I will be reviewing our new shadow puppet play Wiley and the Hairy Man.
The review is about Il Circo-Viaggio, which I was fortunate to view over the holidays. I found an article written by Holly Herndon-For the Californian.
The Viaggio is about the transformation of a little girl, who lacks confidence, into an outstanding performer by watching the other performers in the show through a series of venues written by producer Sam Trego.
This review shows the transformation of the little girl and, also, the growth of Il Circo company from a local affair to an international success.
I learned that there is no such thing as too much information and how important the rule of long and short paragraphs are.
Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/entertainment/art-and-theater/theater/article_ce283655-b6d7-576b-917e-65da13d30343.html#ixzz1kQX8VLiP
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
On Writing," pp. 51-100
What stood out?
The fact that stood out to me was the amount of alcohol and drugs that Steven Spielberg was doing while writing some of his best work. It is that he was able to remember all of the wonderful and broad-reaching words he had written, which have influenced so many people, including writers. Yet it is a joy that he is still with us despite his best efforts to kill himself and he has such beautiful people around him who care what happens to him.
What lessons can we learn from King's experience writing and selling "Carrie"?
Writing does not have to easy or enjoyable to be good and worthwhile. Even though he did not understand girls and what affected their lives, he did finally talk with his wife, who was a girl, and ask her help. You should never be too big to ask for help.
If I was ever able to sell a book, I would definitely not do what Steven did and leave the negotiations to someone else. After his first big sale, he should have gotten better percentages on his sales. He should have been able to write his own ticket with a major publishing company.
The fact that stood out to me was the amount of alcohol and drugs that Steven Spielberg was doing while writing some of his best work. It is that he was able to remember all of the wonderful and broad-reaching words he had written, which have influenced so many people, including writers. Yet it is a joy that he is still with us despite his best efforts to kill himself and he has such beautiful people around him who care what happens to him.
What lessons can we learn from King's experience writing and selling "Carrie"?
Writing does not have to easy or enjoyable to be good and worthwhile. Even though he did not understand girls and what affected their lives, he did finally talk with his wife, who was a girl, and ask her help. You should never be too big to ask for help.
If I was ever able to sell a book, I would definitely not do what Steven did and leave the negotiations to someone else. After his first big sale, he should have gotten better percentages on his sales. He should have been able to write his own ticket with a major publishing company.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Tragedy at Periwinkle Creek
On Wednesday, January 18th, Catherine Sue,18, and Aiden Jaxon McLaughlin, a 20 month old little bundle of joy, died when they car they were riding in was swept into the culvert, that is Periwinkle Creek, next to Mega Foods at 2000 Queen Ave. S.E., Albany, Ore. "The creek, normally about 3 feet deep, this morning was estimated to be at least 10 feet deep. And while it can usually be stepped across, it is as wide today as 25 feet." (OregonLive.com, January, 19th)
 |
| Cathy Sue and her love Aiden share a moment. |
Family and friends held a candlelight vigil on Thursday, January 19th at 5 P.M. It was attended by hundreds, who came out to say goodbye or get some closure as they will be missed by all. "I miss my sister so much, “said Jessica McLaughlin. "She was my only sister, and it is way too soon for her to go. My nephew was just the smartest little boy."(Fox 12 News, January, 19th.)
Aiden always had a smile on his face per his grandmother. He was a quiet when you first met him but when he got to know you, he was such a friendly, happy little man and would have been 2 on April 1st. Cathy Sue,a mother first was a waiflike,latent flower child who loved rainbows and the kindest, non-violent person you could meet. She was found about 500 feet from where her son was found in the water by her family, who stayed on after rescuers had left.
No family is prepared for a double tragedy like this and friends and family have set up a series of events and places to contribute for the double burial service.
On January, 25th at 8 P.M., there will be a benefit concert for Cathy Sue and Aiden.
Riley’s Bar and Grill
124 Broadalbin St. S.W.
Albany, Oregon
There will also be a benefit concert on Friday, January 27th, 2012 from 6 to 9 P.M.
The Riverside Grange
85283 Riverside Drive
Albany, Oregon
Everyone is invited with a $5.00 fee and all proceeds will go to their family. Performing at the Benefit will be Tragedy 503, Knothead, and NorthWest Noize.
