tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7044943086339222712024-03-13T09:32:29.392-07:00Activate Community Through TheatreDr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-13783950485896167672011-05-05T05:25:00.000-07:002011-05-05T05:25:07.666-07:00Performance of 'Our Life Stories'The Memory Chair (cont’d) THE PERFORMANCE!<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">May 1, 2011</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Drama rules the day!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Behind the double doors of the auditorium, the very air took on a proprietary status; the stage almost hummed with anticipation. As I watched the chairs being placed so precisely, the props carefully scrutinized; and the staff going to and fro with all the blocks of unifying involved in a live performance; I felt the first flutter of butterflies deep in my stomach. I am sure I wasn’t alone! Eyes appeared bright and eager; smiles graced faces; muted laughter, and low voices held hints of excitement—and also a little fear! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Wrenn led us through a skeletal version of the entire production, meaning we walked the parts, but in speaking…blah, blah, became the vocal credence of each story.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">We broke for lunch; I think this was mostly to let us settle inside ourselves. During the last fifteen minutes, Wrenn led us through facial warm-up exercises: the mouth, the tongue, and voice sounds. We stood in a circle, dressed in black, and all eyes were on Wrenn. She ended the meeting saying, “Have fun, if mistakes are made, no one will know! Just have fun!”</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">The music began, the auditorium lights dimmed, the overhead fixtures illuminated the stage—and we stepped into action mode. Only, we appeared as silent players bursting on stage, mouthing our words to ourselves. Wrenn stopped the performance and urged us off stage. She spoke of a sound problem…. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">We didn’t know anything else to do, but simply wait for a second cue….</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">The introduction music opened the show; we began anew with our Life Story segment—with sound this time—and went on with the rest of the performance. We moved with lighter steps, butterflies down to merely a quiver…. I wonder if some kind of divine providence took hold here; it seemed we found laughter in our unexpected predicament; a jocular atmosphere wrapped its arms around us—we, who in our life journey, had met much-like situations and rode unsparing failures, only to see them later turn into—triumphs! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Elizabeth (Willie) Towles</span>Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-82655159814963940952011-05-02T08:13:00.000-07:002011-05-02T08:13:36.775-07:00Dress Rehearsal<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">On Wednesday 27 April the tech crew and I arrived at 9am to set up the stage, sound, lights and slide projector...after several challenges we had almost everything ready set to go by 11:30...The cast arrived at 11am and patiently waited for us to finish up...Our tech, where we put in the 28 sound cues and half of the 120 slide cues mixed with minimal light cues ran till 3:30. We broke for lunch and resumed at 4:30. I had thought we would finish up before dark but before I knew it, darkness filled the outside sky and it was 8:30pm. Alas, seniors don't like to drive at night...difficult to see. But not once did anyone complain...Not once did anyone say, "I have to go home now or anything to that matter". Upon my request, all had turned off their cellphones and once finished, found that many of their relatives had called inquiring their whereabouts. Another adventure for all. We went through the show twice. Once for the tech and then a straight run through for the videographer. The show clocked in at 1 hour 50 minutes. I had wanted a show no longer than 90 minutes. I asked who in the cast would volunteer to take one of their stories out of the show...silence...it broke my heart to ask. Then Don, the videographer said, "I didn't think the show was long at all. I really enjoyed all the stories" ...and so with his supporting words, I realized I was tired..the cast and crew were tired...and no one could think subjectively...so I said let's go with 'Our Life Stories' as is! There were still places that I needed to change...staging that wasn't right...spent several nights awake trying to resolve the creative problem. I think I ate dinner at 10:45 that night after rehearsal!...Creativity takes a lot of time.. I have a t-shirt that says:</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><em>'Time is meaningless in the face of creativity!' </em>How true! How true! And now words from our scribe, Ms. Towles....</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Memory Chair (cont’d) Tech/Dress Rehearsal</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Wednesday April, 27, 2011</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">It’s all about the stories!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">We’ve been dropped straightway into the journey all artists must go through: the bones of a performance; from the lighting setup, stage markings, seating arrangement, background screen inserts, music lead-ins, and props—and lastly—for us—the ever alertness of our involved director—Wrenn!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Today is one of those days when one must not think of time, or dwell too much on the passing of it; we simply do what we have to do—however long it takes us! We get plugged-in to the full Monty on show business. Hmmm! It was a loooooong day!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Also I must mention the free standing microphone; it becomes our NBF (new best friend); if we move to side stage, the upright black pole with the fuzzy black shaped cone goes with us; it has acquired ownership of our voices….</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">I think of myself as having some smarts; however, today, I find that I move as though a child, not knowing how to go from moment to moment; it appears we’ve landed in an alien place! For instance: Opening introduction lineup, although it seems a simple thing to achieve, requires several retakes before we work as a fluid group; and as Dave says, “The only thing to do in times like this is to eat…and he pulls out a baggie of goodies.”</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">As each skit unfolds, words are deleted, or changed, sometimes even a start-over takes place, but in the end, the story always prevails.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The riser steps to the stage look like black cropped piano keys, two on either side to merge at the top flat riser; we tromp up and down, working our leg muscles that had thought retirement meant easy rocking time! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">We have lots of breaks; including a lunch time of one hour, in which Don even manages to get in a short nap. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The rest of the day belongs to rehearsals. Then the last enactment: dress the part, speak the words, and put on our professional faces—we are to be videotaped for this final run-thru! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Can Youtube be waiting in the wings?</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Elizabeth (Willie) Towles </span>Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-41974951845201667432011-04-23T07:55:00.000-07:002011-04-23T07:55:23.613-07:00Life Stories Class Twelve<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">20 April 2011</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">A long day of rehearsing, revising and rehearsing once again...nice lunch break with the ladies at a fabulously delicious restaurant and then back to rehearsing. I am such a work horse, I forget to take breaks and no one mentioned stopping. What patience, commitment to the process, dedication and flexibility are present at every class/rehearsal! And equally important, everyone's support of their fellow actor/writers...All working together in this creative process! </span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">22 April 2011</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">I met with Willie and Ted to rehearse, 'The Handcuffs' scene written by Willie. When we arrived at the Community Center - it was closed! The skies were hovering with pouting gray clouds and a list mist of rain with promises of heavy showers. I asked if they would mind rehearsing outside. Without a moment's hesitation, they both agreed...No complaints...no whining...both enthusiastic to work outside in the chilly, misty afternoon of a 'Good Friday'.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">To the rescue arrived Evan, Technical Director of Matthews Playhouse who offered to let us rehearse in the warehouse/tech shop of the Matthews Playhouse. What an adventure we had driving down to the warehouse, past the locked barriers. And then two hours rehearsing in the cavernous space filled with remnants of past productions. We all joked about Ted and the handcuffs... Wrenn</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Memory Chair (cont’d)</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Wednesday, April 21, 2011</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">This is week twelve—our final meeting as a class unit. And ten days till—Showtime!