds that October having five weekends only happens once every 823 years. Many people are buying it hook line and sinker.

I'm jealous. Sounds like some prank I would have pulled.

Here's hoping to update this thang more often.
Dockery James