Good lordy

Hola Underdog Followers,

It is a busy day/week/month (take your pick) in the life of this Underdog.  Lemme give you the run-down of what's happening:

Fundraising, fundraising, soliciting, making connections,business plans,donation letters,profit or not-for-profit,FEIN numbers,corporations, LLC's, partnerships,Patron Tequila,the Spot,Samuel French, Dramatists, Bachelor Holiday, July 9, 11, 12, 16, 18, JUNE 6, Mary Poppins letters, WICKED donation, Cornservatory Donations, Illinois Tax Exempt Letters, bank accounts, debit cards, rights approvals, sponsorships, donations, liquor, food, music, piano players, STOREFRONT THEATRE MUSICAL, nervousness, APRIL 30th, overwhelmed, The Last 5 Years, Letterhead, business cards, vista print, paper source, red 7 salon, binnys, charitable donations, pictures, tambourines, lawyers, accountants, questions, no answers, canvassing, audition notices, audition spaces, Ludicrous theatre, reciprocity, reciprocity, reciprocity, reciprocity, connections, thank you's, red tape, money money money, 5 year plans, SWOT, donors, marketing, images, words, sounds, art, acting, theatre...to name a few things.  :)

So basically I've been working on getting UTC some money; cash; cold, hard green - or donations.  We're not officially a business yet because we have no money,  no one can/will give us money because we're not a business - see the vicious circle?  I've contemplated taking out loans to get us off the ground and official and legal...but let's put it this way...my credit 'aint the best.  So we're stuck.  We have The Big Bang fundraiser that is coming up on June 6th.  Red 7 Salon has graciously offered their space to us free of charge, and is throwing in a gift basket for us to raffle/auction off.  So we owe them a big THANK YOU.  I'm in talks with Binny's Beverage Depot to donate some booze for us as a charitable donation...things seem to be going well with that.  Let's hope everything goes smoothly.  I'm also trying to get Patron Tequila and Spirits to sponsor our first event, Bachelor Holiday in July.  This will be our FIRST, premier production.  Woo hoo!!  Look at us go!  We are having auditions on May 3 and are looking for 3 guys...well 2 guys.  And we're performing at a bar and are having product placement in our show...why WOULDNT patron sponsor us??  Its almost a direct sale for them.  

I met one of the managers from the Broadway tour of Mary Poppins and he was totally cool.  So I may be scoring some tickets from him!  **fingers crossed**  Ellen and i went soliciting yesterday and got some positive feedback so lets hope those connections come through for us.  We also decided that UTC will donate 10% of it's season's proceeds to the Human Rights Campaign, Cancer Research and AIDS research and some other local causes.  We're all Underdogs in a way and we need to stick together.  My brain is absolutely fried right now, so i'm going to end with that.  Things are happening, i hope they don't stop.

Trivia Night!!

Heeeeeeeeeeeeellllllllloooooo!  

So Underdog Theatre Company officially has money!  We had our first fundraiser at The Spot Bar - a bar here in Chicago that supports the arts with hosting fundraisers every night of the week!  We raised $85 - which may not be much in the grand scheme of things, BUT it's a start.  And it was $85 more than we walked in with!  Everyone had a good time as well, so that's awesome.  And we got stomped in Trivia.  Lame.

Daniel and I are going today to talk about bank accounts and perhaps deposit the money that we earned.  I think we need a $100 opening deposit, so we'll see how much we can accomplish today.

We also have  a new addition to our team, Ms Becky Mock!  She's joined on to be our production manager.  We need someone to keep us on task and keep our schedule running smoothly.  She's really nice, but has a "take charge" air about her, that we're super excited about.  So everyone welcome Becky Mock!

We also made some good connections.  We talked to the manager, well manager's assistant, and they really enjoyed us.  they wanted us to host another trivia night in April, so maybe that will be on the horizon.  Also, they have a larger bar there, that we tossed the idea to them of maybe doing a week's run of  a show in there.  The space is almost perfect.  They seemed pretty receptive, so we'll see how that turns out as well.  All in all, a great night was had.  Thanks to everyone who came out: Katherine, Timea, Megan, Kelsey, Justin, Dustin, Lisa, David, Danielle, Trevor and Co, Daniel, Ellen, Becky, and the bar regulars that put us to shame.  Thanks!