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">To open this wrap-up week, Wrenn had us working our voices, exercising our tongues, waking up facial muscles, and laughing as though having heard the greatest of jokes! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">We moved next into the enactment of our stories: seven skits were rehearsed, and the last performance was a poem by Lynnsy—of which each of us were given a foam red ball to wear over our noses—the gist of it being the title of her poem: Red Noses. (And as one would expect, laughter broke out again as we saw how changed we all looked sporting a bright red bulb in the middle of our faces). </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">We broke for lunch, and the afternoon was rehearsal time…and also discovery time: we went waaay over our time allowance. Plays have to be revised, monologues have to be edited, and only a handful of skits escape the editing round. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">As Wrenn says, “changes happen, even up to the drawing back of the curtain!” </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">I wrote this last blog in my mind several times over, and like the line above, changes occurred there, too: my heart fills to overflowing with words; my head tells me to put a lid on them!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">So…I am ever so grateful to have shared time with this marvelous group of people; we bring a diversity of circumstances to the table, we come together when our lives have traveled many paths, observed and been a part of history in the making; and we’re now able to tell of certain events as though the story belongs to a stranger, and not of ourselves….</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">I have learned much, pushed back tears, laughed a lot—and found out that lengthy chair time on a steel bottom seat leaves much to be desired. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Elizabeth (Willie) Towles</span>Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-79303393911651543882011-04-14T16:21:00.000-07:002011-04-14T16:21:31.970-07:00Two Weeks Till Our Show!!!!<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">A long nine hour day yesterday filled with laughter, tears, drama, comedy...'Aha' moments and lingering questions...ponderings...and again 'Aha, now I understand'...</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">The challenge of memorization was holding many back from 'telling their stories' from their hearts...I reminded them that they could hold their scripts...or put their lines on notecards...with scripts in hand, their stories flowed trippingly off their tonges (Shakespeare 'Hamlet') and into our hearts...several times I joined them with my tears and most often I had chill bumps leaping to my skin...Again I say 'BRAVO' to my students for continuing to seek ways to 'make their stories better as well as their performances'...Nine hours nonstop and yet when I returned home I continued to work fueled by the energy of my students and friends. I only wish I could make a real living doing what I do best...teaching and directing...it is my mission in life. To change lives all for the betterment of humanity.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">The Memory Chair (cont’d)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Wednesday, April 13, 2011</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">This is the eleventh week of Life Stories class; one weekly session remains, and only seventeen days until—Showtime!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Like last week, our timetable for today is geared toward making our stories come alive! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">The hub of action is located at a table in one corner of the room where Wrenn, wearing her director’s hat, manages the moment: getting the ad-libs in place, the gestures, the looks, the pauses, the body language, and the necessary background vocal sounds.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Before I go any further into this blog, I want to give a thumbs-up to our benefactress, Wrenn: the plate of cookies was over the top; many thanks for feeding those of us with a ‘sweet’ tooth! Hey, Don—we had food today! Remember?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Mid-way the morning, posed, costumed pictures were taken of a number of the stories; still shots depicting the essence of the storyline behind the photos.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">We were given a diagram of the stage and as each scheduled presentation took place, a character’s floor placement was added to the scripts; also word changes, some added, others deleted; and narrations became action scenes with only certain pivotal speaking words. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">As the meetings have piled up, our shared stories have linked us in a unique way; we’ve been gifted with insights into the lives of a roomful of once strangers, who now feel like long-time friends. We’ve abbreviated the usual required time of ‘getting to know each other’ by simply getting inside our heads—and hearts, in a few short weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Next Wednesday is the final class meeting and rehearsals will rule the day: a morning session, lunch, and then an afternoon run-thru. All stories will be performed and given a final scrutiny with many eyes following scenes that are becoming like we own them as a group. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">During this last time together as classmates, we get to watch the complete play as it will unfold on stage; we get to see our past tied up in skits, and whether the story is one of sadness or joy, of an accounting of the times, or a confession from the heart, or a glimpse into the ‘winter’ of a life, we will have lived the circle of emotions surrounding our lives—and all this within a 12 week time frame!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lsogYXL1AoY/TaeAGOtSOdI/AAAAAAAAAC4/-JqYuw7LJuI/s1600/First+Love.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lsogYXL1AoY/TaeAGOtSOdI/AAAAAAAAAC4/-JqYuw7LJuI/s320/First+Love.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xNSm_25oUT0/TaeAS-rrCCI/AAAAAAAAADA/a8tc1wnuAIE/s1600/War.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xNSm_25oUT0/TaeAS-rrCCI/AAAAAAAAADA/a8tc1wnuAIE/s320/War.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P4PLdPhACm4/TaeAcZsA5CI/AAAAAAAAADE/M39nJgTRdRo/s1600/Who+is+that+lady.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P4PLdPhACm4/TaeAcZsA5CI/AAAAAAAAADE/M39nJgTRdRo/s320/Who+is+that+lady.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Elizabeth (Willie) Towles</span>Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-33903670151294960182011-04-08T09:12:00.000-07:002011-04-08T09:13:44.801-07:00STUART LITTLE<span style="font-size: large;">For the past two months I have been directing 33 young people aged 7 - 16...thirty three energetic creative and very kind young people of various levels and skills. Some are performing onstage for their first time...some have been in all three plays I've directed for Davidson Community Players Connie Company. I didn't like the script but found a way to make it work both for my artistic needs as well as an educational vehicle for the actors involved. I chose to conceptualize the play in 1945, when the book was published by E.B White. I saw it starting off on a street in NYC (the script has a narrator telling the story...I wanted the narrator to be a character in the play...so divided the narrator parts and gave them to the various characters in the play) in early morning with birds and cats entering and then people starting off their day buying newspapers and waiting for the bus...I wanted to put an opening 'swing time' dance in the play and one of my actors suggested May 8, 1945 and the celebration of D-Day, end of the war in Europe! Great idea!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_P70FCl0CU/TZ8xUh-bkzI/AAAAAAAAACY/CSifYrwfiro/s1600/Stuart+Little+postcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_P70FCl0CU/TZ8xUh-bkzI/AAAAAAAAACY/CSifYrwfiro/s320/Stuart+Little+postcard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H6tPWMUhRgA/TZ8xsWBQtgI/AAAAAAAAACk/4Iq3ZNZZqEg/s1600/DSC_0338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H6tPWMUhRgA/TZ8xsWBQtgI/AAAAAAAAACk/4Iq3ZNZZqEg/s200/DSC_0338.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YUQ-I4v6RDM/TZ8xw92egaI/AAAAAAAAACo/GyR3__JbRaQ/s1600/DSC_0339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YUQ-I4v6RDM/TZ8xw92egaI/AAAAAAAAACo/GyR3__JbRaQ/s200/DSC_0339.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LMEs2SKndpE/TZ8x2CWZK5I/AAAAAAAAACs/2biotXSuPdY/s1600/DSC_0350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LMEs2SKndpE/TZ8x2CWZK5I/AAAAAAAAACs/2biotXSuPdY/s200/DSC_0350.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nNKuIRD9YcI/TZ8yH4sEhjI/AAAAAAAAACw/QCE7N2rjHzE/s1600/DSC_0353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nNKuIRD9YcI/TZ8yH4sEhjI/AAAAAAAAACw/QCE7N2rjHzE/s200/DSC_0353.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WpeEscDUYFA/TZ8yLfZIJvI/AAAAAAAAAC0/6qnm_j7XGvk/s1600/DSC_0390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WpeEscDUYFA/TZ8yLfZIJvI/AAAAAAAAAC0/6qnm_j7XGvk/s200/DSC_0390.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Another topic we discussed was the importance of women in the work force since so many men were fighting in the war. The ensemble has done a bang-up job of creating interesting characters and eight year old Dwayne Allgoods a spectacular job of learning a bizillion lines and leading the show with his innocence, strength and energy. Eight of the nine shows were sold out before we opened and the ninth show sold out this past week. BRAVO Cast of STUART LITTLE!!!