Mouths Wide Open in Japan

As I prepared to enter a store in Japan, I saw a nest of baby birds above what I believe was a light fixture. Not long after I first saw them, the mother bird flew over, and the babies' mouths excitedly flew open as they anticipated receiving food.

My camera wasn't ready to capture that moment, but hoping for a second chance, I waited with camera ready and was lucky enough to witness an encore performance soon after.

That experience was one of many pleasures while visiting Japan for two weeks with thirty-two high school students and three fellow adult leaders.

Middle-School Students Enjoy "Bloody Blackbeard"

Earlier this evening, I got together with seven current students, six of their family members, two former students, and a fellow teacher to see Triad Stage's "Bloody Blackbeard."

The verdict? Everyone enjoyed the show. The setting, the costumes, the music, the special effects--all are very impressive.

One student wondered if Poor Margaret's wooden face really looked that way in person. I told her that Kaleigh Kathleen Malloy benefited from at least a little make-up for the part.

There's a scene in which Blackbeard's bad side wins over, and to prove this point to the good-and-decent wife (Mary Ormond, played by Isabelle Gardo) he's most recently added to his less wholesome collection of wives, Blackbeard gives in to the pirates' way of sharing his wife with his crew (without her consent). It's not a graphic scene, but it doesn't have to be to get the point across. One of my students leaned over and whispered, "Mr. Floyd, you didn't warn us about that!" While I don't think it was ultimately too much for my students to handle, that's the one part I definitely would have prepared them for.

After the performance, some of my female students were interested in seeing and perhaps meeting young Blackbeard ("Neddie," played by Chris Wright) in the lobby. We saw some of the other actors, but if Wright came out, we missed him. He gained some female fans on opening night, partially for his performance and partially for his appearance.

I was disappointed when I found out that this show was going to open the last week of school, without any student matinees in its opening days. But I think it ended up working out for the best. For young people (such as my eighth-grade students), I'm not sure that "Bloody Blackbeard" would have ended up having as much universal appeal as Triad Stage's "North Star" and "The Diary of Anne Frank" had when we took our entire team to see them as field trips. I gave out letters and permission slips for "Bloody Blackbeard" to all of my students (about 96), and 9 of them ended up being interested and free for either the June 8th or June 10th performances. I'll also be seeing "Bloody Blackbeard" Tuesday night with two of my current students and one of their mothers. I think they too will enjoy it. If it had been a whole-team field trip, at least some students probably would not have appreciated the performance. This way, I think the students who signed on to attend will end up having a positive experience.

Thank you to the cast and crew of "Bloody Blackbeard" for doing such a great job. We had a really good time tonight, and I'm looking forward to seeing the show again Tuesday and Saturday. (22 friends and family are getting together to see it on Saturday.)

And a special thank you to Sherry Barr, Triad Stage's Director of Audience Services, for working with me to reserve seats ahead of time for my students to attend. She has helped me set up our past field trips, and she is my primary contact for setting up group reservations for friends and family to attend Triad Stage productions. She is always great to work with, and I thank her for everything she does--Triad Stage is lucky to have her!

Anticipating a Bloody Beautiful Performance

You can still purchase tickets for 24 of the 28 scheduled performances of Triad Stage's "Bloody Blackbeard."

In our popular culture, it's more common for us to get excited about an upcoming movie ("Indiana Jones IV"), but for about a year, I've anxiously awaited the third collaboration between two of our area's greatest artistic creators, Preston Lane and Laurelyn Dossett. "Bloody Blackbeard" follows two amazing Lane-Dossett productions, "Brother Wolf" and "Beautiful Star."

The three preview performances (June 8, June 10, and June 11) are sold-out, and a corporate sponsor has all the tickets for June 28, I believe. I'm getting together with some current and past students, as well as some of their family members, to see "Bloody Blackbeard" on two of the preview nights. On June 8, 18 of us will see the show, and on June 10, 4 of us will. A group of 22 friends and family members will also see the show on June 14. With plans to see "Bloody Blackbeard" three times myself, it's obvious that I'm optimistic enough to believe that it will be worth seeing that many times. If I can commit to seeing it three times, you might consider committing to see it at least once.

I missed out on far too many Triad Stage shows before finally seeing "Dracula" in 2004. Even since then, there were still seasons when I would miss some of the shows. But I didn't miss a single show during the 2007-2008 season, and there hasn't been a single production that I didn't enjoy. As busy as work and life usually are for me, I've finally realized that I have to make plans to attend plays or I won't end up seeing them. It's not enough to think in the back of my mind, "I'd like to see that play. I'm going to be sure to see it." Even more definite plans have to be made, and tickets have to be purchased, or it will be too easy to find excuses to postpone my attendance. Suddenly, I'll discover that time has passed, the last show's ended, and at no point did I ever make it to a show. Not having seen the show, I of course don't know what I missed, but knowing that I've enjoyed and appreciated every Triad Stage show I've ever seen (for different reasons and to different degrees), it's very safe to assume that if I end up not seeing a show, I certainly missed SOMETHING. And when I allow that to happen, I always end up suffering the regret that I allowed time to pass wihtout following through. Almost all of us need to work on keeping this from happening to ourselves.