Mileep and Stuff

h'ok so, its been a minute since i've updated.  and a lot of stuff has been going on.  well, one of the main reasons i have not updated is because i've been busy rehearsing for a show.  that show is now open so i have much more time on my hands.  

since the last time, we have nailed down two fundraisers for our company.  a trivia night in March, and a karaoke night in April.  We've been plotting and planning our big fundraiser for May as well, and we're almost 100% nailed down and settled on a place.  so much to do!!!  there's going to be live entertainment, open bar, raffles, music, so much good stuff, and hopefully all of the proceeds will go back to our company.  we're working now on trying to get alcohol and food donated, so wish us luck.  at the fundraiser, we'll be giving sneak peaks of the shows we've been working on, so it'll be our time to show what we're made of and hopefully hook them into coming to see the actual performance.

"My Cannibal Romance" is getting its makeover recently.  our multi faceted Sarina Richardson has been working on lyrics since we decided to strip the show of previous music and take on the task of writing original music.  so we're on the hunt for a composer that will work with us for free - i know i know, its kind of wishful thinking, but sometimes its not about the money, and some people understand that.  

"The God Effect" has been getting underway as well.  it is an original show written by Ellen and myself about a group of angry spirits or "phantasms" that are upset about their deaths and go to god to confront him about it.  it's been making US crack up as we write it, so hopefully it will be read to our audience as well.  there was a snag in the plan though, i started writing dialogue for the show and accidentally saved over the original file that had all of our information and brainstorming.  luckily we got a large portion of it back thanks to Daniel MF Black who had an original copy.  also, we've taken to taping ourselves talk about it since we usually brainstorm as we're doing other things, and forget to write our brilliant ideas down.  the tapes are pretty funny on their own.

that is it for now.  i leave you with a question: if you rip a hole in space, where do you go?

1/9/09 - Horoscope

"Taurus: (April 20-May 21)

you and many others are in a sticky situation.  some perceive recent events as disappointments, but the long view will prove that what's unfolding is for the highest good.  you are in exactly the right place."

More Signs

h'ok....so.  ellen and i went to help out dustin's roommate, danielle, transport a table from Mt. Sinai resale shop to their apt.  when we got there, and were picking up the table we found something else magnificient.  as i was walking by, i saw a sewing table with electrical components on it for only $20!!  needless to say, it had to be bought.  Underdog was going to need equipment anyway and now we've got our first piece!  call me crazy, but if no one had responded to danielle's request for help, we would not have found that table.  weird.  stars, are you aligning?  give me a sign...oh wait...you already did.  twice.  

Divine Intervention

Ellen:  Do you believe in divine intervention?

Kyle:  Sometimes.  Why?

Ellen:  That guy that we just met...

Kyle:  Yes...

Ellen and Kyle:  I think he was a sign.

----ellen and i went adventuring yesterday with a laundry list of tasks.  most importantly was taking pictures of the spaces that we're interested in commandeering for Underdog Theatre Company.  the first set of pictures is probably the more likely of the choices - for several reasons:  it needs less work, and not a historical site.  the second of the two is the 1887 Chicago Firehouse -->historical site = $$$.  also, i've enclosed a pic of the inside.   as you can see, its a royal wreck = $$$.  so in recap:  historical site + royal wreck = $$$$$$.  

anywho, while we were outside the 1887 firehouse, a man appeared as i was taking a picture and approached me.  he started to explain how he had worked in the city since the 70's and had worked in the same building as the original playboy headquarters.  we had a lengthy talk of artist gentrification and the like.  we explained what our business was, and he was really excited for us and wished us luck on our venture.   he is a graphic artist.  well, his talk really revved ellen and i up.  it was really eerie that he approached me and we talked as if we were life long friends just reuniting.  i tried to soak up everything that he said...and he said a lot.  

i DO believe in signs and was overwhelmed with the feeling of someone watching over us and was giving is a sort of "thumbs up."  Believe what you will.  It was an experience that i will never forget. 

on another note, Yahoo Answers is amazing.  i asked what i would have to do in order to inquire about the availability and pricing for real estate.  being somewhat inexperienced in business and building a business from scratch, i have A LOT  of questions.  and someone answered my question completely.  so, "go to the city hall in which city the building exists.  find the section of the city hall that deals with liens, mortgages, deeds, and taxes.  it will list the current mortgagee with contact phone number(s).  Good luck.  or if its listed on a MLS, multi list service, all local realtors will have the information.  call any realtor of your choice."  thanks smokey.  

