day39- Hair-Vagina Monologues

I have been directing theatre for a long time.

I always knew that directing was what I wanted to do, what I longed to do- but I also really love acting.

For me, the hardest part of acting is not being a part of the whole creative vision within the process.

It is like being one piece of a puzzle when you don't have all the puzzle pieces in front of you and trying to find out how you fit.

Directing gives you the whole box of puzzle pieces to play with.

The result of this is I do very little acting these days unless something really calls to me.

A show " The Vagina Monologues" is one that called loudly.

I started by simply auditioning, not knowing anyone involved and soon found myself not only performing, but ass't directing and participating as an acting coach.

All those beautiful pieces of the puzzle shared amongst us.

It was a life changing experience. The people involved, the words, the stories shared with such honesty....

I could go on and on, it was magic.

But that was two years ago...why am I writing this as part of my gratitude series today?

Recently it was brought to my attention that the youtube clip of my performance has been seen by over 22,000 people in the last year.

HOLY CRAP.

22,000 PEOPLE! tuning into to me, acting.......unbelievable.

Thank you to Sarah Kramer for posting it a year ago and wow, thank you to all the people who have watched this and beenopen to this amazing work by Eve Ensler.

For someone who considers herself a director first and an actress only something I visit, the validation you all have given me as an actress is amazing, and so graciously recieved.

I am so heartfully proud to have been able to be a part of this, to have the work carry forward through the likes of Youtube and to be involved in a global movement fighting to end all violence against women and children, forever.

Click on this sentence to view video if you wish...

day 228, 29, 30 and 31- no guilt gratitude

It has been some days since my last post and I realized I was feeling guilty that I hadn't found the time to make it here and post. That won't do, it seriously hampers the ability to be in the moment and to be acknowledging what is in front of you.

I have now shaken my head, given myself a little talking to and remembered that finding something to be thankful for is not necessarily a spectator sport. *smile* and the reason these last few days will remain quiet-without guilt.

For today however, I turn my thoughts to the female artists that have come before, and to whom I am full of gratitude.

Just take a moment and think about what it must have been like for the women in theatre before the the early 1900s. What they must have struggled with to free their art.

Isadora Duncan, Sarah Bernhardt, and even back further with female writers, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, George Sands et al.

Without those passionate and determined women, blasting through stereotypes and obstacles, life as we know it in the arts would look much more grim.

One of these women truly speaks to me and has for years. Sarah Bernhardt, one of the leading ladies of theatre, and whom Mucha used as his muse to paint allowing greater exposure for Sarah and her art.

I was lucky enough to wander through a museum of Mucha's works in Prague and brought home a beautiful silk of a painting of Sarah Bernhardt as she appeared for Tosca.

It hangs beside my bed, shining on as a reminder to how far women in the arts have come.

365 Days of Gratitude-Day 15, Brent and the History Boys

Tonight I saw a terrific play, "The History Boys."

Really beautifully drawn characters, global themes that challenge and push us into the uncomfortable and which provoked much after play discussion between myself and my friend Brent.

Tonight I am thankful that Brent chose to share his tickets with me.

A good friend, a great play and a wonderful evening.

He also has a really cute little dog. Seriously, cutest small dog with a big dog personality I have ever met.

movie etiquette 101, pass it on...

Okay.....
there are a few things I would like to get off my chest about being in a social movie setting

1, my biggest pet peeve..

STAY PUT AND READ THE CREDITS.
Really, those names are the people that MADE the movie you are watching. A movie is so much more than what you see the actors do and the effects that support them.
They are the sweat, blood and inspirational creativity that made sure your movie experience was all it was.
Sit still...finish your bevvie and take in the names as they scroll by.
When you watch them for years, you start to see the names as they move through the hierarchy of the movie world and they deserve the few minutes it takes to read and acknowledge their work.

AND IF YOU MUST WALK OUT BEFORE THE CREDITS ARE DONE ROLLING, GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THOSE WHO WANT TO STAY AND READ THEM

WRAPPERS...
Leave the crunchy wrapping at home, or unwrap and prepare it before the lights go down....ugh cellaphane....we all hate it.....doing it slowly does NOT make it less quiet, it only prolongs the pain.

Talking...
YOU ARE NOT IN YOUR LVIING ROOM....SHUT THE HELL UP!
The lights go down, your mouths need to close.
Do I really need to say anymore?

Beepers and cell phones...
ugh...again I say, you are not in your living room, turn them off, including the vibrate button and rememebr you are not alone in the theatre.

FEET
A little common courtesy...for heavens sake keep your feet off the chair in front of you if someone is sitting there.....no one likes to sit in an endless array of kicks, whacks, thumps and wiggles.

You are having your escape, allow the space others need to do the same.

Okay rant over...share some of these thoughts okay?