FX Make-Up Tutorial #horror #ghost #localhistory

Make-Up Designer, Michael Meyer, shows off his talents & teaches director, Lia Dugal, how to make 17 year old Madeleine look like an aged ghost. Watch Cemetery Sisters on October 31st!

Equinox 2021: A Beginning & An End

 

Who I Was, Who I Am

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sat quietly, agreed politely
I guess that I forgot I had a choice
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything

When I set out for this photo shoot earlier today, two black cro-ravens flew overhead, a symbol my ex-husband and I referred to ourselves as, 'a pair of ravens'.  It was ten years ago today that I walked down the aisle hoping for my fairy tale dream of wedded bliss only to have realized a nightmare beyond my comprehension.  As I ponder my life these last ten years, I realize the woman I have become would not be had it not been for each moment, even the moments of suffering, extreme despair, and, at times, fear for my very own safety.

So much has indeed changed for me, within and without.  The wedding dress which so easily fit ten years previous did not fit around the hip and waist area.  (Hence the need for the corset!) Oh, how time increases the gravity of our bodies!

But other more profound changes have become a reality deeper than that of the physical, ever changing as it is.   I look back and recall the girl I was on this day 2011, a fraction of a girl forced by many to remain infantile, in order to be under their sway and control.  Internally I was shaky, always looking beyond myself, seeking comfort and stability from external validation, never attaining and never comfortable within my own skin. 

How different the ten year span of time in me! Increasingly, I find myself more assured of my own worth without the fear of seemingly selfish.  As I push through the pain of removing that which holds the element of toxic, as if through birth pains pushing ever outward and away, I make room more and more for that of healthy, positive love within and without.  

As my favorite high school teacher, Fernando Nugent, so dutifully preached in me, "No Guy Is Worth It", I concur but add to that with finality, "I am worth it."

Ever increasing in strength, empowered by love of self and from others, I discover true joy and happiness, at peace at last, fulfilled in my ultimate and truest self, my potential.

So, on this day marks an ending, love spoiled by the abuse of another, his loss at last realized and my gain for the freedom I have acquired in every sense.  And, in that, a new beginning, as I truly spring into action, taking hold of my life's reins in my own power, fully alive, fully empowered. 

Roar

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter
Dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar

Michael Meyer: Persevering & Pursuing Art No Matter What

As long as he can remember, Michael has pursued his calling as an actor and found the ultimate joy in making others' laugh.  From a very early age, he discovered he could get positive attention, rather than negative scolding, through his performance antics and sense of humor.  Then, in 1996, something occurred that changed his perspective on life even further.  He had a near death experience through coming down with Meningitis, which caused him to fall into a coma.  When he awoke, he suffered damage to his short term memory.  During that time of the illness, he was cast in a play called "Table Manners" and had a great deal of line memorization.  Through the process of learning the lines and performing in the play, he re-developed the confidence in himself and came to a deeper realization that he was meant to pursue the art of theatre and film as an actor and director.

He believes that his work as an actor and as a director (which he views as an extension of his acting craft) is to portray the experiences in life that give audiences' the ability to reflect and explore aspects of their own identities and existences.

Michael looks back with fondness at a wide plethora of acting and directing opportunities he has had in his life.  First, he is most proud of his time as an instructor and director traveling with the Missoula Children's Theatre Group, calling it "the best gig he ever had".  He recalls how rewarding it was working with a different set of children each week, coaching them with their acting abilities and in a limited amount of time helping them to fulfill the goal of performing in a real play, and he hopes that this experience caused them to have life-long memories, as it did for him.  Next, he looks back with utmost affection for several plays and films he participated in, such as his role as Major Arnold in the play,"Taking Sides", his role as Tom in the play, "Light Sensitive",  and his role as Billy in the film, "Besetment".  He will always feel grateful for the experience working on "Besetment", seeing Billy as his favorite film role to date, being able to see a part of Oregon he had never yet viewed, finally feeling truly respected as an actor and artist, and making good memories that created life-long friendships.

