Theaterworks = Fireworks

The week just melted away with a couple of castings and looking ahead to next weeks opportunities. One of the castings this week was for a tour for a Theaterworks upcoming civil rights inspired play

I am pretty thrilled that Theaterworks are engaging in educating the public about the struggle for civil rights through this tour, as its an aspect of American history which is current as ever thought often presented as a long resolved part of the past.

So I was pretty perplexed to read about how TheaterWorks of Hartford’s current production of Stephen Guirgis' "The Motherf**ker with the Hat," goes against the spirit of the movement that they are promoting with the civil right play, by casting two white actors in their early 20's in parts specifically written for Latino actors in their late 30's.

Here is a note from the playwright:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/stephen-adly-guirgis/my-statement-regarding-casting-situation-at-theaterworks-in-hartford/10150581263093572

Headshot

I recently did a photo shoot with photographer Lelund Thompson.
I will upload the selection as they come in.

Here is my new legit shot. Underneath is the commercial shot that my agent likes.
Let me know what you think . . .

October shoot

The blog has been a bit quiet cause I have been running in the streets. Not quite OWS, just hustling.
I shot a commercial with Blue Shield California as well as several callbacks for various commercials and feature films. It's a numbers game, so the more callbacks the better the chances.

I just shot some new headshots with Lelund Thompson. I will post them next week after the final selection. Over 600 pics, so I have some work to do. They look great , so stay tuned . . .

Seed

Last week I went and saw SEED.
A new play by Radha Blank, and directed by Niegel Smith.

Seeing this play reminded me why theater has real value, and if we let it, can engage people in dialogue about important contemporary issues. The playwright just won the Helen Merrill Award and it has really great performances from the whole cast.


The run just ended at the National Black Theatre, but check for this playwright cause she is fire!
http://www.seedtheplay.com/

August Fire

Karim and I in mid War Dance (NY Times)

Its August and the Summer is burning up!
I have just started previews for Henry V. The NY Times was gracious enough to write a great article about Classical Theatre of Harlem, and the new production. They will undoubtedly come back to review us once the play officially opens August 10th. Here is the article by Felicia Lee:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/04/theater/classical-theater-of-harlem-to-reopen-with-henry-v.html?ref=arts

Meanwhile the web Series Chysalis is premiering the 3rd episode tomorrow.
Here are two links to Episode 1+2.

Episode 1:

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

Episode 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIj35kdkgtg

Get more info about the series and sign up for new episodes:  
https://www.facebook.com/ChrysalisSeries

Also, Gun Hill Road just premiered this weekend. Please support an independent minority film.

http://www.gunhillroad.com

Henry V

Just got cast as Westmoreland/chorous/++ in Classical Theater of Harlem's production of Henry V, directed by Jenny Bennett. Rehearsals starts this week and previews starts August 2nd. The play officially opens August 10th and runs til September 4th.

This is going to be pretty epic with 15 actors in a very collaboratory ensemble style production. Buy tickets and read up on CTH at http://www.classicaltheatreofharlem.org/

Viva Black Films!!

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the premier of Viva Riva by African director Djo Munga. The film is a take on the gangster genre, set in Kinshasa, Congo. Even though the story is stylistic and the plot conventional, its amazing how fresh it comes across by the very fact that its set in an authentic black setting. However, it's not because the film is produced, directed and acted by Africans that you should go see this movie. It's because the experience is like no other you have ever seen. The blend of local an imported talent really works and makes you wonder, like Fernando Meirelles' "City of God," where have this sophisticated black perspective been all this time? And where can I get some more? Well, for now, go to Angelica Film Center . . . You got until Saturday.


Now go support!

P.U.M.P.S. Trailer

Trailer for my latest project. A 48 Hour film challenge directed by Linette Lucas.

The ABC's of this week

Been a couple of busy weeks. I had a great audition with Apple Core Theater's new production of By The Dawn's Early Light, a part of two one-acts by Mel Nieves. The auditon went great and I have a call back for tomorrow. Mel, Walter Hoffman and the rest of the Core folk were very, very nice.


Wednesday I had a meeting with Marci Phillips the head casting director at ABC. She was nice and gave me the space to stumble through my material. It was great finally meeting her at the ABC office. Last time I was there was and audition for the TV version of Lorraine Hansberry's Raisin in the Sun where I had a callback for the role of Joseph Asagai.

Next week I'm participation in a workshop at CBS with Fern Orenstein, CBS Casting Vice President.

