You would be amazed how many holiday cards we received this year addressed to my in-laws. And yet when I opened them, inside they said “Mic & Chloe”.
My mom chose her last name. It was her father’s mother’s maiden name. She felt a connection to her grandmother and wanted to carry on her name, so she legally changed hers.
And when I was born, it’s the last name I was given.
My mom and I were the only people in our family with that name, and now that she’s gone, I’m the only one left.
So there was very little doubt that I wasn’t giving it up when I got married.

So Mic and I talked. We wanted our kids (if we have any) to have the same last name as both of us — We heard stories of parents having trouble traveling with kids that had their spouses last name — but if I wasn’t giving up my last name, Mic shouldn’t have to give up his either.
So, when we took our marriage certificate to Service Ontario, we BOTH changed our names.
That’s right. Both of us. Please wipe that shocked look off your face Mr. Service Ontario Guy and pull out a second application form for my husband.

I get that it’s the norm for women to change their names, not the men, but there is history attached to both our names. And hell, I’m older so I’ve even had mine longer.
I LOVE getting cards in the mail. It’s one of the few non-virtual interactions left. And if people want to send cards to my husband’s family via our address I will happily pass them on.
But, if they’re for us, please address the envelope to The Whitehorn Gillam Family. We’re making our own history.

I’m inspired by all my friends. I get great ideas just being around them. But there’s something about this particular friend that makes me actually want to DO something with the ideas.

What’s with that? Why can’t I be on my own and write? Why do I need her presence as a kick in the ass to get me going? And what do I do when our lives are too busy to schedule a weekly get-together? Like now.

Maybe I need a virtual her. I’ll just take a big doll out to cafes and sit at tables with it and somehow it’ll make me actually do work instead of just thinking about it. Anyone know Voodoo?

I’m pretty blessed to have such incredible, sweet, gorgeous friends (who also have great taste in wedding attire) who love me enough to want to include me in one of the most memorable days of their lives. Anyone have any pressing wedding questions? I think I’m becoming an expert.

Find more here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amuse-photography

Anyways, fantastic news today. “Love, Virtually” was picked for BEST OF FRINGE!!

For those of you who don’t fringe, let me explain. A jury chooses these shows (rather than a lottery) and getting chosen is A FREAKING HUGE DEAL!

So, the cast and crew get to do the show 3 more times (in addition to the 2 performances they still have left at the Fringe–crap, I’m trying to see those two shows. I might have to actually line up really early to get a ticket.) at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Which is awesome!

This is only adding to the already fantastic buzz about the show. I’ve been getting Twitter messages from people who loved it (and think I’m brilliant), there have been a bunch of rave reviews (and one weird review that was middle of the line, very complimentary, and down right idiotic all at the same time. And he said HE was confused.), and tremendous audience response.

A round up of what I’ve been too busy to post:

The Metro (which the billion Toronto commuters pick up every morning) featured the show on page 4 of the paper on the opening day of the Fringe Festival.
“Do You Have Any Singles? Go Fish” by Phoebe Ho.

And then there were reviews:

The Torontoist listed Love, Virtually as one of their favorites of the Fringe and said lovely things about me like:

“Chloe Whitehorn uses the world of online dating as the backdrop for this story of love and dating, which delves much deeper than pithy critiques of how to compose the perfect profile. Bunmi Adeoye plays Laurel, an aspiring songwriter easing back into the dating world after a mysterious tragedy in a previous relationship. Aided by a duo of meddlesome friends (Krista Barzso and Eve Wylden), Laurel cycles through the usual clichés for the requisite laughs, while a series of well-integrated musical numbers are definite audience pleasers—but it’s the unfolding story of Laurel’s past, and her blossoming but complicated relationship with the earnest Matt (Alan Norman) that make the tale so engaging. Oh, and a surprisingly insightful theory on how online dating is like Schrödinger’s Cat.”

Wayne Leung from Mooney On Theatre said:

“Chloë Whitehorn’s script is choc full of pithy observations and topical humour about online dating. Some of the funniest moments come when actors line up on stage as real-life versions of dating site archetypes; the nerd, the outdoor enthusiast, the jock and the suave cultural sophisticate… While the show has the light, airy feel of a rom-com, it’s also surprisingly layered. I was pleasantly surprised at the level of depth and character development as well as the way the show explores deeper themes like coming to terms with loss in a really insightful way.

Jules Torti wrote a very in-depth review of the show on Alphabet Soup and said:

“Playwright Chloe Whitehorn successfully landed a good smack on the face of Facebook and poked sharp wit-licked arrows into the belly of social media…. While humour overrides the performance, there is profound sadness in the gentle scenes with Noah after the coffee shop closes that elicit big heart pangs for the love that was meant to be. Whitehorn carefully extracts the vulnerabilities of all the characters, and expertly showcases the fondue effect love has on us. “

Don’t worry, my heads not swelling. It’s actually all totally not sinking in. The only thing I really keep thinking is, I wish my mom was here for this. It’s funny how as adults we still crave recognition from our parents. Weirder still as an orphan. I’m glad she at least knew this was the path I was on, and she thought I was pretty good at it.