He believes himself to be still in "film school" as a film director and views every opportunity on set as a learning process.  He extends a warm shout-out and personal thank you to his good friend, Ray Nomoto Robison for his mentorship.  Because of this, he is truly excited about the process of starting up Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc and is thoroughly enjoying the process, saying that it is not something he would ever imagined he would do and he is infinitely proud of Lia for founding it and for all her hard work.  The strengths he brings to Cafe-Girl are his years of experience working as a professional actor and as an artistic director for a local community theatre.  He says this knowledge gained gives him the ability to coach the rest of the organization without over-stepping his bounds or causing them to feel less than capable in their artistic endeavors.

Michael looks forward to the continuing unfolding of all that Cafe-Girl will bring forth in the world, through the focus on community, creating meaningful productions that increase the value of individual and society, and helping each other and others to thrive as artists.  He especially looks forward to not only all of the future productions and services of Cafe-Girl but one day producing an original work that he wrote with his first mentor, Nancy Jones, his high school speech and debate coach, bringing it forth into the world in her beloved memory.

For more information on Michael, check out his facebook page at: 

Michael Meyer

To find out more about our new audition video and headshot service,
view the commercial here:
Video Audition Commercial

For more on Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc:

www.cafegirlproductions.com

www.patreon.com/cafegirlproductions

The House At 1958 South Stage Road

On my way out to a show I am rehearsing for rests this old run-down house, history seeping out of its dilapidated boards, windows hanging off its hinges, the screen door swung permanently open.  For all of my life, houses of this nature have held extreme intrigue, as I think we all do, pondering who lived there, what their lives' were like, the children that grew up in the home, the laughter and voices of the past a mere echo off the walls. 

However, this time, I was unable to extinguish my curiosity and with time to spare, I pulled into the over-run with weeds driveway and parked.  I got out, cautiously, peering around for prying eyes, afraid the neighbors would come upon me with threats to leave this private property.  But, none such neighbor appeared as I gingerly made my way up to the front door.  Not only did I find the screen door open, but the front door itself stood wide open, cobwebs bridging the gap between the frame and the door.  I brushed them aside and cautiously stepped inside, the deep silence over-taking me with the realization that the history of a long-ago family was still somehow present.  I took a deep breath and held it a moment, feeling as if I was in a sort of cemetery, the death, loss, and burial of this home brought on a quiet reverence as I walked about the room.  I took in the beautiful yet faded and dirty green marble in the entry way leading to the winding stairway that led to the upstairs bedrooms.  A wall-papered wall was leaning against the frame of the house, a remnant of a 1950s style kitchen. Spiders had now become the family in residence after its human inhabitants had long since left.  I stood in front of a bay window in what once might have been the living room and stared outward, dreamily wondering who had sat there, what they had thought, what circumstances had been present in their lives at the time.  In another room, a beautiful ornate fireplace sat in the corner of the room, with garbage bags full of debris piled about, from workers preparing to clean up, re-model the place. 

I gingerly stepped up the stair-case and moved about the three bedrooms, the most intriguing being the room that still had child stickers plastered to the door.  They were probably unable to take that off when they moved out, I thought, recalling my own sticker I had placed atop the window of my room and still there to this day.  This was probably a child's room at one point as I walked through the open door.  The floor boards were sagging a bit on the adjacent covered porch, so I merely stood at the bedroom's window and peered out.  Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I caught a glimpse of a small boy, perhaps around 3 or 4 year old, standing on the porch, peering through the window.  I thought I saw the slight memory of the outline of his impish face in the window.  I shook my head and walked back downstairs and out the door to my car, heading to my final destination, rehearsal.

A few days later, I was taking a day trip with some friends and happened to past 1958 S. Stage Road. 

"Let's stop here," I said, pulling my car into the driveway yet again. 

"Wait, isn't it trespassing?" one friend commented.  I shook my head and laughed, reassuring him that everything would be okay.  They followed me up to the porch, my friend who had warned me brushing away the cobwebs from the door, before pushing it open and entering.  The three of us walked about. 

