Two little gals traveled all the way from the Big Apple to uncharted territory- Brooklyn. Why you ask? EX LOCUM founder, Ana Krutchinsky, and I were venturing to an art gallery hosted by NYC-based student run production company, Rascal Arts. Rascal Arts is overflowing with talent, from actors to designers to producers to visual artists; they are forging a path for young artists to fearlessly break the rules and create on their own terms.

The gallery was held at The Shoestring Press and featured a medley of original art/poetry by company members and submissions from outside artists. The work was utterly powerful and thought provoking as it touched on subjects such as police brutality, terrorism, and well, human nature in general. The work oozed with a common thread, one that we often try to shield ourselves from in order to keep from getting hurt-love. The theme of love was undeniable. It heavily influenced the essence of the entire event. Everyone was truly thrilled to be there. They were there for the love of art and poetry, the love of the jazz music playing in the background, the love for their friends who had orchestrated such a wonderful event, and of course the love of free food!

I was lucky enough to snag Rascal Arts member, Paige Simunovich, for a hot second to ask her a few questions about the mission of the gallery and Rascal Art’s itself. She highlighted an idea that many people often forget as we try to figure out how we want to spend the rest of our lives at the lovely age of 18. She said, “ There are buckets of talented artists who go unrecognized because it’s not their main thing, but you can be a visual artist who also does theater or fashion or science. You aren’t limited to just one path.” She also emphasized the idea that the beauty of art is that it’s tangible. Anyone can learn, it just takes exorbitant amounts of hard work, and falling on your face a few times, until you reach that magical moment when everything clicks.

Rascal Arts is undoubtedly on the rise so watch out for their future events and don’t be afraid to create, even if it isn’t your “main thing.”

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287 Spring Street. What happened at this address a few weeks ago wholeheartedly encompassed the mission of EX LOCUM. This is where music collective “Rhetorical Intentions,” comprised of some familiar faces like Imperial Chambers, XG, Jet Commander, Mara Uriah, and other additions such as Chvse and Squid, hosted an electrifying show. The group energetically performed their original music as the crowd wildly cheered and bounced along. The atmosphere honestly
cannot be described by a word other than “Lit.”

The walls were covered in innovative artwork by our very own resident poet, Emile Ravenet, and every detail of the performance was caught on camera by Bernard Scudder. These various art forms dramatically collided to create an
exhilarating experience.

Each audience member joined together in support of these young artists who left everything they had on that stage. It was utterly raw and real. Majority of the crowd had not known one another prior to that night, but I am 100 percent sure not a single person felt “out of place.” 287 Spring Street is just an address, but these artists instilled it with life and vivacity. Be sure to give them a listen, and look out for their future shows because it truly was a night to remember.

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I’m sipping away at my morning coffee forcing myself to stay awake after a long night of monotonously staring at my computer screen as I scrambled to finish my college apps. I’m at my favorite coffee shop – Frisson Espresso. It’s one of those places that does latte art, but isn’t pretentious about it. Unlike majority of bitter Starbucks barista’s they make you smile from ear to ear in the morn’. My friends and I often equate it to “Central Perk.” As I’m sitting there, I overhear the barista talking about how he is on the hunt for a new resident artist. The work displayed at Frisson is always quite darling, but suddenly it all clicks. Ana Krutchinsky, Exlocum founder and one of my dearest friends, would be more than perfect for the position. She had just finished a series of paintings portraying the Seven Deadly Sins. I texted her at the speed of light. Long story short: you can now catch two of her glorious paintings hanging front and center at Frisson! She’s already received multiple offers from potential buyers so hurry fast! Drop everything! Literally run! This is not a drill!

Moral of the story is that connections are important. Things happen when you least expect them so be kind to all, even the folks who make your morning coffee.

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According to Merriam-Webster the definition of déjà vu “is a tedious familiarity.” A
few days ago I experienced this sensation of familiarity, however it was anything but
tedious. A few summers ago some recognizable Exlocum artists Tia McDonald, Brielle Webb, Logan Riley Bruner, Jason Wilks, Ana Krutchinsky, and myself had the opportunity to study Shakespeare abroad in England with the British American Drama Academy (BADA). The experience was quite the special one. If we’re keeping up with the whole French theme it had a certain “je ne sais quoi.” We came back with new perspectives on Shakespeare, life abroad, and the entirety of theater itself.

At BADA we had the pleasure of working with Ian Wooldridge. Ian is a tremendously experienced teacher, not to mention has no trouble drawing his students in with a classic British accent. Well… last week Ana, Jason, Brielle, and I had to do a double take. We participated in a carbon copy of the monologue workshop we had done with Ian overseas just a few summers earlier in our very own acting class at the one, the only, Professional Performing Arts School. We arrived nervous, giddy, and swagged out in our Oxford University sweatshirts. We each presented our monologues along with our fellow PPAS classmates. Ian was reiterating facts and ideas that he had taught when we were in England. However, the experience could not have been more different. As artists we tend to obsess over whether or not we are growing, getting better, or “learning talent.” The workshop with Ian helped me to realize that growth happens naturally over time. A watched pot never boils. The Jason Wilks that got up to deliver a bone-chilling Angelo from Measure for Measure is not the same Jason that played the Friar from Romeo and Juliet in that stuffy BADA rehearsal room just a short while ago. Artistic development happens naturally as we evolve as people. So next time you feel like you’re trapped in the same patterns and habits; whether it be a monologue, song, painting series, etc. Remember that change doesn’t happen over night. It takes time and sometimes a little déjà vu.

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Power, lust, and oh so much blood. Intrigued? Well, get ready because Oscar Connelly is directing an entirely student run production of Shakespeare’s most iconic play, Macbeth. The cast is an extremely diverse group of students representing multiple grades and majors at The Professional Performing Arts School. We kicked off rehearsals a few days ago with a read through of the play. The energy in the room was indescribable. Everyone was overflowing with ideas of how to make this production one for the books. Someone once told me, “A director is the person who loves the play more then anyone else in the room.” This statement could not be more true of Oscar. It is extraordinarily evident that his mind is constantly focused on the world of Macbeth. With a director that has such a strong passion for the play, it is impossible for the cast not to feel the same. Today I had my first rehearsal as the Witch. Full transparency, I was nervous. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to live up to the outstanding ideas Oscar has for the character. However all my worries quickly faded away when we began. It’s a wonderfully safe environment that gives you the freedom to be brave and make bold choices. Look out for more posts about the rehearsal process, kickstarter, and performance dates! I am brimming with excitement to continue working with such an incredible group of people tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow…

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