The events that transpired on this day 13 years ago are some
that are embedded deeply in my memory.
But, as I write about the past, the present presents a disturbing
picture as ISIS continues to out-strip Al Qaeda in recruitment as it promises
to re-establishment an Islamic caliphate in the Levantine region, which would
necessitate the elimination not only of the murderous Assad regime in
Syria, the overthrow of moderate regimes
in Iraq and Jordan, but also the genocidal destruction of the only democratic
nation in the Middle East: Israel.
Thirteen years out from 9/11/01 and the world is still as dangerous as it was on that day.
Thirteen years out from 9/11/01 and the world is still as dangerous as it was on that day.
Tonight is the final dress rehearsal for a production of Into the Woods that I’m taking part
in. It’s been a long two weeks as all
the tech, lights, costumes, and props have been brought into the mix. Needless to say, but I’m ready for “hell
week” (as it’s known in theatre) to come to an end and we can get this thing
going.
However, one of the things that acting does is it allows me to do two things: develop and play a character and also to meet other people. In the first instance, I’m playing a character who is nothing short of a lackey and a coward. It’s fun to be able to play someone so uncomplicated but I have played deeper roles, most recently Sir Francis Chesney in a production of Charley’s Aunt, the 19th Century romantic farce by Brandon Thomas. Sir Francis has been one of my favorite roles to date.
But, in the cast I have met a kindred soul; another writer. At this moment, as I am writing this, we have the “writing center” (as she calls it), set up: our laptops back-to-back across the table from each other. I’m blogging and she’s transcribing from handwritten form to typewritten.
Talking with or listening to other writers discuss how they work is fascinating as well as informative. My cast-mate spends her free time at work scribbling down her story (young adult fiction) between tasks. Last week I went with my wife to a book signing by Louise Penny, the author of the Inspector Gamache series. Mrs. Penny was quite a delight to listen to during the Q&A she held before the signing. But, for her, two things stood out to me as I find I do them often. Not only does Mrs. Penny keep her eyes and ears open to literature and worthwhile quotes, but she has also borrowed aspects of people she knows to create characters for her stories. I am dreadfully guilty of the latter. Like my mother, I’m a people watcher and an amateur student of psychology both of which come in very helpful for creating interesting and believable characters for the novels I write.
And that comes back around to acting. My cast-mate not only enjoys the challenge that acting (especially musicals) brings, but she also enjoys the chance to create a unique character and develop that skill so necessary to the craft of writing.
However, one of the things that acting does is it allows me to do two things: develop and play a character and also to meet other people. In the first instance, I’m playing a character who is nothing short of a lackey and a coward. It’s fun to be able to play someone so uncomplicated but I have played deeper roles, most recently Sir Francis Chesney in a production of Charley’s Aunt, the 19th Century romantic farce by Brandon Thomas. Sir Francis has been one of my favorite roles to date.
But, in the cast I have met a kindred soul; another writer. At this moment, as I am writing this, we have the “writing center” (as she calls it), set up: our laptops back-to-back across the table from each other. I’m blogging and she’s transcribing from handwritten form to typewritten.
Talking with or listening to other writers discuss how they work is fascinating as well as informative. My cast-mate spends her free time at work scribbling down her story (young adult fiction) between tasks. Last week I went with my wife to a book signing by Louise Penny, the author of the Inspector Gamache series. Mrs. Penny was quite a delight to listen to during the Q&A she held before the signing. But, for her, two things stood out to me as I find I do them often. Not only does Mrs. Penny keep her eyes and ears open to literature and worthwhile quotes, but she has also borrowed aspects of people she knows to create characters for her stories. I am dreadfully guilty of the latter. Like my mother, I’m a people watcher and an amateur student of psychology both of which come in very helpful for creating interesting and believable characters for the novels I write.
And that comes back around to acting. My cast-mate not only enjoys the challenge that acting (especially musicals) brings, but she also enjoys the chance to create a unique character and develop that skill so necessary to the craft of writing.
No comments:
Post a Comment