HAN VAN SCIVER
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Happy Spring!

4/13/2014

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Happy Spring! Winter has finally left us in Philly.
It's been an exciting few months - I am currently staring graduation in the face and trying not to blink!

Updates:
1. Romeo and Juliet! We opened Wednesday, and we run through May 18th. The 9-show-a-week schedule is rough, but I am loving the show. It was a good process, and I'm super proud of what we've created. In our production, we feature four contemporary sonnets written by students and adults. As part of the promotion for the show, we recorded the top ten sonnets (there was an open call for submissions) to release to the public. So here's a mildly embarrassing video of me doing one (to the right). Check out the show! (Fb event).

2. Breed X! I was in New York for a few days this March, filming a project called Breed X. To learn about the project, check out their kickstarter and their facebook. Or, yaknow, check out a really terrifying photo from the shoot (to the right). I played "The Guide." The project is written and directed by the fabulous Audrey Hamm. Makeup by Alisa Ortiz. Yay film!

3. By Tuesday -- I also have begun shooting a Penn student film, called "By Tuesday," produced by Bent Button Productions. It is written and directed by Ann Molin. Will post the finished product when we finish! It's about a couple college-age room mates. I play a lady named Chloe. So far, I've gotten to eat a lot of popcorn on camera. Which has been fabulous.

4. Directors Gathering - I also recently photographed the first monthly "Directors Gathering" salon meeting. The DG is a fabulous service organization for Philadelphia theatremakers. Check out their website and facebook, and the album from the event!

5. Henry IV: Your Prince and Mine -- I have been cast as a lieutenant in the army for the annual Shakespeare in Clark Park summer show. They're doing Henry IV! Haven't started yet....but thrilled to be a part of it. Apparently they're using a HUGE civilian army. Cool beans.

6. Dischord - Dischord A Capella, a fabulous group on Penn's campus, recently had their spring concert. I took a bunch of promotional photos. Check out a few of my favorites to the right. Will be uploading more soon, under "recent captures" on my photography page. Also: their website! Their facebook!

7. Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo - The theatre group iNtuitons (I'm on the board! I directed for them this past fall!) just had their spring show. Check out some rehearsal room shots I took during the process. Fabulous group. Oh, and their website!

Whew.
Other things brewing/upcoming -- 
Stuff Happens is still in the process of casting. Can't wait to get started. Circle Mirror Transformation is likely happening in May! We had to change dates, due to an issue getting rights...but now it's full steam ahead. And.....Yalla, the bellydance troupe at UPenn, also has an upcoming show. I will be shooting some promo shots on Monday. Photos to come!

Thaz all folks. Happy, happy spring!
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R & J, Stuff Happens, and Best of Craigslist.

2/26/2014

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Whew. It's been a freezing cold winter in Philadelphia. I'm currently enjoying second semester senior life - i.e. taking only three classes, writing a thesis, and auditioning like crazy in Philly/NYC when I can get there.

Lots of updates!

1. Really stoked to report that I will be acting in The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre's Spring production of Romeo and Juliet, directed by David O'Connor. I will be playing Balthazar as well as a few other ensemble roles, in addition to playing percussion for the show. Couldn't be more excited to embark on this project! Rehearsals begin March 4th, and we open in April/run through May.

2. I have also just begun the process of DIRECTING(!) a staged reading of David Hare's Stuff Happens for New City Stage's presidential reading series. The show will run for four performances in May, along with two other pieces directed by Will Steinberger and Mark Rudd. Specific dates and times on my homepage/more info on their website! We just started the first round of auditions. I'm already learning lots - it's a challenging play, but one about which I am extremely passionate. It uses *mostly* public statements made by politicians and journalists as a means of dramatizing the U.S. entry into the Middle East following the attacks on the twin towers. Definitely a far cry from Midsummer (my last directing project).

3. I was also just cast in Simpatico Theatre Project's Summer Production, The Best of Craigslist. The piece is, as the title would suggest, comprised of skits based on Philadelphia Craigslist ads. The segment I'll be in is called "How Craigslist Distances Us," and will be directed by Ambor Emory. We don't begin rehearsals until May, and we run July 12-15. Wooo devised theatre!

4. I've been hitting up NYC lately to go in for some film project (and occasionally theatrical) auditions. It's been fun! Pleased to report I will be shooting a piece with New School student Rebecca Tiernan this Saturday, based on Samuel Beckett's Come and Go. It's an art film she's developing as part of her thesis - check out her work. 

