Ceris is a creative person. She teaches by day - and finds as much creativity in her job as she can and by night, (and during every spare minute she has), she creates through directing/choreographing and performing plays, drawing, writing, podcasting and now, sewing puppets.
She likes to help others find and nurture their creativity and she loves finding out about other people's path to their own creative projects.
In the last little while I’ve had great opportunities to share passion for theatre and things theatrical and creative. We do that on our podcast regularly, but there’s been extensions of late.
A few days ago, my senior students and I traveled to Medway High School to share our plays with other students. The different classes, from almost opposite ends of our school board had finished a unit of playwriting and we created our First Annual Three Way Play Festival! It was great. We arrived, played a drama game and took turns showing off our short plays for each other. Then we had a wonderful lunch, hopped back on the bus and made the long journey back to our school. All the plays were wonderful and all the positive support for the work was great. I know my kids enjoyed visiting another school and making new friends because that was the last thing they were doing, getting in a circle and asking each other questions. They want to do it again next year and they want it to be a whole day. We’ll see what we can arrange.
This week, Shrew’d Business, (my husband and I) are working with the LYTE kids at The Palace. We are providing workshops in beginner techniques in Stage Combat and they are eating it up! At the time of this writing we have one workshop left and you can certainly tell that the kids are excited to learn something new.
Teaching how to safely pull someone’s hair. See the smiles?
And last weekend, I shared with friends how to make a “muppety” monster puppet. Seven new puppets came into the world and they all had so much fun. The energy was completely infectious and the delight they each had when they made a new piece of their puppet was heavenly. Such a wonderful thing to share. We shared some pics on the social media(s) and the response was equally positive. It looks like I’ll be doing more of the same in future months! Happy to do so!
A collage of creatures. Thanks to Kerry Hishon for the pics!
The thing with spreading the love is, you get more of it back – just the thing we all need, right?
“I’ve got a dream too. But it’s about singing and dancing and making people happy. That’s the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share it with. And well, I’ve found a whole bunch of friends who have the same dream. And it kind of makes us like a family.”
I really love them. I love all theatre, but I really love musicals – almost all of them. It’s pretty darn rare to find a musical that I don’t really enjoy on some level. Even some of the rougher ones – cause let’s face it, there are a few old chestnuts out there that are rough around the edges, or new ones that are lacking in substance. But, I can generally find something I like in pretty much any musical.
I like watching them. I like listening to them. I like learning about them. I like reading them. I like directing/choreographing them – boy oh boy, do I like that, and of course, I like performing in them.
Right now I’m watching the lovely Dame Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria. I love this show. I only know the film and little bits of the Broadway show that I’ve seen on YouTube. Some of that inspired my choreography for FOLLIES that I directed and choreographed a little while ago.
It’s a funny thing with musicals, when you grow up performing in them you dream of getting a larger role than the chorus gal – the 2nd last Snow child in Carousel, a Jet Girl in West Side Story, etc., and then you actually start getting roles. Like all theatre, you start to find your niche, where you fit in the pantheon of roles. I generally get cast as the comedic lead – not the real lead, the romantic lead… nope, that’s not the part I get. And that’s okay, cause usually the comedic lead is much more fun than the romantic one, but you never get the guy – or at least you never get the scene that shows the romance of getting the guy. So, you always wonder what it would be like to get that role. There’s not a lot of shows where the funny girl gets the romantic scene. Funny Girl, sure. Gypsy, maybe… and Victor/Victoria… how I’d love a chance at that role… or any of those roles.
Anyone out there want to direct something like that? I promise, I’ll be directing something that’s perfect for you sometime soon.
Well fans and friends, we’ve got some exciting news! This January the team from The Lovers, the Dreamers and You will be in attendance at The Beat DISH awards to “dish” with you!
Think of us as your Red Carpet Connection – we’ll be there to catch your thoughts during the party and as you walk off the stage clutching your award! We’ll be able to capture your well wishes to those who are nominated and to snap snippets of plugs for your upcoming productions!
We also want you to tell us what you loved about the past year of theatre, what you dream about for the future and how YOU hope to be connected to the whole creativity scene!
Our team will catch you in the action and piece together a night to remember for the 4th Annual DISH Awards, so make sure you clean up pretty, cause some of the questions may just be about your fashion sense!
Certainly there are lots of things that a person could be proud of in their day to day activities. Raking all the leaves, cleaning out their make-up supplies, helping a child with homework, giving back to the community – all sorts of things, right? Well, today I’m proud, cause I helped someone vanquish a Vampire! I did.
