5/5 Meme: The Area of My Expertise

I've been meme-tagged by Ming-Zhu. Said meme originated with Laura Axelrod who writes:

it's purpose is to get people talking about their passion in life. It’s called the 5/5 meme. Five questions, then pass it to five people. “Expertise” could be your profession, hobby, or area of intense interest.

If I haven’t named you specifically and you would like to do it, feel free. I’d love for everyone to answer these questions. I’ve named five just to get it going.

Remember: This is a “get to know you” meme. It’s supposed to be breezy and fun."

1. Name your area of expertise/interest :

playwrighting/performance devising/directing

2. How did you become interested in it?

playwrighting - jealousy & frustration (now I do it out of love & frustration)

performance devising - seeing the work of SITI Company & Forced Entertainment

directing - necessity. I founded a theater company and the director of our opening production had to take the lead role when the actor we cast dropped out. Became deeply interested after seeing Picnic directed by Anne Bogart at Actor's Theatre of Louisville. I was seriously considering quitting the theater and becoming a lawyer until I saw that play.

3. How did you learn how to do it?

I've learned from watching or working for other people. I've learned by doing. By running a theater company and training other artists.

I'm also surprised sometimes by how much of what I do I learned from my highschool drama teacher. Especially about the idea of professionalism - showing up on time, getting along with other people, not being a prima dona, doing my work, committing to the show.

Oh, yeah. And undergrad work at the University of Louisville
from this woman

and from this man.

I've trained on and off with the SITI Company and Anne Bogart since 1996. I've taken workshops with Tim Etchells, Ruth Zapora, and Mary Overlie. I went to grad school and took my first formal writing class - in screenwriting and then took many more writing classes.

I read a lot. I see a lot of theater and dance and performance-related events. I watch a lot of movies.

I learn some new thing(s) every time I direct a show or read a new play. I learn from the actors and designers I work with. I learn from my kids.

I'm still learning.

4. Who has been your biggest influence?

Hunter S. Thompson

5. What would you teach people about it?

Art comes from a gift-giving place.
Open yourself up to life and be willing to be surprised (for good or ill).
Communication is key. It is the fundamental line between actor and director/actor and audience/director and playwright, designers, etc.
Trust yourself.
You can never have too much information.
Energy follows attention.
The energy and attention that go into the process are reflected in the product.
You must be passionate about your work.
You can't hide.
Ask questions.
What about the text?
What about the relationships?
What about a plan?
Have a healthy sense of what you do not know, a deep interest and ability to question what you do know, and a sincere willingness to be honest, open, and compassionate with yourself and those with whom you are working.
Honesty is priceless.
No one can be honest unless they feel safe. (well some can and god bless them)
Take care of each other.
There is freedom in structure.
Getting stuck, lost and/or making a mistake can be an incredible opportunity for everyone.
The director is ultimately responsible for every thing onstage.
The director is ultimately responsible for every thing that is not onstage.
Sometimes it’s not personal, it’s dysfunctional.
Sometimes you have to dig in and fight the fight.
You must have an unshakeable faith in yourself.
Remember to breathe, then push on.
It's called a play. How cool is that?
Have fun.

Now I have to tag five others and they are - Malachy, Dan, nick, Dorothy, and Lauren.