5. Had an incredible time on Cape Cod in January, doing a show with Excelano to benefit WE CAN and Independence House, two fabulous organizations that provide support for abused women/women in transition on Cape Cod. A playlist of the show will be uploaded to youtube in the coming weeks!

6. Also got a chance to perform in UPenn's Vagina Monologues this February. I acted in "Then We Were Jumping," which was this year's spotlight monologue. The show raised over $50,000 for W.O.A.R., the only full-service rape/crisis center in Philadelphia. Check out their campaign to stop the violence. Wonderful experience, INCREDIBLE group of women.

Those are the biggies!

Also....have had the chance to see some awesome theatre in Philly this winter. Shout-out to Bright Invention/White Pines Productions. LOVED their show "Click!" Was convinced in an evening that long-form improv is probably the coolest thing I'd never heard of in Philly. Check 'em!

And, for your viewing pleasure: http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Idina-Menzel-Cast-of-IFTHEN-Lead-FROZEN-Singalong-on-GMA-20140226#.Uw4O6PRdWUB


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BADA!

8/13/2013

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As of last night - I have returned from my UK adventure! I'm jet-lagged as all hell, but full and happy and grateful for the best training experience of my life. So. There's that.

I'll start at the beginning. I spent my summer living here: (see to the right.) Essentially, I lived in a castle. More specifically, I lived at Magdalen College (pronounced "Maudlin"). I had classes 9 hours a day with the freaking greatest professors I've ever met.

The run-down:
I studied Shakespeare with Zoe Waites. She is a magical nymph-goddess, who has acted many seasons with the RSC in Stratford. She played Juliet at age 22. Casual. We worked on all sorts of technical/texty stuff. Lots of work with regard to how to get inside the verse, how to respect it/not be constrained by it, how to be focused, open and professional in a rehearsal room, how to craft a character. We worked specifically on The Tempest and The Winter's Tale. I was cast as Hermione, and worked on scene 2.1. Got to march around with a 9-month pregnancy bump (i.e. a sack of salt in my gym shorts.) Loved. It. 

I studied Modern with the inimitable Paola Dionisotti - another RSC veteran, and all around phenomenal woman and actress. Learned so much from her. Favorite quotables: "So much of acting is coated with a custard of emotion..." "Distill reality by playing an objective." "Shall we have the Spice Girls?" We did lots of vocal work, and she pressed us to be simple and unselfish in our approach to scene studies. We focused on scenes from David Grieg's Miniskirts in Kabul and Michael Gordon's Grace. I was cast as Ruth in Grace - the perpetually unhappy (but admirably fierce) lawyer and semi-fiance to Tom, the priest-to-be son of Grace, the ascerbic college professor/professional atheist. There were lots of tears, and there was lots of fun. Fun fact - I played a pregnant wife/girlfriend in both classes. Opposite the same boy. #coincidence?

I studied movement with Jackie Snow. Fun fact - she was head of "movement" direction for Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette. As a bit of a klutz, I found this class EXTREMELY useful. Lots of work in getting centered and present in your body, in building an ensemble, in understanding and enlarging your own range of movement, and all that jazz. Not to mention - she got me into way better shape.

I studied voice with the lovely Adrew Wade and Robert Price. (Not pictures, alas.) Both were superb in their own right. I had little to no voice training up until this program....Feeling WAY better about all that now. Worked on resonance, enunciation, the relationship between body and voice, between emotion and voice, accents, Shakespearean text-work, and all that good stuff. Oh, and there was some tai chi thrown in there too.

Last (but not least), I had the opportunity to study audition technique with John Gorie. (also not pictured.) Worked through a contemporary monologue from Everything Will Be Different, a Lady Macbeth piece, and learned a new piece from William Congreve's Way of the World. Really grateful to have had the chance to hone in on a few specific monologues/the technical choices that lead to a good audition.

There were 88 students in the program on the whole - we were sorted into six different companies. My group (the O'Neill group) was comprised of 14 different students. I lucked out big-time. I couldn't have asked for a kinder, more well-rounded group of individuals with whom to study theatre. I learned something different from everyone. Hoping to cross paths with all of 'em again in the future!

In addition to the 9 hours of class a day, we had the benefit of a number of masterclasses/workshops. I was picked (randomly) to work with John Barton (!!!) in three masterclass sessions observed by the rest of the program. What a lucky break. Also got to participate (along with erryone else) in sessions led by Julian Glover, Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Henry Goodman, Deborah Warner and David Harewood. Just to name a few. Woah.

