#FindMaura, #MauraMurrayMissing, and so many more...
Join me and thousands of others who have tracked the peculiar disappearance of Massachusetts undergrad Maura Murray since February 2009.
The Oxygen Network and Texas Crew Productions brought in the excellent Maggie Freleng, NPR producer and journalist, and retired US Marshal Art Roderick to dig compassionately and ardently to find the truth that has evaded law enforcement, the Murray family, searchers, and armchair sleuths alike for 13 years.
I had the privileged of literally walking Maura's steps - or what might have been her steps - in this attempt to better understand what could have happened. It was chilling, terrifying, and exciting all at the same time.
It all began Saturday, September 23 on the Oxygen Network. Watch the first episode - you won't forget this story anytime soon!
The Oxygen Network and Texas Crew Productions brought in the excellent Maggie Freleng, NPR producer and journalist, and retired US Marshal Art Roderick to dig compassionately and ardently to find the truth that has evaded law enforcement, the Murray family, searchers, and armchair sleuths alike for 13 years.
I had the privileged of literally walking Maura's steps - or what might have been her steps - in this attempt to better understand what could have happened. It was chilling, terrifying, and exciting all at the same time.
It all began Saturday, September 23 on the Oxygen Network. Watch the first episode - you won't forget this story anytime soon!
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Sunday, September 24, 2017 |
Bringing the Past to Life
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I had the great privilege of playing Vermonter and abolitionist Delia Webster last week in a film depiction of the story of Lewis Hayden, a slave she and Calvin Fairbank helped get to freedom in 1840 (but which nearly cost these abolitionists their lives - they instead spent time in jail for this and many other acts of bravery).
Period clothes were fun and challenging, fellow actors and crew members were a wonderfully fun and kind bunch, the horses and their handlers were equally as wonderful, and I felt honored to have worked Northern Light Productions on such an important work, seen soon at every Underground Railroad Museum across the country! Monday, September 11, 2017 |
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You never know what's coming...
Missing: MAURA MURRAY
Last seen: February 9, 2004, Haverhill, New Hampshire
Watch me walk her last known footsteps this fall on OXYGEN.
A case so close to home in New England got even closer for me when I played Maura this spring.
Her story and so much more comes to the OXYGEN Network this fall.
Her story and so much more comes to the OXYGEN Network this fall.
Friday, August 4, 2017
An update or two...
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WE WON!
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY & MOVEMENT 2017!
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Our fall production, A Midsummer Night's Dream, was nominated for 5 FOXY AWARDS (national high school theater awards) for NEW JERSEY through Montclair State University in April. |
NOMINATED 2017 FOXY AWARDS:
Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design
Outstanding Achievement in Movement/Choreography (WON!)
Outstanding Achievement in Live or Original Music
Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor
in a Classical Play - Jared Goldfischer
Outstanding Achievement by an Acting Ensemble of a Classical Play
Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design
Outstanding Achievement in Movement/Choreography (WON!)
Outstanding Achievement in Live or Original Music
Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor
in a Classical Play - Jared Goldfischer
Outstanding Achievement by an Acting Ensemble of a Classical Play
On May 15, a few Mountain Lakes students, supportive family members,
and I attended the packed ceremony
at Montclair State University,
expecting only to see pieces of other schools' plays and
watch as other schools collected their trophies.
Following the typical announcement of the nominees, my students started screaming, and I realized I had to jump out of my chair and look like a decent human being - because we won an award!
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY & MOVEMENT
and I attended the packed ceremony
at Montclair State University,
expecting only to see pieces of other schools' plays and
watch as other schools collected their trophies.
Following the typical announcement of the nominees, my students started screaming, and I realized I had to jump out of my chair and look like a decent human being - because we won an award!
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY & MOVEMENT
If I was truly brave, I'd post the video of my completely impromptu speech - I hadn't expected to win anything at all! - wherein I regarded my students with pride and utmost respect.
