Larry Kramer's Tony nominated play, The Normal Heart, is one of the most compelling revivals to hit Broadway this year. Since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, many plays, such as drama-fantasy Angels in America and the funny yet sobering comedy The Baltimore Waltz, have critiqued mainstream society's lack of tolerance and compassion. However, few plays have tackled the issues of gay rights and AIDS/HIV awareness so directly as The Normal Heart.

The play was written and performed in the mid-1980s, in the midst of the medical crisis. Some characters within the play prefer to be diplomatic when trying to curb the epidemic. Yet the protagonist, Ben Weeks, cannot contain his outrage as he sees his friends and loved ones dying throughout New York City.

The website for the Broadway revival of A Normal Heart features several interesting videos feature highlights from the play, as well as high profile actors who discuss the relevance of Larry Kramer's work.

It seems I never attend an improvisation workshop without learning a new game or theater exercise. And last night was no exception. This particular improv activity, known in most circles as "Ding Dong" involves storytelling, intense audience participation, and (of course) a great deal of silliness.

Here's how to play:

Step One: Select a volunteer from the audience (or a willing participant from the workshop members). Ask for them to talk very briefly about something that happened to them very recently. It doesn't need to be anything terribly exciting. For example, the person might say, "Well, I went to the dentist yesterday." Two or three improv actors will then begin to act out a scene, attempting to accurately dramatize the volunteer's life.

Step Two: Instruct the volunteer to say "Dong" every time the improv actors perform something that did not happen. The volunteer should shout "Ding!" whenever improv actors correctly perform what actually happened.

To extend the example of the dentist visit, the improv actors might begin a scene this way:

IMPROV ACTOR #1: I am a little afraid of being here at the dentist.

VOLUNTEER: Ding!

IMPROV ACTOR #2: You do look a little nervous. Let's give you some laughing gas.

VOLUNTEER: Dong!

IMPROV ACTOR #2: Let's give you some morphine.

IMPROV ACTOR #2: Let's use some magic rhino powder fresh from Mongolia!

VOLUNTEER: Dong!

IMPROV ACTOR #1: How about we just clean your teeth?

VOLUNTEER: Ding!

It's quick, easy and fun -- and it's the kind of game in which you inadvertently learn a lot about the volunteer's life.

Sometimes you nail the audition. And sometimes the audition nails you.

No matter how incredible one's skills (and looks) happen to be, every actor faces rejection at some time in his career. In fact, some might say an actor experiences rejection throughout most of his career. So, how do you deal with rejection? What is the best way to lift one's spirits and get back to the creative process of acting?

Are you the sort of the actor who bounces back quickly and happily? Or do you take the rejection personally? Does it make you want to take a break for the audition circuit? Or does rejection simply fan the flames of your ambition?

Share your experience and advice in our User Answers section.

Chicago's long standing tradition of theatrical greatness continues with today's announcement that the Looking Glass Theater earned a Regional Theater Tony Award. According to the Chicago Tribune, Looking Glass's win marks the fifth regional theater in Chicago to grab this prestigious prize. Glancing at their upcoming season, which consists of cutting-edge dramas and original shows written by ensemble members, I think it's time to pay a long overdue visit to the windy city.

So, how do they decide who gets the award for best regional theater? Here's what the Tony award website says about the process: "Each year since 1976, the Tonys have recognized the achievements of resident theatre companies across the U. S. by giving the Regional Theatre Tony Award to a not-for-profit producing organization outside of New York City, based on the recommendation of the American Theatre Critics Association."

So, congratulations to the Looking Glass Theater. As for all of the Broadway cast and crew members, they must wait and find out who wins on night of the awards, June 12th. For theater lovers, like me, waiting and speculating is the fun part. Check out the list on Tony Award nominations.