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Dearest Readers,

Perhaps it would be more appropriate for Nicktern to blerg again, but it feels kind of naughty that way, doesn’t it?

Hear from the man behind the intern, tucked away in a tiny room writing feverishly for your entertainment…

Hey everybody!

It’s the Nicktern once again, check-in with all of the Blerglovers! It’s weird to think I have under 2 weeks until I depart for school and my time ends with Sideshow. It has gone by so fast, but I’ve already had a chance to do so much. I’ve already worked on audience surveys, read a couple plays, attend staff meetings, gone to reading, seen shows, tweeted for the first time ever, organize storage space, researched successful giving consortiums, AND more! Working at Sideshow has also given me a chance to work with other awesome theatres like The Ruckus and Theatre 7. That’s been great because it give me a different perspective on how theatre companies operate and work together on day-to-day projects as well as more long term “big picture” kinda stuff.

I’ve also just got a new batch of projects to work on from Sideshow, which has been cool too! I’m working with companies to see if they would help us out with some in-kind donations (any way we can get a free anything is MUCH appreciated). Another project I’m working on is creating a map with zip code and number of subscribers throughout Chicago/ the rest of the US to see where we can do more marketing. Oh, and I did mention I’m working on a new “penalty box” for future CLLAWs?! I think I’m going to go with some sort of plastic material, it’s much stronger than cardboard and you can draw on it a little easier. So, yes, although I am leaving soon, I do have plenty of projects to work on! If you guys have any suggestions for places to look for donations, cool designs for the penalty box, or anything else just comment on the post and I’ll check back every so often. That’s all for now!

–Nick

Link:

Here’s a young man from Tennessee named Jeremy Lee Given whose music I love:

“Arapaima”– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDurqKpjAoQ

Devoted Readers,

We all know you are just dying to know more about the inner life of a hard-working American Intern like Nicktern. Here’s just a splash of all the crap we’ve been putting him through!

Enjoy!

It is I, the Nicktern, returning from the depths of a wild weekend for all of us at Sideshow. We really only had one thing on the mind: CLLAW 12!!!! The weeks of preparation, tweets, and work had finally come down to this.  I had been working especially hard the night before CLLAW, the night I severely underestimated how long it would take to cut out the CLLAWBux. I started at noon on Friday, and a pair of scissors, a new paper cutter, and 15 hours later, it was done. I had finished cutting over 2000 CLLAW Bux for the event! This was an important lesson in both cutting ability and efficiency, and preparation will begin much earlier next time.

Regardless, I walk in to the Hancock Center the next morning running on fumes and coffee, to enjoy an excellent reading of Sideshow Literary Manager Walt McGough’s new play, True Places.  I really enjoyed it, the characters were very vivid for just a reading, and I liked the adventures that the characters went on throughout the show. After the reading, I helped with the load-in for CLLAW. I then retreated home to take a nap and recharge the batteries before the big night. Finally, the clock struck 9, and, like Cinderella, I slipped on my glass slippers and headed into Club 162.

But what’s this? OH, a cruel twist of fate! The Nicktern cannot be let in to CLLAW 12 because he is under 21!  Though I was quite disappointed, it’s understandable; I do not want anyone losing their liquor license. So, I headed back home, only dreaming of what wonders waited inside the event. I will survive though, plus, I will be at the front of the crowd for the first CLLAW I am legal for! Now that it’s all over, I feel a bit lost, not sure where to go from here. Fortunately, the rest of Sideshow does. I’ve been working on various assignments for Heather, Megan, Ben, and Karie, and will keep you guys updated on the progress. Talk to ya soon!

-Nicktern

Cool Song for you:

Here’s a super weird but awesome music video from one of my all-time favorite bands, Grizzly Bear:

“While You Wait For the Others”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ4jZeGUFzI&feature=related

Dearest readers,

It has begun. Sideshow has aquired a new intern. We are pumped. His name is Nick. We have bestowed upon him the nickname Nick-tern. It’s a delight to say.

Nick will be posting on here for the time he’s with us – so enjoy!

Hello all!

It is I, newest Sideshow intern Nick. Just to get this off my chest first– Yes, I am an American citizen– I have been told I have quite some shoes to fill after a British intern became a fan favorite. I hope to do the same.

