Seeing RED - How does it make you feel?

Last night I went to see Red at The Citadel Theatre with my good friend Janine. The play follows two years of Abstract Impressionist artist Mark Rothko's life as he worked on a large mural project with his new assistant, Ken. Together they talk of many things - art, suicide, tragedy, art, selling-out, keeping integrity, art for now, art that is timeless, and in this back and forth is a marvelous play. I did not know anything about it beforehand - at least not specifically. I am familiar with art and the abstract expressionists and I have taken courses on Criticism of Art and Art History so I had a little bit of background. However, I didn't need to know anything. The specific discussions that evolve as their friendship/professional relationship grows are so universal with regards to art that I was locked in.

"It's a job. This is about me." says Rothko, and it is, but it is about more than just him. It's about waves of art, the old and the new and the now and the timeless. It is just as much about young artist Ken and others like him as it is about Rothko and Pollack and Picasso.

It certainly helps that the set (designed by David Boechler) is impressive and the paintings mesmerizing. Each shift of the light (designed by Alan Brodie) changes them into a new work of art. It also helps that Jim Mezon as Rothko and David Coomber as Ken are wonderful actors who never leave the space and who play off each other so perfectly. Director Kim Collier is clearly gifted at creating wonderful stage pictures that evolve naturally out of the action and her use of silence and space maintains tension and engagement. However, the star of the show is this brilliant script by John Logan. I intend to order a copy, even though there is no role in it for me. The way the play discusses Art hit me hard. I think anyone who engages in any type of art (not just visual art) should see this. It speaks to the why of it and the idea that these things we create are like our children and how our egos and self-doubt fight with each other on every single project we produce, and if they don't - then that might lead to other problems. I think even people who do not actively do art themselves would benefit from this show - for certainly that struggle is universal.

I was locked in from the start. I have never thought so hard during a play before - about what they were saying and about what it meant in my life. Truly a wonderful piece.

Look at it. How does it make you feel? It makes me feel inspired, conflicted, sad, joyful and amazed.

*#7 in my 2012 Theatre Goal

Normal for me is always changing...

No really, it is. I move from project to project so it's always a little bit different for me. Fringe is done for now but that didn't stop me from going and seeing one of the holdovers (Giant Invisible Robot) with a friend this week. Actually that was the first time I have ever gone to a Fringe Holdover. Usually I am too exhausted to partake. The show was good - would have liked to have seen it in a smaller venue for the sake of intimacy (it was a one man show), but it was good. You could tell the guy had mucho Improv background.

Now I am knee deep in A Little Night Music. We incorporated Elizabeth into the show today. She did amazingly well! I think I called line as many times as she did! Really, the lines are perfect in my car when I run them... they will come... now we have a more focused and intensive rehearsal period before we open so it will all come. We did a Sitz Probe on Wednesday night and it was lovely to sing with an orchestra again (after so long...). I am really happy with this production. I like everyone in the cast and the play and music are so good.

Today I read about a contemporary deciding to quit their job because of the success and fun of her Fringe experience. These things worry me. I know they shouldn't worry me personally - it's not my life... but a Fringe show does not a career make. You have to pay the rent... don't you? It would be nice if life could be fun like theatre is all the time, but a fun life seems like a shallow existence. Who is paying the bills? The taxes? I have known others who have done this over the years to varying degrees of success... I know it is their life... but I worry about their children and spouses and the fact that while some of them had some talent, they weren't necessarily tremendously talented. Mark occasionally asks about my goals... I just want to create and tell stories. If I am fortunate enough to be compensated for it - then that's a bonus. It's too fragile a world for me to stop the work I do for the store and my family for it. All I can do is to try to do it better. On that note - I am excited to be going to Playworks Ink this fall - Daniel MacIvor will be there!

That All Seemed to Fly By... But I think I did my best to enjoy it moment by moment...

It's the last day. We have had a fabulous Fringe. Our little drama Sold Out it's last 4 shows. We had decent and appreciative audiences for the first two as well. We exceeded our expectations. I know we might never have it this good again so I resolved to simply enjoy it. Best compliment was yesterday when someone who sat through it in the sweltering 4 p.m. show told me that they wished it were longer. Who knows, maybe I expand it... but not today. Maybe later. I had a great Fringe in other ways as well. I saw 20 something shows for just under $300 and feel good about my choices and about the fact that I supported other artists financially. I think I got a pretty good deal out of it. I met some great people. I had nice chats in line ups with people I may only ever see at Fringe. I apparently gained a little weight (despite avoiding the deep fried oreos) - that's gotta go...

Today is the last day. We have out show at 2 p.m. We load out. And then we celebrate. There will be tears - I know this already. There will be the 'I wish it wasn't over' refrain. That's a better way to end than the opposite... What a great Fringe!