As loyal fans return and as word spreads, I have faith that "Bloody Blackbeard" is going to do very well, and I suspect that many more shows will ultimately sell out. I suggest that you pick a date as soon as possible (June 6-July 8, excluding Mondays), that you pick your date(s) with whom to attend (family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc.), and that you order your tickets now. Don't forget that gallery seats are only $10.00 each, and remember that educators receive half-price discounts on all tickets. (You can't beat such deals!)

If you've never seen a Triad Stage production, this show is the perfect one to choose for your first Triad Stage experience.

Order tickets on-line. Or call the box office at 336.272.0160 between 10:00 AM-6:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday. Or just drop by Triad Stage during those hours. And after you've seen the show, let me know what you think of Triad Stage and this particular production. I hope you'll end up falling in love like I have; it's a wonderful feeling!

Please don't forget: the time is now.

Almost Ready for "Almost, Maine"?

Look at your calendar, and see which of these dates will work for you:

Wednesday, April 30 at 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 1 at 8:00 PM
Friday, May 2 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 3 at 8:00 PM

Thursday, May 8 at 8:00 PM
Friday, May 9 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 10 at 8:00 PM

Thursday, May 15 at 8:00 PM
Friday, May 16 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 17 at 8:00 PM
Sunday, May 18 at 2:00 PM

These are your 11 opportunities to see the Triad premiere of "Almost, Maine" at the Open Space Cafe Theatre.

In its second season, the OSC Theatre offers a completely unique play-viewing experience. Located at 4609 W. Market Street in Greensboro, you could ride by every day without noticing it. But once I found it, I fell in love and have been back to see every show since. I've thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated every experience I've had at the OSC Theatre, and I'm constantly recommending that others give this theatre a shot. I highly recommend that you consider setting aside a day to visit the OSC Theatre too--I don't think you'll be disappointed, and you might become as big a fan as I've become.

Expect intimacy. At the top of this link, you'll get a slight sense of what to expect. But those photos only begin to capture the atmosphere that's been created for your enjoyment. Small tables are set up throughout the theatre, and as you're seated, your hosts will come around and light candles at each table. Playbills adorn the walls, with the OSC Theatre's own posters being added to the collection. Back at the entrance, you can purchase yummy desserts and drinks to take back to your table and enjoy. As mentioned, it's a very different experience.

Once the plays begin, you're likely to fall in love with the performers. On the stage, they're up-close-and-personal, and in some instances, they even come out into the audience. Come to enough shows, and you'll see some of them again, taking on new roles, sometimes dramatically different ones from their previous roles. During intermissions, you have another chance to purchase some refreshments, and on one recent visit, an actor from a previous show was serving up cake and other treats. You'll feel as if you've entered someone's home and are being welcomed into an extended family.

This is the description for the current offering, "Almost, Maine":

"The Triad premeire of a new romantic comedy. The citizens of the little, remote town of Almost find through trial and error that the warmth of love can melt the cold snows of Maine . . . sometimes. 4 actors/ 18 characters. Funny, clever, full of laughs and ahh's!"

Again, these are the steps I'd suggest taking:

1. Select one of those dates I mentioned earlier.

2. Call the box office at 336-292-2285. You'll probably get voice mail, but just leave your name and phone number and indicate which day you'd like to attend and how many tickets you want. The OSC Theatre staff members are great about getting back in touch.

3. If you choose to attend between April 30 and May 3, be sure to say "W-1", and you'll receive $5.00 off the normal price of $20.00. (That $15.00-$20.00 investment has always gotten me my money's worth, and I'm hoping you'll be equally satisfied.)

4. For all the other dates, the cost is $20.00. Tickets are only $17.00 for senior citizens and college students. Children who are 17 years old and younger can get tickets for $10.00. Students can also get $10.00 tickets a half hour before performances, if tickets are still available.

5. Invite your friends, family members, and co-workers. If you get together 8 or more people, everyone will save $2.00 off their ticket prices. (I don't think this applies for the already-discounted $15.00 tickets.)

6. Determine a place to meet and enjoy dinner before the play. I'd suggest getting together between 5:30-6:00 PM at a close-by restaurant. (My parties have gotten together at Elizabeth's Pizza a few times. Bert's Seafood Grille is also a good option (right across the street from the OSC Theatre--if you're careful, you can just walk across the street instead of getting back in your car), not to mention countless others in the area.)