</span>Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-17589929697636030562011-04-08T07:41:00.000-07:002011-04-08T07:41:29.771-07:00Life Stories Class Ten<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">The excitement for our performance grows...as everyone leans forward watching one another explore the actions behind their stories...all searching inside themselves while seeking the truth of the moment in their words...I wonder if I would take such a leap into the unknown...perhaps if the unknown were something I had always dreamed of doing...of experiencing...Thank you Willie for such astute observations and recording.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">The Memory Chair (cont’d)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Wednesday, April 6, 2011</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">This is week ten of Life Stories class…only a dozen plus days before the last scheduled meeting fulfills the enrollment specifications…. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">And change, again, starts the day. We skip the mind and body exercise—the energy in the room is already soaring, and we’ve put on our acting hats that ready us for whatever Wrenn throws our way. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">We visited the auditorium where the show will be performed and gathered on stage; centering our minds on the logistics of actually stepping inside an actor’s skin. We went to the dressing area where counters line both sides of the room, and mirrors take up wall space—everywhere—perhaps a last minute aid in getting the inner mind as well as the outer side ready for the role to be played? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">I listened to the low buzz of voices as we made our way back to class—soon-to-be ‘stars,’ coming from all directions, elevator, and an assortment of stairways.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Wrenn chose six skits for today’s rehearsal: Carolyn’s monologue about love, Marti’s anecdote of an unsettling relationship; Hess, with a love letter to his wife, Lynnsy’s story spoke of having the freedom to choose; Christine’s read on skipping school at the age of five, and ‘life’ with her grandmother; and also, my story about the break-up of a marriage, and the consequences that follow.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">In the remaining two weeks, there is much work to be done: filling our minds with text, perfecting the proper emotion at the right time, staging floor placement for better delivery of script’s message, and last but not least, choosing a costume to fit the action…are we racing headlong into an unquenchable thirst of—‘acting fever?’ Hmm!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Wrenn gave out books that consisted of all the stories to be presented; and we rehearsed the intro of My Life Story is…bringing us ever closer to the day we speak our written words into existence. For…words in print remains an unstirred story until other eyes read them—silent, until a voice gives them a place in a listener’s mind. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">And that’s what our play is really about—the sharing of our lives in story enactment! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Elizabeth (Willie)</span>Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-73122931715828712602011-03-31T08:08:00.000-07:002011-03-31T08:08:29.890-07:00STUART LITTLE<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><strong>STUART <span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: red;">LITTLE</span> </span>COMES <span style="color: red;">TO </span>DAVIDSON</strong></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8K0GO5gy-U/TZSYa5oXA9I/AAAAAAAAACU/haC9V1zVtlQ/s1600/stuart+little+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8K0GO5gy-U/TZSYa5oXA9I/AAAAAAAAACU/haC9V1zVtlQ/s320/stuart+little+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">I am directing <em>Stuart Little</em> for the Davidson Community Players Connie Company. It plays April 2,9 at 10am; 1pm, April 3,10 at 1pm; 4pm and April 8 at 7pm. Tickets are only $7. Several shows are sold out, so it is advised that you make a reservation. It is such a fun 60 minute show with 32 actors in a 1945 conceptualized <em>Stuart Little. </em> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">Call: 704-892-7953</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">or order online: <a href="http://www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org/">http://www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org/</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">See you at the Theatre!!!</span></div>Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-21497857545163193672011-03-31T07:58:00.000-07:002011-03-31T08:01:24.155-07:00Life Stories Class Eight<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Every week I am energized working with my 'Life Stories' students....every week uncovers innovative talents hidden within each as they courageously step forward to tell their story...open to the suggestions of the class...and to my direction...One student said she had been practicing in front of a mirror so she could 'show' the emotion of her work. I asked her to put her paper down and tell me the story...and then she came alive...her characters were real and in the room with us...as she changed from a teenage girl wanting an education to the father who wouldn't allow her to go to school. Afterwards, she knew that she didn't need a mirror to find the 'heart' of the story...she only needed to tell what was in her heart.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><em>Willie continues to journal the process so beautifully and true. While there are only 3 more scheduled sessions, I will be adding more rehearsals for this ever so important work.</em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Thank you Willie</span></em><br />
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The Memory Chair (cont’d)<br />
Wednesday, March 30, 2011<br />
This is the ninth week of Life Stories class, and the remaining rungs on the down side of our ladder are much nearer the floor.<br />
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I mentioned change had joined our group—it now shapes our weekly agenda, weaving in and out among the familiar exercises our bodies and minds have grown to expect. And presently, we’ve given the Bard, Shakespeare, a respite from fracturing his masterful list of insults. The time has come for us to step out from under the cover of his clever mind and find the treasure-trove of uniqueness in each other.<br />
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Wrenn asked that we take the prompt of My Life Story is…, and fill in the blanks, making a short statement of defining ourselves—this will be a lead-in for the production of our play, titled: Life Stories, scheduled for May 1, 2011.<br />
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Improvisation time followed. From the list of Life Stories Outline Draft, Wrenn chose five skits to be rehearsed; only one was a repeat, War Times; however, two new contributors joined in, making it a five member group endeavor, and greatly intensifying the drama of the scene. Barbara’s anecdote revealed a tale of want in New Shoes; Don’s monologue spoke of Real Men; and with Jane’s story, Who is that Lady?, the inspiration came from an afternoon’s visit with her mother. The last new performance belonged to Dave, and was titled, The Garden. <br />
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And all the while, as each memoir exposes the bones of its story, Wrenn goes into action: glasses off, hands waving, and stopping the scene with, yep—change. She takes out words, adds other words, directs a different emotion, suggests a new stage placement—and gently, but surely…in the end, molds the scene to her liking.<br />
We have three classes left to determine how to represent our stories in their best showing; only three short ‘takes’ before the final curtain opens to the immediate present where suddenly—our past becomes our future!<br />
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Elizabeth Towles (Willie)Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-42521236167054389302011-03-24T07:15:00.000-07:002011-03-24T07:15:36.282-07:00Life StoriesDesigning Our Production<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><em><strong>A collaborative group flexible with their words..their stories..willing to try anything....all filled with the courage to explore new paths..to leap and fall...to leap and fly! Leading and being led by this amazing group of people is a new chapter of fulfilling my life mission..my life story.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Memory Chair (cont’d)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday, March 23, 2011</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is week eight of Life Stories class…and the climb down the other side seems to be moving faster than the climb up the first half of our journey’s ladder.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Change has become the norm: the chairs are once again spread out against the walls, pulling in slightly at the corners to make a ¾ circle. Wrenn mixes it up in the ‘warm-up’ activities with a face, mouth, and tongue exercise, saying this will prepare us for what’s ahead. After we stretch everything above the neck: making our faces appear as though looking in one of those ‘funny’ mirrors at a circus, drawing up sounds from our throats that would have us being picked up by the local authority if witnessed; and uttering vocal phrases that defy translation; she at last says our faces, tongues, and throats are loosened enough to go forward with today’s program.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, we will speak our stories into existence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are partnered in groups; each group has to review and work up an improvisational presentation for a story already selected by Wrenn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Six skits are showcased: four of the stories being repeat improvisations; only this time around, the action more fully developed. The first new story involves Mardell’s depiction of her moment in the limelight—literally—one of those ‘oops, there goes the pants’ scene that stays with you for life! The last interpretation, a stand-out performance belonging to Don, Hess, and Ted; a trilogy on dealing with the serious complications of war times: lives changed forever…or the final loss—death of loved ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The assignment for next week centers on developing interesting skits, and given a time limit of about an hour of performance time, we are feverously scrambling to make a playbill that keeps the audience glued to their seats and waiting breathlessly for the next scene. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And of course, each performer, just before stage entry, will get that all time, grand edict of show business: Break a Leg!</span><br />
