The New Marley Door

For A CHRISTMAS CAROL at VSC

Seting the Stage

Paul Hawken: The Earth is Hiring

Here's the link to a very thoughtful speech on networking, the future, and the earth

Meet Brick

The new English Setter puppy comes home next week! Here's from our final visit before bringing him home!.

What do we need to do as Artists to help change how the world thinks about art vs. science?

American Theatre's Lack of Historical Sense

I'm a little behind here, but a great article from the Guardian on American theatre and it's lack of ability to embrace its own history.

Road to the Future

PBS has posted this GREAT documentary on the evolution of transit and the role of automobiles.

Words, Words, Words

Call me a theatre geek, but I firmly believe that WORDS are the most immediate form of human communication. They don't require a pencil or a computer. They just happen... from our breath... immediately!

Theatre was obviously more relevant when everything was words, words, words. But we've moved from that. Moved on to pictures, and then to moving pictures, and now to DIGITAL moving pictures... they're easy to understand quickly, and in some ways they communicate more. And that's great...

But.. WORDS... they still have their place. We need them! To express who we are and what's going on with us! They resonate - literally!- within our bodies. They trip from our lips and slip from our tongues. They viscerally explain what we're feeling with vibration that soothes and stimulates...

All right, I'll stop. I could go on for a while about the necessity of the spoken word, but I'll save that for another post.

However, if the spoken word is important, it must rediscover its place in society. I believe one of way it can do that is by showing relevance to our communities.

(yeah, yeah, we sit in our ivory tours and we talk about the importance of arts and literacy - but we don't seem to PRACTICE it. In practice we -the public ed system- continue to teach to the test and look for an immediate return - the system doesn't make a long-term investment in a student's life-long growth in communication skills)

And the school system isn't going to be able to do it. They have their own issues. But WE, the ARTISTS, the ones who understand empathy, and emotional intelligence, and the sheer power of words... we must take up the mantle. We must share what we know. Preferably with those who would not otherwise have a chance to learn.

So... we're attempting to do that at my theatre company. Educational programs for under-served and at-risk students are the obvious approach, and we're doing that, sure.

BUT I love that we're moving beyond that and creating theatre about our region of the country and presenting it to, even aiming it at, our region. And not easy topics.... Race, Military, Gays and Evangelicals, and more topics in process.

We are jump starting conversations - conversations needed for healing and for growth.

Our current project is about MASSIVE RESISTANCE - the situation that occurred when integration was forced on Virginia. Schools were closed for a year! And they re-opened because the white kids filed a reverse-discrimination case. Resentments are still harbored on both sides (Pretty tough for a city that is pretty much 50/50 black and white).

If Norfolk is to move past this - to get on with its growth - its got to talk about it. And where better than the theatre to jump-start this conversation?

Check out this interview with my artistic director about Line in the Sand. It will give you a taste of what's going on.

Much more press on the project and others will evolve in the following weeks.

Any ideas from your world? How you're increasing the common man's connection to theatre? I'd love to hear!

Information about Massive Resistance and Race in Norfolk:

Nothing like a recession to change the conversation...

was the heading on a google group discussion I was involved in recently.

The following is my rather rant-ish response...

Well, ok, yes, the recession "changes the conversation", but I feel like there's a certain negativity hidden in that comment. Or at least in how I hear that comment, right now, tonight. And, personally, I can't handle anymore negativity. I've had to ban CNN from my life, and go on a media diet. (well, except twitter... and facebook... and my rss feed-c'mon-let's-not-be-crazy-here)

It feels like there's an idea out there (or at least in my own head) that worrying about money means that we can't really focus on art anymore. Or growth. Or relevance. Or if a job at a big company will be waiting for me when I'm ready.

But shouldn't it just increase those things?

And isn't this downshift about creating a NEW system? A relevant one?
Creating a new job at a new or re-examined company?
About learning to integrate theatre as a visceral, connective experience with a world of ever digitally connected persons?
If this is the biggest shift in technology since the industrial revolution, then why should our economy, much less our institutional arts system be built to withstand it?
And doesn't this "down time" reveal that the boomers don't have all the answers anyway, so why am I waiting on them to fix things?
And isn't short-term viability crucial to long-term viability? Aren't they integrally connected?
And why am I feeling alone, when there's this great google group of people that are much like me, but I never talk to them and there are 84-ish "new leaders" members, but they never or seldom post, and I know nothing about them or how they're handling this time even though they're part of my "tribe"?

deap breath.

The artist is the artist because he creates something amazing with the materials given. And sure, a great artist can create great things with great materials. And that's... great... Sure, whatever.

But, in my humble opinion, an amazing artist - I mean, a truly astounding artist- takes what s/he's given and creates an exponentially greater product.

Seth Godin's viewpoint is that the playing field has been leveled. The world is having to relearn how it works economically.

Well, so is the theatre. And I would go one further and say that now the rest of the world is playing by the rules we've existed on for years.

So, artist,
whacha gonna do?

I want to know what's going on out there! What have you done because of finances that is working or teaching you something? or inspiring you?
Can I hear something good that you're doing?

Personally, I'm creating a lot of new educational programing. On the surface, it makes the company more money. I pay young, local artists, and they teach - new camps, new residencies, etc. But you know what? I've been DYING to deepen these programs for a couple of years. (of course, I was always "too busy" then!) But now, we need to pay the bills. So here goes! And it seems to be working!