For those not able to come to these benefits, a donation fund has been set up at Umpqua Bank, where you may contribute to the fund under Catherine McLaughlin’s name.
On Writing pg 1-51
What did you find most interesting or surprising?
I find it surprising that Stephen is still alive and with a reasonably
sound mind. Starting at two with the
cinderblock being dropped on his foot and progressing to the babysitter from
hell to being physically sick for approximately a year with the doctor from
hell and finally getting poison ivy as bad as he did. And let us not forget the science project
gone awry.
What did you read so far that will be most useful for
feature writing?
It was very helpful to know that he did not sell for years
but was encouraged by his mother to continue writing no matter what happened. He showed tenacity and the ability to laugh at
himself. His ingenuity in trying to sell
his first book at school was eye-opening and ingenious.
What is your favorite quote so far from the book? Write it
and tell why you like it.
My favorite quote is “Let’s get one thing clear right now,
shall we? There is no Idea Dump, no
Story Central, no Island of the Buried Bestsellers; good story ideas seem to
come quite literally from nowhere, sailing at you right out of the empty sky: two
previously unrelated ideas come together and make something new under the
sun. Your job isn’t to find these ideas
but to recognize them when they show up.”
This is my favorite quote because it so aptly tells you all
you ever need to know about where to get you ideas for writing your own life story. This is one of the things I hope to
accomplish in this class.
WILEY AND THE HAIRY MAN
Wiley and the Hairy
Man is an African-American folklore which has been passed down by generations
of storytellers. Dan Stone, the director, is an aficionado of the art of puppetry and knew this play could be done in a totally different way, using puppets, live actors and voices, along with songs. Stone stated that this is "the first play of this type and hopes to take the show on the road for future contests."
The play is a collection of scenes projected on a very large
white screen with puppets. “Puppetry is about as old and as universal as
storytelling and the two often co-exist.”
Some live actors in profile with others are paper cutouts with strings
or sticks attached to support them, projected on the big screen. The scenes are of the swampland, with marsh
grass, quicksand, and scary trees, and the inside and outside of mammy’s home.”[1]
Wiley is a young boy, living alone with his mammy (slang for
mommy) in the swamps in the South. He
has lost his pappy to the Hairy Man, an evil, conjurer man. A continuous theme
in the play is “he done got your pappy and he’s gonna get you”.
Being afraid of everything, Wiley must go into the swamp to
cut a tree and build a house for his
Dog. The Hairy Man, who believes he is
the best conjurer “in the whole southwest” (pg. 161), lives in the swamp and
wants Wiley, but the Hairy Man “cain’t stand no dogs, everybody knows that.”
(pg. 147)
Wiley, played as a puppet by Emily Smith, and read by Adrienne Barnes, helps the
audience see the little boy, along with his faithful dog, battling his fears of the Hairy Man and trying
to gain self-confidence to become a conjurer like his mammy.
Mammy, “the best conjurer woman in the whole southwest
county” (pg. 147) is played by Terra Piper and read by Elnora Palmtag. She forces her son to face his fears and the
Hairy Man in the swamp, but she is always telling her son “you can do it, Wiley”
and, along with the chorus, to “be
keerful, Wiley”.
The Hairy Man is portrayed in shadow by Taylor Hagey, a
larger than life monster, and read by Henry Winowiecki, "who truly enjoyed reading the part of the Hairy Man",with the perfect
intonations of a perfect tenor voice which inspires fear in the little children
in the audience, as they booed his voice and the character on screen.
The Chorus, played by Kim Willaman, Kassandra Morris, and
Alyssa Rimer, not only connect the audience with the action but help to move
the action along in a rhythmic style that is catchy and familiar, performing two songs, from words in the play, adapted for
the production by Dan Stone, the director.
In 1932 Franklin Delano Roosevelt decided to invent jobs to
stimulate the economy after the Great Depression. One of
his projects was the Federal Writers' Project, which paid writers to record any
folklore they could find.
“ "Wiley and the Hairy Man" was one of the many
folktales recorded then, as part of the collection from the state of Alabama.