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</span>Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-80522112860677082242011-03-23T05:02:00.000-07:002011-03-23T05:02:00.292-07:00Life Stories Class Seven<span style="font-size: large;">The students in the class grow closer with every session. The last group of stories today and next week we start work on editing, rewriting and rehearsing the stories....We have the bones...the foundation...onward to adding the layers of definition, detail and wonder!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Wrenn</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Memory Chair (cont’d)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday, March 16, 2011</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is week seven of Life Stories class and we have now gone beyond the apex of the scheduled plan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The chairs remain in the close circle of last week’s arrangement, and as Wrenn opens the class with our ‘coming alive,’ maneuvers, we respond with familiarity. We quickly follow her lead when she makes a transition and takes us into another activity—well, perhaps not all that quickly! For instance, we were told to call out a number, being we were fourteen count (with Wrenn), and one was supposed to speak a number spontaneously, but never two people in unison; it was supposed to be, 1, 2, 3, etc. It took us some time to count impromptu; and in sequence without the sound of that second voice riding the same number. An exercise in preciseness, hearing…and paying attention!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We usually sing a song and I try to sit by Ted whenever possible; I enjoy his masterful melodic tones resounding in my ears.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Story time came next, and like last week, we read them fully and out loud again; most writing pieces centered on grown children, grandchildren, and close relatives. Christine ‘talked’ her story, and all eyes were on her, following her soft voice as she went about her narration. Ted chose to read his assignment; the message was on the accountability in living one’s life. There was much discussion between the stories, a spoken word or a phrase that opened the flood gates on our thoughts….</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lynnsy was the final participant; she sang her anecdote: You Gotta Have Heart! A winner—we all have a lotta’ heart! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next topic consisted of handouts of a summary of all stories turned in for six weeks; we had to designate the genre of each story. From this, the assignment for next week is to choose three stories from our six weekly assignments that show improvisational possibilities. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time to act-up is just ahead!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lynnsy had one final surprise; she raised her left sleeve to reveal none other than a kaleidoscope of color, an abstract tattoo in a Picasso styling that dazzled the eyes. The painting ran from her wrist all the way up to her shoulder. I had told Sandy earlier that when I looked over at Lynnsy, I had to smile…she struck me as having a whimsical soul—the tattoo was a nice fit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Elizabeth Towles (Willie)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-38727940294606351382011-03-10T07:48:00.000-08:002011-03-10T07:48:54.893-08:00Sixth Life Stories Class<span style="color: purple;"><em>Our class has formed a very strong bond. They are already fearing the end of the program and talking of ways to keep it going....and we haven't even performed on stage in front of an audience which is when the stage bug really bites! Yesterdays class was filled with emotional stories of lives...laughter and tears... smiles and deep sighs...holding of hands and hearts. We have created an ensemble of writers,actors...family. And so Willie's journal of class six.</em></span><br />
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The Memory Chair (cont’d)<br />
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Wednesday March 9, 2011<br />
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This is the sixth week of Life Stories classes; we are mid-way in our twelve week schedule.<br />
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And all has changed!<br />
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The first clue came with stepping into the meeting room; the chairs no longer sit next to the walls, they sit close, in a circle, in the middle of the room; and when doing the body wake-up routine, and the long breath in—and out, it was as though we had turned a corner in getting to know each other. <br />
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For instance: when Dave read his story about his wife and dealing with the life-threatening disease of Cancer, it seemed so natural and easy a thing for me to grab hold of his hand while he spoke of that heart-wrenching period of their lives. We were all transported to that time, living it with him though his words…and seeing him with new eyes. We have climbed that wall of separateness and found a sense of unity. <br />
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Another shift today: stories were read out loud and fully, and although Christine and Ted chose to tell their stories, it was another subtle change, adding a depth of personal interconnecting. <br />
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Ted spoke of having a blessed life, so normal in every way, wonderful in the fact of no great tragedies, no problems that defied solving, and a marriage still solid and steady; yet this is in itself a miracle, and normal doesn’t even begin to fit the fine essence of his life.<br />
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Today was like a meeting around a large, round kitchen table, we shared our stories in ‘The Memory Chair,’ and smiles, laughs, and grins rode faces time, and time again. We settled in our new bonding like long time friends…family!<br />
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Fate was among us today…waiting for the right time to tell a story. And the story was authored by Lynnsy who wrote a tribute to each of us, also to Wrenn, our director. It was the right time, a wonderful choice of words, and the best possible ending to this morning’s Life Stories class.<br />
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Elizabeth (Willie)Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-44262370429180681192011-03-03T16:47:00.000-08:002011-03-03T16:47:17.449-08:00Class Five<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Every week my students discover new things about themselves while listening to other students stories...oftimes many discussions follow - such as this week. Each week I choose a story from the previous week to use as an example of 'ways to tell one's story'. I use the words of the story and create a scene (eight to ten lines) between two people and then the ending of the scene is improvised by the actors. This week it was Betty's story...an important story to share with not only the class but an audience. In her story, she wrote of being a member of the NAACP in college and after the sit-ins in Greensboro she joined a group to protest the 'white's only' lunch counter in a local department story in Concord. People threw rocks at the protesters as they entered the store and as she sat at the lunch counter a white man yelled 'Hey there's a white nigger. I could almost sit down beside you'...She wrote that all of her friends looked at her in scorn and when she returned to school, she was not allowed to march anymore and given office work for the NAACP. After the scene she said she felt caught in the middle of two kinds of prejudice. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">There was much discussion between Betty and the newly enlightened students. Afterwards, we </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">discussed the elements of a good story and the importance of its impact on the audience. One of my students brought me a vase of daffodils and told me I was one of the best teachers she'd ever had and another student told me she'd re-arranged all her post cancer doctor appointments so she wouldn't miss any of our classes. I was quite moved by these words of my students and new friends. My life's mission continues to grow!