MYRIAM WEDGE and ME

Let It Shine is the title of my new screenplay.  I wrote a quick draft back in November and I’m now writing a new draft with lots of re-write notes.  Let It Shine is a sprawling tale of love, faith and sacrifice that spans years in the life of one family as seen through the eyes of its youngest member – a precocious child whose extraordinary bond with her unpredictable, compassionate older brother teaches her that in order to stand out, one must not be afraid to shine.  The main character (Melody, 10) narrates the story and does so part of the time (the screenplay’s first quarter) from her mother’s womb.  She acts like the “God” character in that she is a witness to episodes of the past involving her parents (Curtis and Lucy) and her brother (Trent).  But she also narrates in the present (as she lives through her own life) and knows of events that take place in the future.  She is this omnipresent, all-knowing force of nature that often teases the viewer with her knowledge while also correcting story events that aren’t entirely true.   It is a screenplay which I hope to complete by mid April.

Steven, Alexandra and Anton in rehearsals for ANIMAL Reading.

Speaking of shining, the young lady above is Myriam Wedge who is part of the ANIMAL Reading team.  Myriam is our Stage Manager/AD and it’s been a real pleasure to get to know and work with her.  She is a positive force and eager to learn.  Speaking of ANIMAL, the cast has been gearing up for the stage reading happening Saturday March 24 @ 12 NOON – Alumnae Theatre.   To learn more details about the reading, please visit HERE.

ALEXANDRA MILNE as Raina, ANTON WASOWICZ as Daniel/Cliff

I’m sharing photos of our recent rehearsal.  I had a nice break-through on this rehearsal day regarding the climax and clarifying some loose ends.  As a result of our discussion,  I rewrote a section of an earlier scene which now heightens our ending.  I’ve encouraged my director Liz and the Cast to ask questions, to push me for answers when something doesn’t make sense or isn’t immediately clear.

Liz and I listening to actors rehearsing

STEVEN VLAHOS as Griffin/Mark

Writers can be territorial about their work, only because in most cases they have lived with the piece longer then most people.   But that’s no excuse.  I can’t stress enough how vital it is to stay open to the process…to listen and be willing to look at the material through the eyes of someone who is not as familiar with the piece.  Sometimes Liz and the Cast ask  questions or make suggestions which I don’t necessarily agree with on the spot.   Oftentimes I walk away from discussions and let the comments sink in.  I have made some great discoveries doing this, letting the ideas peculate, particularly this past week when I was able to see more clearly the concerns about the ending.

In one of the first emails Liz sent out to the cast, she described ANIMAL as a “beautiful beast”.  I like how those two words play off each other.   “Beautiful” in the play’s look at tragedy – the struggle of the human condition and how ultimately we seek redemption.  But that redemption often comes at a price.  That’s where the “beast” enters in the play’s depiction of a disease that is often misunderstood.  ANIMAL  shows how that disease runs havoc on the individual suffering and family members trying to help.

My hope is that this play shines a light on the subject.  In two weeks we’ll be sharing ANIMAL with the public.   I look forward to the journey there.