You see, my friend Donna is preparing for a show. A very important show in fact. Her first solo venture, ever. She performs at Aeolian Hall this Friday night and her path to this particular performance has not been the easiest… but it’s imminent and I’m certain it’s going to be great.
I’m certain. But she isn’t. She’s plagued with all the doubts that every performer, director, composer/lyricist, musician, artist, whatever…. has ever been plagued with their entire life. She’s 4 days away from what I’m sure is going to be a great night and she keeps hearing the Vampires in her head from every facet of her past existence and she can’t help listening to them. Who can blame her, really? This IS a big deal. Even though she’s already broken even on the event, (her second night in Hamilton is sold out already), even though she knows she’s got the greatest musician’s backing her, (she’s got her final rehearsal with them tonight), and even though she knows that everyone who has told her they are attending Friday are doing so out of devotion and love for her, – even with all that, she’s listening to those demons in her head that tell her she’s a fool to even try this. Well, thank the heavens she broke down and told me about that today, because that gave me the opportunity to help kill a few of her personal vampires. Stake’d em through their shrivelled little hearts, I did!!!
If you don’t know what a personal Vampire is… well, then you didn’t see our performance of [title of show] last September in Procunier Hall at The Palace Theatre. “Die Vampire, Die!” is one of my favourite songs from the show and I take personal pride in having had the opportunity to perform such an inspirational song. I include a youtube clip here of the original company – give it a listen – fair warning – you’ll laugh and you’ll learn and you’ll hear some strong language. But it’s important language. It’s not gratuitous.
Well, I told my friend Donna that those Vampire’s of hers needed to die and I started to explain why and how and what to her… and then I just let Susan Blackwell and the [tos] team take it home for her. It did the trick – at least temporarily. I know that Donna’s still going to be nervous, unsure and stressed – right up until the moment she takes the stage, but she knows she can do it and she knows the alternative is MUCH worse. And that’s to not do it, to not be creative, to stifle her voice and to listen to the Vampires.
So, I’m proud of killing Vampires. I’m proud of singing and spreading the message of Susan Blackwell and I’m proud of my friend Donna. I can’t wait to hear her sing on Friday. Join me, won’t you?
Here’s a link to an editorial about Donna and her concert. Check it out.
Have you ever felt blue, you know, a little anxious for no particular reason? A little sad, a little self-conscious or perhaps even really sad during those long dark times that take us from the beautiful colourful days of fall into the bright sparkling days of rebirth in spring? How do you combat that? What keeps you going?
Let’s face it, it can be difficult to get up in what seems like the dead of night to face whatever challenges your day may bring, but we’ve got to do it, right? We’ve got bills to pay and houses to clean and all manner of other commitments that make us get out of that comfy cozy spot where we’d much rather stay until April. So what keeps you going?
For me, it’s the promise of creative projects. This fall, I have less on my plate than normal, but that’s quite alright as the new year will bring several exciting shows my way and stocking up energy now is vital for all that I’ll need to keep organized.
Of course the podcast and blog will continue, but then there’s also a production of Sullivan & Gilbert with LCP at The Palace Theatre, a staged reading of Under Milk Wood again with LCP, two Original Kids Productions – one which will see me working with one of my favourite things (PUPPETS!) – that’s of course Avenue Q, the alumni show in June of next year and finally just today we received word that our submission to the London Fringe – [THEY FIGHT!] was accepted for this year! It’s going to be a busy six months for sure.
So, while I may be feeling a little non-specific sadness in these months as the days get darker, I know there’s some real creative buzz coming in the new year and that will certainly speed the time towards the longer sunnier days. And that’s my advice, find something exciting that will keep you going and make you want to get up, regardless of the light. Then, share it with others. They may benefit from your creativity as well.
So last week, I gave my students a new, quick, research assignment to find out about voice actors. It was simple and I hoped, fun. It turned out really great – and the best part was, we all enjoyed it and everyone learned something new, including me.
They were to work in pairs to find some basic information about performers who are famous for their voices. The list of names included, (but was not limited to) Nancy Cartwright (The Simpsons), Billy West (Futurama), Mel Blanc (Looney Tunes), John DiMaggio (Futurama), Dan Castellena (The Simpsons) and of course several Muppeteers, such as Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Kevin Clash, Caroll Spinney and Jerry Nelson.