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">And now the journal entry from Wonderful Willie</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Memory Chair (cont’d)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday March 2, 2011</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the fifth week of Life Stories class. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It began in much the same manner as the weeks before: with getting our bodies moving and into mode, then engaging our minds by way of Shakespeare with his lofty words…bringing laughter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And too, improvisational skits showcased memories: Dave’s story of A Summer Romance; and Betty’s story of the tumultuous years of the 60s and racial protest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, like usual, there were designated groups to read this week’s assignment stories and choose one for a skit: Carolyn’s arrival at the airport in complete disarray; Dave’s tale of a banner of white (bathroom tissue) trailing from his shoe as he left an important meeting; Sandy’s story of being a new lady in town and showing up with eyeliner on her lips instead of lipstick; and Jane’s memory of going to a meeting and being sighted with her skirt tucked inside her pantyhose. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Laughter often rang out. However, there was another element in the room, an undercurrent of inward thinking; Betty’s story of racial protest sat in one of the empty chairs. It served to remind us that a need remained ever present to embrace each other in total equality. I suspect many of us travelled a circuitous route to reach the point of our present day lives; and behind our outward visual image, there lies many hills and low, low valleys in this journey called Life. Although these experiences don’t ride our faces, they dwell at the back of our minds, triggered now and then by certain references. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wrenn gave us another challenge: to write a sentence using: It was 8:46 A. M. on Sept.11, 2001 and I was…, and then to write a closing sentence for the same prompt. The second option was to write an opening sentence for the words: And I couldn’t stop laughing. This first endeavor caused another empty chair to be occupied: Sept. 11, 2001. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was total silence in the room, heads bent down, pens raced across the paper from fingers eager to put in print that indelible day of uncertainty. In due time, each of us read our words about that day, often with impromptu comments from classmates that further took us back into that horrendous morning. A somber mood subdued the room…Ted’s words spoke an infinite truth: “…What he was hearing seemed a uniting thread that our world had changed on that day!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Elizabeth Towles (Willie)</span><br />
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</span>Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-55509055819436970212011-02-24T16:40:00.000-08:002011-02-24T16:40:19.757-08:00Life Stories Fourth Classs<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>My students continue to amaze me with stories of their lives...and we've only just begun! This week we heard stories of romance, love, heartache and a few surprises. As I glanced at the stories they handed in for me to read (not all stories were read) my eyes rested on Betty's story of boycotting the lunch counters in Concord, NC. She wrote of being called foul names, spat upon and pushed around and later told by her college that she was not allowed to demonstrate...and a gentleman who, as a high school student raised a Nazi flag up his high school flagpole and to this day no one knows who raised this flag in post WWII 1949 America...he did it as a prank... and so Willie continues with her journaling of our process from the students point of view. Wrenn</strong></span></em><br />
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The Memory Chair (cont’d)<br />
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Wednesday 23, 2011<br />
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This is the fourth week of Life Stories class and certain things are beginning to show: we are planting roots of our yesterdays’ remembrances: hellos are quick to come, smiles are instantaneous, and our body language suggests an easy camaraderie is settling between us. And, although many still wear name tags, they seem to be just a thing to put on, completing our routine of stepping into ‘a classroom atmosphere.’<br />
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As with the beginning of each session, Wrenn gets everyone out of their seat and moving, warming us up with hand waves, body bends from head to toe, and always the kicker: laughing! We next heat up our brain cells by calling on Shakespeare and revisiting his endless kit of insults where we invariably—you guessed it—find laughter, again. <br />
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Within the last couple of weeks, we’ve been introduced to another challenge: mirror mimicking each other’s movements. At first, it was a simple one on one…then five on one and this week, it was a group exercise, and there again, you can imagine how it ended—more laughter. We’re getting quite good at this laughter thing!<br />
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Next came improvisation time: Mardell and I had part-time jobs cleaning jails: clearing cobwebs, and dusting old mattresses. When live spiders were found under the mattresses, the job took on more than we had bargained for and even the money paid paled to our endurance level of tolerance toward the leggy critters. <br />
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The men filled the next playbill: Hess, Don, Dave, and Ted. The story involved a visit to a car dealer for a first time purchase of a car for the teenage son. The young man had a hard time controlling his excitement; he had no interest in his dad’s questions of: how many miles to a gallon? Was it in good condition? His brain was on fire! He was already behind the wheel; his foot ready to take flight. Did he get the car? The smile was still on Dave’s face today!<br />
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Story reading time followed: groups of four gathered close to share memories. Voices buzzed low, giggles erupted now and then, and Wrenn eavesdropped at every turn. Time soon came to choose a story to act on and preparations were quickly made.<br />
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The improvisational skits were: Jane’s story of a sometimes combative son and her first meeting of the son’s special girlfriend face to face; Marti’s story of a family dining out and the young daughter enthralling a stranger who is simply passing by; and Sandy’s tale of found love, lost love, and found love, again—then marriage and moving to Rome, Italy.<br />
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Catchphrase words came from Jane’s tale upon hearing her son’s girlfriend’s first laugh—why she sounds just like me! Elizabeth Towles (Willie)Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-57812855806563726392011-02-17T10:15:00.000-08:002011-02-17T10:15:17.573-08:00News Article in Charlotte ObserverSee Link<br />
<a href="http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/02/09/2036813/theater-workshops-tickle-seniors.html">http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/02/09/2036813/theater-workshops-tickle-seniors.html</a>Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-50006983727203443942011-02-17T10:10:00.000-08:002011-02-17T10:10:11.319-08:00Life Stories Third Class<em><span style="color: purple;"><strong>We had an amazing third class filled with high energy and lots of laughter. Mardell gushed how much she looked forward to Wednesdays and others greeted one another like old friends. The stories enacted brought laughter, understanding and tears. I am certain had we more time the class would have enjoyed discussing their memories aroused from the stories they had seen. </strong></span></em><br />
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The Memory Chair (cont’d)<br />
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Wednesday, February, 16, 2011<br />
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This is our third week of Life Stories class. We are still in the ‘getting to know you’ stage, and like the week before, most of us put on our name tags before finding a seat. It is obvious that we are attaining a cohesive balance because lots of talk goes on as we wait for Wrenn to begin the class. <br />
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Once we’ve loosened the kinks from our bodies, and tested our vocal cords for sound ( Ho, Ho , Ha, Ha Ha), we get down to business. And of course, one of those business duties was to reacquaint ourselves with ‘The Master Bard’ himself: Shakespeare! We get to throw his words of insult at each other with nary a thought of consequences…how long has it been since a person could do that and still keep one’s head? <br />
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Today was Improvisation Day: Hess, Barbara, and Julia acted out a skit that involved a man taking a woman and a five year old child out to lunch. Of which, Julia, playing the child, upstaged the scene by putting her feet on the table, wanting things her way…or no way…and as you might expect, the power of a five year old child almost always comes out the winner. <br />
