Monday, July 16, 2012

Opehqueh

The word Opehqueh in Nahualt tongue means "they began."  This is the name that some incredible ladies  (Marisol Best and Crystal Mercado) chose for their project that I am SO excited to be a part of.   The short version is that we are an ensemble group creating a piece about the effects of technology.  This started in March of this year with a group from San Diego Junior Theatre.  They had about 13 pages of a script from that process.  What our part looks like is a lot of improv, writing, discussing and eventually, a reading.  It has been SO fun being a part of this process.  Saturdays rehearsal was spent sitting on bean bag chairs, improving a scene between our main characters, and eventually writing what inspired us from that rehearsal.  I think the freeing part of this, for me as a writer, is that I don't have to come up with or create a finished product all by myself.   Really, it's put ideas down, let others run with it.  It's been very exciting to be a part of the process in a group setting, where we talk about what works, what doesn't, does it fit, does it make sense, and having more heads than one is a great place to be.   Stay tuned: we have a deadline of a performance date for a staged reading of this piece on August 11th! 

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The condensed version

Last time we talked, it was before I went to Alaska.  If you want the idea of how it went check out the Fringe Board, yeah, they read my play.  I read some other wonderful plays for some talented playwrights.  I also got really sick.  Like food poisoning teeth chattering sick.  But life-changing, yes.  I came back with a different set of eyes and a different outlook on my career. 

Taking more time to write.  Less time to do the social media thing.  Which is why I'm opting for internet free weekends.  It's still a little rough but I'm finding myself spending more time with friends and less time chasing down their updates and cute sayings.  I've cooked dinner twice for friends and actually written a rough outline for a screen-play, revised a couple of shorts and found more opportunities for work that pays and lets me do what  I love.  Yeah, bonus. 

A year ago, today, I said this quote along with some other stuff, in front of a bunch of people, to a person, and I meant every word I said:

“Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as its accomplice. Instead of vowing to honor and obey, maybe we should swear to aid and abet. That would mean that security is out of the question. The words "make" and "stay" become inappropriate. My love for you has no strings attached. I love you for free.”
Tom Robbins, Still Life With Woodpecker 

First year is paper.  Paper Covers Rock.   Enough said.