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4 february 2002

my watch camera is on the blink. it's on the way to new jersey now to get fixed. technology. mmph.

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girl next door returns to neighborhood

I think I can safely say that Girl Next Door Runs Amok was a big success, for both the Artistic Studio Theatre and our community. For the past couple of weeks, people have approached me all over town to say, "thanks" for a fresh, original contribution to local theatre. This weekend's attendance absolutely blew my mind, and most of it was from word of mouth. Several people attended for the second or third time. It was humbling, and I did my best to honor everyone who attended. Thank you to everyone who supported this work, and the Montage Showcase Ensemble! Special thanks to those who stayed afterward, or contacted me later. It meant a lot!

Did I tell you that Mom, Dad, and Kelli all came up? They had a blast! Mom even got interviewed by the paper, but she didn't realize she was talking to a reporter until after uttering an embarrassing story from my childhood. It runs tomorrow, and I've been warned. Mom was very apologetic. I told her not to worry.

Next time, I'll just require press passes. Big, orange ones.

A number of people have asked me if there will be an encore performance. There is certainly the possibility. In order for that to happen, the theatre would need some concrete indicators of the demand. If you are part of a large group (greater than 50 people) that would like a special performance, that is very do-able. I've been approached with this possibility by several people. If you're interested, contact me at kim at lionessden.com. The show is also available to other small theatres, if you'd like it to travel to your city.

The other question people ask is, "what's next?" Am I going to try something else, somewhere bigger, with brighter lights?

Nope.

The joy in doing Girl Next Door Runs Amok , is that it's a community-specific project. Winston-Salem can claim it as her own. I'm also happy to do it in other medium-sized cities and towns, because it's about the people who live in such places. This show is a celebration of mundane moments and everyday people. I've already had the thrill of performing in big cities throughout the world. It was wonderful, but now I get more pleasure from developing work that my state and community can enjoy, and claim as theirs. New Yorkers have hundreds of artworks about them. Now it's Winston-Salem's turn.

Nathan Ross Freeman, my director, told me that I'd earned my spot as a Montage resident playwright, so I may develop something for next year. In the meantime, I've got two websites due this month, and two personal writing projects in the works. I'm also in the middle of the Big Brothers Big Sisters application process, to which I've committed myself for one year.

For now, I'm going to listen to my new Vivaldi CD. I'd somehow misplaced my old one, and missed having my Four Seasons around. Also found a Copland Appalachian Spring CD. So even though we've got 30 mph wind gusts here, I'd say the weather here in the Den is just fine.

Stay tuned tomorrow! There will be a guest Life and Stuff by Will Wright. Woo-hoo!