Their presentations were simple and to the point and consisted of Name, Birth/Death (if applicable), where they live, career highlights, and major characters. Then they were asked to find two contrasting YouTube clips to share with the class. In some cases, I helped. In others, they had a myriad of examples. In all cases, the students were impressed with the variety and skill of these performers and their vocal abilities. It was a great week.
This week, we moved on to creating simple props. The Grade 9s were to create something with a basic shape – rectangle, square, round, cylinder – but to represent something realistic. Essentially a brick, stone or stepping stone. They went to town. I’ve now got on display some headstones, a paving stone, several versions of bricks, an oversized hunk of chocolate with a bite removed and a swiss roll. All made from cardboard, florist foam or styrofoam. Incredible.
Simple Bricks and other Props on display.
The Grade 10s get their pick of props to make. It just has to be something that a character could use on stage in some manner. I’ve now got several weapons, including a couple of animation inspired swords, an overly large hammer – it’s hard to describe, it’s SO huge, Thor’s hammer, (complete with leather wrapped handle), Pooh’s Hunny Jar – complete with BumbleBees on it, a diary, a Marauder’s Map, a sorcerer’s collection of goodies, pumpkins made from dryer tubing and an amazing Mad Hatter’s Hat – so incredible and large that it won’t fit in the display case. Most of these creations were made with less than $5 and some with $0! That’s what I call creative prop making! These kids had a blast and were coming to class early to get to work on their creations. It was amazing to watch them work and collaborate and encourage one another. So thrilling.
A few weeks ago I traveled to Chicago to attend another Puppet School workshop. It was great to get to review what I’d learned in the summer and reinforce the good stuff I’d kept in my cranium and reprogram some of the errors I’d built in with flawed memory. I was also very pleased that my practicing had paid off. It was noticeable and I was proud of that.
It’s always good for teachers to be students again. In general, we like that. It is part of the reason we were drawn to teaching in the first place. We are people who like to continually grow and discover new things. But it’s also good for teachers to be students again because we can analyse our own learning and relate it to the students we have in front of us. This really only works though when the classes are based in things we have chosen to learn. If we’ve been sent, (volun-told I like to call it), to a particular session because someone else thought we’d benefit, it is often a sad disappointment – not always, but we definitely will get more out of a session we’ve chosen ourselves. And that makes sense, doesn’t it? It’s the same for our kids. They will do better and put in more effort when the class or subject area is something that piques their interest and when it isn’t, that teacher has to work all that much harder to get them engaged.
Well, there was little effort needed to engage me. I’d already traveled several hours, (and got lost in Detroit at 5 a.m.), in order to attend this workshop. I was already engaged. I merrily made my 4th puppet in 2 months and reviewed some techniques and refined some skills in that process. And during the manipulation class, I was rehearsing and practicing to keep my skills progressing and perfect what I’d started to develop over the summer. It was great. And, I made some new friends in the bargain.
So then, I pack up and get ready to fly home – just a little bit sad that I won’t get to work with Michael again for awhile, but extremely happy that I’d gone to the effort of attending this second workshop. I make it to the airport – whew! And discover that my flight is delayed. Ah well, not by much. As I’m sitting there a trio of ladies comes to sit near me. Grandma, Aunt and little girl.
I’m sitting and listening to my Muppet selections, surreptitiously practicing lip sync as I do, when I notice the little girl next to me is listening to Disney tunes. She’s adorable with her American Girl backpack and doll and her Strawberry Shortcake suitcase. So I say to her, “Disney, eh? I’m listening to Muppets.” And she replies, “I’ve got Muppets!” and to prove it she goes through her MP3 player and sure enough pulls up John Denver and the Muppets. She tells me it’s her favourite. So, I can’t resist. I say, “I’ve got something to show you…” and I pull out my new puppet – Rosie, and put her on so they can meet.
Rosie says HI!
For the next twenty minutes or so, Rosie and Samantha talk and become friends. There is no one else in the room for Samantha and she doesn’t even seem to remember that I’m right beside her, talking and that she watched me put her on. There’s even whispers around me, and I’m sure, people pointing in the airport as we have our conversation – but I’m only focused on Samantha. At some point in our discussion, Grandma decides to “sneak” a photo of her granddaughter talking to this puppet. I am amused. I’m thinking, “Is this what it’s like for a Muppeteer? If so, I’ll take that.” And I’m thinking, why is she trying to sneak a photo? Why don’t we just pose? So I have Rosie suggest that to Grandma and we do. Rosie puts her arm around Samantha and Grandma takes the pic. It was great. We talked about movies and Muppets and music and American Girl and her vacation with Grandma, etc. etc. And when it was time to get on the plane, Samantha gave me a wave and I felt like I’d made some new friends. I didn’t get anyone else’s name though. Who cares? They were smiling and so was I and we barely noticed having to wait longer for the plane.
