ACHING DOGS THEATRE COMPANY

The New York Hotel Trades Council, AFL-CIO, is unique among unions for being one of a very few to sponsor and fund a theatre group for members and their families. If you have an interest in acting, writing, directing, or working behind the scenes, Aching Dogs Theatre Company provides a gratifying avenue of involvement. And, whether you are seeking to refine your craft, build a career, explore an evolving interest, or just satisfy your curiosity, all members-and members' family members-are welcome to participate in Aching Dogs activities.

Over the years, many in our union family have done so and found it to be a richly rewarding experience. Participants have come from across the job classification spectrum, including bell/door, coat check, food and beverage, housekeeping, laundry, security, and stewarding. On occasion, even union staff members have gotten into the act!

Robert Moresco got the union's theatre group underway. He went on to build an acclaimed career in film. Among his credits: He was the co-producer of Million Dollar Baby, which was directed by Clint Eastwood and won the Oscar for best picture in 2004. In 2005, the film Crash won the Oscar for best picture; its scriptwriters, Robert Moresco and Paul Haggis, took home Oscars for best original screenplay. It was a rewarding and inspiring occasion when Bobby returned and spent an informal evening with Aching Dogs members, giving generously of his experience, offering advice and encouragement, and answering numerous questions.

Pamela Scott is the current producing artistic director of the Aching Dogs Theatre Company. Dedicated and multi-talented, she has been the moving force behind Aching Dogs for 12 years. Under Pamela, its activities attracted the attention of The New York Times, which made it the subject of the article "All they have to do is act naturally."

Aching Dogs maintains a full program of activities. It meets almost every week throughout the year. Creating new works and nurturing the participants' talents are major areas of emphasis. With each Aching Dogs meeting, workshop, or production, Pamela strives to provide a productive, supportive, and fun environment for a diverse group of people who share an interest in the performing arts.

Aching Dogs provides workshops in a wide range of areas, enabling participants to pick and choose among the offerings based on their individual interests, goals, and reasons for participating. Pamela teaches many of the workshops herself, drawing on her substantial experience in acting, directing, and writing. For others, she recruits teachers from her wide network of friends and collaborators in theatre, television, film, and related fields, enabling participants to meet, work, and network with true professionals. Among others, workshop topics include improvisation, writing, speech, singing, Alexander technique, Feldenkrais method, and commercials.

The staging of actual productions is another important component of the experience Aching Dogs provides participants. All are encouraged to take part in some capacity. More experienced members direct some shows; on other occasions, a professional director is brought in. Always, the emphasis is on professionalism and the staging of a high-quality production. For this reason, parts are awarded on the basis of auditions but one does not have to have prior acting experience to be cast. In addition, Aching Dogs actors and writers participate in various New York City theatre festivals.

Aching Dogs is always ready to extend a warm welcome to new participants. Becoming part of this group is simple. Call Pamela Scott at 212-564-6485 and tell her you want to participate. She'll tell you the date of the next meeting, and you're on your way!

Pamela Scott

Pamela Scott has been the producing artistic director of the Aching Dogs Theatre Company for the past 12 years. In addition to her impressive acting, directing, teaching, and writing credentials, she has behind her 17 years of experience as a cocktail server at the New York Hilton. She is a proud member of the Hotel, Restaurant & Club Employees and Bartenders Union, Local 6, as well as the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), and the Dramatists Guild of America.

The sweep and depth of her experience as a teacher, playwright, director, and actor convey her strong engagement with her craft and the intensity, energy, and commitment she brings to it. Union members who come to Aching Dogs have the benefit not only of Pamela's knowledge and experience but also that of the many accomplished individuals she collaborates with in each of these areas.

Pamela has studied with Sandra Seacat, a renowned acting teacher whose other students have included (to name only a few, and several of whom were Pamela's classmates) Mickey Rourke, Jessica Lange, Gina Gershon, and Laura Dern. Pamela is also a busy teacher herself. She currently teaches at both the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the T. Schreiber Studio. Her Aching Dogs workshops encompass acting, improvisation, commercials, cold readings, sense memory work and scene study, audition technique, and film acting. She has also been a rehearsal partner for Marlo Thomas for many years.

Three of her full-length plays have been produced here in New York, four others have been workshopped, and eleven of her one-act plays have been presented on various stages in Manhattan (including the prestigious Samuel French Festival), as well as in Los Angeles and Florida. Her plays have been well received by audiences and dramatists alike. The Unwrapping of Christmas won the Columbia University Dramatists award, The Heist was a semifinalist in the well-known Strawberry One-Act Festival, which the Riant Theatre presents, and Daddy's Boy won the Gold Coast Players Award.

As an actor, Pamela played Adrien Brody's aunt in the film Ten Benny. She has performed at Joseph Papp's Public Theatre, West Bank Cafe, and the Irish Arts Center.

Asked how she felt about Aching Dogs after her 12 continuous years of involvement with it, Pamela's words conveyed deep feeling for both the people who come together to make it the remarkable theatre company it is and the union that has supported it. They convey, also, what makes the group so special and involvement in it so rewarding.

Artistic Director Pamela Scott on Aching Dogs Theatre Company:

Aching Dogs Theatre is a true union "family" and a continuous source of joy and fun and creativity. Our members come from different countries and diverse backgrounds. They have different levels of training; some participants come with no training at all. We draw on all of this as we work and learn together, and it's exciting and exhilarating watching people do something that makes them so happy. That's particularly true with Aching Dogs because no matter what position they hold in their hotel, in Aching Dogs we're all there to help each other explore their particular interest, whether it's acting, directing, writing, or a mix. The deep gratitude I get from our participants is amazing and lovely. They truly appreciate what the union has brought together and supported all these years.