Posts filed under 'Uncategorized'
As I’ve begun writing again, I’ve been reflecting on the feedback I got a few weeks ago about this piece. An actress who was a guest at our retreat totally got the concept, style, tone, and the bigger picture.
I was happy to have her there, not only for her feedback, but because I could see clearly that I was onto something from how expressive and animated she was when we spoke.
Part of her feedback was keeping the tension going by keeping things “on the surface”. And on the surface, the advice might not sound logical… but I understood what she meant. She was telling me not to give it all away. To let the characters hold things close to the chest, especially since these characters had been isolated for so long.
Though this rewrite is anything but a “surface” edit… I am mindful of having the characters dip their toes in the water before diving in deep.
–Sue
September 3rd, 2010
Today was spent teetering… on the brink of toppling over at any second in my endeavor to write this second act yet again.
Like any baby learning to walk, holding on to furniture, people, or anything that could support its weight, I held on to the few lines of dialogue I knew were salvageable, and built the rest of the scene around it.
I was patient, and at times waited for what seemed like long stretches to get my footing. But it’s a start… and though I’m no where close to off and running, at least I’m off!
–Sue
September 2nd, 2010
It’s summer for us, and I’m sure it is for most of my readers… hence, there’s not much use for socks in this sandal weather…
But last night, I could have used every sock in my drawer and put it to very good use. Most of you know I don’t use this blog as a forum for criticism, but what I heard last night must be called out.
As part of a free summer concert series in a park nearby, there was a “choral Broadway” concert. I didn’t really know what that meant, but got a little nervous when I heard the sound check and the male singer was showing off his ability to sing operatically.
What followed was a spectacle… but a spectacle in the worst way. It was despicable! I couldn’t even understand what they were singing! I had to strain to hear ro make anything out, and when I did, it felt like a miracle. I admit, I don’t know every showtune, but I can pick a few out, and I was having one hell of a time last night.
Any respect for these standards was tossed out the window in favor of showboating and mere ego inflation on the part of the “performers”. Those socks I mentioned… I’ll let you imagine where those might have been put to the best use.
–Sue
September 1st, 2010
The title of this post would oftentimes describe a theatre piece… but I’m actually describing a music video.
Arcade Fire has gone above and beyond in the release of their new video. Once you’re done watching your personalized video, you can even send it to friends and family.
With this video, the band has set the bar high, and the streaming internet video arena ablaze.
–Sue
August 31st, 2010
The 2009 broadcast of the 63rd Tony Awards was honored at the 2010 Emmy Awards last night with a win in the Outstanding Special Class Programs category. Writer, Dave Boone, accepted his trophy with this appeal, “Go see a Broadway show–it will change your life!”
An impassioned plea to be sure… and hopefully one the 13.5 million viewers will heed. It’s the best free advertising Broadway could ask for.
–Sue
August 30th, 2010
Theatre relies heavily on visual images to help lure patrons in the door and identify with the brand. An industry vet, “Fraver”, was asked by Playbill On-Line to make some posters for some fake shows based on mash-ups of famous shows. Enjoy!
–Sue
August 27th, 2010
Language is power, it’s a simple as that. It’s when we can’t find the words that we feel paralyzed.
I’m at a point in my script where the two main characters are struggling to find their way through language… and my own struggle entails letting them struggle. My own voice is shining through — getting in the way of their discovery… speeding it up artificially, hence denying the characters and the audience of the satisfaction of this reunion. And that’s the last thing I want to do. If anything, I want the characters and audience to savor each word.
My work here involves building what is now a shaky foundation into a much stronger one with each word. I have to trust that the words can do the work…and know that less here will yield more.
–Sue
August 26th, 2010
I was in the car the other day and heard a song that rarely comes on the radio, Billy Joel’s Stiletto (from the 52nd Street album, released in 1978, the year I was born). Instantly, I was transported back to London and my student days…and the most fond and clear memory I have of those days is writing (with pencil and paper, and a cup of hot tea) at Suzy’s kitchen table. (She was my landlady and flatmate.)
(I brought a bunch of tapes (yes cassette tapes) with me, and Billy Joel made up the bulk of them. I found myself listening to them quite a bit when I first got there. His songs, his accent reminded me of home; living abroad, I found I needed ways to connect with home to help me live as far away as I did at such a tender age.)
I had everything ahead of me…I knew I was embarking on something, but I wasn’t sure just what that was. (I wasn’t even writing plays at that point, I was doing short stories…a precursor to be sure.)
Catching the end of the song the other day made me nostalgic for a simpler time, but also made me realize how far I’ve come. It was nice to go back, though… if only for a few moments.
–Sue
August 25th, 2010
I was emailing a friend today, back and forth. I gave her some advice from the heart. And after telling me how much she loves how I say things through my writing, she urged me to consider becoming a life coach.
I’m no stranger to coaching, having read my fair share of books, along with doing some course work of my own. I clearly see the value in it and applaud those who pursue that path and help those who need it.
I took it as a real compliment… and honestly, there are so many routes I could have taken, and some I’ve already tried, like teaching… but for me, the best way to reach the most people is still my singular vision, through theatre.
It’s one of the reasons I wake up in the morning… It’s my life’s work that I hope I’ll never stop doing in one capacity or another.
–Sue
August 24th, 2010
At lunch with my sister and beautiful nephew today, we were talking about how even though we’re both moms and wives, sisters and daughters, we’re still who we are, ourselves (respectively Dina and Susan) at the end of the day.
It reminded me of a line in one of my plays, The Family’s Business — where the family matriarch reminds her eldest son of this… at the end of the day, no matter whom she may be for everyone else, she is herself — first and last.
Talking with Dina, and feeling the truth of that statement for where we are in our own lives, reinforced how true the line is in the play, and for women in general.
Onward and upward, for women everywhere!
–Sue
August 23rd, 2010
Previous Posts