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The next skit, the players were: Ted, Sandy, Mardell, and Me. The story was of a daddy, a six year old child, and a conjurer, who is trying to bring back a runaway wife with a dose of voodoo enticement. And once again, our class members really got into the background scene: the barking of dogs and the clucking of hens most likely could be heard clear up to St. John Street. In fact they were deep into their role as the skit ended with the child’s mind still caught up with the mysterious lady, Odella.<br />
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The next order of business was: dividing into groups of five to read our stories of teenage memories and to then select one story and act it out. There would be three improvisational skits to perform. <br />
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The room buzzed with voices, a laugh here and there, paper shuffling occasionally…and a body prowling in and out around the group—Wrenn. <br />
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Finally, decision time came. Barbara’s story of a family in chaos, Marti’s story of teenage discovery (what takes place in New York, stays in New York), and Lynnsy’s ongoing memory of A call to Love, were presented with actors that fell right into their roles. Great job! <br />
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The mind-catching words today came from Marti’s teenage tale (a bit of coughing here). “Well…maybe the second cigarette will be a little better…”<br />
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Elizabeth T. (Willie)Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-2379480452281742312011-02-10T09:51:00.000-08:002011-02-10T09:51:26.925-08:00Life Stories Second ClassWe had another amazing class! People started arriving 20 minutes early and by the start of class everyone was talking to one another...not a shy person in the group..already an ensemble of people supporting one another! Very uplifting!! The room was filled with energy and the lights of 16 people with a thirst for learning and experiencing new things and a willingness to share their intimate life stories...I spoke with one of the students after class who asked if the story she planned to tell next week was too serious/sad....After wiping the tears from my face I told her no...that it was a story to be told..a story to be heard...a story that others could learn from....<br />
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The Memory Chair (cont’d) Our Second Class<br />
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Wednesday, February 9, 2011<br />
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This is our second week of Life Stories class and we are still wearing our name tags; this may go on for quite a while, remember, most of our members have reached what has been called that ‘golden’ stage in life: ‘Seniors.”<br />
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We are still working on the introductory phase and Wrenn got right into it. She probably had nightmares of her weekly schedule forever being a week behind, and on the 12th week as the last class ended and we walked out, one by one, she would be standing at the door saying, “but we didn’t get to the best part…acting!” <br />
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So we got started on the last eight members’ question and answer session. Many things came to light: when Dave was asked his name, he had to look down at his name tag, it was turned backwards and he had to flip it over, “Dave,” he finally said. Of course, we all laughed with him. We found out Hess is our Nature Man, he said being outside was a passion of his, and also, cooking. Don told us he is writing about his life. And Jane revealed she joined the class because she loved to talk…and always wanted to be ‘a drama queen.’ Doesn’t every class need one? Barbara’s favorite color is purple…and one other thing she and I have in common…hats…she had on a cute black one.<br />
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Wrenn asked for volunteers to do a short skit about a lady driver running a red light and being stopped by a policeman. It was a class act with Lynnsy, the driver, and Carolyn, being the cop. Needless to say, a lot of the ad-lib answers sent us into gales of laughter. What we came away with was: never drive when drinking, even if you deny it; always have your glasses on if you need them to see; and never answer the question, Where are your glasses? by saying, “I don’t know.” And also, try to keep your driver’s license up to date. It was her lucky day: Lynnsy received only a warning.<br />
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We were then divided into groups of four to read our assignment about childhood stories and to select one story for the writer to read out loud to the group. And of course, we ran over the time limit…but most of us stayed. After hearing the stories, Wrenn said we had possibilities and she could already see certain scenes being played out on our big Play Date.<br />
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We were given our assignment for next week and then dismissed in quick order.<br />
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The hero of the day was Don…with his most important question, “Where’s the food?”<br />
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Elizabeth (Willie) TowlesDr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-84590393803564536022011-02-03T11:16:00.000-08:002011-02-03T11:16:22.925-08:00Life Stories Class for Seniors in MatthewsMy 'Life Stories' class started and my oh my what an amazing group of people! We laughed, we shared stories, we felt deep emotions for one another...Truly truly an exciting first day. One of my students plans to keep a journal of the class and has permitted me to include it here....So many stories to tell from my sixteen amazing students....Can't wait for the next class where everyone is to write a half page childhood memory (one minute)... The following was written by Elizabeth Towles (Willie)<br />
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The Memory Chair<br />
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Wednesday, February 2, 2011<br />
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There are sixteen of us and we are here at the Matthews Playhouse for a class listed as: Life Stories. <br />
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The chairs form a large circle inside the ample corner room. We are a diverse group, women as well as men, and all with one connecting thread…we are labeled Seniors, as in the time of our life’s number game. In charge is a young woman, Wrenn, who evidently has great courage; she had been the leader of children’s group, and others, and now…our group, carrying a plethora of personalities, experiences, and problems that grew us and shaped our present personas. <br />
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We will meet one day a week, for a time of 1 &1/2 hrs, for the next twelve weeks, learning life stories from each other, and eventually drafting a play from one of the stories. Along the way, we’ll have a lot of laughs, oh and ah at surprises, and give hugs when touching becomes a need. <br />
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Today, we wore name tags and were paired with another classmate. In turn, we asked each other questions and answered them out loud. Questions like: Your name? Do you have a nickname? What is your favorite color…and why? Why did you join this class? And do you have anything you’d like to share with the group? Needless to say, it was the last question that opened the flood gates of remembrance…only eight people got to participate. It seems when given a chance to have our say…we seniors really have our say. Next week the remaining eight will have their turn. <br />
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I was paired with Terry, who I soon learned had asked to partner with me, I agreed, not knowing there was more behind the asking. We exchanged names and small talk before being center stage for our questioning period. When I asked about nicknames, she said she had been called Willie, which is part of my name, and also that she was a writer. As she talked, I found many commons that we shared. Strangers upon meeting, but within a matter of quick minutes, we felt kinship by our past. After dealing with debilitating health problems for the last 10 months, this was my first attempt at stepping back into my life; and Terry seemed put in place by knowing Hands.<br />
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The class went by so quickly that I remember only a handful of names from today’s gathering: Ted, who wrote under his name tag, Donald Duck; he gave us a Quack, Quack to validate his note, Barbara, who said her stories would be coming next week, Julia, whose ready smile lit up her face; and Sandy who said she had been wanting to do something for a long time, and with a mischievous look in her eyes, she pulled up a sleeve and on the soft underside of her left arm a message read: Have Faith and Breathe…. ElizabethDr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-38367529937417382292010-12-30T09:01:00.000-08:002010-12-30T09:01:21.105-08:00News Articles about ACT from Fall 2010 - DavidsonNews.net Guide - http://davidsonnews.net/guide -<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Seniors on Stage: ‘Young at Heart’</strong></span></div><br />
Posted By David Boraks On December 7, 2010 @ 10:14 pm In seniors,theater <br />