So, let me tell you about myself. My name is Nick, I’m currently a freshman at Bennington College in Vermont, working with Sideshow as a part of this Winter Internship program we have at the school.  I met Karie from Sideshow a little over a year ago, after seeing Heddatron. I talked to her about starting my own theatre company among other things, and she said to reach out to her if I had any more questions. Some time later, I came to her with a question: Can I be your intern? She accepted, and soon I was heading back home to Chicago for the winter. Since my internship started, it’s been great (minus the bevy of cockroaches that have taken residence in my apartment). I’m learning a lot more about how a theatre company is run, and how much work that’s put in day in and day out. One of the biggest things I’ve realized is that the more artistic, theatrical side of the company (the one the audiences see on stage) is just one element of what it takes to be successful, with the other huge chunk being administrative and marketing among other things. Another is that if you want to keep up with the modern times, you must go with Google. I’ve never really used Gmail or Google calendars or anything, in fact my main e-mail address is still on AOL (hip & retro!). I’m also super excited for CLLAW 12!!!!! It’s sounds pretty awesome and should be a great evening for a couple of good causes. Well, that’s all for now! Good to meet you folks, look for these posts every week or two.

-Nick

P.S. So at the end of these I’m thinking of posting a video, maybe something funny, serious, or just a song that I love that’s stuck in my head. This time it’s the last one, here’s a tune from this kickass Austin-based band Pure X called “Dry Ice”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjfd8o2aNmA

Dearest Readers,

Now it’s the time of year when people force you to re-evaluate your life and come up with one singular resolution that should for some reason make your upcoming year just SPARKLE. And then if you are like any honest-to-God, cold-blooded American, you are going to work your ass off on the resolution until about March, and promptly give up on it. It’s ok – this isn’t a criticism. This is just truth.

I’m personally excited for 2012 because I just do better in the even years, you know? My odd years are truly odd, so I’m ready to get the hell outta 2011 and rock out in 2012. But I don’t want just one resolution. FORGET THAT. Let’s dream big or go home, right?

As a theater person, I could make this a list of theatrical goals. Or artistic goals. But when I started to create my list inside my brain, I realized it’s really a list of life goals. And since theater and art are part of life, it all made sense that the lines blurred and the world turned grey. Well maybe silver. I’m uncharacteristically optimistic today.

Resolute 1: Be a lover, not a fighter.

I’m not 100% on board with this resolution. I freakin’ love fighting. But I think you can get people to do what you want if you are nice to them more easily then if you fight them. 2012 might be the time to test this theory out.

Resolute 2: See more plays, dummy.

I always start out strong with this one, so here goes again. Seeing plays is good for you. Just like bacon. As a theater professional, I should see as much work as I can, from all types and sizes of theater. Yeah I know, super logical. But it’s a good reminder.

Resolute 3: Make more phone calls.

The internet is making me feel stupid anymore. I think I’ll be less of a fighter if people can actually hear my voice and know that I’m not being serious. Unless I am. Then watch out.

Resolute 4: Don’t lower expectations (regardless of how people might try to lower them for you).

This resolution is a warning to you, lazy people of the world. If you expect me to be a lover and not a fighter, then don’t give me something to be enraged about.

Resolute 5: Play with more puppies and furry animals.

Resolution #6 might be to include more puppies and furry animals in plays, so we can professionally play with animals and make our lives better. Yes.

As you can see, I take new year’s resolutions very seriously. In fact, I have one more resolution to add to the list. If you haven’t already, you should resolve to be at the next Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestling match on Saturday, January 28th at 10PM. You can drink, watch ladies wrestle, and give your hard earned dollars to two great charities, Sideshow Theatre and our partner charity, Marwen. Buy tickets in advance, I might even give you a hug! I’m super nice in 2012, remember?

See you next year, Sweetie.

Ms. Megan

Hi Readers,

Every once in awhile I troll Google analytics and then get a big ol’ kick out of the crazy ways that people get to our site. Usually people find us by Googling the obvious words related to sideshow or our productions, but my favorites are those folks who Google something COMPLETELY UNRELATED but still end up going to our site, and sometimes spending significant amounts of time on it (in internet time, which runs differently from regular time).

I decided, what better way to reflect on 2011 then checking out our top search terms, and then my favorite WHY THE SHIT DID YOU GOOGLE THAT AND GO TO OUR WEBSITE terms. The list varies in such glorious ways.

Sideshow’s Top Search Terms:

1) sideshow theatre – well duh.

2) Heddatron – proving yet again, people love robots more than humans.

3) sideshow theatre company – way to be creative, internet information seekers.

4) (not provided) – apparently Google analytics likes to get sneaky. What is this bullshit?!!!???!?

5) sideshow theater – HURRAH! People know our name.

