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I actually started cutting my teeth as a booking agent 20 years ago. by booking my own band into nightclubs. It seemed straightforward at first, there was a contact name and number and process for submitting your band's music but then I found out each club had a huge stack of unopened music and it was difficult to get the manager on the phone. If the manager wasn't a friend or at least a friend of a friend who liked your band you may get the runaround for months or wind up being given an opening slot at 6:30 PM on a Tuesday night that you can't possibly get your fans to show up at, let alone make any money playing. After a few rounds of this time wasting futility, I learned that by booking other bands along with my own for a whole night of music or a festival, I could get a lot more respect from the club, and more control over the split of funds from the door and which band got the prime slot- mine.

 *(above) Kimberly Katz with Taylor Negron

Theatrical booking by comparison is about 100 times more selective, complex, political, and cliquish than club/musical booking.

For ease of explanation, I group theatrical bookings in three tiers, based on length of run, not size of venue. For example a Tier One booking is for one or two nights max including speaking engagements. It doesn't matter if the theater is 300 hundred seats or 3000. A Tier Two engagement is a week or longer up to two weeks max. A Tier Three is the most intensive booking logistically; it lasts for two weeks or longer and may include a run extension of several months in the same venue.

After 25 years in the New York and Chicago theater scene, I know exactly what each theater or venue is like to see a show in from top to bottom. I know what type of experience theater goers and my productions' members will have right down to the restrooms, bar area, parking options, and disabled access. I am aware of the general age and personality of the theaters' subscriber audience as a whole and I am aware of the success or failure of each of their past productions season to season.  The artistic directors and general managers who decide which productions to run, know me from reviewing their shows for Buzz and are friends from college or just respect my taste in theater and talent.

Booking a theater for a production is a lot like hosting an important party. I have to find the best room with the best vibe for that style and size party, with all the right amenities, ample parking and bar/restaurant foot traffic in the right neighborhood.  Then if there is competition for that venue, and those dates, I have to really sell my production to a number of company heads based on what I project will be it's success and get the best deal financially for my clients.

Of the three aspects, the vision, the budget and the schedule, the schedule is actually the most pivotal. The vision for a show changes and evolves. The budget or lack thereof, also changes over time and alters the execution of the vision but not necessarily in a bad way.  You may have a large budget and pump a lot of money into a play with big sets, lighting design, and costumes but it doesn't mean the show will be successful in proportion to the money you have spent. Bigger isn't always better, in fact, it may gild the lily to the point where the show is ruined.  For example, actor, writer, Jeff Garlin from Curb Your Enthusiasm did a successful two-week run at Steppenwolf this past summer with no set at all. Garlin performed his piece “No Sugar Tonight” with just an old ladder, some scaffolding strewn about and a plastic pumpkin with ladle full of water and a ukulele he said he would not play but was there for visual suspense. Garlin said he thought the ladder, etc. would indicate that this was a “work in progress” and that he did not even have a name for the show until the theater pressed him for one.

When I look at the calendar as a booking agent I see years flying by, not weeks or days because in a sense the best dates of the theatrical calendar year are already booked well before it begins.

Imagine the entire theater community on a big Monopoly board of the United States.  On the board there is a fixed number of major theaters in each of the major cities. Every agent or producer already knows which venues and which dates they need for their production’s tour schedule that year.

The in- house subscriber series are locked in a full year in advance.  Major Holidays like Christmas are always in the same place and have either a good effect on your particular show (A Christmas Carol) or a dead zone effect that you want to avoid, etc.  Booking is done as far in advance as possible to get the best slots and have ample time to promote the show and fill seats.

For more information visit www.KimberlyKatzPR.com   

It is my belief that nudity and simulated sex are not a part of the craft of theatre and film acting and should not be engaged in at any point in their career by actors and actresses who are sensitive enough and talented enough to be considered artists and craftspeople.

In the same way that drinking three shots of whiskey and then “acting” in a drunk scene is not acting, so is actually being nude or engaging in real “simulated” sex not acting.

In the same way that eye gouging is not allowed or a part of the skill and sport of playing professional basketball or football, so should nudity not be allowed in artistic acting projects that consider themselves to reflect the superior quality of the craft of theatre and film acting.

Why isn’t eye gouging allowed in professional sports? Well, obviously eye gouging has nothing to do with the skill or gifts required to perform in professional sports. The second and most obvious reason why eye gouging is not allowed in sports is because it causes permanent injury to the player. In fact, after just one or two good eye gouges the talented sportsperson will be lacking the required facility – eyesight- to perform in the sport ever again.

