Portrait of an Artist: Actor Alex Mills in Black and White

Washington, DC-based actor Alex Mills is also a dancer who specializes in physical theatre. He combines intellect and grace with athleticism to make the complex movements involved in physical theatre relatable and human. 

Top 5: Five Things You Don't Know About Actor Meredith Richard

Actors spend so much time learning the interior lives of the characters they play that it's only natural that we're all a little curious about the actors playing these parts. So here are The Top 5 Things about Washington, DC-based actor Meredith Richard that you didn't know, and if you'd like to see her onstage, check out the NextStop Theatre Company production of "The Secret Garden" in Spring 2015!

Meredith's Top 5 Things:

1. I got my B.A. at LAMDA in London and I lived there for four years.
2. BBQ ribs are my favorite food - both to cook and to eat!
3. My favorite color is green.
4. I enjoy writing poems, especially comedic/story type poems, but I rarely read them aloud.
5. My favorite animals are house cats and bats.

And to see my Top 5 portraits of Meredith, click here to visit my Shannon Finney Photography Facebook page!

"Honeymoon in Vegas: The Musical" and a Couple of Stage Door Johnnys!

In a play, it's all about the timing, and what great timing I had catching Tony Danza, Brynn O'Malley, and Rob McClure in the musical, "Honeymoon in Vegas" before the blizzard of 2015 that's currently shutting down New York City. The play was so much fun, and the post-show tradition of fans waiting by the stage door was even better. Not even the cold rain could dampen our spirits! Here are a few photos:

Actress Brynn O'Malley from "Honeymoon in Vegas:The Musical"

Actress Brynn O'Malley signing autographs after "Honeymoon in Vegas: The Musical"

Actor Rob McClure greeting fans after "Honeymoon in Vegas: The Musical"

The crowd cheers as actor Tony Danza greets them

Actor Tony Danza signs playbills after the Saturday matinee for "Honeymoon in Vegas: The Musical"

theatreWashington's Summer Hummer Raises Money with a Bump and Grind!

Summer Hummer 3: How the Washington, DC Theatre Scene Takes Care of Its Own

Life often brings unexpected circumstances, and for theatre professionals, who often work without the benefit of health insurance, those circumstances can jeopardize their physical and financial health. Enter: theatreWashington and their Taking Care of Our Own (TCOOO) initiative, a fund financed by the generous donations of theatre patrons and the theatre community at large. Donations to TCOOO are made throughout the year, but the signature event that raises the most donations to the fund in a single evening is The Summer Hummer, a DC version of Broadway Bares, with local DC theatre scenesters bumping and grinding for a great cause. This year's Summer Hummer, held at Signature Theatre, was the bawdiest ever with crazy costumes, great singing, and cheesecake and beefcake to spare. Here is the PG-13 highlights reel!

Patrick J. Hurston and Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer at Summer Hummer

theatreWashington President and CEO Linda Levy with Helen Hayes Award winning actor, Matthew DeLorenzo at Summer Hummer

Members of the cast of Studio Theatre's "Rocky Horror" pose with orange-boaed conductor/songwriter Christopher Youstra

Victor Shargai is all smiles at Summer Hummer 3

Joshua Morgan of No Rules Theatre Company and Luigi Filiputti

Those gams belong to none other than actor Ryan Patrick Welsh

Actors Bobby Smith and Erin Gardiner join conductor/composer Christopher Youstra in a squeeze and a giggle at Summer Hummer

Actor Michael Litchfield crowdsurfs for donations at the Summer Hummer

Portrait of An Artist: Actor Frank Britton, Strength in Black and White

When actor Frank Britton was brutally attacked and robbed Memorial Day, the #DCtheatre community came together in a wave of financial and emotional support. Frank continues to prove, through his miraculous recovery, that love will always win.

Portrait of an Artist: Molly Smith

Photo by Shannon Finney, October 2012, Washington, DC

When Molly Smith was named artistic director of Arena Stage in Washington, DC, people wondered how a risk-taking champion of new plays, and old plays in new ways, would do in this buttoned-down town. Now, the question is what would this buttoned-down town have done without her. And while there have been countless articles written about her, seeking to describe and dissect her approach to theatre, the photograph above shows the simple of truth behind her dedication to this art form, and that is love - a pure love of theatre's ability to communicate directly to an audience. I took this photo as Ms. Smith was being serenaded by Nicholas Rodriguez, star of Arena Stage's current production of "My Fair Lady", singing "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face."

A Love Letter in Photos to Jaylee Mead

 

This week, all of Washington, DC and the theatre world beyond the Beltway celebrated the life of Jaylee Mead. Her passing this week brought forth tributes from several generations of actors, actresses, directors, and writers. We have all been touched, in some way, by Mrs. Mead's passion for performance and her generosity. I first met Mrs. Mead, along with her late husband, Gilbert, at a charity event about fifteen years ago. I was working at a radio station and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, and there were the Meads, talking excitedly with the young artists we were there to fete. Over the years, I would see the Meads, and later, just Mrs. Mead, at other arts and charity events, always excitedly talking to the performers and encouraging them to live out their creative dreams. When I made the decision to pursue photography full time, there was Mrs. Mead, talking excitedly to me. I spent one of the best afternoons at Mrs. Mead's home. With the sparkling Potomac River glistening just beyond her balcony, Mrs. Mead shared with me a bit of her story, including old scrapbooks and photos. She taught me that generosity isn't just about writing a big check - no, it's simpler than that. It's about giving your whole heart enthusiastically and unreservedly. She will be missed.

 

 

 

 

The Ingenue

Eliza, photographed in Arlington, VA, January 2012, by Shannon Finney for Shannon Finney Photography

The quote, "may you live in interesting times" has been used as
both a blessing and a curse, and that's never been more true than
now. With an economy lurching towards a recovery, these are times
of opportunity for some and crushing poverty for many. It's often
during times of such uncertainty that we meet the dreamers - those
passionate people who decide to take a chance and forge a new
path. When I photographed Eliza, she was on the verge of making
the decision of a lifetime - moving out to Hollywood to take
her chance. In her face is all of the hope and wonder that we
can all use.

The Stars Come Out: theatreWashington's 2011 Star Gala and Benefit Auction

theatreWashington celebrated it's official launch this week with a gala and auction benefiting their ongoing efforts for the Washington, DC theatre community. Jaylee Mead, benefactor extraordinaire of Washington theatre, was presented with the "Helen's Star" Award and Eleasha Gamble, actress and star of Arena Stage's production of "Oklahoma!", gave Star Gala guests a marvelous musical send-off.

Molly Smith of Arena Stage and Linda Levy Grossman

Ari Roth of Theatre J

Helen's Star award recipient Jaylee Mead along with Victor Shargai

Jaycee Haywood with Victor Shargai

The Picnic Theatre Company

Michael Bobbitt of Adventure Theatre with Dorothy McSweeney

Eric Schaeffer of Signature Theatre

Felicia Curry and Eleasha Gamble

Victor Shargai