I also had a couple of auditions for some shorts this week which are all scheduled to shoot over the summer, so stay tuned for more developments.

National Test

National Test reading with Scandinavian American Theater Company at The Scandinavian House on Monday May 23rd.
 
By Norwegian playwright MARIA TRYTI VENNERØD. Directed by Joan Kane.

With Vigdis Hentze Olsen, Joey Mintz, Nick Brown, Karl Glusman, Flannery Spring-Robinson, Alexandra Gjerpen, Line Oestergaard Jeppesen, Kwasi Osei, Kristina Korsholm, Drew Valins, Pangia Macri, Erik A. Schjerven

2nd Callback

I was called back for a final audition by Jenny Bennett, the director for the Classical Theatre of Harlem's production of Henry V. This week in general is going to be interesting because I'm meeting with a couple of legit agents on Wednesday as well as the Henry V callback.

I also participated in a 48 hour film challenge directed by Linette Lucas. We basically had a day to shoot yesterday and they are finishing up the editing as I'm writing this.

May crazy

Its crazy how time is flying these days. But I wanted to send out a quick update for ya'll here on mothers day.

I completed the shoot for "ONE DAY AT A TIME." It was a fun shoot with director Jasmine Mclaurin. I have a feeling that I will be working with her again, because it was a great experience.

I also booked and completed a shoot for ESPN's ESPYS. We shot upstate at Newburgh Boxing Club. And got to work with the up and coming professional boxer Tre'Sean Wiggins. The segment will air at the ESPYS in July 2011.

Third but not the least I had an audition for Classical Theatre of Harlem's new production of Henry V.
I just got the word that I'm invited to a callback tomorrow!

I will upload some new work within the next couple of weeks so check for updates.

New work

Just got cast in the short "ONE DAY AT A TIME."
Shooting in the end of April early May.

Tu & Eu

New screening this Sunday of the short Tu&Eu directed by Eddie Shieh.
http://www.beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com/gallery2011_sel_sort2.php?recordID=04-10

I have a clip of the movie on my reel for you to check out.


The short has eight established festivals thus far. The standout is Academy accredited, Short Shorts + Asia, of Tokyo Japan in June.

Callback

Othello is back again!

Callback is later this week, so wish me luck guys.

Web Site

My website just went live today!!
www.kwasiosei.com

Please check it out!

On TV

Its pilot season right now and a lot of new shows a filming around town. Some of these shows will be produced but most will fail to get picked up. The truth is its damn hard to do anything semi fresh on tv unless its HBO. Dont belive me just turn on the tv for 5 min. So here is a short list of some of the shows I checked out this week or are starting back up this month that I think are on point.

I'm probably gonna expand on this list as new shows get going in the spring. The list is of current shows going so no Mad Men or True Blood (two of my favorite shows).

Its not a secrete that I have been doing some work on The Good Wife, so I'm prob a bit biased when I include the show on my favorite list, but the thing is the concept/writing works and Jules, Josh, Christine and Archie are great to work with.

Lights Out, is a sleeper show that I personally think is the first successful and coherent show about boxing. It has breakout roles by Holt McCallany, Pablo Schreiber and the always terrific Eamonn Walker.

This week I caught a couple of episodes of last years Spartacus. A blend between Rome, The Gladiator and True Blood. In other words overtly bloody and a lot of sex. Great fun! The new season just started on Starr.

Nurse Jackie is back later this month. I for one am looking forward to seeing Edie Falco working her magic.

And not to miss the opportunity to plug a black production, Idris Elba is executive producing a new tv series called Milk and Honey. So fare its just a trailer, but I gotta support.


milk + honey series trailer from brown paper dolls on Vimeo.

Norwegian Short Film Festival

Just came across this article from Z Filmtidsskrift about the screening of "Two Good Minutes" at the Norwegean Short Film Festival 2010. The short was directed by Lise Ellingsen.
http://znett.com/2010/08/norsk-kort-2010/

Screen shot from "Two Good Minutes"

Black Thor?

Great article about casting in Hollywood.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/black-thor-actor-blasts-debate-164048

Othello

So this I guess is my first post. This blog was created to keep you all informed about new projects, auditions and events coming up.

Whats new today . . . What felt like a trillion rehearsals for Othello. A play I keep working on on and off stage.

I also had a great audition for North Carolina Shakespeare Festival. Their upcoming 13th Season includes: Othello and Measure for Measure. Yes, today was all about Othello ya'll.