Ok, so that list is kind of boring. Except for #4, shrouded in mystery and never to be known except to the weird internet gods. Whatever.

Let’s get to the more interesting list. Here’s a list of WTF Random Crap People Googled and came to the Sideshow site. I couldn’t number them, they are all too good.

ugly creatures made out of felt – Alright, we did see a show called The Ugly One. This sort of makes sense.

ugly ass turtle – Ok, that’s just weird.

ugly unique animals – This guy has a heart. He doesn’t mind that the animals are ugly, as long as they are special.

turtle spandex – I sure hope this is the same guy who Googled ugly ass turtle. I now imagine he has an incredibly overweight turtle that embarrasses him daily.

stupid guy naked – not only did this search term get us two hits, but they spent a few minutes on our site, searching endlessly for the numerous photos we have of stupid naked guys.

no rat dancing – why not dancing rats, hmmm?

angry cat exercise – possibly my favorite. I laughed so hard I started to choke.

neighbors who wrestle each other – I would really like to see this!

cat bacon space – if a perfect world, maybe?

cute animals saying i love you – clearly, the internet musing of a 10 year old girl.

classic headless lady tricks – this dumb ass didn’t already know the classic headless lady tricks? Because everyone knows that. Moron.

black spots in my dog’s nipples – expert veterinarian advice, brought to you by Sideshow Theatre Company.

There you have it. I hope this gives you a few giggles as you make your holiday travels. Happy New Year, and God Bless America!

Ms. Megan

Nobody respects you, puppy.

Greetings readers!

We are reaching the end of the time-suck vortex that is the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years. As we snack on cookies, fruitcake (blech), hot chocolate, brats, bagels, Frango chocolates, and if you are lucky enough, a deep fried turkey, it might also be a good time to hit the gym. And reflect on the past year.

It’s been a really fun 2011 for Sideshow. We pulled off the seemingly impossible feat of creating 5 huge, fully functional robots and even put them in an entertaining play! Our Heddatron actors and robots put on a great show, and we’re ever thankful to Steppenwolf for their wonderful GARAGE REP program. We’re looking forward to seeing three new companies take over the Garage in February 2012!

Our robots didn’t stop there! They attended quite a few events this year, including robotics conventions in the Chicago suburbs, and two events with the Chicago Humanities Festival! The robots are getting too fancy for their Public Storage space, if you ask me.

Also, as I gloss over my google calendar, I am reminded of our FOUR CLLAW matches. Moving venues from Joe’s Bar to Club 162, our matches continue to grow, and so do our ladies’ biceps. We’ve partnered with such great companies like ArtReach, CLAW USA and About Face Theater – we’re blessed with such a supportive community who wants to drink heavily for three hours and throw money at ladies arm wrestling. God bless America.

Sideshow ventured into the culmination of our first company devised work, Strangerland, and our first fringe festival experience with the Chicago Fringe Festival. The trips down to Pilsen were a delight, and it was wonderful to be part of a theatrical experience introducing other Chicago artists and folks all across the U.S.  Sideshow was also introduced to the spoils of Simone’s Bar, a wonderful Pilsen establishment whose brazilian hanger cocktail is on special on Thursdays.

Launching from one project to another, we opened The Ugly One on the heels of Strangerland and got to work with new artists, past artists, and produce a short, silly, poignant little play that makes Nip/Tuck look like child’s play. Now that it’s closed, I think it’s safe for me to mention my favorite part of the show – the dude on dude kissing. Duh.

Sideshow’s family has grown tremendously in 2011. We brought on Ben Dawson as our Production Manager, who makes sure our shows uh, actually happen. And within budget too. It’s pretty magical. We have a new board member, Daniel Reid, whose business savvy brain makes us look oh-so-good. We also have five new Artistic Associates, from actors to dramaturgs to playwrights, who will mix it up with our current Artistic Associates and certainly challenge and grow our work in the near future.

Man oh man. What a lovely trip down memory lane. My favorite part? You. You came to see our shows. You drank your face off at CLLAW. You donated to our Center Ring. You loved us in town, or from afar. You volunteered your time when we needed help, and partied with us when we needed to cut loose. You sent us postcards that made us smile, or gave us expert advice when we found ourselves in a mental pickle. You know who you are. You know that you are awesome. But I’m telling you anyway, because who doesn’t like a compliment?

Here’s to 2012. May it kick as many if not more asses than 2011.

xoxo,

Ms. Megan

PS – If you were trying to figure out what to get me for Christmas, I’d love one of these:

The hat please. Not the adorable Korean child.