I saw a remarkable play this weekend. It's an original play by this AMAZING company called The House Theatre. It was the mose innovative, ingenious, and moving play I have ever seen. In my entire life. I have seen quite a lot of plays too! I wish I could go into depth about the directing choices that made it unique and captivating and the set design that BLEW my mind. Not because of its amazing tricks or largeness but because of its utter simplicity. Plus they used video! In a way I never imagined. Through this play I saw more possibilities than I ever thought possible on a stage. WOW. In the end, I was sobbing and smitten and totally changed.
The story of the company is almost the best part. The founding members all either went to undergrad together in Texas or knew those people through other workshops. This is only their 5th season, and they are making a huge name for themselves. They write all of their own plays, and they always include music and dance, but nothing is conventional about the way they do this. Check out their website: http://www.thehousetheatre.com/about
Ian and Nathan, I think you would be totally inspired by these people.
Chad, I wish we could ever make something like they are making.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Oh, just a blog
The wind was calm today. Balmy breezy. Brooke and Dad looked happy framed by large autumn trees. Darwin made us all laugh with his puppy antics.
It was a great weekend. I couldn't imagine it being better.
Tomorrow its back to work at the Chicago Children's Museum. I'm tolerating the job. It's fun sometimes, but mostly boring. I do love museums though. Apparently I get into all of them in the city for free now. With guests. Wanna go?
Its dark and chilly outside now.
To walk down an alley alone
Crunching on an old rat bone
I shiver and dig in deeper
Brush past the viney creeper
Barreling stiffly ahead
Appearing morose, full of dread
Millions of people marching coldly on
Night after day, day after dawn
My piggy bank's broken and brittle
There's an empty ache in my middle
My dreams are fading
I'm wimpishly waiting
This Chicago isn't forgiving
But I guess that's risky living.
Despite that being decidely dark, I am in a wonderful mood. This city is great, and I am having a great time living here. Phil and I are really, really lucky. My parents are helping me out a lot. Thanks Dad!
It was a great weekend. I couldn't imagine it being better.
Tomorrow its back to work at the Chicago Children's Museum. I'm tolerating the job. It's fun sometimes, but mostly boring. I do love museums though. Apparently I get into all of them in the city for free now. With guests. Wanna go?
Its dark and chilly outside now.
To walk down an alley alone
Crunching on an old rat bone
I shiver and dig in deeper
Brush past the viney creeper
Barreling stiffly ahead
Appearing morose, full of dread
Millions of people marching coldly on
Night after day, day after dawn
My piggy bank's broken and brittle
There's an empty ache in my middle
My dreams are fading
I'm wimpishly waiting
This Chicago isn't forgiving
But I guess that's risky living.
Despite that being decidely dark, I am in a wonderful mood. This city is great, and I am having a great time living here. Phil and I are really, really lucky. My parents are helping me out a lot. Thanks Dad!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Nothin' Profound er Nothin'...
So, now I live in Chicago, in case you haven't got the mem-o.
My thoughts:
1. Public transportation is still really fun as of now. I wonder when that will change...
2. I would really like a stable job. Preferably with health benefits. Aren't I a pussy?
3. The Planetarium SUUUUCKS. Super boring. However, all the other museums I have visited are cool as fuck.
4. My neighborhood is super gay. Now, I don't mean gay as a synonym for stupid, I mean everyone and everything is gay or the more PC term GLBT (gay, lesbian, bi, trans).
5. It is chilly.
6. My apartment is the greatest thing. I really like it. I really want to fill it with rugs and furniture and stuff.
7. Phil and I are getting along swimmingly.
8. Darwin is very confused, but handling it well. He poops with his leg hiked.
9. Fun, fun, fun to live here.
10. I really, really need to get a job. I'm working on it though!
11. Break out.
12. I sincerely want everyone to visit. I want to show off my new digs, my new city. Life.
13. I'm learning a lot.
14. My super is a crazy old Slavik guy.
16. I skipped 15.
Call me. 501-902-2867. ;)
My thoughts:
1. Public transportation is still really fun as of now. I wonder when that will change...
2. I would really like a stable job. Preferably with health benefits. Aren't I a pussy?
3. The Planetarium SUUUUCKS. Super boring. However, all the other museums I have visited are cool as fuck.
4. My neighborhood is super gay. Now, I don't mean gay as a synonym for stupid, I mean everyone and everything is gay or the more PC term GLBT (gay, lesbian, bi, trans).