In my spare time, I wandered around Oxford, ate a lot of brunch, and saw some shows! I visited Stratford and paid homage at Shakespeare's  grave. Also saw the RSC's Titus Andronicus and All's Well That Ends Well. Wowzers. Loved both. The Titus makes the cut of top ten things I've ever seen ever. Also adventured to London to see The Drowned Man - a new piece by the same folks who do Sleep No More in NYC. This one was based on Woyzeck. Way cool. We wandered around a mansion in relative silence for three hours, wearing masks, choosing who to follow/what strains of the story in which to invest.

Other than that...I wrote some pomes (check out How to Write About Oxford and Pinocchio) and learned a whole lot of Shakespeare. Also geared up for directing Midsummer and In Many Ways in the coming months. And read some of J.D. Salinger short stories. Also did some prep work for the thesis I'll be writing this fall. And took some pics. Check under Photography/recent captures. Meep!

Can't overstate how grateful I am for the truly wonderful experience in Oxford. Left the program a more informed, confident, driven, passionate and (hopefully!) skilled actor. Looking forward to auditioning soon as I'm back in the illadelph. 

I return to Philly tomorrow! Wow. Wow.

In slightly other news -- my extremely talented older sister just released an EP! Check it out. Preview videos and Pre-order Page. I totally wrote the lyrics for one of the songs. She's fabulous, and the cd is ridiculous. Lyrical, lovely, pop-rock fusiony goodness. 

That's all for now!
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Woah. I'm in Londontown?

7/8/2013

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PicturePatrick Lamborn, Michael Jorizzo, Angela Carter, Amanda Schoonover
Oh my, it's been a minute. What a busy (and lovely) summer. Last I wrote, I had just started an internship at the Arden, and I was getting psyched for Is This the End? and Seek and Hide. LOTS has happened since then.

1. Seek and Hide was a blast. My day of glory playing a triking (a viking riding around a playhouse on a tricycle) was....well, glorious. It was great to have a project to work on/to meet some other really terrific artists. 
2. Is This the End?  went quite well! Thanks to the friends who came out for it. I made all sorts of changes to In Many Ways over the course of rehearsals. HUGE thanks to Sam, and to the terrific cast. I learned a lot - it will come in handy when it's remounted with iNtuitons for ATF this fall. Wahoo! Blurry pic from the reading to the left. (Also congrats to the other writers, and a big thanks to Primary Stages.)
3. All done at the Arden for the moment. Had a great summer there. /Got to check out A Little Night Music and Pinocchio before I left, too. As a non-romantic-opera-lover, I still found Night Music totally enjoyable. And as a non-six-year-old, I was completely enchanted by Pinocchio.
4. I got to be a reader (okay, just stage directions, but shhh) for a reading of a new work at InterAct this past month. The piece, called Two Front Teeth, was written by Katharine Clark Gray - one of the core playwrights there. Really neat, moving, complex piece of theatre - focused on the struggles of a lower-class couple, after the husband accidentally knocks out his wife's teeth in a plumbing accident.
5. I was in a student film project before the year ended, and a final cut was just posted online. Wahoo! I sort of co-wrote the script. (I.e. I wrote it, but then they sort of chopped it down by a factor of ten and rewrote it. Cuz apparently a 30 minute mind-trip-cross-cut-chick-flick "wasn't feasible?") Anyway, Missy Gouverne led the direction, and did a lot of the editing. Still a "student film" project, etc (i.e. not a lot of time/artistic freedom). But I think it turned out rather well! Featuring the super talented Jeremy Berman. Check it below.
6. ......I'm in London now! See pics below. Here for a stint, settling/checking out some awesome theatre. It's beautiful, to boot - so I've been taking some pics. I start at Oxford (BADA) on the 11th. Working a monologue, seeing as we have to re-audition when we get there. Getting lots of good ole' inspiration from all the wonderful stuff I've been seeing here. Oh, and BADA just announced three guest artists for the midsummer program. John Barton, Brian Cox and Fiona Shaw. Apparently there will be more. SO I'm feeling pretty damn lucky right now.
7. Oh! New poem.

Okay, thaz all for now. Cheerio, and stuff!

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Interning, Playwriting, Seek and Hiding!