Drama 302

I am doing very well in the course (yay!). So far of the three assignments I have written and gotten back I am quite satisfied with my marks! Yesterday I wrote my next assignment on "Funding for the Arts in Canada". On Monday we talked about different sides to the argument (for and against) and we basically can write about anything on or related to that list. I wrote about Sarah Polley and the whole Becel/Heart and Stroke Foundation Film thing that happened just prior to the Oscars. I think that while it is noble and all that to not associate with a product (selling out, ahem), it is a much different thing for someone who is independently wealthy than for someone who might need those corporate funds to pay their bills. So in some ways I think it is irresponsible for Ms. Polley to make this grand stand on the issue. I also wonder why she did not know where the money was coming from ahead of time... Perhaps she did and this was a way for her to make her film and make a stand at the same time. After all she did not prevent the Heart and Stroke Foundation from using the film, she only removed her name after the fact. I wish I could have written more than a page (we are not allowed) because I could've talked about the implications for hours. But there are many, many, many artists out there who started their careers in commercials and there are many, many, many Arts Organizations and Individuals who rely on corporate sponsorship to operate. What does Sarah Polley think about them? Are they selling out? Or are they merely finding a legitimate way to finance their art?

Being Rigourous and Responsible...

Had several very good conversations tonight about Arts Funding and what makes Art edgy and that sort of thing. The first discussion was just prior to the Walterdale Board Meeting. About 4 of us were there early and one of us had been to a recent meeting with the Arts and Culture Minister where the news was delivered that there was likely to be cuts to Arts Funding in the new budget. There was a lot of 'preaching to the choir' and I mentioned that I thought a major problem was the way the message was delivered. The Average Joe does not respond to the arguments that Artists make about why Art is important. Until we realize that and change the message or they way we deliver the message we are not going to convince anyone who isn't already convinced. You can say the "art is not a luxury" in a room full of theatre goers and you will get a tonne of support, but on the playground and in the hockey arena, you need to change the message. This frustrates me because you would think writers and actors would be better communicators. The problem is we cannot ever step out of our own agenda and our own belief system to understand the point of view of the non-arts supporter (who actually probably do support art in theory, but not at the expense of health care, policing, education, roads and infrastructure and athletics). I don't know myself what exactly the message should be and how it should be delivered, but I do know that what has been presented in the past has not worked and that alone should indicate that we need to find a different way to sell ourselves.



Anyhow, it got me thinking about one of the other major flaws with our arts community. The big one was that in our desire to support ALL art, we fail ourselves by not being rigorous with each other. As artists, we are not allowed to offer a negative critical opinion without censure from the community. I learned this the hard way with what I like to refer to as Blog Gate and if you don't know what that was, then you don't know me... Anyhow, if we dare to point out publicly Art that is perhaps substandard or even just the flaws within a competent work, the finger pointer will endure censure. There is a strong push to blindly cheer-lead everything just because it is ART - EXCEPT "popular art" (think flashy musicals). You can critique the crap out of anything that 'everyone likes' and not endure censure. In fact, critical comments about popular art is encouraged. It's idiotic. We should be demanding rigour so that we know we are doing good work. It's hard. Yeah, yeah, I had had reviews of my own work that weren't necessarily positive, but even with those people will tell me to disregard them. I shouldn't. I should look at them and look to my work and see if I can make it better based on the feedback. We can't be honest. It's a fatal flaw to our artistic world. We should be. We often do it in private conversations and spread the word that way, but how much of that will make it back to the artist? I was very frustrated at the Fringe last summer for this very reason. There was a discouragement to criticize anything for fear it would affect people's box office. We need to adopt the sports philosophy a little. When a hockey player is not playing well, his fans will let him know. The sport casters will trash him and the fans will not jump to his defense, they will join in. We should do the same with our actors and directors and demand more from them when they don't deliver. We should not tolerate 'phoning it in' on the ice or on the stage. Now, I am not saying just trashing everything, but we have created a field where the members are not held accountable for poor work. I have seen crap and paid a lot of money for said crap and I shouldn't have to. Someone should have warned me. I think it would make us better artists and make some people realize that to do this work you need to work very, very hard or else be very, very talented... And if you aren't good enough - someone should tell you.



I don't know. I guess I felt like ranting. I should probably go to bed...

The Last Five Days... The Last Five Weeks... The Last Five Years

We closed last night after an all too brief run. What a great experience. I was initially very excited to be asked to direct this project. What an honour when people who know a lot of talented people ask you to participate in a major way to their project. I am even more flattered after all is done. When I think of the entire team they assembled and the quality of the skills that everyone brought I feel blessed to have been a part of it, and even more blessed to have been considered equal to the task. I think I held my own. I certainly was happy with the production. I like working with people who strive to be as good as they can be, who take notes with the intentions given (to make it more right), and who trust me. I think I earned the trust. This was such a wonderful process. It felt a little tight for time at the beginning, and another week (a warmer one) plus a few more shows would have been lovely, but those would have been icing on the cake. We had 4 fabulous shows. We received plenty of positive feedback. And we didn't compromise on the standards that we all set for ourselves. I feel I learned from this experience and I think that those I worked with did too. I met some new wonderful artists and strengthened the bonds I already have with others. Perhaps the short run will teach those who said 'I wish I had made it' to not miss it the next time? Who knows.

