Finster Finds

Last night I got to see and hear the cast for my play, Pieces (it is being produced at Walterdale Playhouse in late May). There were two cast members missing due to conflicts, but I know one of the them and the fellow who filled in for the other person did a good job. I was VERY happy. It looked right and sounded right and felt good. Yay Marsha! Even though I wrote it, I felt it was a captivating story and it moved quickly in the read so I hope that can be maintained. Very nice feeling. The other two plays we heard were good too. I imagine it is hard to cold read in front of strangers, but I think all three casts pulled it off. The three scripts are so nicely different that I hope the "comparison" thing doesn't happen. It's not a competition. I was also delighted to see so many more "new" actors. I realize that I haven't done a lot of shows at Walterdale, but I have seen a few now and I didn't know any of the other actors, so that would m...

Last night I went and watched the Alberta Regional CIG finals at Eastglen High School. I went to cheer on the Westwood Team, as well as to watch the improv as a whole. I also figured that I would see several students from the past - which I did. It was a good night of Improv. Westwood did not win, they placed second, but they played very well. I still find it hard to watch CIG without thinking like a coach and analyzing all the scenes. I think that is why I prefer watching Theatre Sports now, because there is less structure and fewer rules so I don't sit and think about story, and character, and using the suggestion and all that. I did let some of the analysis go, so I got laughs out of the evening. I think that the kids should feel good because they entertained well and I know from experience how hard it is to come second (particularly when you are used to winning). I heard from one of the adjudicators that the team (WIT) was taking it really well and genuinely seemed hap...

Okay. So I haven't had the best week. This is primarily because I have been sick all week and that has been in combination with one or both of the boys being sick at the same time. So the "illness" factor has really messed me up. And it hasn't been a "just the sniffles" cold. I feel CRAPPY . So, in an effort to feel better in at least one part of my body, I ate poorly (my mouth was happy for a bit of time). I knew it would have an impact. Intellectually I was not beating myself up, but I knew that when I went to the WW meeting my number would be up and not down. So why was I crying when I was up 1.4 lbs? ... I think it is because I had made this committment to myself about eating and exercise. That I was going to make it a priority, and the first 2 weeks were good (not spectacular - but good), but the rest of my life keeps getting in the way of my priority. Whether it is having social engagments that revolve around food, or M being late at the store because...

This weekend are the auditions for the One Acts. I will wait anxiously and let you know what happens. It is out of my hands. Now I should really start writing something new. I don't think I have been too bad at it, since I have two scripts "completed" in less than a year. Both were One Acts, though, and I really think I should try and get a full length script completed. Last year I made the goal of having a script to submit for APN's competition. That means I have less than 2 months to get another script written. Can I do it? Hey, if I try and I don't finish, then at least I will have part of a script written and I can go from there. Since the whole "deadline" aspect seems to work for me - I should run with it. Went to see Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the Walterdale the other night. It was good. Some general line fumble that I will add up to the difficulty of the script and the nerves of opening night, but it was good. The lead, Valmont, was...

Okay, so I am reading Magnolia's Blog and she "tagged me" which means she had to write 6 weird things about me.... Hmmm.... Hey, I'm pretty normal, no really. THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog . 1. For fun, I sing like a tonally challenged child and make up words and it makes my husband laugh. It is really loud and really bad in a funny way. 2. When I was a small child I got very upset because a bully in my class teased me by saying "Your mom's not a virgin!". I didn't know what it meant but I figured it was bad by the way she said it, so instead of asking my Mom (I didn't want to hurt her feelings to know this was ...

Last night was the "table read" for Pieces . We held it at Marsha's place and it was an opportunity for she and I to hear the play before auditions. I was a bit nervous and I realized a couple of pages in that I could feel butterflies in my stomach . It was so gratifying to hear the play aloud. I was gratified to learn that it works (at least from my perspective). There was some interesting discussion afterwards that was valuable and reaffirming. It is tough to "put yourself out there", but so rewarding when it works. I am glad that my readers were so good. I tried to invite those I thought would do justice to a cold read. Many fine actors are not great readers. I am fully intending to hand it over to Marsha with the direction and I want to observe as playwright only. It will be hard, but I need to give it away and see if it works. I now pray for excellent actors to audition and be available so that it can be realized. I hope that I have made the characte...