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Davidson Community Players’ Seniors on Stage acting class presents its first workshop production “Young at Heart: A Laugh-In Experience” this Wednesday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 11, at Armour Street Theater in Davidson. Wednesday’s show is at 2 p.m., Saturday’s at 11 a.m.<br />
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The show consists of a series of skits developed by people ages 55 and above in a senior acting class taught by Wrenn Goodrum. The performances are free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted at the door.<br />
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Davidson Community Players’ Seniors on Stage was launched in September as a pilot program for adults aged 55 and over. Through improvisation, character creations, storytelling and vaudeville, the ensemble has created a variety show filled with monologues, short scenes, song and dance set in a ‘Laugh-in’ format. A sampling of scenes from the production include a surfer dude teaching Granny how to surf, a 16-year-old school girl at her prom, and a cook-off between the “Almost Naked Chef” and “Granny.”<br />
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“Senior Theatre is relatively new to this area” Ms. Goodrum said in a press release. “The benefits of participation are more than mere entertainment.”<br />
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Loretta Banner, who plays Granny, agreed. “Becoming another character – even for a few minutes – enlightens the soul. Learning to improvise keeps your mind and limbs limber and active. Meeting new friends and laughing keeps the heart light. … This is truly a rewarding experience.”<br />
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Said artistic director Melissa Ohlman-Roberge: “Little by little, we’ve been expanding and trying different things in our effort to find what’s going to resonate with our community. The need for increased programming for Seniors has been on our radar for some time, and was on our initial list when we opened Armour Street Theatre in 2008. We needed to find the right time, format and person to launch the program. We have that now in Wrenn, and are so pleased to embark on this new phase of our journey with Seniors on Stage!”<br />
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Future senior acting classes are also planned. For more information about classes, or for a reservation to one of this week’s shows, call Davidson Community Players’ box office, 704-892-7953.<br />
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Article printed from DavidsonNews.net Guide: http://davidsonnews.net/guide<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"> Matthews Minthill Weekly Newspaper by Kara Lopp </div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Seniors, it’s your </span><span style="font-size: large;">time to shine</span></strong> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Activate Community Through Theatre to lead workshop for senior citizens.</em></span></span></div><em></em><br />
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There’s a new activity for area seniors, and it has nothing to do with the letters B-I-N-G-O.<br />
Beginning Oct. 6, Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts will play hostess to a local theater company eager to teach senior citizens the craft of theater. And it’ll be good for them, too. Research shows seniors who regularly participate in theater lower their risk of<br />
disease and increase their overall health. Wrenn Goodrum is the leading lady in the local senior theater movement. Founder of Activate Community Through Theatre, or ACT, Goodrum will teach a 10-week theater workshop series for seniors on Wednesday<br />
afternoons from Oct. 6 to Dec. 8 at the Playhouse, 100 E. McDowell St. She’s currently teaching a similar program in Davidson and envisions more area workshops and even a seniors-only theater company. Goodrum, who has more than 30 years of theater experience, also teaches classes for children. In fact, the Cary, N.C. native had her own children’s theater company for 21 years in Rhode Island. A graduate of the North Carolina<br />
School of the Arts, Goodrum made a living first as an actress and then as a theater director and educator in New York City for 10 years. She’s even been an extra on TV shows such as “All My Children,” where she played a nurse. So why seniors? Goodrum has a simple,<br />
honest answer: her mother, Peggy. Goodrum, 59, moved back to the area last year after her mother had a stroke. Visiting her mom in an assisted living facility, Goodrum said she noticed something lacking for the senior residents. “There was no real spiritual, physical<br />
or emotional things going on,” she said. “They had activities, but they didn’t have activities that could really stimulate.” So she volunteered to host interactive workshops, bringing the theater to elderly residents and making them the stars. The program was well received.<br />
“When I started working with them, it was like they were coming out of a cocoon. It was really moving to see the power of theater,” she said, choking back tears. “The theater has that door or it has that window and says ‘come in, come in.’ Some people run through it, and others it takes a while, but when they get throughit, there’s this breakthrough.” And health benefits to boot, research shows. A 2001 study conducted by the Center for Aging, Health, and Humanities at George Washington University showed seniors involved in the arts have fewer falls, fewer doctor visits and take fewer pills than their peers. The study, described as the first of its kind, followed seniors ranging from 65 to 100 years old in<br />
three cities: Washington, D.C., Brooklyn and San Francisco. The study revealed that regular theater participation helped seniors maintain their independence and appeared to be reducing risk factors that drive the need for long-term care, study authors wrote. “I am not sure that people realize that senior theater and acting classes for Seniors, it’s your time to shine Activate Community Through Theatre to lead workshop in Matthews for senior citizens seniors exist,” Goodrum said. “There are over 700 senior-theater companies in<br />
America, and growing by the minute, but not in this area. I want to change the stereotypical<br />
way that society views senior citizens. I want to give a voice and an outlet for seniors to express themselves, share their life stories and wisdom. We’ve got to celebrate the seniors.”<br />
Those attending Goodrum’s workshop don’t need any theater experience, just a willingness to learn – and laugh. “We’ll sing. We’ll do improv. We’ll share stories,” she said. “It’s a safe place to be who you are.” Want to know more? Wrenn Goodrum will lead a 10-week<br />
theater workshop just for seniors at the Matthews Playhouse, 100 E. McDowell St., from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from Oct. 6 to Dec. 8. Cost is $125. For more information or to register, call 704- 707-6757. The workshop will end with a final presentation for family and friends.<br />
by Kara Lopp<br />
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<a href="mailto:kara@matthewsminthillweekly.com">kara@matthewsminthillweekly.com</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-85213421391109551632010-12-30T08:37:00.000-08:002010-12-30T08:37:10.796-08:00ACT Hired by Matthews Playhouse to Teach and Direct 'Life Stories' Performance WorkshopJune Bayless, Artistic Director of Matthews Playhouse has hired ACT to teach/direct a performance workshop for seniors starting the first Wednesday in February 2011. Matthews Playhouse received a $2,000 matching grant from the Arts & Science Council for a senior theatre performance workshop where the students aged 55+ will compose monologues of their life's stories. Students will work on acting, storytelling and writing techniques for twelve sessions. A public performance of this multi-media 'Life Stories' production is scheduled for April followed by performances at three senior communities in Matthews and Mint Hill. The fee for the workshop is only $125 and the class size is limited so early enrollment is advised. The workshop will take place on Wednesdays from 10:30 - 12 at the Matthews Playhouse - 100 McDowell Street in Matthews. For more information please call Wrenn at ACT.Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-85800589644644203122010-12-30T08:17:00.000-08:002010-12-30T08:17:35.797-08:00Seniors on Stage at Davidson Community Players <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oZKn48t0FU4/TRyrPkHHcOI/AAAAAAAAABk/TwIREeA3i68/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oZKn48t0FU4/TRyrPkHHcOI/AAAAAAAAABk/TwIREeA3i68/s200/DSC_0008.jpg" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young at Heart Song</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loretta and Paw doing the Dirty Dance</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sally 'Surfer Dude' teaches Granny how to surf</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oZKn48t0FU4/TRysARdFbLI/AAAAAAAAABw/HukWWQqnjXo/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oZKn48t0FU4/TRysARdFbLI/AAAAAAAAABw/HukWWQqnjXo/s200/DSC_0102.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First meeting of a 'Match.com' match or was it?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oZKn48t0FU4/TRysGe4vHRI/AAAAAAAAAB0/yLkbQDp6xes/s1600/DSC_0137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oZKn48t0FU4/TRysGe4vHRI/AAAAAAAAAB0/yLkbQDp6xes/s200/DSC_0137.