I’ve avoided writing this, but I feel like I owe it to you. I don’t like to remember death dates. I find them kind of morbid. Plus, dates are numbers and I went to theatre school so … But for better or worse I don’t think I can forget the day I received a text asking if I’d heard from you, and my frantic, unanswered texts and phone calls to first you and then to Gio, confirming the horrible news… One year, and it still doesn’t feel real. How can a guy so healthy (no drinking, no drugs), and fit (you were still stunting circles around dudes in their 20s), and ALIVE with dreams and plans and passions, go to sleep and just not wake up?
There remains this Dennis-shaped hole in my life. Our long phone calls while we both were driving. Your almost avant-garde sense of creativity. Your infallible moral compass. Your belief in me, in a way I didn’t believe in myself. Your absolute patience in teaching beginners and those less skilled than you. Our talks beneath the tree at 2K. You trying to hold your sinuses open because your nose never worked. Your flippy phone case. How you would always thank me for being a good boss. Being a good friend. Your intense, x-ray stare. How you would get so close to the computer screen during zooms (way too close), because you hated them and just wanted to talk in person. The way I chose pink on that first day at 2K, because you already had purple. The way everyone called you Den. The way I called you Den-Den, and Ruel Man. The way you could be so personal with people and yet so private. How you had a different laugh for every emotion. The way you said “good hit!” after I hit a line drive right into your stomach. The way you meant it. The way movies were like a religion to you.
(Cont in comments)
Happy opening to the cast and crew of “All My Sons” @berkeleyrep !! This show was a trip to choreograph.
From working with the legendary Jimmy Smits & Wanda De Jesus
To honing my craft just by being in the room with @its_daveed
And having the work be so supported by the best damn fight captain in the biz @cassidyjamahl …
This is one I won’t forget. Thanks yall for letting me be a part of this team 💪🏼🇵🇷🇺🇸
📅 Feb 25th - Mar 29th
🎬 Director: @its_daveed
📣 Asst. Dir: @katiegenzer
👊🏼 Fights & Intimacy: meeee
🎭 Stage Manager: @stagewoozlesm
📝 ASM: Anthony Lopez
💻 PA: @oliviaspreen
📸 Photos: Kevin Berne
Late as always, but happy closing to Mother of Exiles @berkeleyrep ! It’s always thrilling and terrifying to work on a world premiere. But any chance I get to work with @kina_kantor is a win for me 💪🏼
Fights & Intimacy by meee
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#theatre #bayarea #stagecombat
It’s ALSO the last weekend to see “Timon of Athens”, part of the A.C.T. Out Tour! This program holds a special place in my heart, since it features so many local and talented artists 💗 It’s incredible being privy to the performance reports as they go from school to school, reading about all the engagement from the kids with the choreographed violence 💪🏼
Don’t miss out!!
📆 Nov 21 - 22
📍@actsanfrancisco Strand Theatre
📣 @peterjkuo & @chauchiu
👗@jessieamogroso
📸 @tasialabastro
👊🏼 @dlodea
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#theater #theatre #stagecombat #violence #choreographedviolence #choreograph #choreographer #choreography #live #livetheatre #fight #fights #fightchoreographer #fightdirector #director #safd #societyofamericanfightdirectors
#sanfrancisco #bayarea
Last chance to see Henry IV: Pt 1 this weekend, with 👊🏼 by meeee!
This is my second time collaborating with @bardtheatre and both times I have been blown away by the creativity, audacity, professionalism, & storytelling of this company 💖
📆 11/21 & 11/22 (closing!)
📍 @eclecticboxsf
🎬 @sunshinethia & Ian Thompson
🎭 @ftdomingos@jazzed.up.ed
📸 @kayleighshawnphoto
👊🏼 @dlodea
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#theater #theatre #stagecombat #violence #choreographedviolence #choreograph #choreographer #choreography #live #livetheatre #fight #fights #fightchoreographer #fightdirector #director #safd #societyofamericanfightdirectors
#sanfrancisco #bayarea
Honestly so spoiled after working on this production. The amount of talent is unfair.
Elizabeth is as brilliant and articulate as she is luminous ✨ She’s #killinthegame
I’m pretty certain Taylor could do her job AND mine without breaking a sweat 💅🏼
Kina, Michael, and Cindy gamely tackled my strenuous and technical fight choreo with seasoned mastery.
Christina showed not a wink of stress while being lifted in a chair while playing 🎻 . My brawny lads Michael, Joel, Adam, & Vinny (yay A.C.T. MFA) kept her and each other safe 💪🏼 Adin entrusted me to help execute his stunt choreo vision.
@centerrep has provided incredible support and facilities… I’ll miss working on this show, and collaborating with this incredible group of artists. Happy opening Indecent!! 🎭
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#happyopening #openingnight #theater #theatre #stagecombat #violence #choreographedviolence #choreograph #choreographer #choreography #live #livetheatre #fight #fights #fightchoreographer #fightdirector #director #safd #societyofamericanfightdirectors
#sanfrancisco #bayarea
Happy opening “COME BACK TO THE 5 & DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN: A NEW MUSICAL” 🎶 at TheatreWorks!! Twas my pleasure to be a smol part of this world premiere 🤩
Still convinced @karenszpaller hired me due to my authentic redneck roots 🤣
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#theater #theatre #stagecombat #violence #choreographedviolence #choreograph #choreographer #choreography #live #livetheatre #fight #fights #fightchoreographer #fightdirector #director #safd #societyofamericanfightdirectors
#sanfrancisco #bayarea
I’m still not ready to say goodbye.
“Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.”
- Maya Angelou
Rest in absolute peace and power, my dearest friend Den-Den. You will be well and truly missed.
The reviews are in! 📰 THRILLED to have been a part of this production, and seeing it get the 💐 it deserves! 😍 #fightdirector
Uncle Vanya at Berkeley Repertory Theatre
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#theater #theatre #stagecombat #violence #choreographedviolence #choreograph #choreographer #choreography #live #livetheatre #fight #fights #fightchoreographer #fightdirector #director #safd #societyofamericanfightdirectors
I can’t believe Saturday was my last rehearsal for Macbeth ⚔️ at @priorytheater ! This is the second show I’ve done at Woodside, and every time I’m there I’m blown away by the work ethic, creativity, collaboration, professionalism, and heart of these kids. I could be having the worst day, and five minutes into rehearsal I’ve forgotten all about it.
I will miss this show and these incredible young artists!
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#theater #theatre #stagecombat #violence #choreographedviolence #choreograph #choreographer #choreography #live #livetheatre #fight #fights #fightchoreographer #fightdirector #director #safd #societyofamericanfightdirectors