"Look bodies," one friend joked, pointing at the piles of black bags stacked near the fire place.  We both laughed, but all three of us still held the reverence for the history soaked within the walls and open frame of the house.  I alone journeyed upstairs again, but one friend stood part way up on the staircase as I pointed to the door with the stickers. 

"Huh," was all he would say. 

As I walked up the stairs, I saw the outline of white soft curtains blowing in the open adjacent window.  Weird, I thought, my eyes were playing tricks on me. 

But, as I continued to step upwards, the world around me began increasingly to change, almost swirling about in a dizzying Alice In Wonderland-esque feel.  Suddenly, I was caught up in the world of the house's past.  Carpets lined the floor, music from a radio trickled up from the living room below, a gentle hum of a dish-washer, the walls were in place of the empty frames.  And, the door with the stickers was closed, but a child's voice emanated from within, the presence of my friends' below had disappeared as I had fallen down into the rabbit hole into the past. 

Cautiously, I turned the knob on the door with the stickers and,

Click here

The very same boy who I had thought I had seen sat on the floor of his bedroom, playing with his toy cars.  He glanced up at me when I entered and his eyes were filled with horror, not at the sight of me but at another presence in the room.  His little self seemed to plead with me for some sort of far-away protection or change to his current existence.  I turned towards the adjacent corner of the room, where now a small bed was and sitting atop it was a very old lady, quietly and yet ominously because her very body held a foreboding sense, knitting.  She looked up at me sternly, her eyebrows knitting into a stern and it was if a growl emerged from within her small frame.  The little boy whimpered beside me, begging for assistance.

"Who do you think you are?" the old woman asked, not to me or the little boy, but as if addressing the room.  I was speechless, unable to move.  She slowly got up and came over to me.  Barely reaching my shoulders, yet her nearness made me tremble.  In a flash, she grabbed my arm with her bony fingers, cold and firm so I could not break away.

"This house was mine," came a whispered shriek.  I held as still as possible trying to still my shaking frame.  Suddenly, her eyes widened and it was if I saw a movie unfolding within them. 

A young bride approached the house, suddenly being swooped up by a handsome dashing soldier.  I realized this was the old lady before me.  They entered the house, the image like an old film, laughing and let the door close behind them.  Images of time flooding through her eyes, of a family of four children emerging, running about the house, dinner at the table, Christmas mornings, children leaving home, a wedding in the backyard beautiful in its arrayed finery.  Then, the sad day when the young bride watched her handsome, dashing soldier being pushed out on stretcher never to return.  

Then, the image turned to old woman's daughter and new husband moving their new family in, the old woman growled then,

"They tried to ostracize me from my own home, lock me away in an assisted living, more like prison. But I got the best of them.  One time I came for a visit, I was with their little son in his room, the room that was once mine and I knew this was my chance." 

She started backing towards me, the little boy cowering in the corner, whimpering.  I realized then what was about to happen and stepped between her and him.  

"But this time," she continued, "I will leave no survivors, no one to know of my guilt, my duty to my husband."  

She seemed to grow larger than as I fell to my knees, protecting the boy from her grasp with my body.  

"Please," I begged, the boy echoing me from some distant reality.  Her bony fingers clasped harder onto my arm and she pulled with an unbelievable strength onto the now stable covered porch, the boy trailing after me, his arms around my leg.  I fell to the ground, clinging the boy against my chest.  

"You won't get away from this," the woman explained with a snarl.  She reached for me to pull me towards an open window, but before I could hesitate, I pushed wildly with my feet, kicking her tiny frame.  Closing my eyes, I heard a violent scream, glass shattering, and the thud of the old woman's voice below.  The boy clung to me, both of us sobbing.  

Hours seemed to pass, or perhaps it was mere moments.  My friends found me, hovering in the corner, covered in spiders, sobbing.

