Amanda For The Champagne Lodge

Here is another reason which shows how lucky I am to be surrounded by amazing talented individuals. The talented, amazing, and beautiful Amanda Grace is not only a spectacular actor, singer, and model who has shined on the stage, film sets, and catwalks, but she is a funny, warm, fun loving woman who I am privileged to call a good friend.

Here is Amanda's latest commercial for the Champagne Lodge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrNi6gd-TJk

Fresh Anxiety

A few years ago, I had the great thrill of performing my autobiographical piece, In The Dark, at Prop THTR in Chicago. It truly was a case of opportunity knocking and I happened to be in a position to answer. I sat down to write a screenplay. After completing said screenplay, I showed it to some friends who were split on their reactions. A couple enjoyed it, while a few hated it. This was a bit of a shock since after completing the draft, I was very confident I had written a spectacular script. I figured people would enjoy reading it and many more would fall in love with it as a film. Before I could return to the screenplay, I needed to better understand screenwriting and story telling. I also needed a grasp on what I could realistically expect from myself as a writer, actors, and directors. I began taking acting classes. After a few months, I added playwrighting classes. I expected a slow developing class structure where I would have to learn to write characters, scenes, and outlines. To my surprise, the instructor believed the best way for me to learn to write a play is by actually writing a play. Sure, I worked on characters, one sentence summaries, and formatting, but he insisted I churn out the pages on a weekly basis. Since I had never written a play in my life, he felt it would be best to set my sights on completing a ten minute play. Yet the story I wanted to tell would take longer than ten minutes to tell. After six weeks of writing and rewriting, I completed the first draft of my first ever play. It turned out to be seventy-six pages. In my first attempt, I had written the first draft of my first full length play. Eventually, that play went on to be named a New Play Fest winner by Prop THTR where it was workshopped and received a staged reading directed by the wonderful, Jacque Lueken. After writing that play, I began work on my next full length, but before I could finish that second play, I was approached with the idea to tell my life story. I initially laughed it off figuring my life experiences were not all that interesting, but my playwrighting instructor insisted that not only were my individual stories fascinating, but with my ability to write, I would be able to weave them together to creating a compelling, informative, and entertaining play. I spent months on it and before I knew it, my playwrighting instructor had contacted people at Prop THTR to inform them of a wonderful new unproduced piece from an up and coming writer and actor. Since he already told them I would be sending a copy immediately, I had no choice, but to do so. Weeks later I found out they were interested and a few months after that I received a letter congratulating me on "writing a story which needed to be written and sharing my voice which needed to be shared." Prop THTR named my autobiographical piece a New Play Fest winner where it was workshopped and received a staged reading under the direction of the amazing, Emily Lotspeich. It went on to received its world premiere production with me in the lead as myself, my dearest friend, Madelon, and another fella, Ivan each starring along side me. It was after this production run where I submitted a copy of my first ever play to Prop and they included it in their NFP.

After each performance, audience members raved about what I had written and what they had just witnessed. One remark which always stayed with me came from Nina Metz whose review of my play appeared in the Chicago Tribune Tempo Section. She wrote that the show was rough around the edges, but had plenty of potential. She had some additional comments about my, Madelon's, and Ivan's individual performances. Once again, I was a bit surprised. Ultimately, she was correct, but I also wondered in what ways could I improve the piece since I believed it was already a wonderful play. As award winning journalist, author, actor, Jenniffer Weigel said once, "Israel has the ability to blind me with tears from ripping my heart out with a heart wrenching moment then make my sides hurt from laughing so much to the point I'm crying all in the same scene."

It has been several years since that initial run of performances. Madelon and I have performed slightly different versions at schools and conferences. I have gone to organizations and performed a one man version as well. All the while I was finding ways to tell certain stories I was not ready to include in that first run. As the years pass, I have become more comfortable with wanting to share other aspects of my being. I have also found other ways to tell stories as a writer. A month ago, I sat down and rewrote my autobiographical piece. I feel that it is now more moving than before. In some cases, a slight shift in a scene made a world of difference. In other cases, a complete rewriting of the scene or of the characters was my best option. I sent it off to a very trusted friend, director, actor for her feedback and I anxiously await her feedback. I hope that this latest draft captivates her as previous drafts have and together she and I can move forward to bring my world back to life for audiences. Each time I have sent this or other scripts to friends I get nervous in anticipation for their feedback. I know I will always get replies which point out the positives and negatives on which I can build or choose to change. It does not matter how many times I send out my scripts, the anxiety remains just as intense.

Emily Rocks CF

I have previously written about how about four months ago, I came across an article in Runner's World Magazine in which the subject matter was Emily Schaller. When Emily was eighteen months old, she was diagnosed with cystic Fibrosis and her parents were told she probably would not live to see her high school graduation. She is not only alive in her late twenties, but she is an unstoppable force as she dedicates her life to not only finding a cure for CF, but bringing joy and happiness to others. I was excited when I read that the foundation which she founded, Rock CF, is organizing the inaugural Rock CF Rivers Half Marathon and 5K in March of 2011. If I could make my way to Michigan, I could participate in the half marathon to help benefit such a wonderful cause for an amazing woman. Unfortunately, it is looking more and more as though I will not be able to participate in the event, but there is a way I can still be involved to make a small difference. For anyone wishing to contribute, but is unable to attend in person, there is an option to do a virtual run meaning one can run a 5K or half marathon anywhere in the world while raising awareness and money for the organization. If I can get some friends or maybe just one to agree to it, I can run 13.1 miles in my home town at the same time as the event will be taking place in Michigan.

