If you’ve been on the other side of the table in an audition room, you know what it is like to see actors use the same monologues over and over and over, and dare I say over again … therefore I encourage any actor to search for new material, and not be afraid of using unpublished work. Not only will you grab our attention, but you will help showcase an unknown playwright. It’s much better to have a casting director say “Where is that from? What a great piece!?”, than “Thanks for your time . . . we’ll let you know“.
Now on its third season, Tulis McCall hosts Monologues and Madness, where actors and playwrights get to try out new material; “an evening of original monologues. No slamming, no judges, just great material, excellent actors, and you.” Performers (or should I say readers, since these monologues are not memorized) include Tricia Alexandra, Raphael Badagliacca, Leah Bachar, Kate Daly, Margret Echeverria, Kyla Garcia, Holli Harms, Taffy Jaffe, Ana Maria Jomolca, Carl Kissin, Tulis McCall, Robert Meksin, Francesca Rizzo, Lulu Roche, Flash Rosenberg and Michael Zettler.
The event will take place Monday, November 2nd at 6 pm at The Cornelia St. Cafe, a historical landmark which used to be The Caffe Cino – birthplace of indie theatre and Off-Off Broadway (The air in the Cafe is dense with creative spores).
There is a $7 cover that includes a glass of house wine, and I’ve hear the food is pretty great.
The Cornelia St Cafe is located at 29 Cornelia Street, between Bleecker and W. 4th (West Village), 212-989-9319.
By the way, did you know there is a Caffe Cino Award? it is given out by The New York Innovative Theatre Awards, what I like to call The Tonys of Off-Off.
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Raphael Badagliacca? Who is this? There was a man by that name that lived in my building with my parents when I was growing up…lol
That sounds like a wonderful event. I wish I could have seen it. I’m curious as to whom this actor is.
What are the chances of there being TWO people in this world named Raphael Badagliacca?
Ha! I emailed him…found him online a long time ago because I used to babysit their child and got sentimental…and we corresponded but lost touch…so I found the old email again and asked him if that was him – and it was! He has written two books and was reading an excerpt.
You’re right, Karen – what are the chances? Very interesting name…lol
This is Raphael Badagliacca and yes that is me, and one of my books, Father’s Day: Encounters with Everyday Life has several stories that take place in the same NYC building where Dianna lived and babysat our kids. Here’s the website for that book: http://www.fathersdaybook.com. I was privileged to hear my reading of the first story in the book on NPR this past June — a great honor.
Tulis McCall’s Monologues and Madness is a great monthly event in a great venue — The Cornelia Street Cafe in NYC. It has been an eye-opener for me. It’s shown me the differences between writing for story and writing for performance. I highly recommend it.
By the way, in the town in Sicily from which my ancestors come – Polizzi-Generosa – there a surprising number of people with my exact name.
Hello Mr. Badagliacca! I stand corrected! And shame on me … as someone who recently found out there are a few “Karen Tortora”s in this world . . .and who has a sister-in-law with both my first AND middle name. Although I have yet to find another Karen Tortora-Lee. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time!
I’m so glad our website was able to reunite two old friends. And congratulations on your story being read on NPR – what a great feeling.
Thanks for the comment!