For several years, I’ve been aware of “open studios” at various mill buildings in the NH Seacoast area, when artists open their doors and display their work for holiday shoppers and the curious community. Now that I rent studio space at 14 Cedar Street in Amesbury, MA, I get to be part of a huge, lively Open Studio Tour tradition! So, over Veterans’ Day weekend, I had the studio open, the masks on display, and the cookies freshly baked for whatever visitors came my way. It was so busy! I barely stopped talking all day, between introducing, explaining, demonstrating my…
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Here’s my first few pictures of class at Lemon Punch Theatre Lab! I’ve been doing private coaching, script consultation, and workshops there since July, but finally got my friend, theatre artist and photographer Deb Barry, to come into my acting class and take some snaps. With me here are the marvelous, open-hearted actors James Grillo, Michelle Mombrinie, Brad Ritchie, and Rowan Dunning. It’s been hilarious and moving to work with them on both physical theatre techniques and scene work. Our last class together is this week. Can’t wait for more!
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I am absolutely delighted to announce the opening of my new teaching and theatre making endeavor, Lemon Punch Theatre Lab LLC! Located at the artists’ mill building at 14 Cedar Street in Amesbury, MA, the Lab features lots of light and space and . . . its own rest room! Woo hoo for Studio 207A! I also have a marvelous landlord and many great artist neighbors there. Stay tuned for more Lemon Punch Theatre Lab news. For now, visit my new website to learn all about my class and workshop offerings for Fall 2019! And enjoy a couple pictures of…
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I had a marvelous conversation today with friends about my doctoral research from years gone by, which focused on 19th-century theatrical female impersonation. This topic seems increasingly relevant as people play with gender identities on stage and in life. One of the acts I wrote about was Harrigan and Hart. Edward Harrigan is frequently credited as the “father” of American musical theatre, as he was among the first to combine songs and sketches into an extended entertainment with a (somewhat) unified plot. Harrigan wrote the sketches and lyrics, while composer David Braham provided the music. But his performance partner, Tony…
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On March 7th, I had the good fortune to present the traveling version of Kate Wenner’s MAKE SURE IT’S ME at the Manchester VA Medical Center as part of Brain Injury Awareness Month. Thanks once again to Nina Romano and Erica Rowe for organizing the event, and to John, Matt, Martin and Kim for reading with me and sharing your reactions and personal reflections on the challenges of coping with combat-related trauma. As always, it wouldn’t be possible without playwright Kate Wenner’s permission to use her work royalty-free in support of the veterans grappling with TBI and PTSD–Kate, you are…
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Although my family engages rarely in social media, sometimes I use this space to honor my nearest and dearest. Today, just because, attention must be paid to Paul and Boris. Enjoy!
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Sadly, we bid adieu to New Hampshire Theatre Project‘s MEN ON BOATS, which enjoyed numerous sold out performances and engaging Saturday night talkbacks. We also helped NHTP overshoot its 30th anniversary fundraising goal for the fall! Thanks to Gen Aichele for her direction, Kate Kirkwood for crucial assistant direction in the crunch period right before tech week, Quentin Stockwell, Fran Bechtold, Robin Fowler and Catherine Stewart for their design work and Brennan Donnell for running crew. My enduring admiration and gratitude to my onstage colleagues: Helen Brock, Sandi Clark, Becky Fowler, Monique Peaslee Foote, Kathy-Ann Hart, Kolby Hume, Ollie Lane, Mary…
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This fall I’ve been part of a marvelous crew bringing to the stage the story of John Wesley Powell’s first (disastrous) expedition down the Green and Colorado Rivers through the Grand Canyon. Powell’s 1869 adventure is the subject of MEN ON BOATS by Jaclyn Backhaus. The show, directed by Genevieve Aichele and staged at WEST, is part of New Hampshire Theatre Project’s historic 30th season producing in Portsmouth. (Read more about NHTP’s season and about our show here.) Backhaus’s play intrigues on several levels–she includes seven scenes of the men riding the rapids, including plunging down waterfalls and capsizing with…
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Well, I did it! I successfully self-produced CLEAN ROOM at WEST, with all ticket sales and a few on-the-spot or after-the fact donations turned over to HAVEN to support their mission. I had great houses and a marvelous team to help: Tomer Oz designed my lights; Kate Quisumbing helped me rehearse, ran my boards, and shared my house management duties; HAVEN staff and board members helped with ticketing and box office, secured food donations, and made lovely curtain speeches; and my husband came every night and did all the glamorous work like taking out the garbage and–before I could stop…
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I had a delightful visit with Dr. Laura Edmondson’s Theatre History class in late February to demonstrate mask work and how the tools of commedia dell’arte can serve us as theatre makers today. I was joined in the masks by a couple of Laura’s fearless students, Holden and Ellie. Enjoy!