All that time, I was being a student and a teacher. I’m planning ahead to how I’ll use this experience with my kids at school and I’m learning as I watch Samantha react to my puppet. I’m thinking about how Samantha is at a cognitive level to have a conversation with a puppet, but completely willing to personify that puppet and ignore the manipulation that makes it come alive. I’m practicing my skills that I’ve been developing as a student and I’m wondering what my teacher would say to this whole event. It’s amazing how all of that can happen in the same instant. But it does. And it’s thrilling. So, I hope that all my teacher learning this year is that fulfilling and worthwhile.
This week I took my cat to the vet and while I was standing there waiting to pay the bill I was admiring the artwork on the wall. It’s a beautiful illustration or watercolour, and it captures my attention every time I’m there. While I was admiring this piece, that critical voice in my head started to reprimand me for not practicing my drawing last weekend or for several days before that. I started to think that I was quite the failure for letting “other things” get in the way of my creative work. Then I remembered… I didn’t draw anything last weekend because I was in Chicago making Puppets and practicing performing with them. Cut yourself a little slack, eh?
But this happens all the time, doesn’t it? Even though I try to live a life that is perpetually creative, I become more and more jealous of my time to create my work – be it theatre, art, sewing, drawing, music, podcasting – whatever the work, there’s always something mundane that’s going to get in the way. Bills, laundry, dishes, yardwork, workouts, ordinary dayjobs, illness, … whatever.
It’s easy to understand the workaholic when you are trying to be creative. There’s never enough time to do all the shows you want, or catch all the photos, or write all the plays… so what to do when that Critical Voice starts to get you down about all you’ve not accomplished?
I don’t really know, actually. At least, today I don’t. Because that voice did manage to get me a little down yesterday. On sensible days I have a plan, I have a schedule and I just keep plugging and keep creating. It’s like living Sisyphus’ life – the Greek King condemned to pushing a boulder up a hill to see it roll down again before it reaches the top. I’m constantly rolling my stone up the hill. It’s a “punishment” of my own devising, really, and most days I don’t view it as such, but there certainly is a sense of the never-ending to living creatively. The task will never be done.
How long do you let yourself celebrate after a creative task is complete, before you begin the next? Or does that ever really happen?
Creativity isn’t easy. It’s hard work and anyone who creates theatre, dance, music, or any form of art will tell you that good creative work takes time. It also takes money. Effort, time and money – that’s what good art needs. So what happens when one of these is missing?
When I decide to commit to a play, especially a big one, like say The Three Musketeers, or something of that scope, I know it’s going to take all three of these elements in order for the final product to be good – you know, something I’m willing to put my name on and share with the world. So, first of all, I know it’s going to take time and lots of it. For 3M, I started work a year in advance of the production. Now the beginning work was not as intense as the end, but still, in order to really be on top of everything, I knew I needed to start the thinking and planning. This amount of time, for me at least, really pays off. I like to know the subject area as well as I possibly can – even before the cast and some of the crew join the project, otherwise, how can I project the vision of the play to lead them to a product THEY will be proud of in the end? So, as much time as possible is what I like to have with a project.
The Three Musketeers Cast and Crew
Then I know I need a lot of support. Now support comes in many forms – in the shape of talented people who help to bring the project to life, but also in the form of dollars – and generally, more is better. But you don’t always have more. So you plan and you get creative. But as we all know, money can really help a production turn from a decent amateur show to something that looks worthy of much more than a $25 admission. Spending funds wisely, raising some extra, or finding those donations to help a project can make all the difference.
Stephen Sondheim’s FOLLIES
And then there’s that effort and skill. If you’ve got the expertise, then you can think creatively and save a few pennies or dollars, or precious minutes or hours in the process. If you’ve got the best people on your team and you trust them and empower them, you can save tons of funds and time. You may also get an even greater product because you gave them the chance to explore your initial idea and take it further. But if you are just starting out, and you are still learning the tools of the trade, you’d better have reserves of time and some extra pocket change.
Treasure Island: Act 1 Finale
So, what’s the point of this examination, you ask? Well, simply this – you don’t always get all three – Skill/Expertise, Time and Money. So, sometimes you have to choose because here’s what it boils down to… If you want your product to be good, then you need lots of time to get it there, OR you need lots and lots of money to buy a good product. Cause without the whole equation, your end product will likely suffer in one way or another. It’s a compromise. So on any project, you have to ask yourself, “Where am I willing to make that compromise? Is it with my time? Or is it with my money?”
