Wandering Souls

Gearing Up to Wind Down

2010-09-22T06:42:00.000-07:00

Hey there - Melissa here!

Looking at the calendar, I realized we only have 8 performances left and thought I'd pop over to blog a quick and dirty update about the tour from this actor's perspective as we begin to power toward the final performances.

Pretty much this sums it up: Exhausting, exhilarating, rewarding.

We hit the ground sprinting and have only stopped for a day or two at a time (three at most) since September 3rd. These fine souls have been a-wandering in and out of nursing homes, homeless shelters, a boys and girls club, St. Elizabeth's Hospital, and public performance spaces. We've been kept on our toes by the venues, our audiences, and ourselves. Very little is predictable and learning is constant. I can - without a doubt - say that this has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever been lucky enough to take part in and am very grateful to be on this particular tour and involved with Wandering Souls in general.

Some personal highlights so far (not in any order):

The Talkbacks and Audience Reactions: Without fail there is something shared by audience members every night that makes me think a little harder about the themes of the story, the way we are playing this show, why I'm passionate about theatre, and the importance of Wandering Souls. And sometimes, based on vocal reactions during the show and comments shared after, it's just nice to know that the audience was truly entertained and engaged for an hour. One of my favorite "reactions" so far was overheard by Caitlin Griffin (our loverly road manager) in the parking lot after the Sasha Bruce show; post-performance she heard a child yell to another "UNHAND ME, YOU ROGUE!" That's just kinda cool. And the reactions at St. Elizabeth's and Central Union Mission blew me away.
Fabian: I now have a kitten who was abandoned near one of the venues - she has been appropriately named for our Bard's buddy who had to be abandoned on the cutting room floor for this particular show ("Where's Fabian?" had actually become a cast joke). She is healthy, happy, and a purr factory - though her teeth are starting to be a little too friendly lately... but that's a kitten for you!
Non-traditional Spaces: Needing to play in different spaces that are not usually used for theatrical purposes has been a welcome challenge. Figuring out as a cast how to physically play with aisles or tight quarters or low ceilings and how to vocally play in spaces of varying sizes with differing sound qualities keeps you constantly working. You can't get lazy. I'm not saying that I have been completely successful in using each space to its full potential every night - but I try - and I tremendously enjoy watching the inventive ways my cast-mates adapt as well.
The Wanderers: This cast and production team are awesome. I've said it in a previous post but I feel so lucky that I get to do what I love with such wonderful human beings and artists. We are a week and a day away from the end of this tour and I am already getting a bit sentimental and am fantastically (read as: irrationally) plotting how we can all work together again. These folks get me focused when I'm frazzled, they keep me working on the stage, they continue to entertain me every performance, and they warm my heart and make me smile with the people they are.

Onward to the next 8 venues - may we be as fortunate in these performances as we've been in the past and keep the momentum going straight through to the end of September!

Buttery Bar - OUT!

2010-08-11T19:43:00.000-07:00

Tonight on a very special Blog: Twins separated by a shipwreck! Cross-dressing and secret identities! Love triangles! Pirates! Bolts and shackles! Promise of revenge! Or maybe just guest blogger Melissa Hmelnicky...

Hi there - Melissa here - and I will be playing Maria in the upcoming production of Twelfth Night! Released from rehearsal early for being on particularly fabulous behavior this evening (those that were not so well behaved were made to stay and run scenes and songs...or scenes WITH songs - oOOOoooOOOOOOo what a punishment for the evil, EVIL Megan Reichelt, Grant Cloyd, Jacob Yeh, and Teresa Spencer!**), I thought I might pop my head in to say HELLO to the Wandering Souls blog-reading crowd!

As Becky mentioned, rehearsals are now underway. I know that they are WELL underway by looking around at my room as I type this. Clothing is not put away (we are going to pretend that normally they would be), there is a Norwegian Island Pine named Charlie that is in desperate need of some watering, and countless books and other debris from my life are scattered and homeless. I have not been around to deal with the normal, humdrum, tasks of daily life because I've been visiting Illyria - by way of Edmund Burke School - with quite a bit of frequency. The result is a messy room but a happy heart and well-worked brain.

The first clump of rehearsals aside from the initial table read were workshops about themes. Workshop numero uno was led by our loverly director-man, Andy. From the themes we identified in that workshop, each cast member chose one on which he/she would present during the last week in July. Themes included: Friendship and Loyalty (Lex), Power and Water (Megan), Love and Obsession (Me - I'll share more on that in another blog), Healing (Teresa), Homelessness (Jacob), Disguise and Deception (Grant), Grief and Loss (Julie), and Mental Illness (Luke). We were asked to ponder these themes and bring in items, pictures, literature, songs, etc. and then present around our themes using what we brought.

