World Premiere Six Years Ago

It was six years ago tonight that I walked into the Cultural Center in downtown Chicago anticipating what at that point was a crowning achievement for my writing. On Friday, July 15, 2005, the Cultural Center was home to Prop THTR's New Play Fest. My autobiographical theater piece, In the Dark, was receiving its world premiere staged reading for a paying public. In August of 2004, Gary Mills had suggested I write this play, but I was not too sure about it. Sure, I had a fun story of high school highlights and college successes, but beyond sharing my thoughts on what it was like to lose my eyesight over night when I was fourteen years old, what could I share with an audience which would keep them intrigued in my writing, story, and acting? I resisted the idea, but after about an hour, I agreed to give it a shot. By the spring of 2005, I had written a first draft. then Gary sent me an email that Prop THTR was in search of new unproduced pieces and he had mentioned my play to people at the theater group who were expecting a copy from me. I did not feel it was ready for submission. Gary agreed, but insisted that the only way I could grow was to send it out and get a response from a company. I did. In june, I received a letter from Emily Lotspeich congratulating me on having a story which needed to be shared. Not only had my piece been selected to be a part of the festival, but Emily would direct it. She put together a cast and I met with them. We read over the script and I went home to work on some rewrites. It was Tuesday night July 12. Only a few days from the first of two readings my play would receive. Upon returning home, I noticed I had a voicemail from my friend, Rani. I called her back and left a message. It was about 10:15p.m. I was tired, but figured I would at least read through my play once more and possibly make some minor changes until Rani would call me back. I started to read. Before long, I was making major changes. I was finding ways to improve the piece. I looked up and saw it was midnight. I was feeling a bit more energized so I kept reading and rewriting. Before I knew it, the clock said it was 3:00a.m. I was flying now. I kept editing until 7a.m. I went to bed and woke up at 10a.m. Immediately, I started up on the script. I implemented changes suggested by Emily and the cast. I also found other areas which I wanted to improve. I spent all day writing until about 5p.m. when I went to rehearsal again. On Thursday morning, I tweaked some more and was finally ready for the world premiere presentation.

I was feeling confident when I arrived two hours before show time. I walked through the lobby and the person into whom I first ran was Rani. She was there and extremely excited to check out this piece. Hearing her excitement only served to energize me even more. It also served as a eye opening moment. Wow! She is hear. This is real! Pretty soon other family and friends would be here too. To write my life story, I had to write about my family and friends so how would they react? When the show began, I was a little disappointed that the place was only half filled. After the show, Gary came up and said it was a successful night as in this one evening the theater had made more money than the entire festival run of the previous year. I was thrilled that my words were being spoken by professional actors and that people had paid to witness my work on display. I was happiest that my parents, one of my sisters and her husband, my lawyer buddy, my best friend's mother, and rani were present. There were other folks there too, but I did not know them. I was proud that whenever I would reflect on the very first time any of my pieces were presented to a paying public, I would always list those deared loved ones which are meaningful in my life. Having those individuals there is why the experience was so special! Then Sunday came along which was the day of the second reading and it was so special to have artists, familys, and friends from all aspects of my life present as the place was packed wall-to-wall and people had to stand along the walls due to an overabundance of people. How thrilling that was to hear such thunderous reactions to various moments of my show. That too was a moving experience for many reasons. As always though, that first one is the most memorable. Six years ago tonight. How fascinating my life is as a result of that moment.

An Update From Monstrochika

Last Friday, I posted about a talented artist who I met in high school and who is someone whose work is on display as part of Fresh Paint in chicago. Said talented amazing artist and person has now posted a new entry on her blog discussing some of her latest art, reflections on what she is doing, and a link to an hour long interview conducted where she was one of those interviewed about some of the recent events and forms of expression taking place all around us.

