The world was ending. The sky was dark and clouded. I was travelling in a vehicle on a busy freeway with people. I don't know who they were. By busy I mean slow moving, cars were going off the road, some were on fire. General chaos.
Surrounding the freeway was wasteland. Burning, scorched, and flat.
We pulled over on the side of the road. There was a plain, wooden, one room shack. There was no signage anywhere except the door. The sign on the door read 'Humor'. We went in and started to come to life. Sheets of paper were passed around. Ideas were shared and written down. We laughed til we cried. We cried til we laughed. We stayed there.
Humor saved us in the end.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Montreal and Ottawa
We had a day in Montreal and a day in Ottawa with shows back to back. Our Montreal show was smaller, more intimate but an attentive audience.
The Ottawa show was in an amazing space, St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, right downtown. Walking into the space you could tell that this congregation is vibrantly alive and well. The room had tons of natural light shining through windows all around and a huge skylight (what kind of a church has a skylight). There was art hanging all over the room that was made by the people in the congregation. They had a BBQ before the show and a lot of people ended up coming to see our show. We had a Q and A afterward and the discussion was wonderful.
I love my job.
We are now in Toronto staying at the St. John's Convent while we slightly rejuvenate and get ready for the next stretch of our trip.
The Ottawa show was in an amazing space, St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, right downtown. Walking into the space you could tell that this congregation is vibrantly alive and well. The room had tons of natural light shining through windows all around and a huge skylight (what kind of a church has a skylight). There was art hanging all over the room that was made by the people in the congregation. They had a BBQ before the show and a lot of people ended up coming to see our show. We had a Q and A afterward and the discussion was wonderful.
I love my job.
We are now in Toronto staying at the St. John's Convent while we slightly rejuvenate and get ready for the next stretch of our trip.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Newfoundland
This is our last day in St. John's, Newfoundland. So far we have done two shows and seen many many beautiful sights. We went to Signal Hill, Cape Spear, and the notorious George Street to name a few. St. John's is very welcoming and gorgeous. I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here.
Tomorrow we are flying back to Toronto where we will be pimping out our tour van (we're hoping for a hot tub in the back) and spending the rest of the day in Guelph. On Wednesday we drive to Vankleek Hills (halfway between Ottawa and Montreal). Our next show is in Montreal and then we continue west from there.
Tomorrow we are flying back to Toronto where we will be pimping out our tour van (we're hoping for a hot tub in the back) and spending the rest of the day in Guelph. On Wednesday we drive to Vankleek Hills (halfway between Ottawa and Montreal). Our next show is in Montreal and then we continue west from there.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
WOW
I hardly have words for yesterday. We performed in the morning for about 575 people and the response has been unreal. It was streamed live on the internet (which is definitely not the same experience) but nonetheless, people from all over the country are now trying to get us to their town.
I am brought to tears regularly from people coming up to me and telling me how the show affected them. And 20 times a day I say to myself, "This is why I do what I do". We have created a piece of theatre that is important and deeply moving. People laugh one minute and the next second tears are streaming down their face. I am overwhelmed by this response and the way I have been treated by the Anglican Church of Canada. We were invited to the Synod banquet last night where we all sat at different tables and I ended up sitting at a table near the front of the room with the lady who financed the whole dinner and a bishop and some priests. And I had this out of body experience where I watched myself captivate these people and talk to them about giving ourselves permission to fail, eliminating judgement in the workplace and in our lives (are you laughing yet, because I am). I am 20 years old. I am talking to people who are in positions of power and authority. And clear as a bell it came to me, I am here for a reason. I have important things to tell these people and I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. This church is dying and they need passionate young people and I have been given a chance to speak and you better believe I'm going to take that chance. This church needs us and we need this church.
I wrote this prayer in the middle of May:
I am brought to tears regularly from people coming up to me and telling me how the show affected them. And 20 times a day I say to myself, "This is why I do what I do". We have created a piece of theatre that is important and deeply moving. People laugh one minute and the next second tears are streaming down their face. I am overwhelmed by this response and the way I have been treated by the Anglican Church of Canada. We were invited to the Synod banquet last night where we all sat at different tables and I ended up sitting at a table near the front of the room with the lady who financed the whole dinner and a bishop and some priests. And I had this out of body experience where I watched myself captivate these people and talk to them about giving ourselves permission to fail, eliminating judgement in the workplace and in our lives (are you laughing yet, because I am). I am 20 years old. I am talking to people who are in positions of power and authority. And clear as a bell it came to me, I am here for a reason. I have important things to tell these people and I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. This church is dying and they need passionate young people and I have been given a chance to speak and you better believe I'm going to take that chance. This church needs us and we need this church.