This was a fantastic exercise not only in delving into the text to mine it thematically, but for cast bonding and building. For, though the presentations given were entertaining and informative, the conversations that came of them were golden. Without going into nitty-gritty details, it was a wonderfully personal way of learning about the people with whom I'll be working for the next few months and I fell in love a little bit with each of them.

The next two workshops were led by outside guests Deborah Kirby and Oran Sandal (I might touch on these in later blogs). Both were challenging, intense, and uplifting days. I love being physically and mentally worked and stretched and neither Deborah nor Oran went easy on us. Also - I learned my lesson that when asked to create a movement and sound - ask WHY. Chances are it will need to be repeatable for a length of time and to avoid DEATH it might be important to choose wisely...

Now we are actually blocking scenes, getting offbook, etc.. Personally, I'm working on NOT LAUGHING at the shenanigans of Belch and Agueface. I figure "getting it out now" is what I'm doing when I break at present...it's still early on...and they are both pretty dang funny, I'm not gonna lie. But I think Lex and Luke will be shocked when I am finally able to full-on bust out the stone-face. I eagerly await that day...

I've said it before and I will say it a thousand times more before October rolls around: I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of this production and with this particular cast. Not to get too gushy - but I think this is a cast of truly beautiful human beings who happen to be beautiful artists as well and I am pleased as punch to get to work with them.

On that note - I'll be writing more later, but "for this night to bed and dream on the event. Farewell."

In laymens' terms: buttery bar OUT!

~Melissa

** Maybe I lied a little here... while I was on fabulous behavior this evening (as always) - Maria does not appear in the scenes being run in the last part of the evening and THAT is actually why I was released early.

Blog hiatus OVER...lots to catch up on!

2010-08-06T14:11:00.000-07:00

- Becky here

Hi blog world. Oh boy is there a lot to catch up on. I am going to do the short form bullet pointy kind of post now and then come back to it more in depth soon....and maybe we'll also see some guest bloggers appear over the next few weeks.

So, we left off as we closed the last tour...what has happened since then, um, a year ago.

We had a fantastic debriefing session with the cast of Winter's Tale about a month after it closed and we tried as best we could to soak up the everything they shared with us - all their likes, dislikes, hopes, wishes, etc. Then JJ and I digested it all, assembled what we deemed our 2010 "advisory" circle and decided how this season would go and how we wanted to incorporate all the suggestions
Then we took a little break to re-coop and to actually move JJ out to CA for a bit to help out with his family. He actually moved in January and now it looks like he might be coming back in October -- so he's been working remotely. (and being awesome about it)

Andy Wassenich

We selected Twelfth Night as our next show; and decided that it needed to be an hour instead of 90 min because we wanted more time after the show at each venue to enagage and talk with the audience.
We interviewed quite a few fabulous directors (belaboured over having to chose just one) and then hired the one who we felt truly would be best for this project -- the awesome Andy Wassenich
Then..well, a bunch of things happened but to jump to the next fun part - we held auditions...had even more hard hard decisons to make and then hired a DREAM CAST for Twelfth Night. Truly, althought we had a lot of wonderful actors to choose from I really believe that the cast that was supposed to come together did...and we are only just beginning but I already see their brillance! (We'll do specials on them later..but here they are: Megan Reichelt, Lex Davis, Teresa Spencer, Melissa Hmelnicky, Jacob Yeh, Luke Cieslewicz, Julie Roundtree and Grant Cloyd!!!)
In July we had some awesome workshops led by Deborah Kirby and Oran Sandal...more on those later too
AND we successfully funded our tour through our very first online Kickstarter fundraiser! Thank you to our donors soon to be noted on our website.

There is so much more in between but at least we're a little closer to bring caught up. And there will be more to share. And expand upon.

Like that rehearsals have officially started...and I am thrilled.
And that we have booked 20 shows!!!

But more on that soon.....

xo
Becky

From the Executive Director, JJ Area

2010-03-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

First of all, I’d like to say thank you to all of our incredibly generous donors, volunteers, supporters and artists! Your generosity enabled us to bring The Winter’s Tale to almost 600 people in the DC Area. But more importantly: it was a sign to us that other people believe in our mission just as much as we do! Again, thank you for your contribution, and know that you were an integral part of the foundation of our company and the first, independent production.