5. It is chilly.
6. My apartment is the greatest thing. I really like it. I really want to fill it with rugs and furniture and stuff.
7. Phil and I are getting along swimmingly.
8. Darwin is very confused, but handling it well. He poops with his leg hiked.
9. Fun, fun, fun to live here.
10. I really, really need to get a job. I'm working on it though!
11. Break out.
12. I sincerely want everyone to visit. I want to show off my new digs, my new city. Life.
13. I'm learning a lot.
14. My super is a crazy old Slavik guy.
16. I skipped 15.
Call me. 501-902-2867. ;)
Saturday, September 15, 2007
ME me ME
So.
This summer has been really great. I was involved in the AR Shakes Festival, I helped produce the first project for the nonprofit I helped start, I taught kids about pirates and crime-solving, and I spent a lot of great time with my friends and family. I would hesitate to say this was the best summer of my life. Yes, even better than summer '05 which was a drunken love fest and also awesome.
Now.
The rumors are true. I am moving to Chicago in two weeks time. Yep, I already signed a lease and everything. I'm taking my boys, Phil and Darwin, along for the ride. This is my address:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=728+W+Roscoe+Apt+3W+Chicago+IL+60657&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=32.610437,59.765625&ie=UTF8&ll=41.944282,-87.648261&spn=0.007469,0.014591&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1
Of course, friends, you are all welcome to come and crash on our couch sometime. I am afraid I might get lonely, and I will welcome your company. However, to stave off the lonliness, I can walk down the street literally two blocks to Doug and Michelle's new apartment. It rocks. The neighborhood rocks. Our apartment rocks. Life pretty much is awesome right now.
So, I'm worried.
I'm fucking freaking out, man. I guess I'm moving up there to pursue my dreams, and I walk down the street and see all the people and the theatres, and I hear kids behind me talking about how long they have been acting to one another. I fear failure. It's kind of suffocating me right now. I don't even want to do the stuff I know I need to do to get ready here, because I know that there it will be really hard there. And I know that it's good that it's hard because I don't want to live a boring, easy life... but right now I'm just hearing the lazy, scared voice trying to convince me that it would be easier--better--- to work at a museum the rest of my life.
So there's that.
Then, I get home all tired and worried, and just needing some alone time to get my head straightened out, and my mom calls. My uncle's dead. Which is surprising since he wasn't ill. Now, we weren't terribly close at all. However, I was fond of the guy. Last time I saw him he came for the the first time to see me act at Midsummer. It was really sweet. He got my autograph.... plus, he died alone in a hotel room (he was traveling for work). That's just really sad to me. I know it's good that he died in his sleep quickly, but I'm just sad about the alone in a hotel room part. Then, I'm really sad for my aunt and my cousins, and most of all my dad. It was his brother. He's taking it ok though. As best you could.
Death. Mortatlity. Family.
These are the things I am fixated on now; on top of everything else. Uncle Richard was healthy, attractive, even jolly. Now, he's dead. Out of the blue. I could die too, I guess. So, I better go pursue my dreams like the cliche says: like it's my last day. But even worse, someone I love could just up and die. And what's worse, they will. I mean, it's fucking inevitable. And I love them... that's sad...
So.
What to do? How to I shake this melancholy? How do I get inspired, and appreciate life and adventure and love?
Also.
My dog is very frustrating. He lunged at some woman at a garage sale today. It sucked.
This summer has been really great. I was involved in the AR Shakes Festival, I helped produce the first project for the nonprofit I helped start, I taught kids about pirates and crime-solving, and I spent a lot of great time with my friends and family. I would hesitate to say this was the best summer of my life. Yes, even better than summer '05 which was a drunken love fest and also awesome.
Now.
The rumors are true. I am moving to Chicago in two weeks time. Yep, I already signed a lease and everything. I'm taking my boys, Phil and Darwin, along for the ride. This is my address:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=728+W+Roscoe+Apt+3W+Chicago+IL+60657&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=32.610437,59.765625&ie=UTF8&ll=41.944282,-87.648261&spn=0.007469,0.014591&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1
Of course, friends, you are all welcome to come and crash on our couch sometime. I am afraid I might get lonely, and I will welcome your company. However, to stave off the lonliness, I can walk down the street literally two blocks to Doug and Michelle's new apartment. It rocks. The neighborhood rocks. Our apartment rocks. Life pretty much is awesome right now.
So, I'm worried.