6/11/2013

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I am now in my second week as an artistic intern at the Arden Theatre Co. While it's a lot of copying/errands, I kind of love it. Today I got to sit in on the first day of a workshop for a show set to go up next season. While I was technically just the assistant stage manager in the room (i.e. I had no real or significant role), I was floored by the talent and passion of the actors and teaching artists participating. Whew.

I've also been hard at work editing and redrafting and editing and re-redrafting In Many Ways for the Primary Stages reading in a week. I owe a huge thanks to Sam Sherburne, who's directing the piece. It's going to feature the incredibly talented Amanda Schoonover, Angela Smith, Patrick Lamborn and Michael Jorizzo. While it's a bit odd not to be acting in it, I'm enjoying the challenge of, yaknow, "writing a play." We will have a rehearsal this Saturday, which should prove exciting!

As of yesterday, I've been selected to understudy the lovely Amanda Atkinson in a production of Seth Bauer's Seek and Hide, directed by Susanna Berger. (She's missing a show - so I'm filling in!) Super grateful for the opportunity. Will be rehearsing this week, as the show is on June 19th. More info under "current projects!"

Other than that -- I've been working brunch, and enjoying my summer in Philly! Hoping to do some shooting in the next few weeks, if I get a chance. Also have seen some great shows! I had the chance to check out Bauer's Lysistrata Project before it closed, as well as Bootycandy at the Wilma.

Also. From the Tony's. Tracy Letts's acceptance speech for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is pretty great.
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The Arden, PHILLY YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS, and PRIMARY STAGES.

5/24/2013

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I've been home for about a week-and-half now. I'm here less than another week before I take off for Philly. (I like to be constantly moving...)

My sister was just Bat Mitzvah-ed. Which was lovely and beautiful. (She is lovely and beautiful and poised. And so very smart. I am so very, very proud.) Being home has afforded some much needed chill-time, a chance to see old friends, and a chance to do "Cape Cod things." I.e. fish, visit the beach, and act quaint.

In other news, lots has happened artistically. I chopped my hair off! (Not sure if that counts as artistic. And technically, someone else chopped it off for me.)
Anyway, I'll dive right in.....

1.) "Officially" will be interning at the Arden! Worked there last summer as an administrative intern - will be an artistic intern this summer. Couldn't be happier/more excited to be back, and getting more involved with the artistic side of things.

2.) Was asked (and accepted the offer) to be a reader on the 2013 Literary Committee for Philadelphia Young Playwrights. In short, I get to read new plays/give feedback to writers in lower, middle and high school. Super cool gig, and psyched to be included. 

3.) JUST found out...Primary Stages will be producing a reading of a play of mine! The piece is In Many Ways - same one that will be produced by iNtuitons this fall in ATF. It will be directed by the wonderful Sam Sherburne (with whom I worked on Cymbeline at Philly Shakes last summer), and will feature Patrick Lamborn (with whom I also worked on Cymbeline). So very excited. I'll get to sit in on some rehearsals/do some rewrites before the performance on June 18th. (At the Commnunity Education Center, 3500 Lancaster Ave, West Philly. There will be other new works too!)

HUZZAH. That's all for now.
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Headshots, Graduation Shoot and ATF.

5/14/2013

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Ten days later, and finals are over, I am *somewhat* employed for the summer, Penn class of '13 has graduated, and I'm back home for a stint.

I had a blast doing two photoshoots over the past week. One was with the extremely talented and lovely Sarah Middough, and one was with fellow theatre artists Anya, Jay, Maddie and Tom. The latter group (as of Monday!) are now UPenn alumnae. Check out some of my favorite shots below. (Will upload more of them on the photography tab when I get around to it....)

Also, found out about a week ago that a play of mine will be included in the iNtuitons Alternative Theatre Festival (ATF) as part of the Philly Fringe! Whee! iNtuitons produces the festival at the start of each fall semester - it's comprised of 4-6 short, original and "experimental" plays. I will be directing my own piece, called In Many Ways. (I wrote it this semester for my play-writing class. etc etc etc.) Very stoked.

In other news, I've seen a lot of wonderful theatre these past few weeks. Had the opportunity to attend several readings of original work, reconnected with some old theatre friends, made some new ones. Feeling super inspired. On that note, here also is a charcoal & pastel I made of e.e. cummings. I was staring at a Klimt card when I was finishing it up, so. He's in there too. Sorta.