2009 Horoscopic Overview

Year 2009 Overview

It's time to celebrate yourself, Taurus! You are pouring yourself into your life's mission and rejuvenating yourself with abundant thinking, which attracts great things to you. You're diligently creating a public arena where opportunities will emerge for you to be a teacher or messenger. Engagements for speaking, writing and sharing your thoughts will open up. Other people will be inspired by your enthusiasm and insight, and will support you in accomplishing your goals.

Taurus's excitement radiates more than ever this year, bringing with it a magnificent energy the world has been lacking. As you embrace the power of your heart and spirit, you are allowing yourself to transform and align with a universal energy source. You discover the space for your creativity to flow and abundantly bring the truth of your being into the world. Your focus on your connection with a higher purpose brings out the best in you and refines your self-expression.

You appreciate all the expansive shifts that are taking place in your life, and you are learning to break up routines and old patterns of rigidity. This allows you a new level of awareness and acceptance of your ultimate purpose. Pay attention to what has heart and meaning. Express your truth and you will advance. You will find avenues to bring your talents and belief systems to philanthropic endeavors. By the end of the year, you will be able to slow down a bit and find more time to enjoy the new you that you have created.

take that!  I am taurus, hear me roar!  Watch out 2009, i'm kickin' ass and handin' out lollipops...and i'm all out of lollipops.

I'm delerious from lack of sleep. its gone so far as making lude acronyms to remember closing tasks, dancing, and wild movement. undoubtedly, the next step will be my head crashing down onto the desk. It probably is not helping that i'm drinking coke. pray that i make it to the end of the day without getting fired for inappropriate jokes with clients. oh, here's a pic of me and matt - one of my coworkers in evanston - just cheesing for the camera. does anyone else see the wrong in getting up before 9:30 on your vacation to go the the gym? even though one 2009 resolution is to go to the gym 3 times a week, i think pre-9:00am is a little offensive.
**ps ellen and i made one hell of a pork roast last night. **
hey i'll update later when i have a clearer head. underdog kyle out.

Hello 2009!!

last night we had a really really really fun party at Dustin's house.  now i'm not much of a party planner, but we (mostly dustin) threw together a damn good party.  it was one of the most fun parties i've ever been to.  thank you to everyone who came!  to everyone who DIDNT...i hope your evenings were just as amazing and there were lots of laughs and merriment/tomfoolery.

so, now 2009 is officially here.  there is a lot to accomplish this year.  and now is the time to really get the ball rolling.  next week i start rehearsals everyday of the week (except friday and monday) for 4 weeks.  Mileep Saves Tuesday at Corn Productions.  I'll be playing mileep!  the show opens on february 7 and runs every saturday and sunday at 2:00pm until march 29th.  come out and see it!  it should be fun for all ages.  it IS  children's show - i know i know - we all know how much i love children aka "small dragons."  hopefully i wont have to touch them.  maybe i can be "allergic" to them.  or maybe i'll learn to tolerate/appreciate them...?.??  maybe.  maybe not.  

the biggest thing now is getting all of the components together and getting underdog off the ground.  does anyone know where to start?  i have an idea, but it always helps to talk to people who have been through it already.  And that's what this blog is really about - the journey of Underdog Theatre Company.  

