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.