7. Plan to get to the theatre between 7:30-7:45 PM, particularly your first time.

8. Enjoy!

9. Let me know how your experience goes.

10. Assuming that you had a great time, make plans to attend the next show.

From the Open Space Cafe Theatre's website:

About the OSC Theatre

Group Sales and Rentals

Photo Gallery (scroll down to see photos from a couple of the theatre's previous productions)

Directions (If you have time and are in the area before you're scheduled to attend, seek out the theatre ahead of time so that you're not stressing to find it the day of the performance.)

Auditions

Fun Acts: Stirring Up Drama for Your Friends, Family, and Co-Workers

My parents did me a wonderful favor when I was a child by exposing me to plays and musicals. Sure, I didn't always appreciate it back then, but today, I couldn't be more grateful that they planted the seeds for me appreciating drama as an adult.

Still, for a period of time, I wasn't proactive enough about making plans to attend plays. And without definite plans, far too many plays came and went without me being in the audience. I still don't find or make as much time as I'd like to take advantage of all the wonderful theatrical experiences our area provides, but I've gotten a lot better. I've also gotten into the habit of inviting others to join me. In the past year particularly, I've created a system that works well for me and others too, I think.

These are the steps I follow:

1. Find a theatre or two (or more) that you enjoy. I've fallen in love with three local theatres particularly, though I've also enjoyed plays at other venues. I fell in love with Triad Stage with the first show I saw there: "Dracula." I had read about it before then and heard positive things about it, but on my part, there was no follow through, so I missed out on seeing all the great performances that came before "Dracula." Even since "Dracula," I've missed out on seeing plays there, and I deeply regret having allowed those opportunities to pass me by. In the past year though, I've focused and planned better, and I haven't missed a show this season. (I even went back for seconds and thirds of Preston Lane's simply amazing "Beautiful Star.") I already have plans to see "Bloody Blackbeard" two or three times. At least. (It's a world premiere, and it doesn't open until June 8th, but I know in my heart that I will enjoy seeing it each time and gain something new from each viewing.) I've been glad that I've made the time to see each play that I've seen there. The same has been true with the Open Space Cafe Theatre. I have to thank Leslie Mizell for her review of "The Mystery of Irma Vep"--that's what led me to discover the OSC Theatre. What a wonderful find! Since then, I haven't missed any of its offerings either, and I've thoroughly enjoyed every visit there. I'm also a fan of the Broach Theatre--I absolutely loved "Always . . . Patsy Cline," and for his birthday, I took my brother there to see "Intimate Apparel," another great performance. The Broach Theatre is now in its 21st season of providing great entertainment for our region.

2. Make plans to attend. Sometimes, with our busy schedules, this is the hard part, but for follow-through and actual attendance to occur, you can't be half-hearted about this. You have to keep up with when plays are running, and you have to figure out a time for you to see them. Keep your calendar handy. Figure out which days of the week the play is being performed, and then determine which of those days will work best for you. If you make plans to see all the plays that a theatre has to offer, you have to stay committed to making that actually happen. Otherwise, the days will pass, and you'll discover that a play's come and gone without you witnessing the performance. (If you plan to see more than one theatre's plays, you have to plan even more ahead so that you can fit in everything that you want to see.)

3. Find out if tickets are available for the date you select. Call the box office--these theatres that I've mentioned have wonderful people waiting to work with you. They're genuinely interested in making sure that they take care of you and your needs as much as possible. When you tell them that you're hoping to bring a group of people, they'll appreciate your additional support.

3. Invite your friends and family members and maybe even some strangers to join you. To do this, you have to figure out all the information to share. Which play and what theatre? What's the theatre's address, phone number, and website address? When (date and time)? How much (including discount options)? Will you get together for dinner beforehand?--If so, where, and at what time? I've created a "Play-Goers" e-mail distribution list so that I can easily send potentially interested friends, family members, and co-workers invitations that include all the details.

4. Reserve the tickets. I sometimes have had to pay ahead of time, even before I've collected people's money. If you're able to do that, just let the people planning to attend know when they need to pay you. Once you've established a relationship with the theatre's staff members, they will often work with you, and sometimes, they'll allow individuals in your group to pay as they arrive for the performance. (Different theatres have different policies--just ask.)

5. Remind everyone who's planning to attend of all the details a few days before the performance. Again, e-mail works well for this communication. Make sure people have all of your contact information. When necessary, provide directions. If you are planning to meet to eat before the play, let the restaurant know how many to expect. (Backing up a little, it's often a good idea to select eating establishments that are in the vicinity of the theatre.)