I'm fucking freaking out, man. I guess I'm moving up there to pursue my dreams, and I walk down the street and see all the people and the theatres, and I hear kids behind me talking about how long they have been acting to one another. I fear failure. It's kind of suffocating me right now. I don't even want to do the stuff I know I need to do to get ready here, because I know that there it will be really hard there. And I know that it's good that it's hard because I don't want to live a boring, easy life... but right now I'm just hearing the lazy, scared voice trying to convince me that it would be easier--better--- to work at a museum the rest of my life.
So there's that.
Then, I get home all tired and worried, and just needing some alone time to get my head straightened out, and my mom calls. My uncle's dead. Which is surprising since he wasn't ill. Now, we weren't terribly close at all. However, I was fond of the guy. Last time I saw him he came for the the first time to see me act at Midsummer. It was really sweet. He got my autograph.... plus, he died alone in a hotel room (he was traveling for work). That's just really sad to me. I know it's good that he died in his sleep quickly, but I'm just sad about the alone in a hotel room part. Then, I'm really sad for my aunt and my cousins, and most of all my dad. It was his brother. He's taking it ok though. As best you could.
Death. Mortatlity. Family.
These are the things I am fixated on now; on top of everything else. Uncle Richard was healthy, attractive, even jolly. Now, he's dead. Out of the blue. I could die too, I guess. So, I better go pursue my dreams like the cliche says: like it's my last day. But even worse, someone I love could just up and die. And what's worse, they will. I mean, it's fucking inevitable. And I love them... that's sad...
So.
What to do? How to I shake this melancholy? How do I get inspired, and appreciate life and adventure and love?
Also.
My dog is very frustrating. He lunged at some woman at a garage sale today. It sucked.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Wild Blackberry Summer
Yesterday I took part in one of the old pastimes of summer, picking wild blackberries. Kyle and I drove to Maumelle and turned into the beautifully manicured neighborhood of our friend Emily. She hopped in the car, and said the expected words "we can drive there." I knew there were no wild blackberry bushes in this bourgeoisie paradise. But then we drove a couple of blocks and parked in front of a paved bike and walking trail. "So, this is the neighborhood's blackberry trail?" I asked. She said pretty much, and we began winding down the trail between houses. I had brought a large bucket for picking, and when we arrived at the first "bush" I knew I'd leave with a light load. It was just into the woods, right off of the path, in view of at least 10 houses. We probably got 7 or 8 berries. In this huge neighborhood, I imagined there must be at least enough enterprising souls to keep these blackberry bushes pretty clean. After a ways, we struck what I thought was the jackpot, though. Deep into the thicket was a huge bush covered in ripe berries. We spent quite a while cleaning every fresh n' ready fruit in sight. The thorns were ripping at my bare arms, the sun was beating down on my skin, and sweat was running down my face, but all of these adversities made me value the tiny treasures even more.
Isn't it crazy, really crazy, that the earth actually naturally grows edible treats by no human encouraging or intervention? Isn't it odd that most people have never picked their own food? Here I was, in the middle of waist high thorns, sweating waterfalls, for free berries, and enjoying every second of it. Honestly, what a pleasure it is to work for your own food!
Next we walked down a dirt road next to some railroad tracks. It was lined with bush after bush of heavy berries. Why had no one picked these? Did no one know they were here, or were they just not willing to put the effort into picking them? I was glad either way. More berries for me!
Emily wandered into the woods and returned with a palm full of huckleberries. I asked if she was sure whether or not they weren't poisonous. She assured that they weren't and urged me to try them. They were tiny and black. I hesitantly bit into them, and happily agreed that they were wonderful.
Where was I? Not the place, but the time. It felt as if I had gone back in time 75 years to a place without airconditioning. A place where grandma canned food for the winter, and made huckleberry pie. A rumbling noise grew in the distance, and a train slowly roared by. Flies buzzed around my head, and heat waves distorted the distant road ahead. This was life. Raw and wild. And real. And southern.
We picked 12 cups of blackberries, which is like 5 lbs. We eventually grew tired of the heat, and with our half full bucket, empty water bottles, and my head full of thoughts we wandered back to the car. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that there are grocery stores and farms to provide me with my every desire. But... it means so much more to work for your food. You really appreciate the sweet flavor of the good berries, and you don't freak out when you eat one that doesn't look quite perfect because they sometimes taste the best. And to just share the bounty of the earth with the people you love... that's what summer should be about.
Isn't it crazy, really crazy, that the earth actually naturally grows edible treats by no human encouraging or intervention? Isn't it odd that most people have never picked their own food? Here I was, in the middle of waist high thorns, sweating waterfalls, for free berries, and enjoying every second of it. Honestly, what a pleasure it is to work for your own food!