"What the hell?" one asked.  I shook my head, wiped my tears with my sleeve, shakily got up and ran to the door, tossing my other friend the keys to my car. 

As we drove away, I saw the boy, now a young man, leaning against the frame of the front door.  He nodded at me, smiling his gratitude.

(Dedicated to one of the best teachers ever and finest ghost story-teller ever, Mr. J.  I hope I did his story-telling some justice!)

Comedy Divine!

Helen

I am the ballet dancer turned erotic dancer who now resides in Danny's Inferno XXX Girls XXX, or rather a level of hell, some might say.  I happen to rather enjoy my new digs, I have quite the following, have launched quite the metaphoric ship, I might add.  Those that come to see me "fly" are enthralled by me, nourished by my talents, are what keeps me truly alive and gives me a sense of purpose in this place I find myself, both physically and spiritually speaking.

Come find more about me and hear my story tonight at the reading of "A Divine Comedy: Like Dante's Only Funnier" written by David C. Hill

Corporal

On earth, I made my living in the sex-trade, mainly the world of BDSM.  But currently, I have taken up a higher position as Corporal in the un-ending war, with the attempt to dominate the enemy and rule all levels of Hell, Purgatory included.

Come find more about me and hear my story tonight at the reading of "A Divine Comedy: Like Dante's Only Funnier" written by David C. Hill

Holly Wouldof

My days are spent contemplating what I "would of", even could of been, if only, oh so many, if only.  At present, I work as an actress in film, doing anything to "make it", even here.  Maybe all this will pay off, maybe someday my ship will come in and I will be rescued.  Perhaps that Danny fella I just met might have some leads for me...

Come find more about me and hear my story tonight at the reading of "A Divine Comedy: Like Dante's Only Funnier" written by David C. Hill

Madison Avenue

Business is flourishing here in this level of Hell and its all due to my skills in marketing.  Without my expertise, the very economy and welfare (?) of this place would collapse.  I know how to sell anything, "ice to eskimos" as they say, and with my talents every businessman and woman will succeed.  But only with me, and not alone.

Come find more about me and hear my story tonight at the reading of "A Divine Comedy: Like Dante's Only Funnier" written by David C. Hill

Scrubs

I am a nurse here in purgatory, endlessly caring for those who hope to ascend to the next level yet who never quite make it.  Endlessly cleaning up all that's left of them, I hope that my actions will be perceived as altruistic so at least I can ascend, even if they never do.

Come find more about me and hear my story tonight at the reading of "A Divine Comedy: Like Dante's Only Funnier" written by David C. Hill

Guadalupe 

Behold, the Blessed Virgin I am!  I have come among you to dwell with the faithful and the servants.  I have come to shower my love and be showered love upon in return.  I have come to listen and to speak, if you would only here.  Or rather, I have come to enjoy the garden and, well, if I'm really truthful, the climate suits me too.

Come find more about me and hear my story tonight at the reading of "A Divine Comedy: Like Dante's Only Funnier" written by David C. Hill

https://www.facebook.com/events/706823539417957/

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=859546&ty=h

The Paschal Readings

Focus On Screenplays: Readings at Paschal Invite

Catatonia of The Fairies

by David Hill

I have always known myself to be called, Katie Spears, and that I am the 28 year old younger sister of Janet, the highly successful and beautiful older sister.  Because of this, I never felt as if I belonged in this family, in this world, always felt out of place somehow.  It wasn't until two years ago when I was "diagnosed" as they believe, that I finally discovered the truth about myself and that this feeling of not belonging had been the truth all along.  I discovered who I really am, where I am really from, and that brought such peace that I had yet never experienced.  But also this brought a sense of despair because I still remained in this world, this plane of existence, and had yet to reach fully my final destination and true home.  

Although the world labels me "mentally-ill", I, alone, know the truth about who I am.  I am the queen, the Queen Fairy, and my true identity is Catatonia.  This is the place I find myself in moments of meditative stillness; my ultimate escape and destination.  