And she would have LOVED this play. There’s nothing fucked up about it.

So I can share it with you (and re-read it again and again whenever I feel sucky) I’ve pasted it below.

Oh, and come see the show! There are six more performances at the Tarragon Theatre. Tickets are $10 at the door an hour before showtime.
Jul 9 at 5:15 pm | Jul 11 at 8 pm | Jul 12 at 3 pm | Jul 14 at noon | Jul 15 at 8:45 pm | Jul 17 at 5:15 pm

The play’s the thing… (posted by dratusny)

Anyone who has ever seen any of Chloe Whitehorn’s work is likely thinking the same thing I am: “It’s only a short matter of time before this mega talented woman is working in L.A or on Broadway – or anything else that she decides on.” This extraordinarily brilliant gal is the reason this play is a must see!

For without an epic script, you have little to stand on. LOVE, VIRTUALLY is a production that hits a raw and compelling chord. You see, it tackles the expansive topic of social media as it is experienced through on-line dating – and what it means to be true to yourself – as you contemplate finding love.

And….like any of Ms. Whitehorn’s intelligent and ingenious scripts – you must pay close attention! There is serious depth to her writing, and like the often complex layers of a person’s life – LOVE, VIRTUALLY tells an important story – with humour, meaning and a surprise or two to keep you on the edge of your theatre seat.

The cast and crew were supurb. Bunmi Adeoye, Krista Barzso, Eve Wylden, Nick Stojanovic, Alan Norman, Joshua Wiles, Michael Donnelly – you are all so wonderfully talented! A delightful bonus was the masterfully written music by Cat Ratusny (performed together with musician Jamie Matsukubo) in conjunction with many of the actors, showcasing their multi-gifted abilities! Hats off to David Owen, Director; Lenore White (the Diva who sets stages and lighting while climbing ladders in heels!); Joe Pagnan, Set Designer; and Elizabeth Stuart-Morris, Stage Manager….you are the geniuses behind the scenes!

A ‘must see’ before it hits Mirvish and then Broadway….LOVE, VIRTUALLY is “literally” perfection!

So today I’ve been doing some research to find various typical dating profile photos and I came across this site that I think was worth sharing.

http://blog.okcupid.com/index.php/the-4-big-myths-of-profile-pictures/

Incidentally, we’d already planned to include the guy showing his abs shot as well as the myspace angle.

This is my favorite quote:

“The older the woman, the more relatively successful she is showing off her body.”

One down, three engaged couples (that I know of) to go.

Sitting on the other side of the casting process, there are things I was reminded of that I knew as an actor but now will be more vigilant about.

1) Don’t cancel your audition on the day. It is super annoying to have a perfect audition schedule shot full of holes you can’t fill with the actors on the waiting list because it’s too short notice. And there is always a waiting list of actors that would have LOVED to have had the opportunity to audition.

2) Don’t cancel an audition because you think you might not get the role anyways. I’ll say this, there were a few actors that the director and producer said “where’s so-and-so? oh, that’s a shame, she/he would have been perfect for this. I was looking forward to their audition”. You don’t know what the casting people are thinking and you don’t know who the competition is.

3) Look like your headshot. OMG! We know this but actors seem to forget. We saw quite a few people I wouldn’t recognize on the street with their headshots in my hand.

This works on many different levels. There were people we didn’t call in because they looked too young for the roles in their headshots. Now I’m wondering if we should have seen them, ’cause they considered casting someone who almost didn’t get an audition time because I thought she was too young. In their headshot they looked 10 years younger than in person. We almost missed out on seeing them because of that. I know it’s a flattering shot, but is it accurate? Sometime accurate is what they’re actually looking for.

On the other side, a number of times I wrote “much cuter in person than photo” because the photos were just so bad. Again, another cast member that we LOVE almost didn’t make the audition list because their photo was dreadful. Again very glad we saw them.

4) If you have a lot of theatre experience on your resume, we expect that you know how to audition for theatre. IE, reading the stage directions out loud to us in your read demonstrates your inexperience. On the flip side, if you have a lot of stage experience, put it on your resume. It’s reassuring to us.

5) If you can’t make it, call. I know I said don’t cancel on the day, but I might actually consider those canceling actors for an audition again (unless they cancel again, two chances is enough) but the two no-shows we had? Yeah, big giant NO for anything ever again. And yes, I will remember their names.

6) And lastly, and I know I’ve heard/read this tons of times before but it really is true: Relax, we really are on your side and rooting for you to be good. Cause then we can cast you.

Thanks again to everyone who came out for the auditions. There was a ton of talent and I had a great day.