Next we walked down a dirt road next to some railroad tracks. It was lined with bush after bush of heavy berries. Why had no one picked these? Did no one know they were here, or were they just not willing to put the effort into picking them? I was glad either way. More berries for me!
Emily wandered into the woods and returned with a palm full of huckleberries. I asked if she was sure whether or not they weren't poisonous. She assured that they weren't and urged me to try them. They were tiny and black. I hesitantly bit into them, and happily agreed that they were wonderful.
Where was I? Not the place, but the time. It felt as if I had gone back in time 75 years to a place without airconditioning. A place where grandma canned food for the winter, and made huckleberry pie. A rumbling noise grew in the distance, and a train slowly roared by. Flies buzzed around my head, and heat waves distorted the distant road ahead. This was life. Raw and wild. And real. And southern.
We picked 12 cups of blackberries, which is like 5 lbs. We eventually grew tired of the heat, and with our half full bucket, empty water bottles, and my head full of thoughts we wandered back to the car. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that there are grocery stores and farms to provide me with my every desire. But... it means so much more to work for your food. You really appreciate the sweet flavor of the good berries, and you don't freak out when you eat one that doesn't look quite perfect because they sometimes taste the best. And to just share the bounty of the earth with the people you love... that's what summer should be about.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Last Day of School Ever
Well, I just walked out of Irby for the last time after my last final on my last day of school.
As I walked out of the side door with the cigarette chimney smoking away again because it's too full of cigarettes and on fire, I was forced to stop for a moment and look around. I didn't want to pass this moment by. This was my last time ever to stroll on the sidewalks of UCA as a student. At first, I just acknowledged it cooly, completely accepting the fact that it was over. I had been expecting it after all. But then, helplessly, I remembered all the things behind me and realized that adult life loomed ahead. I was filled with emotion remembering good and bad, funny and sad. Classes are gone which is great, but so is wonderful UCA theatre which is so much easier to be involved in than professional theatre. And even though it sucks most of the time, at least that's because it is a small university in the deep south. I am afraid of the shitty plays in my future. And I am sad for having to leave all of my friends.
But standing in that moment, regretting the loss of UCA theatre, I was overcome with horror at the thought that now I was anadult. College is, afterall, just an excuse to mooch off your parents, and not do your homework (God, I'll never have homework again... what will I do with all of my time?) I know that I have all summer here, but after that what?? New York? Chicago? Both seem impossible. I haven't ever really only depended on myself for survival. I'm so afraid of failure or that wherever I go I won't find happiness.
I shook myself out of these thoughts as students wandered by staring at me, and tears welled in my eyes. I hopped on my trusty old bike that may or may not make the next journey with me in the big city, and rode slowly away. Then, as if the world itself agreed with my emotional turmoil and threatening tears, it began to gently, softly rain. I felt relieved that at least I could blame my watering eyes on the falling water, and let a tear or two fall as I continued to ride slowly on. When the rain gained force and began to drop more eagerly, something inside of me clicked. Was I going to cling to the past like a baby and let myself get rained on, or was I going to let it go and hurry home to get out of the rain? A smile crept onto my face. I stood on my pedals and began to push more quickly ahead. I looked back toward campus one last time, and this time instead of sorrow I felt a rising sense of accomplishment. I laughed loudly, turned back towards home, and rode as quickly as I could all the way home.
As I walked out of the side door with the cigarette chimney smoking away again because it's too full of cigarettes and on fire, I was forced to stop for a moment and look around. I didn't want to pass this moment by. This was my last time ever to stroll on the sidewalks of UCA as a student. At first, I just acknowledged it cooly, completely accepting the fact that it was over. I had been expecting it after all. But then, helplessly, I remembered all the things behind me and realized that adult life loomed ahead. I was filled with emotion remembering good and bad, funny and sad. Classes are gone which is great, but so is wonderful UCA theatre which is so much easier to be involved in than professional theatre. And even though it sucks most of the time, at least that's because it is a small university in the deep south. I am afraid of the shitty plays in my future. And I am sad for having to leave all of my friends.
But standing in that moment, regretting the loss of UCA theatre, I was overcome with horror at the thought that now I was anadult. College is, afterall, just an excuse to mooch off your parents, and not do your homework (God, I'll never have homework again... what will I do with all of my time?) I know that I have all summer here, but after that what?? New York? Chicago? Both seem impossible. I haven't ever really only depended on myself for survival. I'm so afraid of failure or that wherever I go I won't find happiness.
