In the Aftermath of Life, SiP and The Tempest

Okay so this post is several months overdue, but it's been hard getting over the end of The Tempest and the end of Shakespeare in Paradise, especially when everything else came charging forward to "greet" me.

LIFE

So I had been joking up until October that the only reason I was able to keep up with SiP was because I was coasting when it came to COB. Hadn't done much work up to that point, and much of what I was supposed to do, I managed to postpone. I even squeezed in a reporting job at Islands of The World Fashion Week in November. I really enjoyed that, despite the fact that I never imagined myself attending a fashion show. I really look forward to having that experience again. Nevertheless, the semester is over now, and I managed to come hurtling out of it without any bruises. It's kind of a blur, and there are still one or two things I need to do, before the chapter is officially closed in my head. But that was another tough semester to get through. Now that I have a job, I suppose next semeste won't b any easier. But at least things are going to come together at some point in time. I guess I'm just looking forward to that.

SHAKESPEARE IN PARADISE and THE TEMPEST

I truly met some amazing people and had a fantastic time at Shakespeare in Paradise! I got to see 3 of the other 6 shows: Caribban Voices, One White One Black, and Music of The Bahamas. The Tempest itself managed to improve at every performance, until Sunday night, when it was perfectly "tight and yare"! Everyone's appreciation for Rachael's and my work as stage managers blew me away! Every night, hearing the things that the cast had said to me, it meant more to me that any of them could have known.

For a long time after, I think I tried to distance myself from the experience for a few reasons. For one, it was incredibly easy to "forget" about the withdrawal by burying myself in school. But more importantly, seperating myself from this living breathing entity was somewhat painful. I can't say right now how much I miss seeing everyone. Every now and then, Travis opens that small wound by saying the words outloud though. At the moment, I have it simplified to one single reminder on my iPod and iTunes: the song "Save Tonight" by Eagle Eye Cherry, which played the night the cast for The Tempest went to Crazy Johnny's. The song is accompanied on my iTunes by a photo of me, Rachael and Patti from that night. It's both beautiful and sad - the reminder of something wonderful and the fact that it couldn't last forever.

SO WHAT NOW?

Well, right now, I'm working at Catch 22, a really great shoe store in the mall. I like it. And of course, it's monopolizing my time. But. Not Anymore. I'm going to finish off the play I started this Summer before the year 2010 rolls around (hopefully), and then we'll see from there. There is so much that I want to develop in myself and the challenge is to find the balance in life that will allow me to always be at full potential... I suppose that's worth a shot.

I hope I make the effort to post again soon, but if not, don't forget:

All Tongue! No Eyes! Be Silent!

Wednesday was quite a day!!!!

I got out of my bed at the most ungodly hour of 6 AM to begin today's work on the festival!

We had our first dress/tech in front of a live audience of school children. I don't recall the last time I was so petrified! Things went well though. We've done a lot of work and it's been paying off. With a few minor and major snags here and there, the show was well done!

I've had my ups and downs with this production, highs and lows, and it seems they're just coming simultaneously now! In a way, the nerves of the whole thing make me feel like running away, but I know I'll be sad to see the last performance after devoting so much time and energy toward it for the last few months. Meeting everyone has been the best part; I really feel like I'll miss seeing them every day.

But the show progresses! It's gonna be awesome, I know it! It was a hell of a thing to do that all morning and early afternoon.

But I did have the pleasure of attending a wonderful show just tonight! Caribbean Night: Caribbean Voices and One White One Black! What a wonderful show!

I knew I would enjoy it, but I didn't imagine this!!!

Ken Corsbie knocked us all off our feet with a hilarious performance! Of course the references to Guyanese culture were particularly highlighting for me! I look forward to seeing him again on Monday!

But One White One Black!! Oh my! I read the synopsis, but it did not prepare me for what I saw. Those actors were brilliant! The play just blew me away with its realness and rawness. Anyone can tell you that One White One Black pulled no punches and blasted out glaring messages!

I highly recommend both shows, and of course, The Tempest! The work behind this festival has been amazing. So if you aren't aready, you need to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to see these 7 plays and enjy this Shakespeare in Paradise festival!

Shakespeare in Paradise is Almost Here!!!

Shakespeare in Paradise is almost here.... Can you tell?

Comercials are on tv. Tickets are being sold. The word is definitely out.

But behind the scenes, there is SOOOOOO much work being done! Even more than you can imagine!

Working with The Tempest has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I've met some wonderful people, and learned so much about more than just theatre, but about myself and about life.

But it's not over yet. That hard part is just beginning. The shows are just a few days away, but I know they will be awesome! Everyone's devotion to this project will definitely make it a huge success!