Next, I’d like to share some financial numbers with you from our first
production. Although we had a very small budget, we’re proud to say that the largest percentage went to the artists involved. We’ve added this as one of our Cornerstones of Operation: to value our artists financially, as well as artistically. The Artists involved in The Winter’s Tale received 78% of our operating budget: that includes the Director, Assistant Director and the Performers. We were able to minimize the amount of production cost (22%), without sacrificing artistic integrity; and I think that anyone who saw the show would agree that the story came through. We are dedicated to continue this trend into the future, regardless of the size of our budget. And Becky & I are thrilled that we were able to put into action something we so firmly believe.

Finally, I’d like to ask for your continued support in 2010 and beyond. We learned a great deal on our inaugural tour. Especially worthwhile: we learned the importance of budgeting, the expenses involved in producing and the overhead costs of maintaining a company. Some examples include: setting up our website, paying the fees associated with Non-Profit applications, Thank You cards for all of our venue hosts and printing costs for marketing materials. Furthermore, we learned the value (and challenge) of managing the overwhelming number of volunteers who stepped forward to offer assistance and support. From donors to ushers to photographers: you all renewed our spirit and your generosity is inspiring. We ask that you consider contributing again in 2010: whether its financially or through volunteer service.

Click here to Get Involved.
Secure Paypal Donations Accepted HERE

We are about 65% through our 501(c)(3) process...and it's moving quickly. We'll keep you updated just in case you're waiting to make a tax-deductible donation.
Click here for a final financial worksheet for 2009 (Winter's Tale) and a budget outline for 2010 (Twelfth Night).

All My Best,

JJ Area
Executive Director
Wandering Souls

Highlights from Winter's Tale...In no Particular Order

2010-03-16T18:17:00.000-07:00

We started to compile our memories from the first tour as a way of holding on to it all. Of course, this list may meaning nothing to others out of context...but just ask and we'll share the story! It's amazing how much can happen in such a short time.

Writing that very first email with JJ and then hitting send to all our friends and family...no turning back now
Seeing the first donations come in
Writing that first grant and nervously driving over to turn it in, just hoping it was all there
Water Leaking from ceiling at Bethesda Theatre over the stage
Losing an Actor
Gaining an Actor
The woman pretending to hit Leontes with a cane.
The man who said he had never seen Shakespeare performed.
The man who hadn't seen a play since High School (over 20 years).
The kid who ate paper throughout the entire show
The raucous applause from the Central Union Mission.
The school where nobody showed.
The unbearable heat of the rehearsal room.
Finding rehearsal and performance space: the miracle of Facebook.
Over 100 people at our Saturday night performance.
Postcard from Christ House: residents were talking about our performance: it was the "buzz" of Christ House.
The last "performance": the actor who never made it, the impromptu performance & interaction with the kids and the resilience & versatility of our actors.
The rush to leave our last venue and some unsavory comments from nearby residents.
The incredible spirit of our hosts & venue coordinators.
Our first show.
The bear.
Stages: short & long; hot as Hades.
Our production on the Marquee of the Bethesda Theatre (see the picture above).
Being home sick from work....the doorbell ringing...I signed for a letter and then realized that it was a note saying:

We had received the grant from the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities! (And scaring my cat half-to-death with all my screaming and jumping and crying!)

Assembling a great cast.
First read.
Our outreach workshop with Rachel Grossman: discussing why we believe in the mission of Wandering Souls as a production team.
And more to come as things continue to pop up....

Gleanings from 2009

2010-03-12T16:47:00.001-08:00

The first year of producing has not only been a tremendous experience and one full of blessings (check out the Highlights blog entry here) but it has also been one where - through trial-and-error, feedback sessions with the artists, sage advice from our mentors and parents, and reflection of our own - we have learned A LOT! And we are working hard to apply all these lessons learned and continue to grow from all of it.

The most significant change is that we took the mission we started with and all the points we kept stressing throughout the experience and decided that we needed to rework our mission and state our goals more clearly. If you want to read the whole thing, click here.

But the tweaks we made include:

**First, we acknowledged the key phrase that we have been using - "making the luxury of the arts more accessible to all" - and realized that we needed to figure out how to really do that.

Our target audiences will remain those who find themselves with little or no access and 90% of our shows will tour, for free where we are welcomed in.
The other 10% is where our PWYC public shows come into play. If you followed us last year you saw that Bethesda Theatre donated their space and we offered 3 public shows for anyone and everyone. We saw this as a fluke; but then realized that if we are making the arts accessible to everyone then these performances are also a part of what we want to provide. Because there are plenty of people who could benefit from having access...they may not rely on shelters or live in a nursing home or attend an underfunded school....but there are still many reasons why they might not be able or choose not to attend arts events. Maybe they have a home but have had to cut extras, perhaps they have had very little exposure growing up and this might be a gateway into the arts... or there could be any number of reasons.
SO, we will endeavor (if space permits) to also offer a handful of performances which are indeed open to everyone.
PWYC for us means truly anything...dollars will help fund the program so we can do more; but if what you have is food or clothing or toys to donate, then we will happily collect for neighborhood organizations.