No one wants to admit that nudity in film and TV is dangerous to your health or your career but we all know it is. The only question to ask yourself when casting an actress in a role that requires nudity is-would I cast a friend in this part? The answer will almost always be no. Why? Because you know that this actress will be subjected to a process that is demeaning at best and psychologically crippling at worst. That the chances of appearing nude in a feature film or TV show like ‘ Entourage” could very easily be the worst career move of her life, causing future casting directors to look on this actress’ resume as belonging to a stripper/exotic dancer type or a permanent extra player.

I’m not going to run down a list of actresses whose careers have either gone into a tailspin after doing nudity in film or never resumed forward momentum in career status because I don’t want to do any further damage to artists who have essentially consented to being “molested” on camera. In fact with the advent of the internet these actresses are reminded every day that the few seconds of film in which they appeared nude are being downloaded as freeze frames ad infitum just like any porn star with no acting training, experience or gift at all.

If you read a few interviews at random with actresses of quality about their actual experience doing nude scenes you will see several common claims. That the experience of being nude on a film set with many strangers watching and filming was “upsetting, embarrassing” that they “cried in their trailers afterwards”, that they were “unable to feel confident as actors afterwards” or made it impossible to interact with the other players as professional equals, that they “regret doing the scenes” and “would not do it again.” And importantly, that it not only did not open the career doors that were promised by “taking the risk and baring all” but in fact destroyed the very faculties of extreme emotional and psychological sensitivity and openness that are part of parcel of the skill package required to perform in “top form” in the craft of theatre and film acting ever again. And this happens after just one experience - just as quickly and efficiently as one good eye gouge destroys the eyesight of a pro sports star.

Unfortunately for actresses in particular, providing the nudity that helps “sell” a feature film translates into a “Game Over” situation for that artist.

I just got back from a quick one night excursion to see a great headliner concert at The Oneida Nation Casino and I was so pleased with the luxury and friendliness I encountered there that I can’t wait to go back and see the rest of what that lovely part of Green Bay, Wisconsin has to offer.

From the minute I arrived at the Oneida Casino and the conveniently adjacent Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, I was met with smiling, courteous and genuinely friendly help from every member of the staff I encountered. I was traveling quickly so it meant so much to me that every detail of my short stay there, from breakfast to dinner, to show tickets were coordinated perfectly by the Oneida Nation PR rep and her staff.

I stayed in one of their fireplace suites and was happily surprised to see it also included a generous two person Jacuzzi tub in a lovely all new marble bathroom. Little things like the high quality almond scented bathroom amenities by Asira with adorable messages like, “Made especially for YOU”, “ Your refreshing and renewing shower power!” and “Your rich and revealing tub treat!” made me feel right at home.

The suite was equipped with a wonderful King size “Sleep Number Bed” so that couples could adjust each side of the bed to the exact level of firmness desired, it was deliciously comfortable. It was such a pleasure that for once I didn’t have to ask for more towels, pillows or robes because the suite was so generously stocked with so many of each even two people sharing the suite would not have used them all up. I also enjoyed the very romantic, and luxurious effect of a gas fireplace and two 42 inch flat screen TV’s while preparing to enjoy the concert and casino that night.

I didn’t have time to get down to the Pine Tree Grill for dinner before the show so had room service deliver their “ Cedar Plank Salmon” with wild rice and cranberries and it was a perfectly done, juicy, thick steak of salmon with fluffy wild rice that I found out from my server was grown right on the Oneida Nation’s own farm!

After being treated to a world-class concert by performer Chris Isaak, I enjoyed shopping for gifts like the delicious “Escape” scented travel candles and rare “Kimmidoll” collectable key chains at the charming and restful “Sweet Grass” gift shop.

After picking up a few souvenirs, I played all my new favorite slots, like “Sex in the City”, “Star Trek” and “The Wizard of Oz” in the beautiful, cool, airy and modern casino area which had great live music playing in the lounge till the wee hours.

Maybe I was just lucky but I won so many times I have got to say Oneida Casino has some of the loosest slots at any casino I have visited in recent memory! Which is good news for all you slots lovers!

Usually when you get hungry late at night at a casino you have a very limited menu to choose from, maybe a burger or some French fries or a cold sandwich but I was delighted to discover that the Main Casino Grille had a full Noodle Bar open until 3 AM and I was able to sample some really fantastic, freshly prepared, Hot and Spicy Soup and Shrimp Pad Thai (with extra fresh cilantro) before retiring to my lovely suite for another soak in the romantically lit Jacuzzi tub and a restful sleep in my cozy sleep number bed, set at the softest setting. I was delighted to find chocolates and a delicious caramel and walnut

“Cow Pie” waiting for me in the suites well equipped kitchen/bar area as a late night treat.

I had to get back to Chicago quickly the next day to review another show and regretted not having time to sit down and enjoy the very modern and attractive “Standing Stone Buffet and Grill” with great seafood offerings like curried mussels and crab legs with live chefs preparing dishes to order. Next time!