The honesty and discovery of their own movements and the play-based choreography they created with my cultivation earned them this honor, and they couldn't deserve it more.
And for the record, I think our play was the best and should have won everything else too. :)
The honesty and discovery of their own movements and the play-based choreography they created with my cultivation earned them this honor, and they couldn't deserve it more.
And for the record, I think our play was the best and should have won everything else too. :)
I LOVE MY STUDENTS!
Short version: my students unexpectedly WON a theater competition in Pennsylvania last week - and even took home Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress!
I couldn't be prouder of them, more excited at what's happened,
or more humbled by the recognition - it was thrilling and shocking and wonderful.
Thanks, Bucks County Playhouse,
for an awesome day of high school theater learning, growing, connecting, and GOOD TIMES!
April 13, 2017
After Medical School...
Thanks to RetroMotion Creative and OhMD,
I got to live the "dream" of being a doctor - with fantastic fingernails to boot! :)
March 28, 2017
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Sooooo...
I guess I drive pretty well! March 20, 2017 |
You had...one + one + one jobs!
Stars, while listening to Star Wars and "Stars" from Les Miz (purely accidental)
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I've been working long term at the Ranney School in Tinton Falls, NJ, where full time drama and theater teaching has also involved set painting, searching for an onstage sink, and a little cast and crew coaching for their musical Smile - which opens tonight! - while their director was on medical leave. I simultaneously oversaw the set prep and decoration, props collection, and backstage crew for Mountain Lakes High School's production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, which opened and closed last weekend. With a student theater event coming quickly in Pennsylvania along with eagerly anticipating the results of our recent contest submissions, I've been inundated with so much theater art! |
Bascially, I only ever think of taking selfies when I'm not managing a million projects & students at once - so when I was painting stars by my self (oh, the glorious wonder!) at Ranney this week, I surprisingly didn't miss the opportunity!
I'm also essentially incapable of taking a selfie without making a weird face. Incapable.
March 2017
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Look, Mom! I'm a doctor!As has become the norm when I work with these awesome folks, I had a GREAT time working with RetroMotion filming commercial footage for an already-out app, OhMD which connects doctors with their patients directly.
Excited to be home in Vermont to reconnect with old and new friends alike! updated March 2017 |
Loan Know-It-AllThough I'm busy these days teaching MANY classes of middle and high school drama, speech, and theater, it was such fun to show my students what the real world entails with an example featuring...me!
My VHFA & RetroMotion Creative shoot came out better than I'd hoped - and the kids even noticed that I "wore those earrings you always wear!" Saturday, February 4, 2017 |
VHFA "First Day" from RetroMotion Creative on Vimeo. |
Voicing the Mountain!The always awesome Shadow Productions called me to the Vermont homeland just before the holidays to record 3 spots as this winter's radio voice of Mount Sunapee Ski Area, New Hampshire! Give a listen to the spots soon! I'll post 'em here when they're ready. While you're at it, join with me in years-belated congrats to Mount Sunapee and Shadow for an award they won for a radio spot I did for them when we'd first met! December 2016 |
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A Midsummer Night's Dream
Great cast & crew, great audiences, great show!
I directed a pop-culture influenced production of Shakespeare's
A Midsummer Night's Dream
at Mountain Lakes High School, New Jersey.
Fun and growth was had by ALL!
Check out a few elements of the production at the
Mountain Lakes page of this site.
November 10, 2016
VHFA & RetroMotion Creative
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I was given the opportunity to work with RetroMotion Creative of Burlington, VT this fall, and had an awesome time! We filmed in a Catholic school with the speediest crew of 1 (JOE BRADY!) and awesome directorial folk of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency. I'll post the commercial when it comes out! October 2016 |
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Red Sky at night, sailor's delight! Awesome time shooting a commercial in Boston at Red Sky Studios for Time Payment with the great crew of the Skillman Video Group all thanks to Between Gigs Casting! New friends and great shoot! Even though I played an unimpressed chef who didn't exactly...make friends well... August 30, 2016 |
Lord of the Rings meets Mamma Mia
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Did I mention...