It was written down by Donnell van De Voort, a white man, who had heard it as a
child from the family gardener. I read it in A Treasury of American Folklore, a
book edited by the head of the Federal Writers Project, William Botkin.”[2]
and published in 1972.
This version of Wiley and the Hairy Man, done by playwright
Susan Zeder, has been adapted by Dan Stone, theater director, into this
believable shadow puppet show.
The play wwas performed for students in the Greater
Albany area on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout February at Russell Tripp Theater at LBCC. The general public paid to see
performances on Saturdays, February 18th and 25th at 2 P.
M with a cost of $9 general admission, $7 for students and seniors, and $5 for
children.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Acting Can Be Fun!--FINAL DRAFT
Why do people decide to go into acting or theater, working in the background? Who are these people who are so inspired by the theater? Will this continue to be a career or a beautiful diversion in life?
Actors and theater personnel are people from all walks of life with different goals which may not have anything to do with the theater. Acting can be life altering and enriching, as well as a lot of fun.
You stand in front of an audience and start to speak, your demeanor and character change as you take on your role in any production.
While interviewing a few of the people who are performing in Wiley and the Hairy Man, a play performed by shadow puppets, it was enlightening to see that the crew are from different backgrounds with different goals but all with the same love of the theater.
Katrina DiFonzo is a very colorful and dynamic personality has shown with A Christmas Carol what a great job she does on productions at the theater with Dan Stone, director and educator.
DiFonzo took a stage management class when she enrolled here at LBCC and said she "developed a love for the theater." Keeping track of the time, action, and people in Wiley and the Hairy Man, Difonzo makes sure the actors and helpers are on time, in the right places, and following the director's instructions.
"I just love art of all forms and want to be a part of it in any way. Art is in my blood and bones," said Difonzo.
Later, DiFonzo will be transferring to Portland State University to continue her major in theater with a minor in fine arts for tattooing.
Tinamarie Ivey, technical director, says she knew she wanted "to be an artist in grade school, specifically an actress." Ivey said "my parents encouraged extra activities to keep her busy, so she made up plays to be performed by children in her neighborhood."
Actors and theater personnel are people from all walks of life with different goals which may not have anything to do with the theater. Acting can be life altering and enriching, as well as a lot of fun.
You stand in front of an audience and start to speak, your demeanor and character change as you take on your role in any production.
While interviewing a few of the people who are performing in Wiley and the Hairy Man, a play performed by shadow puppets, it was enlightening to see that the crew are from different backgrounds with different goals but all with the same love of the theater.
Katrina DiFonzo is a very colorful and dynamic personality has shown with A Christmas Carol what a great job she does on productions at the theater with Dan Stone, director and educator.
DiFonzo took a stage management class when she enrolled here at LBCC and said she "developed a love for the theater." Keeping track of the time, action, and people in Wiley and the Hairy Man, Difonzo makes sure the actors and helpers are on time, in the right places, and following the director's instructions.
"I just love art of all forms and want to be a part of it in any way. Art is in my blood and bones," said Difonzo.
Later, DiFonzo will be transferring to Portland State University to continue her major in theater with a minor in fine arts for tattooing.
Tinamarie Ivey, technical director, says she knew she wanted "to be an artist in grade school, specifically an actress." Ivey said "my parents encouraged extra activities to keep her busy, so she made up plays to be performed by children in her neighborhood."
In Wiley and The Hairy Man, Ivey is the technical director. Sitting at a round table , Ivey instructs all the actors who are doing the voices for the puppets and teaches how to bring the characters alive, use their voices to project the desired effect , and what voice qualities are needed to make the right impression on the audience and the puppet performers.
Most of the speaking actors were not aware of the power of their voices and really needed her direction to do such a great job. Throughout the play rehearshals and during the actual play, Ivey continued to give the needed advice to make the character interact to make the whole play a seamless interaction between the puppet and the voice so that they appear as one character.
One of Ivey's favorite performances was in South Pacific in the Riverside Civic Opera at Riverside Community College. From her bio, I gleaned the following information. “As a performer, she has appeared in numerous venues with favorite roles including: Claire in Fuddy Meers, Sextuplets in Wonder of the World, Mrs. Bramson in Night Must Fall, Mommy in American Dream, Pantalone in A Christmas Commedia, Claire in Rumors, Woman in Rockaby, Polly in Three Penny Opera, Rizzo in Grease and the role of Nellie in the production of South Pacific with the Riverside Civic Light Opera.”