The Tempest Coming Together

Tonight we had our second rehearsal for Shakespeare's The Tempest, which Ringplay Productions is putting on for October's Shakespeare in Paradise festival (that was a mouthful). I'm not actually in the cast, rather I'm one of the Stage Managers. I was really overwhelmed and anxious at first, but now that everything's started, I'm getting really excited!

The excitement started when I got to interview Craig Pinder (Co-Directer/Prosper) via e-mail and was furthered with I interviewed Patti-Anne Ali (Co-Director). The way they both talked about their expectations and how they got involved with the project just brought The Tempest back to life for me, having helped dramaturge it for the festival. More so was the play brought to life in tonight and last night's reading of it. Hearing the various actors read their lines and getting an idea of how it is going to sound out loud was great! The actors also had a discussion about the play and the characters and the adaptation, and even Shakespeare's intentions and what he was doing when he wrote the play.

It's been really cool so far and of course the little excercises Craig has given us and the things he's had to say always seem to get things going and get people's enthusiasm to kick in. It's been great! I'm really looking forward to the developments that are made. I know it's going to be fantastic!

BWSI Closing

Last night was the closing ceremony for BWSI, where all the participants were able to read the pieces they had written and workshopped during this wonderful program.

I couldn't have been more nervous, reading over the monologue from the play I'm writing. I thought, 'Oh gosh, I can't, I don't wanna go!" But I went anyway, and it was well worth it!

Seeing everyone together just one last time and hearing the parting words of Helen Klonaris and Marion Bethel was very soothing. Goodness knows I needed that, knowing that this was the end of the program.

It was fantastic to hear from everyone, to put the art with the face! So many people read such wonderful pieces. I could go on to describe each one, but I know I could never do them justice!

It made me so glad that I was able to participate in this entire event and meet these fantastic people! The day after, I just sit here hoping I never have to forget any of it because it has so much changed my life. Yes, I said the cheesey "changed my life" line, but it's never rang so true. I hope we all change and venture onward as writers so that we can read each others' published writings and appreciate the experience even more in the coming years.

To Helen, Marion, Nicolette, Obi, Maria, Krista, and Angelique:

Your efforts to teach and help us to grow are so admirable and I have all the more respect for you that you took the time to share advice with us as "young" writers. Your lessons will stay with us and help fuel us to reach our destinations.

To my fellow participants:

I know we've all made promises to ourselves to write, to get published, and to continue on in the spirit of BWSI. Let us never forget to do so, thus honoring and thanking those who stood before us. Each of you were amazing and don't let anyone take that from you.

To Keith, Asha, Lynn, Ian and those we didn't hear but know of:

I am great fans of you all, with your works on my bookshelf, on my computer screen, and in my heart. Thank you for the inspiriation you provide, and for braving the way for those of us coming after. You're all heroes in my book.

As I say farewell to the highlight of my summer, I feel really grateful and I hope we can all reconnect soon, one way or another.

INSPIRATION

Tonight I attended another installment of "Witness" from BWSI, and the intesity of what I was hearing and feeling overwhelmed me!

Before me was a "Domestic Revolutionary", defying the ideas of feminism and consciousness while she changed diapers and explored the dimensions of her self. She talked about reclaiming her own identity, which had been taken from her. I too have had that experience.

Before me was a poet, in every way, shape and form. Uncensored, Uninhibited, Unabridged. Completely alive in his own skin. Inspiring in his "honed madness"!

Before me was a storyteller-priestess-woman of many roles. Her fiction showed such courage and defiance that shook my spirit. The different levels of her story were inspiring: the imagination, the meanings, and the truth of it. She shows the power that fiction and short stories can have.

Before me was a poet, whose gentle and persistent concentration creeps into you. Her poems that were created with animals as the persona comforted me. Her softness is balanced by the gravity of her subject matter.

Beside me was intense strength and beauty. With her soft voice, she pelts out these intense words and emotions. She integrates the cultures of Trinidad and The Bahamas, not just for art but for true expression.

In my mind was a poet and playwright who has brought me to this place. Her experience in both worlds of interest to me inspires me to fuse them for myself and to create my future, rather than fall into it.

Blogging, Blogger... To Blog

It's easy to feel like everyone is blogging and everyone has something to say, so why wouldn't your blog get lost in the jumble? Well, after listening to a group of Bahamian writers talk about blogging and what it means to them as a medium for being heard, I've come to appreciate the different things a person can do with a blog.

So I'm starting my own.

This blog will be updated from time to time with my thoughts on social issues and situations in The Bahamas, events I am involved with in Nassau, and hopefully also my writing pieces: poetry, short stories, etc.

I hope you'll come along for the ride and get to know me through my words.