My recent book reading & stage play event in Hollywood was beyond my hopes. Up to the week before only two actors were secure and my Scottish speaking actors could not be found. I wailed, Is there no Scot actors in all of Hollywood-dom? Frantically I placed a Craigs List ad and the Craig gods answered - two choice Scottish actors manifested with 24 hours! Two more actors were found too for other roles and voila! The Skye in June Acts Out was ready for stage.
I am so blessed with the very talented actors (read below) who signed up, not for pay (as there was none) but because they loved the story/script.
Magen J. Callaghan, Producer of The Skye in June Acts Out - this is who brought Skye n' me to LA. Magen began her theatrical studies in London, England. Upon returning to San Francisco she was able to work with Robert Taylor Tayman of the Royal Academy of Shakespeare. After receiving her degree in Cinema Studies from San Francisco State University Magen began working on the other side of the camera as Script Supervisor to independent films in Los Angeles. She is currently writing a comic book called “The Misanthropic Misadventures of Bony Levi”." For more professional information about Magen please see www.imdb.com/name/nm1935511/. Contact Magen at scriptylass@yahoo.com
Pamela Newlands captured the soul essence of Cathy MacDonald, the mother in the story.
Pamela innately knew when to show the character's repression and fear of Jimmy, her husband, and when to surge forward, fighting back at the injustice of his cruel unfairness. Pamela is Cathy.
Born and raised in the Scottish town of East Kilbride Pamela now resides in Los Angeles. In addition to her acting career, Pamela is also a singer/songwriter whose vocals and music have been featured in radio, commercials, film and television in both Europe and the USA. A classically trained vocalist, she has studied voice with coaches from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, La Scala in Italy and voice builder Gary Catona. She has shared the bill with a diverse range of musical acts in various genres including Travis, Natalie Imbruglia and the Pointer Sisters. Recently she voiced the main character in the children's animated series 'Tiny Oaks' and recorded vocals for five songs on the accompanying album composed by two time Academy Award winning composer Richard Sherman (Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Winnie the Pooh, It's a Small World). Pamela has also scored and composed music for films. Read more and contact Pamela through her website: http://www.pamelanewlands.com
Heidi Schooler was quite challenged when she took on the role of June MacDonald which had this talented actress age from five to eight years old and then to fourteen within an hour. I was concerned if Heidi could pull it off.
WOW! Completely believable.
Her facial expressions and body language evolved with each scene - a giggle, a switch of a headband, a ponytail and then to the teen, sullen and angry. The audience laughed, cried and felt her rage as teen June (Heidi) confronts Cathy.
Heidi has been very busy with diverse work in film, TV, theatre, & voiceover. She has appeared on such programs as CSI: NY episode, A Mock Time: A Star Trek Wedding as well as various films and also independent films: Protestskaya, and Girrl directed by Gabriel Bologna, soon-to-be released Only In Paris, 8 O'Clock, Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula & Oliver Stone's The Doors. Heidi was chosen for LA Weekly's "star turn" for her performance as Mary Magdalene in He Was Here. Her voiceovers include work for Walmart's TV & Radio campaigns as their spokeswoman & of Lois Lane for Warner Bros.'s past re-release of Superman 2. Schooler is in development writing her own comedic one-woman show, Got Nerve. Heidi’s contact: The Williams Talent Agency (Larry Williams) 323-871-2416 or Michael Abrams, mgr. 323-656-9503.
Alistair Mackie
is a soft-spoken genial man until he became Jimmy MacDonald on stage.Dour faced and grumpy voiced he greeted his wife, Cathy (Pamela) in the hospital and then on to menacingly threaten her as she tried in vain to protect June from him.
Alistair hails from a small fishing village near Edinburgh, Scotland. Although he’s been in the United States for about eleven years his warm Scottish burr is still strongly pleasant. A trained Shakespearian stage actor Alistair is also now he’s enjoying doing voiceovers. Contact him SCOTSVOICEOVER@aol.com
The misty fog fell on the girls' faces.
Mother Superior watches over actors.
Laura Hale also had two juicy roles to play and did so with excellence.
Shrouded by a shawl she bent low for the aged gypsy, bracelets tinkling, predicting the fate of Cathy and June. Between scenes she snuck off stage to appear in time as the mean-spirited Sister St. Pius, standing ramrod straight and ready to chastise and torment June.
Laura is a child development specialist for 25 years and is a dynamic and sought after public speaker. In commercial radio she was an engaging substitute talk show host, ably interviewing and entertaining on political topics. Additionally she prepared and presented a Weekly Child Development segment for the morning show. "Imagination Station" has been her most theatrical acting to date as writer, host & actor of 26 episodes of children’s radio theater. Laura has had articles published and was technical editor for S. I. Focus magazine. Contact Laura at Laura Hale laurahaleot@gmail.com
Katie Garland quickly fell into character as one of the MacDonald sisters, Mary at 16 years. She was asked to "dress" for the 1964's scene and showed in bellbottoms, and paisley blouse, which was cool but it was the peace sign earrings that I said was the great touch for her sassy, tough Mary role hanging out in the Haight.
Katie moved to Los Angeles this past February after a year at Florida State University to pursue her life long dream of becoming a professional actress rather than wonder ‘what could have been.’ While looking for an agent Katie actively pursues her acting by auditioning as often as she can. Last time we talked Katie said that things are going really well for her now and she’s glad she made the move to Los Angeles. Katie can be contacted Talent6 - www.talent6.com
On stage From left to right: Laura, Alistair, Heidi, Katie & Gayvin
We thank all who have supported this event to a successful conclusion!
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