I wrote this prayer in the middle of May:
Lord hear my prayer:
In all my loudness, let me stop long enough to hear your deafening silence. In all my pride, let me constantly fall on my face. In all my bitterness, let me open my eyes to grace. In all my vanity, let me become frustrated with the pettiness. In all my criticism, let me make room for redeeming qualities. In all my confidence, give me humility. In all my working, let me understand I will reap what I sow. In all my loving, let me know the heart of a servant. In all my reading, allow me to remember the knowledge worth remembering. In all my decision making, allow me to realize the tiny reality in which I live. In all my discipline, allow me the ability to break the rules. In all my speaking, let me say something worth saying. In all my happiness, let me acknowledge those who weep. In all my weeping, let me do away with self-consciousness.
In all my life, let me create.
Friday, June 4, 2010
New Day
Thank you thank you thank you
If you have emailed me, thought about emailing me, prayed for me, have thought about praying for me.
It struck me yesterday how lonely this whole touring thing is. I would not feel nearly as grounded if I did not have all the texts, messages, phone calls etc. that I get on a DAILY basis. You are all incredible.
We have finished both our preview shows with talkbacks and I'm currently sitting in a home in one of the wealthiest parts of Toronto, a hop and a skip away from Yonge street. Yes, I am a fan of billeting. I am also so very spoiled.
We had a variety of people come to our show yesterday and the day before. Yesterday we had some theatre people from Toronto come, some theatre educators, actors in film and theatre, producers and directors. The general consensus in terms of reaction to the show is inspiring for me. People are blown away at our connection onstage and the focus. We got a comment yesterday about how seamless our transitions were and if you are a student of Aaron Caleb or Angela Konrad, that makes you very very happy. Long story short, I am very encouraged and ready to rehearse some more today.
Halifax tomorrow!
If you have emailed me, thought about emailing me, prayed for me, have thought about praying for me.
It struck me yesterday how lonely this whole touring thing is. I would not feel nearly as grounded if I did not have all the texts, messages, phone calls etc. that I get on a DAILY basis. You are all incredible.
We have finished both our preview shows with talkbacks and I'm currently sitting in a home in one of the wealthiest parts of Toronto, a hop and a skip away from Yonge street. Yes, I am a fan of billeting. I am also so very spoiled.
We had a variety of people come to our show yesterday and the day before. Yesterday we had some theatre people from Toronto come, some theatre educators, actors in film and theatre, producers and directors. The general consensus in terms of reaction to the show is inspiring for me. People are blown away at our connection onstage and the focus. We got a comment yesterday about how seamless our transitions were and if you are a student of Aaron Caleb or Angela Konrad, that makes you very very happy. Long story short, I am very encouraged and ready to rehearse some more today.
Halifax tomorrow!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Gah
Okay it's official. I'm the worst updater ever.
This past month has been beyond inspiring. I feel like we have created a gift to bring to the Anglican church and communities of faith across the country. What we have created is very special and I am proud of my work and even my personal discoveries along the way.
I have been reading The Confessions of St. Augustine and he has somehow ended up in our play. I like that. I like that our group embraces conflict and community and we are very VERY different but so supportive of each other's journey. We laugh A LOT. We cook together, I think there is something healing about that. Somehow all of the shit of our lives ends up being shared in the kitchen. Or around the table. Or in our favourite tree we climb.
We start travelling tomorrow and I expect I will be updating you a lot more in order for you to know when to come see me! We leave tomorrow morning for a preview in Guelph tomorrow night. On Thursday we leave for Toronto and have a preview and talkback that night. We have Friday off in Toronto and then on Saturday we leave for Halifax and our first performance is next Tuesday.
I emailed two of my professors from Trinity and thanked them profusely for making me work hard at my craft and training us the way they do. Everything I have learnt is enabling me to create to the best of my ability. And I mean that. I feel like I am doing everything to the best I possibly can as Karyn and I am working hard at it. I feel grounded and confident as an artist and person.
If you pray, I would appreciate prayers. If you email, I always love a good letter although I can't guarantee a response.
Here's our collective blog
Karyn
This past month has been beyond inspiring. I feel like we have created a gift to bring to the Anglican church and communities of faith across the country. What we have created is very special and I am proud of my work and even my personal discoveries along the way.
I have been reading The Confessions of St. Augustine and he has somehow ended up in our play. I like that. I like that our group embraces conflict and community and we are very VERY different but so supportive of each other's journey. We laugh A LOT. We cook together, I think there is something healing about that. Somehow all of the shit of our lives ends up being shared in the kitchen. Or around the table. Or in our favourite tree we climb.
We start travelling tomorrow and I expect I will be updating you a lot more in order for you to know when to come see me! We leave tomorrow morning for a preview in Guelph tomorrow night. On Thursday we leave for Toronto and have a preview and talkback that night. We have Friday off in Toronto and then on Saturday we leave for Halifax and our first performance is next Tuesday.
I emailed two of my professors from Trinity and thanked them profusely for making me work hard at my craft and training us the way they do. Everything I have learnt is enabling me to create to the best of my ability. And I mean that. I feel like I am doing everything to the best I possibly can as Karyn and I am working hard at it. I feel grounded and confident as an artist and person.
If you pray, I would appreciate prayers. If you email, I always love a good letter although I can't guarantee a response.
Here's our collective blog
Karyn
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