Theatre Class Addict

My very favorite set (designed by Nolan O’Dell) was for one of my favorite plays.  In 2017, I directed Lonely Planet by Steven Dietz.  Not only is the play one of the early plays to deal with the AIDS crisis and a gentle love story between two men, Steven was actually an ensemble member with me when I was in undergraduate school at the University of Northern Colorado.  We were both part of See-Saw, a theatre for the hearing impaired.  (how I got selected to be part of this company still baffles me – but it was one of my favorite growing up adventures).  I love this set because it is so simple: a map store full of clutter, a circular floor with the compass laid out and a single chair begin the question what happens next. Read this play and you will fall in love with theatre all over again.

Into every teacher’s life comes a moment when it ALL becomes worth it and you reach a connection with a student that goes far beyond the reach of any of those education classes one is required to take to understand this craft.  This picture of Whit Hemphill and I solving a scene from Lonely Planet is my very favorite moments of teaching.  We were on the same page.  We were equally committed.  We were challenging each other.  We were intellectually and artistically alive!

I seem to be on a roll of reviewing all of my production photos, and it sure is bringing some intense memories back to me.  Here is my favorite solo stage moment.  Actor, Cole Fowler, playing he lead in the Kafka version of Metamorphosis is in the midst of making the transition from being a man into a cockroach.  In this moment he has jumped into a picture frame quite high in the air to consider his next moment.  Muscles, intentions and picture frames: a perfect dash of theatre for me

Today is my birthday!  That is a great and wonderful thing.  62 has arrived and now I am magically recognized by actuaries for the United States government as a retired man heading into those numerically limited years.  Yes I can now take Social Security, but, of course, I shall be waiting until 70 to do so in that the money is MUCH better.

But today is more memorable for me than Social Security.  My father lived until he was 62.  Fighting through cancer for 5 years, he finally succumbed at 62.  And now I am 62.  It is a bit sad and I do miss my father and his unique insights but today is also a celebration.  Everyday that I can live longer than my father is a gift indeed – –  and I intend to appreciate every day of it!  Here is a picture of dad and I. – – shortly before needing my britches changed I would imagine.

Today a terrific young man asked me to look at his monologues that he was organizing to become his college audition package.  I was thrilled to be asked.  The real challenge of the meeting was where to go.  After giving up those sacred school keys I was stumped, but, as always, I adapted and we turned a parking lot into a makeshift rehearsal studio.  Read more →