Most of the speaking actors were not aware of the power of their voices and really needed her direction to do such a great job. Throughout the play rehearshals and during the actual play, Ivey continued to give the needed advice to make the character interact to make the whole play a seamless interaction between the puppet and the voice so that they appear as one character.
One of Ivey's favorite performances was in South Pacific in the Riverside Civic Opera at Riverside Community College. From her bio, I gleaned the following information. “As a performer, she has appeared in numerous venues with favorite roles including: Claire in Fuddy Meers, Sextuplets in Wonder of the World, Mrs. Bramson in Night Must Fall, Mommy in American Dream, Pantalone in A Christmas Commedia, Claire in Rumors, Woman in Rockaby, Polly in Three Penny Opera, Rizzo in Grease and the role of Nellie in the production of South Pacific with the Riverside Civic Light Opera.”
And, let’s not forget, Laura Blackwell, a veteran actress who has a repertoire that makes amateurs blush. Blackwell, a fun-loving, positive woman, helps out whenever she can in any production she is in, no matter what part she plays. Blackwell's stature and presence, around 5 feet, 10 inches and a commanding air, make her a director's dream actress.
From an article written by Kay M. Roth in the Commuter, we discover that Laura “has appeared in The Producers, Alice in Wonderland, Steel Magnolias and as Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. Blackwell also played four roles in “Nick Tickle,” last year’s children’s show at Linn-Benton.“
From an article written by Kay M. Roth in the Commuter, we discover that Laura “has appeared in The Producers, Alice in Wonderland, Steel Magnolias and as Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. Blackwell also played four roles in “Nick Tickle,” last year’s children’s show at Linn-Benton.“
Most recently, Blackwell performed magnificently as female Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, which really showed off her talents. Blackwell plays a shadow puppet in Wiley and the Hairy Man and is auditioning for parts as far away as San Francisco on her way to Broadway.
Kassandra Morris, a returning player, is not aspiring actress but has always viewed "acting as an escape from life." Morris played a superb Mrs. Cratchit and a chorus member in A Christmas Carol last term and said, "acting and performing allows me to be creative. I love sharing that with people from all different backgrounds."
As a part of the chorus in Wiley and the Hairy Man, Morris stated that the chorus keeps the audience apprised of the action and meter of the play. Although she will be pursuing a degree in Law and a minor in Spanish, Morris plans to continue "working in the theater in some form."
As a part of the chorus in Wiley and the Hairy Man, Morris stated that the chorus keeps the audience apprised of the action and meter of the play. Although she will be pursuing a degree in Law and a minor in Spanish, Morris plans to continue "working in the theater in some form."
At A Glance:
Wiley and the Hairy Man, a puppet show about the battle between Wiley, the son of Mammy, a conjurer woman, and the Hairy Man who thinks he "is the best conjurer in the whole southwest County" (from Wiley and the Hairy Man script), will be performed February 18th and 25th at 2 P. M. for public viewing in Takena Hall at the Russell Tripp Theater.
Wiley and the Hairy Man, a puppet show about the battle between Wiley, the son of Mammy, a conjurer woman, and the Hairy Man who thinks he "is the best conjurer in the whole southwest County" (from Wiley and the Hairy Man script), will be performed February 18th and 25th at 2 P. M. for public viewing in Takena Hall at the Russell Tripp Theater.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Acting Can Be Fun!!! 1st draft
As a freshman at LBCC at the ripe age of 62, I decided
to take a course, theater, which sounded like fun and would not require an
extreme amount of time. This is one of
the best decisions I have ever made. In
trying to lessen my load at school, I have enriched my life tremendously. I have met some of the most talented and
friendly people at this school. It was a
pleasure interviewing some of the people who work in our theater.