Tales of the Day

After being a giant sloth this morning, the time came for picking dustin up at the train station.  i was going to record dustin's actual arrival, but he ruined it with his having to pee.  thanks dustin.

well here are a few of the things i've encountered today on my journey!  its the river i crossed, the condo i'll live in (eventually).  and some lettuce, for shits and giggles.

summer

 i miss the summer.  when i lived in the south, i hated the summer.  I used to much rather bundle up and get warm (which i still do enjoy).  I thought "you can always layer up if you're cold, but once you get down to the skin and you're STILL hot - then you're just shit out of luck." 

i dont feel that way anymore.  i like being warm.  summer, spring, and fall are just so much easier.  Summer, please come back soon.  I miss you.

i wanted to upload a pic to share my memory of summer, but it wasnt working.  sorry buds.

Goodbye 2008

this is my first blog.  well, first entry on this blog.  i've had a blog before, but i really didn't take care of it and it, well...died.  this is the start of a new year, a new leaf, a journey and a new blog.  and i'm glad you're here to travel with me.  

i hope you packed all of your necessities: toothbrush, ipod/zune/etc, candles, "tea," booze, candy, pillow, sense of humor, thinking helmet, adventuring bonnet, twizzlers, beef jerky, cat food, tissues, issues, pumas, chucks, listening ears, juice, phone, rape whistle, camera, floaties, and parachute and bitch slapping hand (just in case).  

in order for you to continue with me, i should probably fill you in on the last year.  i'm better at list making so here's your idea recap:

trying, confusing year, laughs, cries, hostile shouting, passive aggressive notes, moving, money (or lack thereof), stories, and smoke, daniel and sarina moved here, martin had money problems, great creativity and careful planning, a direction for me to pursue in the coming year, My Cannibal Romance, Red 7 Salon, Music Theatre Marketing, julie, bipolar, job, debt management plan, Underdog Theatre Company, cookies, melody, ellen, dustin, jason, megan, katherine, kelsey, corrinne, katie, dad, amber, melissa, sheree, taylor, larry, quentin, travis, emily, Happy Anniversary Angel Love Gino, Edward, pay advance, pay raise, porn, PEPPER, justin, roubal, sunshine, clouds, wind, ice, snow, loans, buildings, pictures, trains, busses, transit passes, river, hidden gardens, music, zoos, richelle, regina, bert, dan, running, ballys, rachel, crystal, marylou, steven, meryl, david, fran, kate, matt, andrew, andrew, kacey, robbyn, james, i heart huckabees, horror movies, drama, red tape, grants, property, plans, dreams, eviction notice, second job, stockings, collages, snuggles, stephanie, timea, adrian, economic destruction, obama, clinton, bush, war, stock market plunge, blagojevich, gay marriage, mccain, death, love, cooking, audition, callback, mileep. you flew by actually kind of leaving my bewildered as to where you went.  just yesterday it was just warming up and old friends were joining me in the big city; ready to take on the world.  you definitely were a year to remember.  goodbye 2008.

i'm turning over a new leaf in 2009.  even if some people do not believe in resolutions, i think they do good.  it reminds you of things you need to work on and for some people, it actually will be the stepping stone towards a better life.  i have a lot to accomplish in 09.  the show is written and a second one is coming down the pike.  i made a goal to be in at least 3 shows and i already have one in the bag.  Mileep Saves Tuesday from Corn Productions opens on feb 7 and runs until march 29th.  we have made some really good plans for Underdog (my theatre company) and 2009 is the year to put the ball into motion.  My company has an all-star line up:  Daniel, Sarina, Ellen, Melody, and Dustin (hopefully).  we have checked out some spaces to be the new home of Underdog and have some very interesting spots in mind.  now all we have to do is gather the funding and we'll be in business.  grant writing will be key and we're even sending a business proposal to Oprah.  oh yes.  Oprah.  Why not?  We are all schooled in Mississippi (where Oprah's from).  We each have different degrees in theatre, so we can all bring an expertise and experience to the table.  And we're all Hurricane Katrina victims.  we've overcome a life changing experience and pushed ourselves harder to make it through.  so wish us luck.  2009 is the year for Underdogs and independent theatre.  With 75% of Broadway shut down, its time for the little guys to step up and offer something different.  Something new.  Affordable.  it's our chance to shine and usher in the new wave.  wish us luck.

hello 2009.