Monday, November 26, 2012

A Life of Puropse





We sat huddled in the green room around a space heater, rehearsing some last-minute lines. I was distracted from the task at hand by my nerves; I didn’t have a clue how my co-workers were going to react to our performance. Would I be able to show my face at work again? I never had any trouble acting before, but this show has my name on it. As I drew the curtain I held my breath for a minute and then marched onstage.
What I didn’t expect was their laughter. Through the entire show, we were showered with applause, cheers, and laughs from the audience. We were told the lines felt effortless and that the themes were engaging and thought-provoking. The clown make-up lent legitimacy to the show’s absurdity. They were surprised by the show’s polish.
The positive energy that radiated from the audience members was an accolade to the hours that we poured into our creation. We spent two solid months writing and re-writing the script, making set pieces, searching for costumes, choreographing, practicing vocal and instrumental pieces, designing programs, and launching a website. And for just that one performance, our investment was returned to us ten-fold.
There is certainly a wide margin for improvement, but for our first self-produced show, I'd say it was pretty darn good. We had a blast and learned so much from the experience.
The feeling of walking off the stage was a post-wank euphoria.

So here are the videos; the second is the actual performance, the first is just a rehearsal of the opening dance and beginning of the show taken in our basement. Unfortunately, those parts were cut off in the final video but I wanted to include them.





Wednesday, November 14, 2012

PenWren Theater

COME ONE, COME ALL!!

To a show of unprecedented silliness! The PenWren players proudly present...

"A Life of Purpose"

 

11/21, 7 PM Sharp

Rendezvous' Jewel Box Theater




Eric, Almendra and I live together. We decided about two months ago that we were going to write a theatrical production and perform it. That time is finally here and we humbly proffer you our invitations. Bring your friends! Bring your enemies! Bring your Aunt Tom!




Check out our website, and we'll see you there!




 
Yes, they are inverted. 
I struggle with the future.

Horoscope

Leaves scatter and dance in the great belly of the wind. Nature is waddling along like a fat, naked princess whose gusty, gastric riptides churn we, the tumbling leaves over one another as she pushes down through her toes with rumbling force and launches herself into the sky. The year is 2012 and she is zooming through the atmosphere on her way to meet Mercury. She will meet him with furied eyes and brandished sword. Her rage is that of Venus, whose tame and beautiful creatures have grown restless in their cages. Nature must control the rage of the feminine as it re-claims the respect lost by the hands of a cruel and blinded Mercury. She will strike off only his appendages, which will re-grow in a matter of centuries. Now is the time of Venus; a time of great love and prosperity for all, but the world will again require Mercury's strength and courage, when he can again see clearly and learn to share the sky with mother Venus.

This week I went to a photo shoot with about 25 other women. We were photographed naked and wore day of the dead make up. It was just enough of a mask for us to hide behind, but I don't think I have never felt such pride in my own body or femininity. Growing up, I learned to become a 'tomboy' when I felt weak as a girl. Being more like a boy helped me feel more empowered. Now I am a woman, and I see that it's ok to be rough around the edges, but I can also be proud of what is feminine about me. As we were being photographed, the energy of the other women was feeding into me and I realized that we were all helping one another feel strong, beautiful and cared for. It was incredible therapy I didn't realize I needed. I will post again with a link to Almendra Sandoval's photographs when they are ready for publication and with her permission.