Archive for June, 2008
I wrote a scene today where it’s more than obvious that the character is flat out lying… She even gets up before the camera stops taping — that’s how bad she wants out of the interview… I was nervous about her coming off sounding like an @$$hole, but when she just flat out lies like that, she sounds like even more of one…
The thing is, I don’t really want to change what she says… I wrote the scene straight the first time… I had her say exactly what her motivation was, but it was too cut and dry — and it just wasn’t real.
I realize not every character will be liked… I’ve written more than a few who aren’t… but that was always my intention from the outset, and this time, that just wasn’t the case.
This isn’t a problem, but more of a milestone… That scene, and those two minutes, might be the most humane two minutes I’ve written for this piece to date.
This is starting to get good…
–Sue
June 24th, 2008
It hit me yesterday amid 3 loads of laundry why I needed to have the foundation of a loving relationship and marriage before I could or would “make it big”…
There are many many things on this earth that I love doing more than doing laundry… But, it needed to get done. To make our household run smoothly on a daily basis, I do a lot of small things that aren’t anywhere nearly as glamorous as accepting my Tony Awards…
But, the truth is, a lot of that stuff needs to happen to make any collaborative effort have any kind of chance. Everyone needs to pitch in and do whatever they can, whenever they can, to make it work. Theatre, just like a home and family, is a collaborative effort.
As small as laundry may seem, it’s a bunch of those small things that make this big thing, our life together, work… and our life is so much bigger than me…
I was actually thankful folding socks and underwear yesterday… thankful to be a part of something so big and full of love.
To be great, I have to be grateful. And I am… but I never thought I’d feel that doing the laundry!
–Sue
June 20th, 2008
A few moments ago, I heard Mandy Patinkin give an acceptance speech on behalf of Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Stephen Sondheim.
Sondheim quipped that “there’s a finality” to a Lifetime Achievement Award, and he’s right…
What struck me as wonderful, and so appropriate, is that there wasn’t a hurried montage of some of Mr. Sondheim’s past achievements, there was a single staged performance from the revival of his amazing “Sunday in the Park with George,” currently at the Roundabout Theatre.
The number, “Move On,” was so wonderfully poignant, relating to the veteran maestro’s words, but also to any artist featured during the evening or watching the Tony Awards on TV.
Dot sings:
Just keep moving on
Anything you do,
Let it come from you
Then it will be new
Give us more to see…
I promise, you’ll get more from me…
–Sue
June 15th, 2008
As regular readers of this blog know, I love many of the reality shows on Bravo. I love watching artists create in real time, and watching as they get feedback from trained professionals in their respective fields.
The newest delightful addition is “Step it Up and Dance.” We’ve been watching each episode with rapt attention.
Cody Green, the ultimate technician, seemed to be on top early on, but later got hammered for not emoting enough. He was finally pushed to the edge and ended up dancing his way to the winner’s circle.
The way judge Nancy O’Meara pushed him reminded me of a teacher I had at Emerson who pushed me. Her name was Betsy Carpenter, and she put up with two semesters of me talking through a lot of my own crap while successfully pushing off doing my work.
Betsy passed away a while ago, and so she won’t get the chance to see my plays on their feet, but I’d still like to thank her.
At the time, especially during my thesis defense when I thought I might not graduate, I hated her. I hated her for not “helping” me… She just kept saying “I can’t write it for you, you’ve gotta write it on your own, Baby.” She made me fight for my own voice… and now it’s so loud and clear! It was the preparation I needed to keep going in a business where it isn’t easy to get one’s voice heard.
So, Betsy, I’d like to thank you for pushing me, and in the best way you could, helping me find the strength to push myself. Even if you’re not watching now, I hope you will be at the theatre. I’ll be sure to save a seat for you.
–Sue
June 9th, 2008