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspired by Artie Johnson and Ruth Buzzi 'In the Park'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TEX</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catholic School Girl (Peggy) as a grocery store clerk whose customer, Dumb Blond (Judy) wants to return M'M's because she couldn't peel their shells off.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barbara played an advice columnist who gave sexual advice to seniors....Hilarious!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-size: large;">ACT was hired by Davidson Community Players to teach a 10 week performance class for seniors aged 55+....We had a most amazing ten weeks working on improvisations, character creations, comedy, laughter yoga, songs and hilarious vaudeville scenes. Several had never performed in public ....but you never would have known it. I so loved working with my students who were fearless and ever so creative...As the video in my mind replays I think of Loretta and her wild sense of humor and artistic contributions to our costumes and props..she (along with her assistants, Sally and Fran) made all the mouseketeers ears, 'Young at Heart' signs and a few other props used in the many scenes of the performance.....her 'Dirty Dancing' with Paw brought the house down. Judy as the dumb blond secretary with perfect comic timing and Fran so courageous to play the eccentric old lady on the park bench with a snarly Rodney....tooo funny! And of course there was Barbara P who took on the role of Stage Manager as well as getting many guffaws in her walk-on as the waitress...Her comic take to the audience was priceless. Marion created a Bostonian woman whose husband invented the chicken and was immensely entertaining in her 'match.com' date with Rodney's 'Tex'. And there was Sally as a 'surfer dude' teaching Loretta's Granny how to surf and Peggy's 16 year old Catholic School girl telling the audience about going to the prom. Barbara H's monologue 'Lightning Bugs' always brought a tear or two and the power of the silence which followed was extraordinary.....BRAVO to the Seniors on Stage in their 'Young at Heart' Laugh-In Experience.</span>Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-73318270782333421512010-11-19T14:24:00.000-08:002010-11-19T15:02:17.058-08:00A Midsummer Night's Dream: Shakespeare UnPlugged<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZKn48t0FU4/TOb-nNFB9xI/AAAAAAAAABI/pu-BU0byFoo/s1600/DSC_0778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZKn48t0FU4/TOb-nNFB9xI/AAAAAAAAABI/pu-BU0byFoo/s320/DSC_0778.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My most favorite Shakespeare comedy, <em>A Midsummer Night's Dream,</em> had three amazing performances - sadly turning away 20 - 30 people for every performance....the ensemble of actors were amazing as they did all the choreography, music design and even the costumes for this ensemble production, conceptually a group of teens making a YouTube video of <em>A Midsummer Night's Dream</em>...many thanks to Ed McCutcheon who was our videographer and YouTube video designer....what FUN we had...especially the FOOD FIGHT!!! Wahoo!Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-50990257961673284372010-11-19T14:16:00.000-08:002010-12-30T08:25:20.545-08:00Davidson Seniors on Stage Present 'Young at Heart A Laugh In Experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oZKn48t0FU4/TOb3EBVSwXI/AAAAAAAAABA/h_bPeGUbKXo/s1600/invitation1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oZKn48t0FU4/TOb3EBVSwXI/AAAAAAAAABA/h_bPeGUbKXo/s320/invitation1a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My senior performance class in Davidson is in their final weeks of rehearsal prior to performance. We have created a FABULOUS show that will have our audiences laughing from the moment they enter the theatre till they leave and most likely days later as they remember the hilarity of the show. Our seventy five minute show is filled with comedic characters created by each actor....such as a Dell Support Employee, a wealthy Texan, a Surfer Dude, a 16 year old Catholic school girl, an 'Almost Naked Chef', an Advice Columnist who helps women look for the right man, a dirty old man and woman, a Granny who dirty dances with her husband and Mrs. Buff Orpington who is married to the man who invented the chicken.....also included in the show are Burlesque skits, songs and a few surprises.....I am so proud of our actors and can't wait to ACTivate the Community with this Senior Theatre Performance!!!Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-54147352052045235132010-09-23T11:57:00.000-07:002010-09-23T11:57:45.632-07:00CHANGES IN UPCOMING PROGRAMS<strong>Edison ACTing Classes</strong> <br />
The start date for the classes has been moved to September 28th and 29th providing a minium number of students is met. We are offering a $100 coupon for our fall/winter classes to the Cox Mill Elementary School's 'Bingo Fundraiser' on Friday, Oct. 24th...Come one come all!!! <br />
<strong> <br />
The Levine Senior Senior</strong> <br />
Sadly we had to cancel the production of 'The Phantom of the Soap Opera' as there were not enough people registered to cast the show. So, while I was devastated because I was so excited about working with the new friends I had made at my ACT & SEE presentation in August, I decided to offer classes at the Matthews Playhouse. <br />
<strong> <br />
ACTing UP with Seniors</strong> <br />
ACT will offer Acting classes for seniors at the Matthews Playhouse, Matthews Community Center * 100 McDowell Street in Matthews. ACTing Up will run for ten sessions starting Wednesday, October 6 and run through December 7. An additional class on December 6 will be held. All classes meet at 1pm and run until 2:30pm. No memorization or experience is necessary!!! Did you know that research proves that Seniors participating in theatre have less doctors visits, less medication usage and increased mobility of body? Truly! Truly! Truly!Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-50685831627695327962010-08-30T17:29:00.001-07:002010-08-30T17:47:57.052-07:00ACTing Classes for Youth Communities at EdisonWe are thrilled to offer acting classes for children in grades one through five starting September 21st. Our marketing plan has the phone ringing off the hook from families interested in getting their children into the ACT! I tell them that not only will their child learn acting skills but in the process their self-confidence will grow stronger...NOW, sometimes it takes more than one class but I remember...years ago, I had a young six year old who was playing the role of the lion in a 'Bag and Box Players' version of 'The Wizard of Oz' and when it was time for her to roar, she just couldn't..too shy and frightened...but not to worry, I said, and another child took her role...After two years of classes and involvement in my theatre company, I sent her to audition for Trinity Rep, a professional theatre company in Providence, RI. And she got the lead!!! Now she lives in NYC and uses her acting skills in business! I have so many success stories of children/youth whose lives were changed with their involvement in acting and the theatre. And then I remember that my life and my self-confidence took a giant step when I became involved in theatre and thus my mission in life became to help others find their way through theatre.Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704494308633922271.post-76161881542653368682010-07-29T09:33:00.000-07:002010-07-29T09:34:24.127-07:00ACT Plans for the Levine Senior Center in Matthews, NC<br />GREAT NEWS!<br /><br />ACT at the LEVINE SENIOR CENTER<br /><br />ACT & SEE <br />At the Levine Senior Center<br />August 19th at 1:30pm <br /><br />ACT invites the community at the Levine Senior Center to come SEE what exciting ACTivities ACT has planned for YOU! We will tell you about the upcoming productions of ‘The Phantom of the Soap Opera’ and ‘Life Stories’, and how you may get involved both onstage and offstage. For those who want to ACT, we will engage you with laughter yoga, improvisation and reading a couple of scenes from the play. You don’t have to participate but please come and SEE what it’s all about. You’ll be glad you did!!! <br /><br /><br /><br />CELEBRATE<br />GRANDPARENTS DAY<br />September 11th at 3pm<br /><br />ACT will be offering a 'Celebrate Grandparents Day' ninety minute workshop for seniors and their grandchildren at the Levine Senior Center in Matthews, NC on September 11th at 3pm. This workshop will include theatre games, song and dance, improvisation and short skits ending with a presentation for family and friends. <br /><br />THE PHANTOM OF THE SOAP OPERA<br />An Audience Participation Murder Mystery Lunch-Time Theatre Event<br />by Robert and Christine Johnston<br /><br />Starting September 19th, ACT will begin rehearsals of 'The Phantom of the Soap Opera' with members of the Levine Senior Center. This audience participation 'lunch time' play will center around the 'Porcelain Bowl' awards for soap opera actors and the murder that occurs during the awards show. The audience is quite involved in this hilarious 'whodunit' audience participation event. Rehearsals are Thursdays, 1 - 2:30 starting September 16th at the Levine Senior Center. The performance is slated for December 4th...Make your reservations now! Limited enrollment!<br /><br />LIFE STORIES<br /><br />All of us have a story to tell! This class will give its actors the opportunity to develop a comic or dramatic story from their lives using historical events, family, love, growing up and growing older memories. We will use storytelling, improvisation, scriptwriting and acting to produce a multi-media production for the annual Levine Senior Center Anniversary Celebration. Limited enrollment!Dr. Wrenn Goodrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703384653642130554noreply@blogger.com0