Talking with Katrina DiFonzo, stage manager, who has shown with A Christmas Carol what a great job she does on productions at the
theater with Dan Stone, director and educator. Per Dan, this is one of the most important
jobs in the theater and should always be regarded as a position to aspire to. Kat took a stage management class when she
enrolled here at LBCC and developed a love for the theater. She is the assistant director for our new
play, Wiley and the Hairy Man, which
will be performed at the end of February and early March. Later, she will be transferring to Portland
State University to continue her major in theater with a minor in fine arts for
tattooing.
Tinamarie Ivey, Technical Director, is one of those people
you should never underestimate and always appreciate as she makes sure the
production is actually portraying the story the way the writer meant it to be
and the way the audience will totally enjoy and understand. TinaMarie knew she wanted to be an artist in
grade school, specifically an actress.
Her parents encouraged extra activities to keep her busy, so she made up
plays to be performed by children in her neighborhood. One of her favorite performances is in South Pacific in the Riverside Civic
Opera at Riverside Community College.
From her bio, I gleaned the following information. “As a performer, she has appeared in numerous
venues with favorite roles including: Claire in Fuddy Meers,
Sextuplets in Wonder of the World, Mrs. Bramson in Night
Must Fall, Mommy in American Dream, Pantalone in A
Christmas Commedia, Claire in Rumors, Woman in Rockaby,
Polly in Three Penny Opera, Rizzo in Grease and
the role of Nellie in the production of South Pacific with the
Riverside Civic Light Opera.”
And, let’s not forget, Laura Blackwell, a veteran actress
who has a repertoire that makes us amateurs blush. From an article written by Kay M. Roth in
the Commuter, we discover that Laura “has appeared in The Producers, Alice in
Wonderland, Steel Magnolias and as Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. She also played four roles in “Nick Tickle,”
last year’s children’s show at Linn-Benton.“ Most
recently, Laura performed magnificently as female Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, which really showed off
her talents. Laura is in the process of
getting her Bachelor of Fine Arts on her way to Broadway.
Kassandra Morris, a returning actress, is not aspiring
actress but has always viewed acting as an escape from life, just as I do with
books. She played Mrs. Cratchit and a chorus member in A Christmas Carol last term. Also, she is playing a part of the chorus
in Wiley and the Hairy Man, which is
being put on here at LBCC in the spring.
Although she will be pursuing a degree in Law and a minor in Spanish, Kassandra
plans to continue acting.
As you can see, actors and theater personnel come in all
personalities and walks of life but all have the same love of theater. I knew I loved watching people perform but
did not know that I loved the theater as a performer until I tried out for a
part in Wiley and the Hairy Man, a
puppet show, where I will be the voice of Mammy, “the best conjure woman in the
whole Southwest.” I hope to continue
acting or assisting in the theater in the background. Acting is definitely fun and life enriching.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Acting Can Be FUN!!! questions to answer in 1st paper
Acting Can Be Fun
I will be interviewing Katrina DiFonzo, stage manager, here at LBCC, who has shown what a great job she does on productions at the theater with Dan Stone, Director and Educator. Per Dan, this is one of the most important jobs in the theater and should always be regarded as a position to aspire to.
Also, Tinamarie Ivey, Technical Director, is one of those people you should never underestimate and always appreciate as she makes sure the production is actually protraying the story the way the writer meant it to be and the way the audience will totally enjoy and understand the performance.
And, let’s not forget, Laura Blackwell, a veteran actress who has a repertroire that makes us amateurs blush.
My questions are:
Why be an actor?
What makes a good actor?
Where can this lead in your life?
How do you become an actor?
When would a person become an actor?
Who can be an actor?
What other occupations complement acting and why are they essential?
My nut graf is at the ripe age of 62, I am in a play for the first time which is teaching me so much about the theater world and I want to impart that enthusiam and ability to others.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
My first experience blogging
I have never blogged in my life and, when told to create a blog, I said okay, very intelligently. There is no way I understood what I was being asked to do. I tried to create a blog by going to Google and entering the word BLOG. I was directed to many sites and most of them were not free. I, finally, gave up and asked my husband if he had a blog and he told me how to find his by putting in my name after his blog name/billsblog.
It was eyeopening to say the least. I don't know what to expect but this is the beginning of my adventure into the world of blogging.
It was eyeopening to say the least. I don't know what to expect but this is the beginning of my adventure into the world of blogging.
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