Happy summer, officially! (but not technically.)
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Midsummer, Photoshoots, And a New Pome.

5/2/2013

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The school year is winding down, the weather is getting warmer, and the summer is teeming with ALL of the projects. 

1.) Just found out I've been selected to direct A Midsummer Night's Dream for iNtuitons Experimental Theatre this upcoming fall! Couldn't be more excited. Check out the announcement on our fb page. And check out this nifty Pinterest page where designers are already brainstorming. I'm going to spend a lot of the summer preparing for September, when we will cast/begin rehearsing the show. It will likely go up in November.

2.) It seems like everyone wants a photoshoot this month. Which is great, cuz I love taking pikchas. Just did a shoot with the lovely Kendra Birdsall (pic below, also more in "Recent Captures" under photography). I have at least two more shoots booked in the coming week for some lovely actresses I work with at Penn. So stay tuned for more shots.

3.) New pome! Check it. Just the audio, plus the text posted below. Feedback always encouraged and appreciated.

4.) Thanks to my friend Zach, I've finally found a crash spot for Gretchen. My drum set. I'm going to start teaching him to play pretty soon. Hopefully this means I can start giving lessons to others as well! I'm all for spreading the percussion. or, whatever.

That's all for now!
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Post-Cloud 9, Photoshoots, 4 Play-Readings, The Wind Down

4/18/2013

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Woww. It's been a minute. I'll go right into updates.

1. Cloud 9 happened! Two weeks ago now, which is crazy. It was probably the most fun I've had performing in a while. The play, by Caryl Churchill, follows the lives (and sexual habits) of a family in Colonial Africa, and then re-imagines  them in London during the 1970s sexual revolution. It's a fantastic piece. Check out the full album here. And two of my favorite pics below.

2. I've been doing some shooting! More specifically, I just did a shoot with the fabulous Trevor Pierce. Check out some photos in "recent captures" on the "photographer" page, as well as below. Spring = better light = time for shooting!

3. This Friday, I will be reading the role of Shprintsa in Cary Mazer's brand new Peer Gynt adaptation, called Pinchas Vontz. It reimagines the story through a Jewish/Yiddish lens. The reading is directed by Ed Sobel, and features other Penn students, professors and professional actors. Details here!

4. The iNtuitons First Annual Experimental Play-Reading  is this Saturday! Details here. I'm producing the project, which features three original works by professional Philadelphia playwrights. (I am also acting in two of the pieces!) Very excited for this project - it's (kind of) my baby. Also, the poster is beautiful.  Also, Jackie Goldfinger will be leading a talk-back.

5. On MONDAY my playwriting class will be having a reading - of our new work, produced in the class this semester. 2:15 pm, Bruce Montgomery Theatre on Penn's campus. I will be acting in the reading, as well as listening to my play read by professionals for the first time! (Very excited.) Class was taught by the inimitable Jacqueline Goldfinger.

6. LAST but not least - Pennsylvania Players is having a reading! April 26. I will be playing Julie in Impenetrable, directed by Jeremy Berman. More details coming soon.

That's all for now! In other news, I'm already getting stoked for BADA, and looking for projects for May/June. Have a lovely Thursday!
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BADA, Children's Hour, Post-Split, Etc

3/22/2013

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Woo! It's been a crazy few weeks. Lots of things, lots to report.

1.) As of about 10 minutes ago, I've been accepted to the BADA Midsummer in Oxford Program! So very excited. Still waiting on two other places I applied, but. This is great. and lovely. Yay acting and making theatre and learning things.

2.) Split No Lightning happened! (Spoken Word show with The Excelano Project.) Video will be up in the next few weeks. The show turned out splendidly. I learned a lot. It's always wonderful to share something personal, and get feedback. Check out this article on the show. (They misquoted my poem, but. At least I made it into the article!)

3.) The Children's Hour! We opened last night, and we run through Saturday. Fb event. Plus, we got some great coverage in GPhilly. Check it! The show came together beautifully. Very heavy, very intense. Not one for the kids.

4.) My incredibly talented friend Missy, who is applying to film internships right now (to edit professionally), posted a bunch of gorgeous lil movies online. (Some of which I'm in.) But watch mostly for the editing. Because she's uber talented. One's a video poem, the other is about MilkMilkLemonade, a show in which I acted this fall. (see below)

5.) My sister Sarah made a lil movie for her Video I class. I am a fool. Enjoy (below). Pay attention to the music. SHE WROTE IT.

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