Here is Monstrochika's latest entry, please check it out and make sure to check out any of her pieces on displayed:

http://monstrochika.livejournal.com/14088.html

I Will Run 26.2 Miles For Imerman Angels

I am very confident that everyone knows someone who has had cancer or has cancer. Many people unfortunately can make the claim that a friend, loved one, or significant other has died as a result of this disgusting disease. I have family who survived it. I have friends and friends of friends who have been on death's door only to pull through and live. I also know friends who have died. One of my dear friends passed away just three months ago. To honor her memory and to further show my family members and loved ones that I am with you through it all, I have decided to run the Chicago Marathon this October 9, 2011 as a member of Imerman Angels Team. IA provides one-on-one cancer support to those suffering from cancer so that no one goes through it alone! This world has lost too many wonderful individuals to this horrible disease and often, those who must fight through this feel alone and that no one understands their suffering. Maybe those of us who have never had cancer do not truly understand the situation, but those who have stared death in the face and lived to tell about it can offer a helping hand or a calming voice to tell others what it felt like to endure cancer or the treatment. Above all, those who survived can share what it feels like to triumph. Maybe he or she dealing with cancer is scared and feels all is lost. He or she who is about the same age, gender, or ethnic background can give hope and offer a face behind the story of survival to give the next person the motivation and inspiration to one day be another success story!

Running 26.2 miles is like climbing a mountain. The training, miles, and effort which must go into it are demanding. I have seen the mountain those with cancer must climb and it is an even greater challenge than I am about to endure in preparation for the Chicago Marathon, but I am willing to do my part to honor those closest to me as well as paying tribute to your dear ones with cancer. I ask for your support as I prepare to write my name in the 26.2 record books once more. I will do my part to run as fast as I can. Faster than i have ever run in a race of this distance. I ask that you support me by donating to my cause for Imerman Angels so that no one does face cancer alone.

Throughout the next three months, I will keep you informed here about my progress with fundraising and training. I welcome all who wish to share their experience of how cancer has changed or touched their lives. Together we can be there for each other and can do our part to make this a better world. Please log on and donate at the following site and please pass the link to others:

www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/israel/ImermanAngels2011Team

Fresh Paint At Cobalt Studios

Because of my four older sisters, I developed a love for musicals at a young age. By the time I was seven years old, I had seen some of the best productions and enjoyed Annie, Music Man, and West Side Story so it was not a surprise to anyone that when my high school's spring musical one year was West Side Story that I jumped at the chance to audition. I joined the production and was excited at the opportunity to have my moment on the stage as all four of my sisters did throughout every year of their high school careers. In the end, the best part of being in that show was the chance of a lifetime to meet and befriend an amazing talented beautiful young woman named Naomi! For all the wonderful memories of living in the world of the Jets and Sharks or Tony and Maria, the fondest memories are of being around Naomi. She has gone on to become an even greater talent whose comic books, illustrations, and paintings are often on display for those who appreciate the work of amazing artists.

Those living in Chicago will get an opportunity to see this talented artist's latest work on display starting on Saturday, July 9 at Cobalt Studios. Please make sure you check out Fresh Paint. For more information on dates and time as well as an opening five hour reception, please visit the following site:

http://cobaltartstudio.blogspot.com/2011/06/fresh-paint-opens-saturday-july-9th.html?spref=fb

The Code

It may be easy to ask, where have all the writers gone? It is just as easy to answer, they are all still here. People just need to open themselves to the talented writers who are publishing wonderful work for our pleasure and entertainment. One such talented woman is Jen Knox! Her piece, The Code is the Global Short Story Competition winner for May. Congratulations to Jen on the award.

To read the story, visit the following link:

http://www.globalshortstories.net/maywinners2011.pdf

I hope the above link gets you to the story. If not, visit Jen's site for a link to it:

www.jenknox.blogspot.com

2 Friends Nominated For ESPY AWARD

Each year, you might look back at that year which is coming to a conclusion and wonder what was your favorite, moment, song, book, film, experience? >You might even make your own personal list for your enjoyment or to share with friends via email, Facebook, or Twitter. Like you or many organizations and outlets in the world, ESPN does this look back to the previous year with the ESPY Awards. Fans get to vote on their favorites in different categories. This year, two of my friends have been nominated for ESPY Awards and I am hoping you will vote for them to win this popularity contest.