Realizing all of this these past two years came when a presence I had long felt with me but never quite understood, who brought himself into fullness of my mind, that of Bumpass, my guardian angel, my higher self, and my King.  It is when no one else understands or sees or accepts, he truly knows and he who has promised to take me home, when the time is ready.

Catatonia of the Fairies is a screenplay written by David C. Hill and will be performed at the Paschal Readings on October 16th and 17th at 7 pm at the Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon.  The show also stars Mike Vest, Reece Bredl, Martha Thatcher, V. Simone Stewart, Robyn Fichter, and Michael Meyer.  Michael Meyer also directs.

Troubled By Joy

by Diane Nichols

I was invented by Mr. Ted Lawson, an engineer from United Robotronics.  He is most famous for inventing V.I.C.I, or Voice. Input. Child. Identicant, infamously known as Vicki, the robot he adopted as his own child, rather hid away this amazing invention in a closet in his house in the suburbs.  Vicki was an early and primitive version and thus Ted continued to fine-tune his invention through the years.  He eventually realized that hiding robots in his closets was not the smartest thing and also saw how beneficial this technology could be to the world, but mostly to his pocketbook. What the hell was he thinking all these years?  Thus, he began selling his creations, making a fortune, divored his wife of many years, left his family behind, and moved to the Hollywood hills where he dated a string of Playboy bunnies, only keeping Vicki for times when the bunnies couldn't be found.  His life ultimately ended in his Hollywood mansion, alone, with only the hollow, mechanized voices of his many robots, unsuccessfully stemming of the haunting cries of the many he had wronged and realizing the error of his ways.

Small Wonder

Meanwhile, the United Robotronics grew more and more successful, in fact it united the world over, creating the one-world government all the right-wing Christians and the conspiracy theorists warned about and obsessively worried over.  But enough about that!  Did I worry? Did I care? No, I'm a robot.  Not even sharing the factual information about my creator and his demise.  It is no trouble at all.

Troubled by Joy is a screenplay written by Diane Nichols and will be performed at the Paschal Readings on October 16th and 17th at 7 pm at the Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon.  The show also stars Reece Bredl, Mike Vest, and Robyn Fichter.  Michael Meyer directs.

Two On A Match

by Ray Robison

My name is Danielle Rodgers, the second wife of Michael Rodgers and the step mother of his son, Jimmy.  His first wife died in a car accident due to her excessive drinking brought upon by the depression over her son's ailing and potentially fatal illness.  After her death, Michael went into a tailspin, dedicating his life to finding a cure.  He dated various women, only to test to see if they were appropriate "matches" to save his son, if not, he'd break it off suddenly and without explanation.  Then, he met me.  When I failed to be a match, he attempted to break it off until he saw how dedicated and patient I was in caring for Jimmy.  

So, we got married.  We settled down to care for Jimmy together and to pray for a miracle.  I believed that Michael gave up his quest to save his son, but an offspring's life at risk will prompt some rather dangerous notions in a parent.  Michael was committed to his cause.

Two On A Match is a screenplay written by Ray Robison and will be performed at the Paschal Readings on October 16th and 17th at 7 pm at the Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon.  The show also stars Michael Meyer, Martha Thatcher, and Reece Bredl.  Michael Meyer also directs.

London Fog For Here

by Mig Windows

Hi, I'm Sam.  I'm somewhere in my twenties, if you're wondering.  I've always wanted to be a barista, until I became one.  Now, I realize its not all its cracked up to be, endlessly making coffee drinks for the faithfully addicted to the 'bean' can become a bit tiresome and make me wonder where my life is heading. 

Still, it has its perks.  For example, members of the opposite sex seem to find all baristas sexually appealing which results in good tipping.  However, there is one boy that I find rather appealing myself.  His name is Sam too, though perhaps not short for the same thing.  Mine is Samantha and his is Samuel, most likely, but who can tell, really these days.  He's cute in that slender like a breakable reed kind of way that makes you want to walk with him in a mighty windstorm just to see...only problem is, he's got a girlfriend or a love interest of some sort.  They come in together and I'm always trying to grab his attention away from her, always.  That's like my main mission in life now that I've successfully procured the barista gig.