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That I happened to be interviewed on the NYC news while out for a jog in June?
I was highly amused. I should have suggested to the journalist to switch places! June 2016 |
Just One of Those Days...Then there are days when you've just gotta play. Here's the Plain White Ts' "Hey There, Delilah" just because it felt dang good. Monday, June 27, 2016 |
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School's Out!
While wandering Bryant Park last weekend with family visitors,
we stumbled upon this stars-inspired piano -
and of course I had to play it!
Cheers to the tourists who took videos!
(Though I can't compete with the symphony of downtown traffic. :) )
See more pictures at Facebook.com/heycpenney!
Check out another view on my Music page!
Saturday, June 18, 2016
April showers bring May...wowsers!
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Taybra Marchese's White Rabbit (working title Ball & Chain) is out! Once a few kid-friendly edits are done in the sound department, I'll be excited to share and showcase it here!
Congrats to Taybra and her Champlain team!
Next up: Maria Altamarino showcases her NYU thesis film THIS weekend, May 15! So excited to see Sonadora / Dreamer - a feature about the struggles of an undocumented high school student - in glorious final cut! My role is pretty close to my current real life one -
a teaching counselor!
Congrats to Taybra and her Champlain team!
Next up: Maria Altamarino showcases her NYU thesis film THIS weekend, May 15! So excited to see Sonadora / Dreamer - a feature about the struggles of an undocumented high school student - in glorious final cut! My role is pretty close to my current real life one -
a teaching counselor!
Monday, May 9, 2016
Crazy Easter
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It was a jam-packed Easter weekend that included the pleasure of working on Taybra Marchese's film "Ball and Chain" (overnight!). Such fun to meet new friends, reconnect with oldies but goodies from years and projects past, and hop in front of the camera for a few fleeting minutes! Photo courtesy of Danny Holodak Thursday, March 31, 2016
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Weekend of Shakespeare!
I had the pleasure to spend this past weekend with Dennis Krausnick, co-founder of Shakespeare & Co. in the Berkshires, doing a weekend workshop filled with lots of Linklater and literature! What a pleasure and refresher it was to meet new folks (who traveled from as far as Portland, Oregon!) and have a few reminders of training in times past. One of my biggest rewards from the weekend was to reaffirm the quality, quantity, and possible depths of my own voice - it's been awhile since I've screamed and commanded, but boy, did it feel good! Thanks to Dennis for his patience, kindness, and personal offerings to all of us in the group. Three cheers for Shakespeare!
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Audition Season
It's audition season, and my schedule is FULL!
From comedy film to children's theater to summer Shakespeare to serious stage work,
I've got at least one audition a day (Sundays too!), sometimes more.
Full speed ahead!
From comedy film to children's theater to summer Shakespeare to serious stage work,
I've got at least one audition a day (Sundays too!), sometimes more.
Full speed ahead!
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Back to School
I completely neglected to mention that I went back to school - for a day!
A rainy Sunday in Harlem found me and dozens of NYU film students enjoying the last filming day for Maria Altamarino's short "Dreamer"/"Sonadora!" Maria offered me the chance to be back in school again playing a school counselor (super close to being my real-life former self as teacher - they're both equally cool!) to the lead character. Kudos to her and her team in post-production! It premiers in May 2016!
A rainy Sunday in Harlem found me and dozens of NYU film students enjoying the last filming day for Maria Altamarino's short "Dreamer"/"Sonadora!" Maria offered me the chance to be back in school again playing a school counselor (super close to being my real-life former self as teacher - they're both equally cool!) to the lead character. Kudos to her and her team in post-production! It premiers in May 2016!
Sunday, January 10, 2016
The Piano Speaks
Office Overnights
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Remember my silly overnight drive a little while ago, followed by 4 hours of sleep and an early morning film shoot? Here's the result! It's my own slice of "The Office!" |
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Cold Freedom Fish
The fish weren't cold, but I was.