And the result? Penetration. Deeper Impact. Repeated exposure to new people who will come back... to see my work, to see my teachers, to see our educational tours, to see our mainstage shows. Who benefits? My theater? Sure. In the short term. But in the long term - the theatre community grows. We create better citizens. People learn to communicate. More students gain a love of theatre that will last the rest of their lives. And, hey, they eventually buy tickets for my shows and YOURS!

(funny that I LOVE to complain about the boomer's lack of serious arts education focus, and have been so... "busy" myself, ahem...)

So, there's a very tiny example...

And I know that my LORT-D theatre in a mid sized city is probably FAR different than your situation, but...
What's going on in your world? Are you changing what you do in a way that's making what you do BETTER? More efficient? Greener? Are you more closely connecting to your audience, your talent, yourself? Let me know!

Great Kitchen Post

I'm a little late reposting this GREAT article from the NYT about what you should and shouldn't keep in your kitchen.

Avery in the News

The Greensboro FOX affiliate featured Avery's studio this week -

Clam Chowder at Henry's

The communal nature of food. The gathering of friends to partake in common experience - food, drink, laughter and music.

It was such an evening last week as the glass artist, the professor, the grad student, and the theatre director shared champagne (picked up on the host's recent trip to Napa Valley) and some fresh clam chowder.






CLAM CHOWDER

1. Heat two tablespoons of bacon grease Saute a half cup of onion.
2. Add one pound of diced potatoes and saute until coated by fat. 3. Add one tablespoon of flour and saute until potatoes and onions are coated.
4. Add one cup of clam juice and bring to a boil while stirring.
5. Reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
6. Add one cup of whole milk and one cup of cream along with 1 pound of clam meat to the pot.
7. Stir and heat through until hot, but NOT boiling.
8. Add salt and pepper to taste.
9. Spoon into bowls.
10. Add parsley to garnish and serve with hardtack.
11. Enjoy with friends.

Twitter and Regional Theatre

Just to add my thoughts to the ongoing conversation about twitter and theatre professionals -

As a twitter-er myself, I find that web 2.0 helps me to connect to ALL of the "worlds" that interest me. I follow people on twitter (and rss feeds and facebook, etc.) who share my lifestyle - from cooking to travel to working out to, yes, theater.

As a person who came of age in the dawn of internet dating and found my partner through such means, I find this sort of technology helpful in deepening relationships that otherwise would never exist. Matches with people of like minds that I would never meet due to geographic constraints... but, now... I just might!

As an artist, following people can inspire me to engage in projects and explorations. As a Regional Theatre artist, I mostly get to the New York to audition actors, the rest of the time I'm execuating projects here in Norfolk. DC, the closest large theatre hub, is three hours away. But through twitter (which helps to facilitate the blogs, podcasts, youtube, and many other parts of the info web I've created for myself) I'm able to be connected to what is going on RIGHT NOW in New York, Canada, LA, Regional Theatres, DC, and international work.

It also better conects me to things within my state that are just too far for me to visit on a regular bassis. Richmond Shakespeare and Wayside Theatre , while smaller companies than mine, help make up the professional work that is going on in Virginia. It's important that I know what's going on there, too. Not to mention that people in my building and in my city tweet from their different departments.

So, while for some this twitter exploration is one more means of "cheap marketing" for me it creates possibilities of deep and sincere impact.

Fresh Food International Market

Foodies Rejoice!

There's a new mega-international-food-grocery-store out in Virginia Beach. While we've long enjoyed Super G Mart in Greensboro, now there's something similar here. You'll find most anything Asian, Hispanic, Indian, etc. Fresh Fish too! (and I mean fresh as in still swimming!)

TASTE INTERVIEW

I did a fun interview the other week with my friend Hannah Sarrano for her new magazine "Taste".
Here's the interview reposted
from the 24sevencities.com site.
Photo by Gabe Romero

Where do you take visiting actors for drinks and for dinner? Well, the closest great food and drink is where we’re sitting right now, Empire, because it’s right across the street. In fact, I met my current squeeze here.

Really? Do you guys like to cook? Yes, I love to cook. We spent New Years Day making a big ole thing of collards, black-eyed peas, ham…the works.

What’s your favorite meal to prepare? Anything related to breakfast or brunch. In fact, we’ve started a breakfast blog. Sunday brunch is a big part of our ritual. But when we cook, I love to go to the Farm Market. That’s kind of my Friday and Saturday loop, is go by there and pick up some fresh produce on my way home.

What are your drinks-and-dinner standbys? A lot of it depends on whom you’re with. It’s funny because I feel like my life and my menu changes with who’s in town and what show we’re working on.

No matter what you’re doing, though, the 219 is always solid. They have a wide range and that kind of Asian overtone going on. And their bar is a really popular after-show and after-rehearsal place. It’s a place where you can actually have a conversation. I wish we had more of that on Granby Street.

And what about date places? I don’t like all dates to be pretentious, so walking down to Cogan’s is always great. I think you know you’ve found “the one” if you can happily have pizza and beer on a date. Well, I may have found “the one.”

God's Facebook Page

by way of HEDGEWYTCH

Theatre vs. Drama

Found via Twitter by way of Warner Crocker

Happy New Year!

After a great NYE dinner last night at The Boot, we finally rolled out of bed today and cooked collard greens, black eyed peas, ham, and corn bread. Although Avery is known for making amazing corn bread, the rest of the items are a little out of our normal expertise.

A lovely traditional dinner was had, however, and now we'll sit back and see if those collards will bring monetary returns!

Happy 2009!