6. Enjoy! Have a great meal! Enjoy the precious time you have to socialize with your friends and family members, and if lesser known guests attend, take advantage of the opportunity to get to know them. Enjoy seeing the fantastic performances you'll almost undoubtably witness.

7. Make plans to see the next play on your list.

8. Spread the word! Tell others about your experiences. Invite them to join you. Create your own e-mail distribution list, and create an invitation system that works best for you. Ask people in person also--sometimes, a more personal touch is even more persuasive.

I already have plans to see at least three plays over the next couple months. These are plays I think you too might enjoy, at theatres I highly recommend. Next week, "Almost Maine" opens at the Open Space Cafe Theatre, and I'm planning to get together with at least 8 friends and family members for dinner-and-"Almost Maine." (If you haven't seen a play at the OSC Theatre yet, now's the perfect time to start. I really think you'll enjoy this uniquely intimate theatre and its productions.) At the same time, "From the Mississippi Delta" opens at Triad Stage. At least four of us are looking forward to seeing that play. And as I've already mentioned, I'm planning to see Triad Stage's "Bloody Blackbeard" at least 2-3 times when it opens. At least 24 of us are planning to see it one evening, and I'm trying to get others to join us as well. (I love everything about Triad Stage, including its commitment to constantly evolving excellence.) The Broach Theatre is also offering "The Dixie Swim Club"--if I can fit it in, I'll be there too, with at least a friend or family member or two. Care to join us?

Mixing Races Led To Mixing Animals

I don't think this school's mascot would fly now. (No wonder kids used to think smoking was cool!)

Today, Rocky Mount High School's mascot is the Gryphon.

A little history to explain why the school's mascot changed:

The Rocky Mount High School of today actually took its present form in the 1968-69 school year. By then the decision had already been reached to close Booker T. Washington and to educate all of Rocky Mount’s high school students at an enlarged RMSH facility. If the actual merger in the fall of 1969 was to be a marriage of two fine traditions into a new entity, the 1968-69 school year was the engagement period. Significant construction took place at RMSH to accommodate the influx of students from Booker T. Also, student, faculty and community committees from both schools worked hard to meld the two into one new school while preserving the best of each. The old mascots, the Blackbirds and the Lions, were not cast off or discarded; rather they were reverently retired in favor of a new mascot – part bird, part lion – that symbolized the continuation, rather than the termination, of both hallowed traditions. The royal blue and gold of Booker T. Washington and the black and gold that Rocky Mount Senior High had inherited from the old Rocky Mount High School on Marigold Street were combined, not discarded. The color “blue-black” (actually, dark navy blue) was adopted by the student body to go with the gold that was already common to both schools. Student government, cheerleading, and similar activities were to be shared between students from the predecessor schools by a formula that strove for equitable apportionment. The principalship was to be shared and the faculties combined. The stage was well prepared for a merger that incorporated, respected and preserved both traditions.

My Dad and his siblings were Blackbirds, and in their lifetimes, the world sure has changed a lot. I wonder if current students know and appreciate the history behind their mascot.

Open Space Cafe Theatre Has One More Show Left In Its 2007 Inaugural Season

Timing hasn't allowed me to see the Open Space Cafe Theatre's last two productions prior to their closing shows, so I was only able to recommend "The Fantasticks" and "Deathtrap" based on my positive experiences with the theatre's two previous plays, "The Mystery of Irma Vep" and "Vanities." Having just seen "Deathtrap" last night, I thank the Open Space Cafe Theatre for providing yet another highly satisfying evening of entertainment. My only regret is that I missed the theatre's first four plays.

Before 2007 ends, I'm looking forward to seeing "Plaid Tidings," the theatre's last production of its inaugural season. And though I haven't yet seen it, I'll go out on a limb and suggest that if you're looking for high-quality entertainment, you too should make plans to see "Plaid Tidings." If it's on the same level as the other Open Space Cafe Theatre productions I've seen, you'll get more than your money's worth and have a great time as well. Right now, local theatre goers who haven't yet discovered the Open Space Cafe Theatre just don't know what they've been missing. As the theatre closes one season and prepares for its next, now's the perfect time for you to experience your first OSCT production.

"Plaid Tidings" runs November 29-December 15 and December 27-31. Shows run Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8:00 PM and on Sundays at 2:00 PM.

Tickets are $17.00 for senior citizens and students and $20.00 for everyone else. You can get $2.00 off each ticket by getting together a group of 8 or more. Also, if any tickets are still left, college students can drop by the theatre 30 minutes prior to a show and get their tickets $10.00 each.

Call the box office at (336)-292-2285. Just leave a message with your name, phone number, how many tickets you want, and which date you want your tickets. The theatre's staff is great about returning calls and confirming orders.

The theatre is located at 4609 West Market Street.

For more information about "Plaid Tidings," visit here.