Also, my red nose matches my jacket. Totally planned that.
Also, my red nose matches my jacket. Totally planned that.
I had a GREAT time shooting a fun (but chilly!) promo for Vermont-based Freedom and Unity TV specifying the details for their Youth Film Contest!
We ran around Burlington, Vermont interviewing passersby on Church Street, chatting up a turtle and a sturgeon a the ECHO Leahy Science Center,
and getting lots of curious looks from folks on the waterfront!
Many thanks to Rob Koier, his assistant Evan, and Nora Jacobson - it was such great fun freezing my toes with you guys and meeting one or two of the your well-networked Burlington community friends. (Rob knew 1 of every 5 people we passed! That's impressive, even for Vermont!)
Check out freedomandunitytv.org!
And while we're on the subject of chatting up the general public, I made an everybody-can-see-it-and-read-it Facebook page. It was never in the plan (neither was this website), but...here it is! "Like" whatever is going on over there at facebook.com/heycpenney!
And while you're at it, I'm on Twitter too (oh my). Follow along the birdie's high-flying trail @HeyCPenney!
We ran around Burlington, Vermont interviewing passersby on Church Street, chatting up a turtle and a sturgeon a the ECHO Leahy Science Center,
and getting lots of curious looks from folks on the waterfront!
Many thanks to Rob Koier, his assistant Evan, and Nora Jacobson - it was such great fun freezing my toes with you guys and meeting one or two of the your well-networked Burlington community friends. (Rob knew 1 of every 5 people we passed! That's impressive, even for Vermont!)
Check out freedomandunitytv.org!
And while we're on the subject of chatting up the general public, I made an everybody-can-see-it-and-read-it Facebook page. It was never in the plan (neither was this website), but...here it is! "Like" whatever is going on over there at facebook.com/heycpenney!
And while you're at it, I'm on Twitter too (oh my). Follow along the birdie's high-flying trail @HeyCPenney!
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
One thing leads to another
You'd think that with the holidays fast approaching, performing opportunities would be few and far between. NOPE!
A great film reading in Middlebury, VT on Thursday night led to a late return drive to NYC, where I happily found myself working for DB Goldline the next morning filming a short drama/video for an MBA textbook!
A great film reading in Middlebury, VT on Thursday night led to a late return drive to NYC, where I happily found myself working for DB Goldline the next morning filming a short drama/video for an MBA textbook! Ever watch one of those online videos while doing your high school or undergrad homework that's suggested by your book to boost your studying? One of those! I got to play an office manager learning how to handle employee conflict. And yes, I did break out the ol' business suit. It suits me. (Insert bad cymbal crash here!)
I had a GREAT time meeting and working with all involved, was grateful for the chance to participate, and hope our paths cross in future!
Next? Auditions, auditions, AUDITIONS!
They are my life indeed. But I can honestly say I'm beginning to enjoy
the process,
the march,
the work,
the growth I seem to feel in myself.
A great film reading in Middlebury, VT on Thursday night led to a late return drive to NYC, where I happily found myself working for DB Goldline the next morning filming a short drama/video for an MBA textbook!
A great film reading in Middlebury, VT on Thursday night led to a late return drive to NYC, where I happily found myself working for DB Goldline the next morning filming a short drama/video for an MBA textbook! Ever watch one of those online videos while doing your high school or undergrad homework that's suggested by your book to boost your studying? One of those! I got to play an office manager learning how to handle employee conflict. And yes, I did break out the ol' business suit. It suits me. (Insert bad cymbal crash here!)
I had a GREAT time meeting and working with all involved, was grateful for the chance to participate, and hope our paths cross in future!
Next? Auditions, auditions, AUDITIONS!
They are my life indeed. But I can honestly say I'm beginning to enjoy
the process,
the march,
the work,
the growth I seem to feel in myself.
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Here, there, and everywhere PART 2
Joan in Owl Land footage is coming! Now to find the time to edit my most interesting bits of participation into a cohesive, worthwhile chunk!