All in all the last 5 days, the last 5 weeks and The Last 5 Years passed by all too quickly...

Learning and Thinking with Discussion...

I have just finished the first week of my new class Drama 103 (Play Analysis). It is off to a great start and already has started me thinking about what kind of theatre I want to be doing and putting out there. The course is definitely aimed at the newly adult, but the instructor knows that I am in there. I think my perspective might add something new to the mix. We have spent most of the first 2 classes talking about what our role as spectator is and it makes you think about how theatres must sell seats and how that need conflicts with the need for 'art' to bring change and push forward instead of stagnating. Not all audience members want to be jarred or challenged. I don't always want to be. However, if you are only playing to the masses(and/or the lowest common denominator), then what contribution are you really making? I often get so annoyed by the amount of money poured into slop like Don't Mess With the Zohan or Deuce Bigalo, Male Gigolo (1 and 2), or Saw (2-4). Any one of those movies could fund hundreds of theatre productions or at least 5 good indie films (and maybe a few bad indie films that at least tried something new). It is one thing to say money is the problem, but there is a lot of money out there. I think the problem is where the money gets spent and what oatmeal people choose to go to rather than going to see something of real quality.

Yesterday at lunch...

One of the actors was telling a story. Apparently a friend of hers is in a theatre company in Germany and his mother went over to see the production and while there the company paid for all of the mother's meals. She felt that this was a reflection of how arts was valued in Germany as opposed to Canada. I'm not sure that's exactly what it means. Hmmmm. I'm thinking on this. I am torn about the whole thing. I personally think there is a lot of accessible art in my life. There is a range of cost for this from FREE (my APN play reading) to EXPENSIVE (The Citadel, Justin Timberlake) but there is always something to do. I find Edmonton to be an Arts Mecca. If I didn't have other conflicts I could probably go to 3-4 arts related events a week.

I know. I do not live the life of the "artist". I am lucky to do the work I do and not have to worry about it being my source of income. I can't imagine living contract to contract and auditioning and hoping for the job because who knows what else will come down the road. I have always thought of Acting as a type of "Lottery" career. It is the same way I think of Hockey Players. Very few will make the "big bucks". Some of it is talent dependent. You need to have the minimum required skills and talents, but some is luck. Some is just being in the right place at the right time. So the average working artist just gets by. They are not rich in money, but perhaps they quality of their lives is enriched by doing what they love. I don't know. Why would you keep doing it otherwise?

I am still thinking about this. I am likely to keep thinking about it for a long time. I was just so thrilled to get money for rehearsing my play. It was something I would have done for free because I got enough of a thrill from just being there.

The Evidence...

Pencil drawing by Gibson
June 22, 2007
"Portrait of Auntie Annie"

My Child, the Artistic Genius....

Okay, this is a second child I am talking about, so I am not in that happy delirious haze of first time parenthood. Had to get that out of the way first. My child, Gibson, is an artistic genius. Maybe it is too soon to tell, but if you can't brag about your children on your blog, where can you? But get this, he sings, in tune, all the time. Now, his favorite songs are "Stupid Girls" (Pink) and "Upside Down" (Jack Johnson - Curious George Soundtrack), but still, - in tune! Why is that so amazing? Well, for me it is because he is 2 years and 8 months old. The reaction of the teacher at Kindermusik has confirmed for me that Gibson's vocal skills are unusual. Most of the children his age listen to the music and dance a bit, but very rarely do they actually sing along and extremely rarely are they ever in tune. He can also tap out beats correctly and in tempo - most kids his age just bang away randomly.

So that's his musical genius - but get this - today he drew some amazing pictures for his age. Today he drew faces, with correctly placed eyes, noses, ears, mouths and hair. I know that is unusual for his age. His older brother (almost 6) doesn't even consistently do that when he draws. Get ready Auntie Annie for your first portrait a la Gibson --> it's a beauty!

So will I become a psycho stage parent? Pushing him to develop. Vocal lessons at age 3, shoving gouache and water colours into his hands at age 4? I hope not. But I think it is cool and if he likes singing and drawing I will provide that outlet, after all I like to do those things too.

Now, if I can only get through potty training!

Happy Easter!

Happy Egg Day! Well, it is tomorrow but I doubt I will be able to post since I will be pretty busy I imagine. I have always liked Easter. The thing I loved the best was when we would take the dye used to colour our eggs and throw it onto the snow. In Fort McMurray there was rarely an Easter when there wasn't snow to throw the dye on. It took about 2 minutes at the most to do this, but I loved it. I also liked colouring the eggs since I was always a crafty kid, but I would get frustrated when an adjoining egg would bump mine and spoil the perfection I tried to achieve. Ha ha ha! My other favorite Easter thing? Cadbury Mini-Eggs. 4 points for one of the little bags. Sigh.