I shook myself out of these thoughts as students wandered by staring at me, and tears welled in my eyes. I hopped on my trusty old bike that may or may not make the next journey with me in the big city, and rode slowly away. Then, as if the world itself agreed with my emotional turmoil and threatening tears, it began to gently, softly rain. I felt relieved that at least I could blame my watering eyes on the falling water, and let a tear or two fall as I continued to ride slowly on. When the rain gained force and began to drop more eagerly, something inside of me clicked. Was I going to cling to the past like a baby and let myself get rained on, or was I going to let it go and hurry home to get out of the rain? A smile crept onto my face. I stood on my pedals and began to push more quickly ahead. I looked back toward campus one last time, and this time instead of sorrow I felt a rising sense of accomplishment. I laughed loudly, turned back towards home, and rode as quickly as I could all the way home.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
What's going On with Me
Well, I'm about to wrap up my last month of college. Pretty scary, as one would expect. Before I graduate though I will celebrate my first full length play by having formal presentation on April 20th at 4 PM. There will be a staged reading, and prior to my presentation, Rivka will present her thesis, a one-woman play. It should be a pretty interesting afternoon, and everyone is welcome to join us! Please let me know if you do intend to come though, so that I can make sure there are enough seats.
After that is graduation on May 6th. No big deal, it should be fine. Feel free to send me gifts.
After that is my first equity related job. I have been cast in the Arkansas Shakespeare Festival, and I am looking forward to it alot. I basically have about five lines in the entire festival, but I am in two plays! And I will be working with really experienced directors... not to mention a lot of friends. Anyway, that wraps in late June, and after that I hope to maybe write a musical... with Chad? I dunno, we briefly mentioned it. And also, the First Street Players, an acting company I cofounded, might be having an informal showing of some of our original work. We'll see.
THEN... I guess I'm off to the Big Apple to train with that same studio I trained with last summer... I am a litte anxious about that though. I just wish I knew whether or not I was making the right decision. It's such a HUGE risk... but I think regardless of if the training is worth it, at least I'll get a lot of lifetime experience. Phil is coming with me, and hopefully Darwin too. My dog.
As for what's been going on with me lately, I just wrapped on the First Street Players first orignal production, Memories of a Rainforest, at the Museum of Discovery. Chad wrote the music/lyrics, and I think it turned out really great. Look for the First Street Players in Music on here and add us. And I'm on Spring Break... WOO. I planted some giant cabbages, and I went to the highest point in Arkansas. Lost every bet at the horse races today. And... I have eaten FAR FAR too much this week. I'm a fatty.
That's about it with me. Please let me know what's up with you, and if you want a formal invitation to either graduation or my thesis prestentation just message me your address.
After that is graduation on May 6th. No big deal, it should be fine. Feel free to send me gifts.
After that is my first equity related job. I have been cast in the Arkansas Shakespeare Festival, and I am looking forward to it alot. I basically have about five lines in the entire festival, but I am in two plays! And I will be working with really experienced directors... not to mention a lot of friends. Anyway, that wraps in late June, and after that I hope to maybe write a musical... with Chad? I dunno, we briefly mentioned it. And also, the First Street Players, an acting company I cofounded, might be having an informal showing of some of our original work. We'll see.
THEN... I guess I'm off to the Big Apple to train with that same studio I trained with last summer... I am a litte anxious about that though. I just wish I knew whether or not I was making the right decision. It's such a HUGE risk... but I think regardless of if the training is worth it, at least I'll get a lot of lifetime experience. Phil is coming with me, and hopefully Darwin too. My dog.
As for what's been going on with me lately, I just wrapped on the First Street Players first orignal production, Memories of a Rainforest, at the Museum of Discovery. Chad wrote the music/lyrics, and I think it turned out really great. Look for the First Street Players in Music on here and add us. And I'm on Spring Break... WOO. I planted some giant cabbages, and I went to the highest point in Arkansas. Lost every bet at the horse races today. And... I have eaten FAR FAR too much this week. I'm a fatty.
That's about it with me. Please let me know what's up with you, and if you want a formal invitation to either graduation or my thesis prestentation just message me your address.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Don't Know Why I'm Writing This...
I really want to write a blog. But what is in my head is way too private to write down... you know. Deep, philisophical thoughts... so since I shouldn't write down that stuff, I'll write this
Do the silly dance
please leave on your pants
now is your only chance
to take a broad stance
in the air put your hands
and do a little dance
Oh yeah. Watch Lost. It's a good show.
Do the silly dance
please leave on your pants
now is your only chance
to take a broad stance
in the air put your hands
and do a little dance
Oh yeah. Watch Lost. It's a good show.
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