Monthly Archives: March 2011

if a blogger neglects to post, does anyone notice?

Posted on by
1

Not really. Which is good. I’m in a dormant phase right now, gathering my energy to work on my next big project. But I wanted to give you a quick rundown of my insights from this winter’s creative activities.

  1. I thought doing a remount of my show would be easier than doing it the first time, but it was actually more challenging. I didn’t have all the “yay you doing something scary for the first time” friend and family support – it was just an extra thing I wanted to do. I didn’t know how important that support was to the artist living in my skin: I know how to show up and do the work in many areas of life. And I know that performance takes a lot more out of me emotionally and spiritually than any other work I’ve done before. I love my show, I love performing my show, and I love that audiences (especially other teachers) connect with the content of it.  And it took a lot out of me, which surprised me more than it maybe should have.
  2. Seasonal depression is a bummer. Even with the consistent use of a happy light and taking supplements and getting plenty of exercise and being attentive to scheduling fun activities for myself, I spend the months of November through March at about 50% strength (on a good day.) I ache in the winter, not from the Minnesota cold and snow, but from what feels like my brain going *fut-fut* and *fut-fut-fizzzz* trying to make enough serotonin to keep me feeling normal. Still working out strategies. At least this winter was much more successful than last winter.
  3. I love The Moth. And This American Life. And doing live readings. I have much to learn about storytelling and live readings and comedy and audience and voice. Please direct my way any resources you think I might like or find useful. And! Please send me the courage to start pitching my stories.
  4. I haven’t sent out any of my writing for over two years. As I mentioned in my previous post, working on my show and learning improv has occupied most of my creative time. Right now, I don’t have anything to send out, but that is going to change. I’m not too sure where to start, but I’ll keep you posted.
  5. I’m finally reading again. It has been about 4 years since I’ve been an avid reader. My MFA program burned me out a bit, so I needed a break. Now, I am tired of my old ideas, and I’m stocking the pond with new ones. Please post your book recommendations in the comments, and find me on Goodreads if you want to keep up with what I’m reading.

That was fun.

Posted on by
3

The last few weeks have been pretty intense. I’m in the final stages of Yearbook production at work and got to do the previously blogged about live readings over the last two weekends. I had a good time getting out in front of an audience with a manuscript of my own crafting in my very own two hands. And it was hard. I’m not a very practiced live storyteller yet, and while I’ve got decent instincts, I’ve got a lot to learn. In addition, I realized that I’ve spent most of the last two years focused on learning scripted performance and improv with the energy from my creative bucket, and my writing skills are feeling pretty rusty.

So. Puzzle: How do I distribute the small amounts of creative time I have during the school year to work on both writing and storytelling and performance?

I’m not sure. It doesn’t help that I want to do everything.

Two live readings coming up

Posted on by
Reply

I am a lucky girl. I’ve been invited to read at TWO events in the next two weeks. New, original, and NEVER BEFORE SEEN stories will be told by your very own Voix at the following events in Minneapolis:

Paper Darts Launch Party: Volume 3 Super Mega Dope LP!

On Saturday, March 5th from 7-10pm we’ll be hosting the swankiest swankfest of a lit mag launch party ever at Honey in NE Minneapolis. The night will feature readings by local heroes John Jodzio, Matt Mauch, Michele Campbell, and Robert Voedisch, live tunes by the lovely trio The Chord and the Fawn, a full scale digital art slideshow, some super badass giveaways, and, most importantly, the first chance to get your grubby little paws on Paper Darts Volume 3. Stay for the readings, art, music, and lame 90s pop culture references, then come out to the Red Stag Supper Club afterwards to take official after party shots of milk.

Location: Honey in NE, 205 East Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis.

AND:

Rockstar Storytellers “Doing It Our Way: Cover Stories!”

It’s the storytelling version of Sid Vicious doing a Sinatra tune! The Rockstars put their own spin on classic stories like a cover band in a crappy bar. Except our bar isn’t crappy. It’s cool. With, like, imported beer and s#!t.

Featuring:
Curt Lund
Allegra Lingo
Joseph Scrimshaw

Guest Performers:
Michele Campbell
Andy Sturdevant

Hosted by:
Courtney McLean

Sunday, March 13th at the Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 West Lake Street, Minneapolis

Doors at 6pm, show starts at 7.
Tickets $12 / $10 with a Fringe button or Rockstar Trading Card for March

Purchase tickets here! http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/156695
OR call 612-825-8949 (no service charge!)
No same day reservations; tickets available at the door day of the show!

If buying tickets at the door, come as close to 6:00 as you can: General Admission (first-come, first-sat)  BLB’s full food and bar menu is offered in the theater, so have dinner with us!

I’m so excited I might piddle. Please come see me read my words and make the funny.