** Second, we thought and talked and reexamined the entire process of putting together a show. What we learned was....

The show needs to be captivating and easy to relate to....duh....right? We knew this before...but it does not hurt to reinforce it AND make it a primary concern
Our rehearsal process needs to do three things:

bring the ensemble together as quickly as possible
be about the the actors and their holding of the story and
ensure that the actors are ready to walk into any and every situation...even one where something doesn't go quite as planned.

We have shortened the running time of programs, for 2 reasons: we want our performances to captivate and entertain. In addition, it is important to us that we develop a relationship with our audiences as well as perform for them. We want to make sure we have time to achieve this.
JJ and I can't do everything. We need more hands in every aspect... and we need to figure out how best to delegate tasks & responsibilities.
We are interested in building an ensemble of artists which means we have to figure out what artists most want in their work and how we can help them achieve it.
We're working on the funding...but what else is new?

All of this is leading us to a different kind of rehearsal process this summer...

**Third, we need hands, minds, hearts. What is that Dirty Dancing Song? "Voices, Hearts and Hands" - that's it. We want to expand in so many ways including: co-productions, working with playwrights, providing a place for artists to create projects they have been thinking about, provide more than 1 tour a year, expand into other art forms....and this requires people. Funds too. But let's start with people...maybe, who can help seek funding. Primarily though we are looking for those individuals who are dedicated, excited and eager to help make the arts more accessible to everyone. Is that you?

** There's more....but for now that's where I will end. More soon as we learn.

Company Spotlight: Shakespeare Behind Bars

2010-02-26T21:02:00.000-08:00

Becky here:

Part of my focus with this blog is not only to share what's happening in the world of Wandering Souls but spotlight other companies which also believe in the importance of the arts and are working to do what they can.

Today's spotlight is on Shakespeare Behind Bars. Some of you may know of them from the documentary that was made around 2003. But if you don't....the program started in 1995 as a part of the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival under then artistic director, Curt Tofteland, and psychologist Dr. Julie Barto.

They developed the program which embraces restorative justice at the Luther Luckett Correctional Facility with the intention of allowing "the adult prison population an opportunity to examine relevant personal and social issues within the structure of an aesthetic experience". They produce Shakespeare with the inmates and the opportunities that available to the inmates are invaluable -- click here to read more specifics.

With the return of inmates into society being at about 90% the chance to grow, learn and create something they are proud of is something that I believe is incredibly important.

I am a huge fan of this program for a few reasons....

First, I am a big fan of Curt Tofteland's. Why? Well, let's just say that I had a really great audition for him once at SETC's. Not so great that I was whisked away to KY Shakes but one that occurred right after an intense year at Warehouse Theatre under Jack Young....and one in which I proved to myself that the year was a success. Meaning...Curt conducts a tough audition - as it should be - and where I was not ready for that kind of experience a year before I got through it and was proud of what I did. And based on that audition alone I knew that Curt was someone that I hoped to work with some day. Beyond that I ended up running into him at Shakespeare conferences when I was at the American Shakespeare Center and since then have been following the work he did (and still does) with SBB.

Second, although I do not condone or excuse any reason as to why someone is in jail...I do believe that they did not get their all on their own. And therefore cannot come back all on their own. I believe that we as a community have a responsibility to not just throw away the key and that arts has the power to reach someone and allow them to explore and grow in ways that are frankly impossible otherwise. There is something about creativity that allows you to see beyond your day to day, your circumstances, the box you are in and reach beyond to live in a different place.
And there is something to the phrase...if you can dream it, you can be it.
If someone truly wants to be adjust their behavior and change their life, they can...and if the arts can help then by golly let's make is accessible.

So, my hat is off to Shakespeare Behind Bars. Do yourself a favor..check out their website - http://www.kyshakes.org/SBB/ ; watch the documentary (Netflix, You Tube, etc); Become a fan on Facebook and last but certainly not least, if you can donate to help them keep the program going. They are about half way through their campaign and as with any non-profit arts company: ANY little bit helps.

