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Months of confusion

2012-01-13T11:24:00.002-06:00

This is really a test so ignore it. Do to some confusion and changes in my email address and general malaise, I found it difficult to get back into this blog in spite of the guy who set it up continually telling me it was easy. He's annoying that way. So after months of procrastinating I tried again.

You were right Shawn, It was easy. Damn you and your cryptic knowledge. OK if this posts, I'll start to maintain the blog. I'm sure that the thousands that have been waiting can hardly contain themselves.

Let's see what happens.

In NYC

2010-09-28T11:22:00.003-05:00

I will be going to the two comic cons happening the next two weeks in New York City so look for me there: Big Apple Con, Oct. 1, 2 and 3 at Penn Center and NY Comic Con, Oct. 8,9 and 10 at the Javits Cener. I will be wandering around The Big Apple Con but will have an artist's alley table at The NY con.

Job change and an opening

2010-04-15T12:26:00.005-05:00

I want everyone to know that I have resigned my position as Artistic Director of The Haymarket Theatre here in Lincoln Nebraska. I will continue to be the Artistic Director of Flatwater Shakespeare here.

While I have some regrets about leaving it was time for me to take the step. I want to concentrate more on the Shakespeare festival, I would like to freelance more, and I have realized for some time, that The Haymarket Theatre's financial base is its youth classes and that is far from being my strength.

So, if you are in the Lincoln Nebraska area, come see me in Pinter's The Homecoming. Opens tonight at The Haymarket Theatre 803 Q St. 477-2600 -- and best of all, you can get in for $5 on opening just by saying you read it on this blog. I think it's going to be terrific -- and in the true meaning of that word.

Also if anyone out there has some ideas for theatre work or comics work -- I am back in the market and you can reach me through bob@bobhall.com

2010-03-26T14:54:00.003-05:00

Money needed for Flatawater Shakespeare and The Haymarket Theatre -- and an Award.

For my art work, but mainly my theatre work here in Lincoln Nebraska, I have been named artist of the year for 2010 by the Nebraska Governor's Arts award committee -- really the Nebraska Arts Council, since the Governor has never seen my work. But he will hand me some sort of award and that's nice. Hopefully the two theatre projects I run will be able to make some hay out of this to get grants.

The recession has left us in a parlous state and both projects, Flatwater Shakespeare and the Haymarket Theatre are in desperate need of funds to keep going. (No, the Governor's Arts Award does not include any cash -- that kind of funding just isn't available in Nebraska. It has been my dream for years to establish a professional regional theatre here in Lincoln and these two projects, which have been lauded by critics and theatre fans alike, were on their way to becoming just that, when the recession through everything into doubt. It's cheaper to do things out here on the great plains, but by the same token there is, under the best of circumstances, less money floating around in terms of grants, corporate support and private donations. We are in desperate need of funds to keep going until the economy gets better -- assuming that it will. And for those of you who know me personally we need money to keep me employed so I can do the stuff I do well.

If you want to help, send a donation to The Haymarket Theatre, 803 Q St. Lincoln Ne 68508 and write Bob's Blog on the memo line. Anything we get with that memo will be split 50/50 between Flatwater Shakespeare and The Haymarket Theatre.

Thanks for your help.

Bob Hall

Armed - But No Danger

2009-11-24T16:28:00.004-06:00

I just finished a show of comic book art as well as a few of my figure drawings and abstract paintings at a small Christian college, Northwestern, in Orange City Iowa. It was all work you can find on this website. The nature of the content was requested by Phil Sforza one of their professors who had seen my stuff at a small gallery here in Lincoln called The Project Room.

He specifically asked for my Armed and Dangerous series, "Hell's Slaughterhouse" -- pretty strong Sopranos type stuff -- violence, language, sex -- definitely intended as adult material -- also probably the best comic I've ever done. I'm don't consider myself a Christian and I was a bit nervous both about the material and showing up to talk about it at a religious based school.

At first, we definitely seemed to have raised a small tempest. The night I arrived there was an open meeting to discuss the content of the show and several faculty members graciously defended my work and the decision to show it. I was savoring the prospect of a hot debate, but unfortunately, no one spoke up on the other side. I'm guessing the complaints had come from donors who had never looked at the comic but objected to what they'd heard about the language.

Well, I was a bit disappointed -- it's been years since anything I've created has raised any hackles and controversy has a youthful feel to it. But I had a great time participating in some rather heady theological discussions with a missionary who had spent much time in Africa among the Fulani tribes-people.

The college actually ended up buying several of the drawings and I met a painter named Rein Vanderhill who does brilliant work. More about him in a couple of days.

A Midsummer Night's Dream - in Fall?

2009-11-09T14:08:00.003-06:00

It's no joke. The Haymarket Youth Theatre is presenting Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," right now, in November. It's Shakespeare's most romantic and phantasmagorial comedy, performed by the Haymarket's advanced theatre students, and co-directed by Tom Crew and me.

The show opens Thursday, November 12th at 7PM, and also runs Friday Nov. 13th at 7PM, and Saturday, Nov. 14th at 2PM.

Tickets are $10, Seniors and Students $8.

For tickets, call 477-2600, or go to: www.haymarkettheatre.com

Come See "The Tavern"!

2009-10-23T16:56:00.005-05:00

"The Tavern" just opened this week at The Haymarket Theatre. It got a great review from Larry Kubert in the Lincoln Journal-Star and the show is great fun. I didn't realize exactly how much fun until I saw it myself with the leaves blowing in. 8,000 of them! I know 'cause I ordered them. There is a "storm orchestra" back stage that never stops and that creates the darkest stormiest night you ever saw. Combine that with some fine, funny acting by all concerned and perfect direction by Bobby Bonaventura and you've got a wild evening in the theatre.

Don't let the title fool you, I know "tavern" means beer joint now, but back in the day it was another name for a wayside inn. This show is fun for the whole family. so bring the kids.

It starts at 7:30 and runs until 9:15 --perfect evening entertainment. The show runs Oct. 23 & 25, Oct. 29,30 & 31, Nov. 1, 4, 5 & 6.*
This is the mellerdrammer that started it all! See it for yourself!

*Note - The show doesn't play the nights of Husker Football home games.

2009-10-02T03:09:00.002-05:00

The New BobHall.com Is ALIVE!
Welcome to all the fans and friends of Bob Hall's work. As you can see by clicking around, the new website is finally up and working.

The best of Bob's artistic work is displayed here, including paintings, drawings, and of course, plenty of comics work.

While we're proud of this new website, there is still a great deal of behind the scenes "spit & polish" going on - so if you notice an error, feel free to report it to Bob, by e-mailing him.

Enjoy the website. And thanks for visiting BobHall.com.

Welcome to The NEW Bob Hall.com!

2009-07-11T18:59:00.004-05:00

Hello, and welcome to the all new BobHall.com.

As you can probably tell, we're not quite finished yet with our new website, but circumstances have pushed us to release some of the new website ahead of schedule.

We'll be bringing back some of the best content, images and pictures from the old site, and adding new galleries, and new ways of viewing Bob Hall's comic, commercial, and theatre work.

So check back soon.

And thanks again for visiting the all-new BobHall.com!