I met Aaron Scheidies when I raced in my very first triathlon at the New York City Triathlon in 2008. Even prior to meeting him, we spoke on the phone. I read plenty about him online and was tickled at how accomplished and down to earth he was. On the phone, he treated me as though we had been long time friends. When we met, it was more of the same. His story is so moving. It ripped my heart out to read how he had problems with his eye when he was five years old, but doctors insisted he was fine and was simply crying out for attention. He gradually lost his sight to a rare eye condition, but had discovered his athletic skills. He hoped to continued his athletic career post eyesight lost and he was able to do so by racing triathlons. In October of 2007, Scheidies, with Ben Collins as his sighted guide, broke the two hour barrier for an olympic distance triathlon by completing the race which consists of a .9 mile swim, 24.8 mile bike ride, and 6.2 mile run in one hour and fifty-seven minutes. He has also competed at the world championships for olympic distances, Half Ironman, and full Ironman triathlons. He is a world champion triathlete and even greater individual. He is nominated for Male Athlete With A Disability.

I first read about Melissa Stockwell in an online article. She had served this country as a member of the army. Melissa proudly went to Iraq to take part in the war. Three weeks after arriving, she lost her leg in a roadside bomb. She was twenty-four years old at the time. She was crushed that in losing her leg, she would no longer be able to participate in sports which she loved doing as much as she loved representing her country in battle. Eventually, Stockwell found herself in a swimming pool and discovered that while in the pool she was herself again. She began competing in swim events and discovered she had a talent for triathlons too. She raced in Chicago and soon found herself in New York City in the summer of 2010 competing in the National Championship for Physically Challenged athletes. She performed so well, she qualified for the world championship which she simply went out and won! Shortly after learning of her inspirational story, I was told about a new group, Dare2Tri Chicago Paratriathlon Club of which, Melissa was one of the founding members. I was asked if I had interest in joining the team. To meet Melissa and race along side? Of course, yes! When I finally did meet her, I was in awe of the magnificent woman. She is nominated for Female Athlete With A Disability.

Please vote for Aaron and Melissa at the following site:

http://espn.go.com/espys/#!/voting/

For more information on Aaron, please visit:

www.cdifferentwithaaron.com

For more information on Melissa, please visit:

www.melissastockwell.com

A Fourth Of July Thank You

I just wanted to take this time to say thank you very much to all of my readers and followers. I appreciate that I have an audience who takes an interest in my theater, film, and athletics. I hope you visit often and I am able to keep you informed and entertained. I hope that you tell your family, friends, and enemies to visit my site and read my anticipation, reflections, or promotions. I especially want to express my gratitude to those individuals who have become my friends over the years who often provide me with advice and assistance whether with my theater pieces, screenplays, or racing ventures. I often arrive to a conclusion, but ever the artist, I often question myself and the conclusion to which I have arrived so it is wonderful when others whom I trust tell me what I have felt all along. One example is how my friend, Matt Miller, actor, model, triathlete, film producer, roofing contracter, told me that I would eventually notice that my racing triathlons and road races would collide and become one with my artistic ventures. This is something I knew for a while, but having someone whom I respect tremendously say that meant plenty as he was speaking from the experience of living it. I am finding that people who help me with artistic projects are the same ones who can help with my athletic ones. Just as I find that someone who comes into my life to be a sighted guide for me to race a triathlon or marathon end up becoming friends who work in the entertainment field for their day job. It is so fascinating how these worlds are constantly colliding and becoming one.

Over the couple of years since I have been maintaining this blog, I have been contacted by so many individuals who also discover me on Facebook or Twitter and I thank all of you for becoming my friend, followers, and inspiration. Some of those talented individuals provide me with a look into what they do and I find myself motivated to keep pushing to achieve greatness. I do my best to highlight them and their work here as they too are part of Team Antonio. As always, anyone who plays a role in helping me even in situations they may not realize it, I will always shine a light on him or her!

Happy Day of declaring independence from England. I hope you are safe and have enjoyed the day and weekend with loved ones. Please continue to read my blog, tell others, and always feel free to reach out to me. Thank you!