Cool people

2009-12-18T08:40:00.000-08:00

becky here

I am in the course of writing my summary of the first year of Wandering Souls which I hope to post tomorrow...since there will be 10 feet of snow and I will be home bound for days and with my can of beans and digging myself out...oh no wait...it's DC so strike that. I will be telling myself that the 10 inches is 10 feet and that I can't leave so that I will no excuse but to sit on the couch and do WS work.

In any case...in doing some philanthropic reasearch I came across this family in Canada who has started what they call "Guerilla Giving". They pledged to give away 10% of their earnings and not only do they do that but also have found a way to make it fun for the family and what I am sure makes someones day in more ways than 1 when they come across the treasure.

They essentially leave that day's gift in a bag or envelope somewhere in the city....sometimes hanging off a sign, on a rock, in a window display, on and on....an unusual place with a note that says It's For You from Guerilla Giving. They have pictures and stories here about their journey...http://guerrillagiving.org/ and I kind of love it.

Reminds how much a simple thing can brighten someone's day.

There's another company that I have admired for a while now who came up with Smile Cards - http://www.helpothers.org/cards.php
Truly nothing more than a card with smiley faces on it and folks can leave notes on the back if they wish. But then they leave them in places for others to find and then pass it forward. Now I don't think you need to pay for them but...

there are so many simple things that we can do to just brighten someone's day.

I would love to hear other ideas....what do you enjoy?

Wandering Souls' -- The Winter's Tale - AdaJ's Photos

2009-11-19T19:43:00.000-08:00

Wandering Souls' -- The Winter's Tale - AdaJ's Photos

The link above will take you to a picture book of the, The Winter's Tale, the very first tour of Wandering Souls. Wow. It's true. It happened and I am still learning from this wonderful bunch of people...both the generous, talented and giving actors and the open-hearted, kind and welcoming audiences. There is so much to leaen.

And quite honestly my heart aches to give them everything I can. Both to be a conduit for artists who want to share what they love and for those out there who for whatever reason just don't have the chance to experience the wide world of arts as often as they might like...or have the chance to be exposed to something that might not otherwise be.

I have things just spinning in my head about all that I would do. Just have to find the way. It's not so much about the money....I eman sure it would be great to just be working on this and the act of getting art out there. But honestly, I would create all the time and work a "regular" job if I had a few more hands. Unfortunately though folks seem to be pulled in a lot of directions.

How do I create a core company of artists who want to do this work? Actually that's not the issue....they want to do it but you have to find artists who are looking for something beyond.... I have a few...I just need to figure it out.

The communities we saw and performed for brightened my heart and opened my eyes....we are all alike no matter where you are or how much $ you have...the arst can give you a break and awaken different thoughts in you.

Enough musing. More doing.

Enjoy the pics.

And I should say loudly ...that we are indebted to the wonderful Karen McCoy for the pictures. We met her on the show that JJ and I met on. Christmas Foundling with Journeymen Theater. Her son, Sean, was in the show. He was little (r) then...wow 3 years passes quickly.

Thank you Karen.

October is Arts Month - Obama says so!

2009-10-09T19:17:00.000-07:00

So today Obama declared October National Arts and Humanities month. Which is great. Not sure what it means in the long run but I love that we have a president that would do something like that and on the same day he gets the Nobel Peace Prize and we crash into the moon....but those are other topics.

This blog is for arts!

Here's the link to the full proclamation: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-National-Arts-and-Humanities-Month-2009/

Here are my favorite quotes:

--- "the power of the arts and humanities to move people has built bridges and enriched lives, bringing individuals and communities together through the resonance of creative expression."

DUDE - he stole our mission! seriously we put that out in the spring....I think Obama's onto us!

--- "The arts and humanities contribute to the vibrancy of our society and the strength of our democracy, and during National Arts and Humanities Month, we recommit ourselves to ensuring all Americans can access and enjoy them"

AGAIN - this is what we are trying to do! only not just for one month... that's our goal! I feel like I should just print this out and hand it to every artist who works with us

---"In neighborhoods and communities across the Nation, the arts and humanities lie at the center of revitalization, inspiring creativity, ideas, and new hope in areas that have gone too long without it."

YES YES YES! Wonder if Obama would be on our board...or maybe the writer who wrote this??

---"Every American deserves an opportunity to study, understand, and contribute to the arts and humanities. This must begin in our schools, where children may have their first and most important exposure to these disciplines. Working on their own masterpieces and finding inspiration in the work of others, young people are opened to new means of expression that sharpen their creative faculties. An education in music, dance, drama, design, and fine art reinforces skills in fields like math and science, and it can help students reach their full potential. In an ever-changing world, we must prepare our students with the knowledge, creative skills, and an ability to innovate so they can compete and succeed on a global stage."