I am in the process of figuring this out, but in the meantime, I invite all to read up some more on Emily Schaller and the Rock CF Foundation to learn about how Emily is playing a role in one day changing the letters CF from representing Cystic Fibrosis to standing for Cure Found!

Please read about Emily at the following link:

http://www.letsrockcf.org/blog/about-rock-cf/

Team GLASA 2011 Chicago Marathon

With the official registration for the Chicago Marathon set to open on February 1, I have been looking to find a charity for which to run this year's race. On October 10, 2010, I made my marathon debut on the same streets Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain rolled to a world record setting performance eight years ago. This was just months before she raced to yet another world record shattering performance at the London Marathon. What a way to prove that her accomplishment in Chicago was not a fluke and what was to be expected of her each time she raced as I believe Paula has won every single marathon in which she has run. This does not take into account the marathons at the Olympics as Paula has struggled in those events, but in the 2008 race at the Olympics she did put to rest past demons even if she did not win. Prior to being inspired by the great Paula Radcliffe, I never considered running a marathon. Once I was moved by Lokelani McMichael to dream of completing an Ironman Triathlon, I knew a stand alone marathon would be a great achievement prior to chasing the dream of hearing the PA announcer call me an Ironman. To make the experience of my debut marathon special, I decided to attempt the 26.2 miles distance in my home town race. In addition to that, I chose to run it for a local charity. The Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association. As a member of Team GLASA, I received a complimentary entry in the GLASA Twilight 5K as well as being assigned a GLASA athlete on whose behalf I would run. In fact, I had the great privilege of running on behalf of two athletes. Sixteen year old twins, Elizabeth and Emily. Liz is visually impaired and Emily has cerebral palsy. It was such a joy to have strangers on the race course encourage me by yelling out how proud Liz and Emily must be for me. They were. I received the most beautiful touching note of gratitude from them shortly after completing the marathon. It was such a rewarding experience that I plan to run the Chicago Marathon once again this year. I hope to shatter my finishing time from last year while racing through the streets of Chicago on behalf of a great cause. I have given serious consideration to returning to join Team GLASA in 2011. I have also been considering selecting another of the non profits to which I know my friends feel close. I do not want to disappoint or let any one organization down, but I am having a difficult time deciding with which one to go. There are a few more days prior to the start of registration and even after then, I will have some time before the race reaches capacity. I hope to decide in short order.

For anyone wanting a charity for which to run, the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association is a wonderful group which works with youth and adults with physical and visual disabilities. To read about the organization and to learn about the perks when joining GLASA for the Chicago Marathon, please log on to:

www.glasa.org

Cobar Collection Imperial Garden

It seems as though at every turn I am surrounded by wonderfully talented amazing individuals who enrich the world in so many different ways. One such person is a talented artist and clothing designer, Wanda Cobar. Her designs and clothes have been featured in showcases in the midwest. They have also been seen by audiences in New York. They have been right at home on the runways of Paris. Even as we enjoy the winter months, it is never too early to start looking towards the spring. More to the point, it is always a great time to view and buy Wanda's Imperial Garden Spring Collection!

Please visit the following site and check out Wanda's fabulous line:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cobarcollection

Of Boys And Men Now Available

A few years ago in October 2007, I had the wonderful privilege to attend The Filmmaker Summit presented by the Chicago chapter of the Independent Film Project (IFP) where I was able to meet and network with so many wonderful individuals who have a passion for telling stories through films. One of the individuals I met that weekend was screenwriter and filmmaker, Michelle Amor. I had the great fortune of receiving ten minutes of wisdom from Michele as I signed up for a ten minute mentorship session which IFP Chicago offered as part of the various networking opportunities throughout the weekend. These ten minutes proved to be the start of a wonderful friendship as Michelle and I have remained in contact over the years. I have been able to pick her brain on writing. I have also simply listened and marveled at the way she tells stories as part of our conversations. There are times where she and I will talk as friends simply to see how the other is doing and not to speak on writing specifically, but I walk away from the conversation learning so much about telling stories, speaking my truth, and sharing myself. Over the years, Michelle has been a wonderful friend and writing mentor. She has given me wonderful advice and feedback on my scripts. From her, I learned that the best way to learn about screenplays is to read screenplays. The best way to better one's writing is to write and send copies to trusted talented friends who can then offer feedback.

This week, Warner Bros released the film, Of Boys And Men on DVD. It stars Robert Townsend, Angela Bassett, and Victoria Royal. It was written by Michelle Amor. For more information and to buy a copy of the movie, please log on to:

http://www.wbshop.com/Of-Boys-and-Men/1000151131,default,pd.html?cgid=DVD

Kate Bergeron Demo Reel

One of the most talented individuals I have ever met is Kate Bergeron. I met Kate almost seven years ago in an acting class in Chicago. From the first day I was lucky enough to watch Kate work her magic, it was clear to me I was witnessing an amazing talented woman who was destined for stardom. Kate has now been seen in various theater pieces, films, TV shows, commercials, and web series.

Kate's latest updated reel can now be seen at the Internet Movie Data Base. Here is the link

http://www.imdb.com/video/demo_reel/vi4226063129

If you wish to keep up with the latest projects with which Kate is involved, log on to her personal site at:

www.katebergeron.com