I had a great time on Sunday doing a reading for Kingdom County Productions' upcoming film Wetware, a fascinating treatment on genetic modification, the future of human psychological management, and a really fun action thriller. It's written and spearheaded by Jay Craven of indie Vermont filmmaking fame (who's cast Martin Sheen and Michael J. Fox in his past films!).
If you're in Southern Vermont, join us for an encore reading at the Middlebury Town Hall Theater on Thursday, November 19 at 5 PM!
I had a great time on Sunday doing a reading for Kingdom County Productions' upcoming film Wetware, a fascinating treatment on genetic modification, the future of human psychological management, and a really fun action thriller. It's written and spearheaded by Jay Craven of indie Vermont filmmaking fame (who's cast Martin Sheen and Michael J. Fox in his past films!).
If you're in Southern Vermont, join us for an encore reading at the Middlebury Town Hall Theater on Thursday, November 19 at 5 PM!
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Here, there, and everywhere...
STAY TUNED for exclusive footage of me in Joan in Owl Land - coming next week!
Friday found me enjoying the excellent conversation between Gabriel Byrne (Golden Globe Winner!) and Will Rogers, an NYC actor who nabbed a role in Spielberg and Hanks' Bridge of Spies, at the Lincoln Center "Actor to Actor" series. I felt honored to be there and grateful to glean a few bites of wisdom from their career conversation!
I received a CALLBACK last week for the New Light Theatre Project's Monte Cristo adaptation. How thrilling to be considered for this unique NYC project! Live foley, 15 actors, musical instruments, stage combat, character transformation... It sounds like their gloves are off, the swords are in hand, and anything is possible. No matter the outcome, best wishes to them on their grand swashbuckling adventure!
Friday found me enjoying the excellent conversation between Gabriel Byrne (Golden Globe Winner!) and Will Rogers, an NYC actor who nabbed a role in Spielberg and Hanks' Bridge of Spies, at the Lincoln Center "Actor to Actor" series. I felt honored to be there and grateful to glean a few bites of wisdom from their career conversation!
I received a CALLBACK last week for the New Light Theatre Project's Monte Cristo adaptation. How thrilling to be considered for this unique NYC project! Live foley, 15 actors, musical instruments, stage combat, character transformation... It sounds like their gloves are off, the swords are in hand, and anything is possible. No matter the outcome, best wishes to them on their grand swashbuckling adventure!
Sunday, November 8, 2015
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A Little Carole
I fiddled (well, played) with a little Carole King the other day and decided to set my phone on a music stand to record whatever happened. Apologies for unruly pages, kooky lighting, and opera rehearsal in the background, but I hope you can see the beginnings of a process for "So Far Away" and enjoy it nonetheless!
Thursday, November 5, 2015 |
Website Redesign
My little site has not yet been long for this world, and already it has undergone a transformation!
Bounce around the mildly modified pages for the same info, with possible surprises to boot!
Bounce around the mildly modified pages for the same info, with possible surprises to boot!
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Eric Tucker's Midsummer
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Tuesday, October 13, 2015 |
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The Bonny Brits
On a whim, I made a fast British accent video.
Imperfect? Yes. Funny? You guessed it! Enjoy a good chuckle today! Thursday, October 8, 2015 |
New Headshots
The fantastic David Perlman and I got together on the streets of Manhattan for a grand time of taking pictures. It vaguely reminded me of funny photoshoots I did with friends Christy and Elsbeth as a kid, but I think this one yielded much better results! (Maybe...)
Monday, September 14, 2015 |
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Website live!
Time fuels life, but wow, how life gorges on time!
Finally, finally, here's a website to show off a little of what I do, and would love to do for others. I love telling stories that matter to me. I can only hope that this website will tell a bit of my own.
Finally, finally, here's a website to show off a little of what I do, and would love to do for others. I love telling stories that matter to me. I can only hope that this website will tell a bit of my own.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