I AM ACTUALLY TEARING UP....this is exactly what I think, feel, believe with my entire being.

Now I ask -- how do we keep going? How do we accomplish this? Wrestled with a lot of questions this past month. Things like are we doing enough? Are we doing the right show? Will we be able to create something they want to watch? Will we be seen in the right light?

And the only thing that keeps coming back to me is that ...we're doing something and quite honestly that's the only way that things can happen.

And that we went to 13 locations and almost 600 people saw Winter's Tale. Many of whom told me that they either had never seen a play, never seen Shakespeare or it's been a long time since they just saw anything.

That's what makes me know that we have to keep going.
That and Obama thinks we should too.
He called.
That's what he said.
Then he had to go accept his award.

Playing catch up, part 1

2009-09-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

Okay so it's been a long time since I wrote...well in this blog...I started another one which was just for Winter's Tale and one day I will import it all in here. But I wanted to do a kind of comprehensive up to date musing on what's been happening.

So...we started touring Winter's Tale on Sept 1 and we end next Wed on Sept 30. It has been one heck of an enlightening, joyful and quick learning process.

Let's start with rehearsals or pick up with rehearsals. JJ and I learned pretty quickly how much *fun* it is to produce a show especially when things do not fall into place. Things like...rehearsal space which falls through and designers who decide they don't want to do it or having to make hard decisions on script cuts the last day.

But the great part is - we know we can handle it AND we were also reminded of what an amazing community we have in DC...need rehearsal space quick...BAM...done! ....need to find lab coats and other random props...BAM...found!....want space to perform for friends and family...BAM...they called us! Just like the magic of Emeril things appeared. Our job was just to not freak out - which I'll openly admit tears flowed more than once - and just put it out there what we needed. And you could not have asked for a better cast to work with. These guys have been amazing from beginning to (almost) end...but I have no doubts it will go fabulously over the next week.

Part 2 next...

Random rehearsal quotes

2009-08-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

Overheard in today's music rehearsal for Winter's Tale:

"This is going to be the best ever"

"They are going to hear this and say "WOW" that just happened"

"This sounds awesome!!"

"MARACAS! "

I forgot the Oh Boy Part!

2009-08-14T15:49:00.000-07:00

Yeah...I meant to also share the wonderful blessings this week:

1. Two weeks of rehearsal...almost down. Run through of the full show TOMORROW.

2. The actors are wonderful. Really. And I am not biased. Promise. I woud tell you.

3. We have almost filled our entire bookings calendar! Ahhh!

4. Including......a few public performances at the Bethesda Theatre! Just met with them today and they are wonderful people. I wanted to cry right there in their office. But I didn't - that might have freaked them out. And I do not want to freak nice people out.

Visit their site. See shows. http://www.bethesdatheatre.com/

5. AND we have found rehearsal space! The super duper nice folks at Source/Flashpoint have come through with last minute rehearsal space. With that I actually did burst into tears...which was fine because it was just me and my computer. And she doesn't tattle. And you should totally support them http://www.sourcedc.org/ as they are a huge supporter of a variety of arts organizations in the District.

We need more people like these two. I am incredibly grateful for them both.

And our lawyers - who I haven't even talked about yet. They started this whole weeping chain of events. We couldn't move forward, apply for more money....without them. They believe. Theya re awesome women.

So there are happy things too which make me feel like this:

Oh Boy! and Oy!

2009-08-14T14:51:00.000-07:00

From Becky.

We just about to close the second week of rehearsals and this week has been a roller coaster to say the least. I typed in the word CRAZY into the Google Image world just to see if I could find a picture to express the start of my week and interestingly enough these were among the top three:

The more I ponder, the more I think - wow! it does actually represent how I was feeling....a mixture between a goggles at the ready, stance set to jump when needed, foreigner to ways of running a company....coupled with a thumbs up, nothing possibly could go wrong now look in my eyes except that I might be lying to ya...finished off with a side of...seriously if anything else comes up I might just say ta ta to it all kinda charm.

Nice, huh? Needless to say, I started off the week hyperventalating... because it seemed the list of things needing to be done and worry about was growing.

Between my personal life - with my dear friends moving out and trying to find 4 new roommates to everything in the world that goes with trying to end and begin a new household.

My work life - We're just about to start a new season over at the J and well in case you haven't noticed people are being careful with money. Or at least they say they are...which really means that things like arts and fun are the first to go. So, the whole let's buy in advance rule is going out the window. So, we need to find new ways and grow patience beans that remind us...if you build it, they will come. Our season is pretty amazing - I would buy tickets in advance but luckily I don't have to since I have the inside track. But you should.

