A few quotes from writers: “The biggest thing that separates novice writers from professional writers is that professional writers have learned to forgo the illusion that they’re going to produce imperfect work.” — Larry Gross “There are a million things that are distracting you and a million excuses and if you want an excuse not […]
The Porch
December 20, 2013 by 1 Comment
Heaven & Earth had its final performance on Dec 1 and I really enjoyed the process of getting this play on the stage. It had its challenges – that’s for sure – but the reward is seeing the cast and crew rise to the occasion and deliver to an audience, who I felt were right […]
Meet the Cast
November 25, 2013 by 3 Comments
I’ve been working with this group of actors the last couple months and this weekend after many hours of rehearsal, Heaven & Earth opens. One of the things I like most about directing a show is seeing people learn something new. This entire cast (along with a group of singers) are made up of volunteers, […]
Blood, Sweat & Tears
November 21, 2013 by 1 Comment
I get a lot of emails telling me how to be a better screenwriter. And for anyone who has ever tried to write a script, and has done some research on screenwriting, you have no doubt come across some of the more famous teachers out there: Robert McKee, Blake Snyder, Christopher Vogler. These men have […]
Juggling Act
October 22, 2013 by 1 Comment
Heaven & Earth is deep into rehearsals. I have just finished blocking the play and now move onto acting. We are just about at the half-way point of this production which is a challenge for the actors as we begin to take away the safety of their scripts and work more specifically on acting choices. […]
Heaven & Earth
September 17, 2013 by 1 Comment
I have begun rehearsals for an upcoming theatrical production called Heaven & Earth. It includes a cast of 9 actors and 5 singers. Heaven & Earth tells the story of the Gray family and the Parker family who find themselves at a traumatic crossroad on Christmas Day. One year earlier, a shocking incident sent both […]
Pick Up the Pen and Go
August 19, 2013 by 2 Comments
A friend recently sent me this quote from author Elizabeth Gilbert who wrote “Eat, Pray, Love”: “Continuing to write after that heartache of disappointment doesn’t take only discipline, but also self-forgiveness (which comes from a place of kind and encouraging and motherly love). The other thing to realize is that all writers think they suck. […]
My Places
July 26, 2013 by 4 Comments
Some writers like to write in coffee shops, others in malls, in the park, on a beach, etc… I’m not one of those writers. I find I get too distracted. Most of my writing happens in my home (and I’m distracted enough just being there). I spend a lot time pacing, looking out windows, waiting […]
Plays On My Mind
June 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Two plays are on my mind these days. One is called Animal. The other has not yet been written. I have just completed the 3rd draft of my play Animal. On July 6th I will be having a reading of Animal with actors. I’m looking forward to finally hearing this dialogue read aloud by other […]
I Am Not the Genius I Thought I Was
May 28, 2013 by 3 Comments
A funny thing happened a couple weeks ago. I finished writing my 3rd draft of Circus (now called Animal), and I sat down to read the play from beginning to end. Although this is a 3rd draft, in all honesty it’s a 1st draft of a 3rddraft (if you know what I mean). The overall structure […]