I also really wanted to check out some of the lovely summer activities Oneida Nation offers, like Strawberry Jam Making, Pick your own Apples, the Annual Pow Wow, the Annual Woodland Indian Art Market, a tour of the Oneida Buffalo Farm, a free Ropes course from Oneida Nation Adventures or “Nature’s Niche”- where you can see real live rain forest animals.

Also, the whole area around the casino and hotel was so lushly landscaped and emerald green in every direction as I headed out for the drive back to Chicago; it made want to visit again very soon.

My parents’ had their honeymoon in Wisconsin over fifty years ago and my exciting and luxurious stay at Oneida Casino and the Radisson made me see why they chose such a lovely natural setting.

I highly recommend the Oneida Casino, the Radisson hotel and their restaurants to travelers looking for some quality dining, family fun and casino excitement.

When is the last time you saw full frontal nudity in the theater? Was it “Hair”, “Oh, Calcutta!” or maybe “The Blue Room”? Maybe you have never seen a play with nudity in it, well, here is your chance to experience the liberating effect of live theater specifically designed to give you the feeling that your body - despite its quirks or flaws - is OK just the way it is.

Laurence Bryan, my old friend and classmate from DePaul, is the Artistic Director of National Pastime Theater and he has assembled a really wonderful assortment of plays that each utilizes nudity in an artistically sound fashion. I have already seen two of the one act plays, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” deftly directed by another talented DePaul Alumna, Carolyne Anderson, and “The Living Canvas: Demons”.

I highly recommend buying the festival pass or daily pass to enjoy more than one show because they are all very different in their approach, some farcical, and some more sensual or dance oriented and taken in combination you really get the full effect of  a democracy of positive body image that the Naked July Festival is trying to convey.

“The Emperor’s New Clothes” is a light, funny, very clever take on the original tale by Hans Christian Andersen with a satirical political twist thrown in for good measure.

“The Living Canvas: Demons”, is the seventh show by this company, directed by founder Pete Guither and, by using projected light over nude dancer and actors bodies, beautifully portrays the journey into the mind of an autistic girl and her sister’s attempt to understand that world. It was tremendously moving and exciting to watch. The performance of the lead dancer Emily Mark, who portrays Lily the autistic, was worth noting as she was not only an accomplished dancer but also an accomplished actor in expressing without words a very precise and deeply moving sense of what it must be like to be trapped in a body and mind afflicted with Autism. Also, I think it is a tremendously courageous task to undertake a role like this involving nudity from beginning to end. The neat thing about “Living Canvas” shows is that at the end they allow the audience to strip down and join them onstage under the lights and a lot of people actually went for it and joined in. That in itself was a beautiful, free love kind of thing to see happen in a theater setting in the year 2010, not 1968!

I’ll be honest, I was skeptical. I have always felt that nudity in the theater is something to be avoided at all costs to avoid damaging the delicate psyche of a good actor. However, when it is undertaken in the way that Naked July Festival has with a real eye for liberal thought and artistic merit, it is a tremendously exciting and liberating experience rarely encountered in traditional theater going.

I especially enjoy returning to the atmospheric and historic National Pastime Theater (4139 N. Broadway), which was an actual speakeasy for almost twenty years and fills it’s lobby with wonderful local artwork for sale in the theme of the shows currently running.

I highly recommend attending the Naked July Festival: Art Stripped Down, and I look forward to seeing the last two pieces, “Eros” and “The Tumultuous Tale of the Tragically Transparent Tunic” next weekend. See you there!

Call 773.327.7077 for performance times or check in at www.np2.com.

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Okay, I’m going to give you the skinny on the Luxor hotel and Casino from top to bottom. The Luxor is the pyramid shaped casino everyone recognizes and it sits right on the main strip. When I go to Vegas for work or vacation I usually pick my hotel based on three factors:

I did have time before the concert to have a wonderful dinner at It’s Vegas Baby. I liked the décor and slideshow of old Vegas performers playing in background. I ordered the coconut shrimp appetizer, breaded in coconut and Japanese panko breadcrumbs with sweet coconut and spicy orange dipping sauces

I recently went to the Horseshoe Casino to cover a celebrity concert at The Venue and was pleasantly surprised by everything about this friendly casino. First, I was astounded by how easy it was to get to.

Today I visited the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum located on Michigan Avenue in the historic Tribune Tower. This is really a wonderful, must see exhibit for young people where “they will be inspired to better understand freedom and value the role the First Amendment plays in protecting freedom for future generations.”

After a long and successful starring run on the popular TV series he also produced, “CSI- Las Vegas”, William Petersen has returned to his hometown of Chicago (Evanston) to perform as a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company.