My school life -- Right. I graduated. But it's not over. I still have a GIGANTIC test to take which I said I would study for in August. It's August 14th...yeah, don't think that's happening. And I owe them a first aid class.

My other personal life -- involving trying to remember that we are more than a company and that there are times we need to have conversations that don't revolve around WS. That he's a good movie date. And that we have friends. We do, I remember you....I think about you. I miss them. And my family. My family. Surguries. Weddings. Babies. Work. Golf. Jets. Trips. Miss them too.

And finally but generally it's first so I won't feel bad ....Wandering Souls. I left RG a voicemail this week saying - Running a company is hard. And it is. It's fun, don't get me wrong. And I think we have a relatively easy company since most people don't object to what we do and want to help in fact. But there's a lot of things you can plan for. And you think you have covered it all and...oh, oh no...you didn't. Or you are finally on track and you pour a tall glass of wine...sit down to watch some Housewives of Atlanta (yeah, home!) and then you check your email (which you should probably never do when you're trying to relax or since you have done nothing but be on a computer - but I'm addicted. WHat???)

Anyway...you check the email and there's something you never thought of.

Life, huh? It's a doozy. I thought of something else...but my mom might read this. Hi mom!

So you, well I...do some sort of maniac dance of joy - if it's good - or I tear around like Animal from SS for a few minutes. And then you remember to take a deep breathe (my mantra these days) and realize that if you can keep your eyes on what you are trying to do and your belief that someone has your back....none of it matters and ALL will be well.

And you realize at least you got your heartrate up for a few minutes which is good since you keep promising yourself that you'll get back in shape.

And you pick the glass up. Take off the mute button and try to figure out just why these two classy (used so ginigerly) ladies are pulling each others hair on the street making Atl look bad. And you think - at least I am not them.

Show related - no confirmed rehearsal space for the last 2 weeks of scheduled rehearsal; the venues we're doing this for was slow on the uptake for booking shows; no public performance space;

We've started rehearsals...eeeek

2009-08-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that we've started.
I can't believe that I haven't written in a long time.
I can't believe how much time and energy it takes to start a company.
I can't believe how much I like working with my co-founder and how much I am learning...
I can't believe how right this feels.

So to catch the waiting blogosphere...our adoring public... up on goings ons...let me give a rundown of the last few months.

We stayed up all night to finish writing our first grant. Kinda felt like I was back in college and had a term paper due at 9 am. Finished late late late. Got up early early early to run it over to the DC gov office. We celebrated turning our first grant in. It felt good! Great! Amazing!

We then waited. Then waited some more. And more. And with each wait our belief that we would actually receive the grant fell. As the date passed when they were supposed to let the receipents know. And that was it.

About 2 weeks later I called in sick to work....I was sick. But then the doorbell rang.

Certified mail. No idea what it was.

I signed. I chatted with Mr Halls the mailman. I went back in.

I opened the mail and then scared my poor cat half to death....because the scream that came out of me was over the top to say the least. I screamed, danced, jumped around, cried, laughed....my sickness was healed!

We got the grant! And not just some portion. The ENTIRE amount we asked for! And they never, to our knowledge, had given this much to one company. I called JJ and screamed...then my mom...then my dad....

It was a good day. We're real. We have funds to pay our artists. We're real. We have to make it happen now. We're real.

Sigh...and this was supposed to be about rehearsals.

Next post. Maybe in a minute.

But first I can say that we are partially funded by the DC Commission of Arts and Humanities.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Wandering This Week 6.18.09

2009-06-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

From Becky:

Hi all! So we've been quiet on the blog but definitely busy behind the scenes. First I have to say how excited I am about the number of hands who have volunteered to help us out. We have filled some very vital roles with some awesome peeps and I look forward to being able to hand a few cares off. Of course, if you're wondering, we do have more things to hand over -- if you're interested :) Email me: becky@wanderingsouls.org

Beyond that here's what we're trying to do now:
JJ is desperately trying to find audition and rehearsal space. We need a spcae to hold auditions on Monday the 29th of June. And rehearsals are set to begin in August. (Evenings and weekends) If you know of any place that might work....email JJ jj@wanderingsouls.org.
We will follow up on any suggestions!

I am in the process of booking the tour. EEEEkkk.. This means I am gathering names and addresses and sending the unfinished offer of the product out into the world. It's thrilling and scary at the same time. But we'll see how responses are soon. If you know of any place please email me. (See above)

Also I am grant writing...something I don't know if I am doing right but I am applying all over the place. Taking that chance and jumping. Who knows.