So… it’s been 3 solid weeks since I left for my puppet making adventure in San Francisco and a lot has happened since then.
First, I had that adventure. Then I returned and immediately recorded a new podcast, which hopefully many of you are enjoying. We also had a fun photo shoot scheduled for our team, which was great – I’ll post a few shots here.
Fun Photo Shoot with Balloons!The team… looking cool with the shades!
Second, Jerry Nelson passed away and that sideswiped the Muppetverse for a bit. Me included. All other thoughts and projects seemed to take a back seat. But he’d want us to continue to create, so we do… and then…
School began.
Wow. I think this feels like a potentially good year. We’ll see how it goes with the theatre projects and the masks and the puppets and the rehearsal, etc. etc. But as I’m here at the end of the first week, I’m feeling pretty positive about 2012-2013. And while I’m looking forward, I realize I still have one story to tell that is in the past, and that’s my trip home from San Francisco, via Atlanta – and the Center for Puppetry Arts.
You see, I had a layover on the way there and the way back. Both in Atlanta – which is a pretty impressive airport, let me tell you. It has a train, for heaven’s sake! It takes you from one gate to another. Wow. It is definitely planned with the comfort of the traveler in mind. But that’s not the point of my blog – just a compliment to the Atlanta Airport Design Team.
You see, on the way home, I paid extra for an 8 hour layover in Atlanta, just so I could get to the Center for Puppetry Arts. And BOY, was it worth it. If you’ve not been there, and you like puppets, even a little bit, then you NEED to get yourself there. Or at the very least, sign up for a webinar from their site – I’m going to do one in the next couple of weeks.
So, here’s what I did….
If you’ve been following along, you’ll know that on Monday I was up and exploring San Francisco as a tourist and went to the Academy of Sciences and bought pretty shoes and had Mexican dinner and then got on a plane – at 10 p.m., on the same day, tired but happy. By 6 a.m., (the next day), local time, I was in Atlanta, where I left the airport and took public transit into the centre of town. I had advice from a lovely lady at the turnstile as to how to buy a pass and I was on my way – luggage and all to find the Center.
Well, that took almost no time at all. Off the train, up one block, around the corner and… there it was as plain as day. And it’s now only 7:30 a.m. They don’t open until 9. So, I’m off in search of a coffee shop, which I found about a block away and I sat nursing my coffee and nibbling at a muffin and wondering how long I could survive on no sleep and tons of excitement. Finally, I trekked back to the Center – but I was still too early, so I had to wait outside for about 15 minutes until they opened. And when they did, I was it. The ONLY guest. And I mean ONLY! So, were they put out? Were they disappointed? Absolutely NOT! They were beyond generous. Beyond.
First, they offered to store my suitcase. Thrilling. Second, I was offered two kinds of tickets – either a normal admission to the exhibits for about $8 or a special passport for the day with events, etc. for about $10. I had to clarify – “You mean $8 plus $10?” I asked. No. They meant $8 OR $10. Ridiculous. I went for the whole hog and after selling me my ticket, I was told to meet with the guide at 10 o’clock beside Big Bird. (I ask you, who else gets to say things like that every day?)
So, there I was… alone in the Jim Henson exhibit for 1 hour. It was devine. Despite the sleep deprivation. I soaked it all in. I actually couldn’t really decide where to look first. But look I did, and at every little detail, without having to elbow or crane over anyone or navigate around people.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’d much rather they were a bustling, busy empire. But it felt so special to be alone with those creations for an hour. It really did.
When it came time for the adventure part of the day, I didn’t even know if they’d run the program with just little old me there… but that was a silly worry that was put to rest, right quickly by the adorable and generous staff. Most especially Aretta. Ladies and gentlemen, this is one special lady who loves her job. And I don’t blame her. It seems like a really great job. But she went above and beyond the call of duty. She showed me around like I was some impressive VIP who’d just given millions to the place. It was an incredible visit. I played for the day. We had shadow puppets. We told stories. They showed me African puppets and toured me through the collection and opened up a few doors that would have otherwise remained closed. It was just great.
By the end, I was just overwhelmed and couldn’t take it in anymore – and even though I didn’t want to leave, my head and heart were too full, and of course, there was a plane getting ready to take me back home. So, I departed. But, as Aretta kept saying, “when you come back…” well, now I have to, right?
