Writing is a Process…Memories and lost video

Not often are you able to turn back time and see yourself from an outer perspective. In some ways, much of being afforded this opportunity seems surreal. I recently found a VHS tape (not like Charlie in May I Have) but a tape of me and my best friend, Mary Ann singing music in our early 20’s and yes, I did say in our early 20’s NOT in the 1920’s 😉  Much has changed as I look at the video from this outsider’s perspective yet one thing is very recognizable…I was a writer. It was songs then but still they were my creations. So if you feel so inclined, take a reminiscent journey back with me in a very rare glimpse of the early writer in me.

 

 

#Theatre4Change – Saving Lives

With most plays, we practice, we take the stage and sometimes we get the standing ovation or a job well done remarks or an award,  but seldom do we expect that because we performed, a person chose to live. That is powerful and that is what happened in Nebraska. We may never know how many others may have chosen life because of seeing May I Have Your Attention, Please? but saving one life gives us hope that each performance may have impacted another person to give life a chance. To all who choose this play and its message, I salute you!  #Theatre4Change10985_10153139126330629_2071285238092456513_n 11053916_10153139126015629_3435235113340465054_n

#Theatre4Change – Bracken County Polar Players

#2016KTA Bracken County High School’s performance of May I have Your Attention, Please? was more than just a performance to advance them to State Competition in Kentucky. They used their performances to spread awareness by using the performance as a catalyst to start dialogues. They brought in speakers at the various school and community performances they did and handed out these bracelets with the Teen Suicide Hotline number on the inside. Congratulations, Bracken High School for being a real #Theatre4Change!

!14955814_10206288037353281_2044964169174386837_n15078683_1141034595950165_4172579628101389821_nTop photo courtesy of Kim Miller, University of the Cumberlands and bottom photo courtesy of Phillip Neace, Perry Central HS

Spreading the Message in Ontario, Canada

Daniels asserted the play was a “hard topic, challenging, gripping and engaging” with a “fabulously strong acting with firm, clear commitment.”

Niagara students take to the stage

WELLAND – The 66th Niagara District Sears Drama Festival opened Monday. This year’s adjudicator is Kelly Daniels, artistic director of Lyndesfarne Theatre Company in St. Catharines.

The festival is featuring 12 productions from around Niagara. This year three productions will move on to the regional competition in Chatham.

The opening of this year’s festival was South Lincoln High School’s production of Coming Home by Meredith Short. Minimal set pieces created an open feel as the major set pieces created a bridge and sand pit. The ensemble cast led by narrator Emily Sutherland explored the process of growing up.

The closing show for the evening was Fort Erie’s second show, May I Have Your Attention Please? Daniels asserted the play was a “hard topic, challenging, gripping and engaging” with a “fabulously strong acting with firm, clear commitment.”

It was a humorous look at a contemporary family as they lounge in the family room on a Friday night. The typical older brother, younger sister, mom and dad have guests over while waiting for the middle brother to come home. Frequently late, rarely dependable, the “Jim Carey” of the family sends a DVD instead, the only way to get everybody’s attention.

While the show starts with clever humour, it becomes apparent that all is not well. Tyler Barron, Sarah Ward and Brent Gorrie shone with sharp delivery and convincing character.

“The show had fabulous use of the props and I love that you used live TV,” commented Daniels. “Look for the signs” of teen depression comments one character as he summed up the theme of the play.

The festival continued Tuesday evening with shows from Centennial, Ridgeway and St. Catharines Collegiate.

The Sears Drama Festival continued Wednesday with performances from Stamford Collegiate, St. Francis Catholic High School and Eastdale Secondary School.

 

Drama At Cross Creek High School

What an honor the day before my birthday to see that the message of May I Have Your Attention, Please? is being shared in such wonderful ways. I applaud the efforts of this High School!  #Theatre4Change

May I Have Your Attention, Please?

Justin Gilmore, Staff Writer

Drama is coming to Cross Creek, and, it’s the good kind.

New teacher and drama director Mr. D.L Barksdale is a former New Yorker who has a history in cinema. Barksdale is bringing a fresh breath of theatre that the school has never seen before, and he plans to do it soon. “May I have your attention, please?” is a one act play written by Catherine Rhoden-Goguen that the drama department performed in Milledgeville, Georgia during the regional acting competition back in October.

The play is centered around Chris, a high school student who feels as if he gets no love from his family, and is the black sheep. He tries to talk to them about how he feels, but is it too late for them to save him when he has already contemplated taking his life?

Cross Creek student and uprising actor Christian Thomas won the All Star Cast award for his portrayal of Brent. Barksdale felt as if this play was the best choice for students and teachers alike because it discusses a topic considered taboo in high school: teenage suicide.

Unknown to students, teachers went to a training seminar based on suicide prevention, and Barksdale felt as if “this was the best way to continue the conversation among the teachers, and leave room for conversations to be initiated by the students.”

The play will be debuting on November 17th, and will be accompanied by poetry, music, and other forms of art that could prevent teenage suicide, in hopes of not only extending a helping hand, but making it go much further than a one act play.

People Fascinate Me

I’ve always been fascinated by the lives of others and the events that shape their character and actions. In particular, Grace Moore was a famous opera singer who grew up in the city I was born in, Jellico, TN. Her ability to come from a small town and achieve worldwide fame was inspirational to me as a young writer. Her life inspired me to write this play, More Grace. Find out more about Grace Moore

#Theatre4Change

Sometimes, I’m Funny

I’m not really funny by nature but on occasion I write a comedy. This first comedy was a KNPS (Kentucky New Play Series) winner and premiered at the Kentucky State Fair this year. The video clip is from, RE DO IT. Have you ever had a bad day, or had a situation that you wish you could have handled differently? Now you can – with the new cell phone app “RE DO IT! Enjoy Haleigh Rose Banks, Joshua Collins, Chloe McMurry, and Sadie Banks in the performance of the comedy play “RE DO IT” as part of Middlesborough Little Theatre’s 2016 scholarship fundraiser “An Evening of One-Acts”! (Video clip ©2016 Middlesborough Little Theatre. All Rights Reserved.) Thanks to Shawn Williams for the video. STAY TUNED TO 2017 FOR INFO ON PURCHASING PERFORMANCE RIGHTS for the full version of this ONE ACT.   #Theatre4Change

Spreading the Message in Alberta, Canada

Lamont High School, Alberta, Canada bring May I Have Your Attention, Please to the stage. Enjoy the short clips of their performance. Thanks Lamont HS for sharing the message in Canada and we look forward to photos, comments or any newspaper articles you want to share.  #Theatre4Change

Let’s Talk!

May I Have Your Attention, Please?  performed by Christian Honce

May I Have Your Attention, Please?  performed by Clay County HS Drama

May I Have Your Attention, Please?  performed by Jeff Griffith

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