Oh and I seem to be having lots of meetings...all very wonderful ones of people who want to help or work with us and it's kinda neat. But sometimes I will admit....I know I am supposed to be the one who should feel confident in it all and I try but inside I am thinking -- I don't know what I am doing. I am just trying here to figure it all out and not trip on the way.
So if I am meeting with you and read this....there's an inside tip to me.

Ah I also wanted to start sharing info on people who inspire me and the first is Ten Thousand Things Theatre http://www.tenthousandthings.org/. I have never seen them perform (but secretly I am dying to work with them!) but I have talked with the AD and I have read a lot about them and if our company had a big sister that we're looking up to it would be them. So check them out.

That's it from me. For now. Thank you.

JJ's Trip to England!

2009-06-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

On my recent trip to England I got to visit The Globe, the foundations of The Rose (where many of Marlowe’s plays and Shakespeare’s early work was first performed) and Stratford-upon-Avon! The trip has definitely re-inspired me with a tenacity for learning as much as I can about Shakespeare, and Theatre in general.

What an incredible feeling, standing in the room where Shakespeare (almost certainly) was born, took his first breath and let out his first cry! Or standing within the foundations of The Rose Theatre (built in 1587) and picturing the first performances of Christopher Marlowe’s Tambrulaine, Edward II and Doctor Faustus; and then picturing Will watching, taking notes, and being inspired to write his next play.

I had the chance to see quite a bit of southern England (London, Cambridge, Stratford, Saffron-Walden, and Wells-upon-sea), and I was most struck with the beauty of the countryside! It’s so incredibly picturesque; no wonder it’s the inspiration of great writers, scientists and philosophers. The architecture and bustling streets of London, the rolling hills of the countryside with fields of sheep and cattle and the majesty of huge Country Estates. Luckily, the weather during my trip was absolutely incredible: only one day was partially rainy.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my wonderful hosts, Mike & Renee Genetti. They took time out of their (already) busy schedules to drive me all over southern England, show me the sights, inspire me with their enthusiasm and insight for the places we visited and make sure I had everything I needed. We had a fantastic time catching up, telling stories about college and seeing the sights! As Bill once said, “Thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks… ” to Mike & Renee.

What can you do without sending money?

2009-06-09T10:07:00.000-07:00

A great number of people have written back or stopped me on the street to say that they totally love and support our mission but have no money.

And I want to say publicly what I wish I had included in the email....if you can donate money and/or loads of time that's a wonderful thing.....but if you can't do either, is it possible that you could do something like:

- Become a fan on Facebook
- Could you go one step further on Facebook and put a link in your status?
- Could you send an email to 10 friends just letting them know about us....and direct them to the website? http://www.wanderingsouls.org/
- Could you mention us over coffee?
- Would you come eat and drink with us on July 4th?
- Can you add us as a link on you Blog, Website, twitter, what have you?
- Can you join our mailing list (You can enter your email on the homepage)?
- Can you go one step further and forward our emails about the shows?
- Can you come see a public performance?
- Will you send us links of things you think we should know about?

Those are a few things I can think of that would be AMAZING!
You never know who you will connect us with just by doing one of those things....

luv and hugs - B

Changed servers so now it's really a blog...

2009-06-08T10:52:00.001-07:00

Now all I have to do is post!

So it's been almost a month (?) since we sent out our initial email letting the world know we exist and can I just say that the weeks that followed have been a whirlwind!

Outside of Wandering Souls for a minute...JJ, co-founder, moved to Baltimore for 2 months to do a show: Hamlet at Baltimore Shakespeare Festival and I have started rehearsals for my own: Bare Breasted Women Sword Fighting with dog and pony dc . So along with life in general we have been a little busier than usual.

Which bring me back to the hustle and bustle of Wandering Souls (henceforth WS) biz. It's a lot. I won't lie. I thought I had written out the ultimate list of "To-Do's" prior to the email...but since then there's more. One that I left out...um replying to the email responses....yeah, so that's taken a while. If you are one of those who had a delayed response - please accept my apologies.

Also trying to work out the donation thing. I mean they are coming in (THANK YOU!!) but what did I not do - right, set up a bank account. Ha! And there are some things that I need prior to doing that...so we're working on it.

But I also have to jump up and down and say -- OH WOW! the responses and the hands coming on board...it's amazing. I hoped for some but never in a million years the amount of support and good wishes that we have recieved. I also have to admit that there was a good week there where JJ and I would send each other updates with how many hits we had on the website. Sometimes by the hour. It was a little obsessive but I still feel like it's Christmas morning when I check in to see where we are at.

So keep the emails coming.

Thanks!