The thing is that there are times you’re bothered by things that you don’t need to be. Scared of things you don’t need to be scared of. By “You” I’m really meaning “Me” or “I”, but I’m using the generic “You” for now.

How often do we (now I’ve gone plural) ignore the facts and let irrational fears dictate a course of action? Let a bit of nervousness change our path?

On the other hand, a hunch is a hunch, a gut feeling is hard to ignore, and many people say that little ‘inner voice’ is the universe, or God, pushing you in the direction you should go.

So, separating the ‘universal whisperings of God’ from the fear of tackling something potentially painful, that’s the trick, right? I mean, is it “hmmm….my gut says putting myself in that situation seems too scary, I’m running away now” or is it “hmmm….I’m scared to death of that – won’t it be nice to conquer that fear!”?! There are some of those decisions that are easy, like, say, juggling running chainsaws – most of us, we’re running away from that! But there are other things, less cut and dried things, things that are tough.

Todays Horoscope says: “If anyone is famous for being objective, it’s you. You’ve even been accused of being too coldly rational. That may be the case at times, but right about now, you’re dealing with an emotional situation and looking for a light in the darkness — and you know you can only find the answer by recruiting someone you trust.”

So, first of all, horoscopes are so general and wide that you can always find something in your life to pin their message on. Secondly, an emotional situation? Please – they’re all emotional, it’s a matter of pushing that aside when you need to, right? I mean, that’s the objective, coldly rational part, right? Then when you can, or need, to use your emotions to solve a situation, you let them. Rational, yes. Cold, no.

So why do we allow these things, these nervous little tics, to sway us? Fear? Fear.

Bah. I say to hell with fear.

“A day dawns, quite like other days; in it, a single hour comes, quite like other
hours; but in that day and in that hour the chance of a lifetime faces us.”
– Maltbie Babcock

So, the point? Take action. Right now. Look for the light. Find your next step. Own it. Claim it. Make it so. Move. Change. Create. Don’t look for a source of strength, BE the source! Don’t find a source of energy or inspiration, BE the source!

Be the source.

That’s my goal today.

Right after my nap…man, I’m frelling sleepy.

Today is my son’s birthday, we’re having a bunch of people over – it’s an “Incredibles” party, because his current infatuation is the movie “The Incredibles”, especially Dash. (Because, of course, Dash is the little boy who runs fast, both of which also describe my son!). He doesn’t know it yet, but he’ll be getting a battery powered Jeep that he can drive around the driveway and yard. The whole family pitched in, because it was a little pricey, and I think he’s gonna love it.

So, getting things ready for that. Hope the rain holds off.

In other news The Detroit Free Press Theatre Awards are tomorrow night, and nominations came out today. Nothing for me personally, but Randy Godwin from THE UNDERPANTS that I directed is nominated for Best Featured Actor, as is my WTP partner John Lepard for BUS STOP. I thought more of my actors were worthy; the rest of THE UNDERPANTS cast, the IRMA VEP cast and SUMMER AND SMOKE cast certainly deserved nominations, as well as the designers of those shows, but who knows what lurks in the minds of award givers, so oh well. Lots of other great productions and people were nominated, should be fun to see everyone at the awards tomorrow!

And now, off to hang a Piñata! CANDY!!!

Okay, you’re sitting at your computer right now, right?

Do this:

1. Open up MS Word
2. Type “=rand(100)” (without the quotes)
3. Hit RETURN

Why would anyone bother to put this into a computer program, you might wonder?

I would wonder the same…

Back from the big event. It went very well. Folks were very receptive, we had some great conversations. Many people are very interested in helping us out, and in bringing the Project to Williamston. Some key, wonderful people who want to aid in locating donors, helping with events, working on a space! The show at the Purple Rose is great, the group we brought loved it, we talked about the space and the kinds of plays we want to do, etcetera!

AND we got word from the Mayor, Ken Zichi, that the building that we were looking at is probably going to be approved. We have a bunch of details to work out, but it’s looking like we may have a building to put our theatre into!

So, a very, very productive evening. Very exciting.

Next up – follow up with the folks from tonight and get their feedback, some readings in Williamston, a reading at the Michigan Theatre Festival, some strategic planning sessions, gotta get some designers/architects into the building to tell us what’s possible and what’s not, an outdoor performance in July (Lord help me…), meetings with Williamston/Lansing area theatre artists for icebreaking/brainstorming sessions, and also I’d like to get a Starbucks Venti Decaf Mocha. Kinda thirsty.

Whooohoo!! On the way out the door for the Williamston Theatre Project’s first big fundraising/friendraising event. Wish us luck!!

In the meantime, if you need something to read, this is an interesting take on “Creativity” that I enjoyed reading: Click here!

Allrighty then…off to make a theatre!

Allright ladies and gentlemen…

Announcing the arrival of http://www.williamstontheatre.org

Please feel free to visit the new website of The Williamston Theatre Project.

Very, very basic. However, it’s a start. Feel free to let us know what you think!

PS- It’s a beautiful, beautiful day. Hope you’re having one too.

Late last night I got a chance to see a great show – 1/2 hour long experimental piece directed by Lynn Lammers, starring Aaron Rossini and others. Very fun. By the time I got back, I was in a much better mood than I had been when I posted my ranting entry earlier in the evening! The Performance Networks second space, The Most Pit, is a fun place to see a show. Only about 40 seats, you’re right on top of the actors, very black-box underground feel. Good energy to the show, which was based on the Grimm’s fairy tale “The Golden Goose” but written thru improv and experimental games in rehearsals. Nice job.

Coming up tomorrow: The Williamston Theatre Project’s first big event. Very excited. I think we’ve got a chance to make something really wonderful happen, and things are coming together. As we gather supporters and backers and momentum it’s getting more and more exciting. Taking a group of nearly 50 people interested in the project to the country club in Williamston for drinks and snacks, introduction of us and the project, then taking them to see BUS STOP at The Purple Rose in Chelsea, as an example of the size/type theatre space we’d like to make, and as an example of what good, intimate theatre can do to an audience. Then see if they want to help us bring that to Williamston! This is the first step in a whole series of events that hopefully will lead to an explosion of support and backing!

AND: Lined up a great cast for the WTP reading of ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS in June at the Michigan Theatre Festival. Suzi Regan, John Lepard, Joey Albright and Aaron Moore will be my cast. Excellent.

AND! Almost as important: The Tigers went 4-2 on their road trip. Against the Angels and the Rangers, two tough teams. Go team!

Some things today that really piss me off. No pleasantness here today; adult language, ugly topics behind the links:

Deceitful people. Continue reading →

Allright, boys and girls – The Amazing Race has come to a close for the season. What a show. Since I don’t want to bore everyone who’s not interested to tears, I’ll not fill this page with an entry about it. Instead, a whole entry about the show can be found by clicking below!

The Amazing Race

WTP logo

So here it is! Many, many thanks to the marvelous Crystal Woolard for her efforts, patience and graphic design brilliance!

Any thoughts?