London Fog For Here is a screenplay written by Mig Windows and will be performed at the Paschal Readings on October 16th and 17th at 7 pm at the Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon.  They show also stars Martha Thatcher, Reece Bredl, Robyn Fichter, and Mike Vest.  Michael Meyer directs.

Like us on Facebook: Readings At Paschal

We are the Alphas!

Alphas Theme Song

My boyfriend, Michael, recently got me into the TV show, Alphas, which I readily complied to do, as I continue my quest to become savvy in all things pop culture.

Alphas tells the story of 5 individuals with exceptional mental powers that makes them different than the general population and shows how they came to accept, control, and maintain these powers for the good of mankind.  With them for support both career-wise and therapeutically is their psychiatrist who runs the operation, as they seek to work as crime-fighters dealing with others of their kind out in the world who don't understand who they are or how to control their powers.

Watching it, I couldn't help find the comparison to a real life mental issues as well as struggles, those individuals, like myself, with documented and all too frequently undocumented mental illnesses.  Throughout my life, and those of my closest friends, we have struggled to understand why we are they we were, trying to fit into the mainstream society with the awkward and failed attempts to control our issues which all too soon resulted in 'the breakdown'.  But this breakdown, although hard and painful, became a blessing in disguise, as we learned gratefully that we are not alone and learned to appreciate our weaknesses and develop them as strengths for the betterment of the world.

One way we do this is by support and advocacy of those less fortunate than us, those in the throes of their illnesses, struggling to be set free as we have become.

A few years back, my friends and I gathered every Thursday around noon in a beautiful garden setting under leafing trees with sunlight spilling forth to discuss our lives, our struggles, and find healing.  Along the way, life-long friendships developed with the mutual life-purpose and understanding that we are, indeed, uniquely endowed with special gifts.

In that, I profess to you that my friends and I are truly...

The Alphas!

NAMI

Lessons I Learned From Helga

Day Two

When I first got the part of Helga Ten Dorp, as I tackled both the lines and the dialect, I also turned to a little research of the psychics who went before, from The Amazing Kreskin to none other than Sylvia Browne.  In addition, I set out on a discovery to develop my own spiritual skills and understandings through various spiritual books of different beliefs and practices.

First, I learned that psychics and the like are not necessarily demonic, as I had been taught to believe, and in fact, do believe in God and that their gifts come from the above aforementioned.  I also learned that even Sylvia Brown herself is not just out for money and fame, but has a real history with her psychic powers and a sense of contributing those for some good.  Although I did use a lot of my back story of Helga with the life of Ms. Browne using as a guide her balance of staying true to the authenticity of her gifts as sent from above and for the higher good as well as the old need to make a buck reality.

But ultimately, as I poured through these texts, learned to meditate, and learned new aspects of spiritual diversities, I discovered that spirituality happens along the way and is not merely just a mountain-top experience.  If one's eyes are open, and that of the spiritual eyes or even the third eye as some may call it, every little instance of one's day can reveal a fresh understanding of the great beyond, the mystery beyond our existence in this world.  As my boyfriend who newly acquired contacts jokingly referred to putting one in his third eye, I have found that is in a sense what we need to do daily, to keep ourselves alert to the messages from above that are always present.

From watching the TV show, Lost Girl, and realizing that at long last I have found my 'lost girl' to seeing that the notion of 'read & release' is truly an act of service (See: read a book and then pass it on) to the similarities of maintaining physical health to one's spiritual health, these and much more are those truths that continually reveal themselves to me daily, as I keep myself open to the world revealing itself before me.  With no need to push those views on others, but to trust in the Universe's path for all people and to boldly and brilliantly live my path for all to see.

Yes, its true then, spirituality happens along the way!

Deathtrap

Lessons I Learned From Helga

Day One

When I first took the role of Helga Ten Dorp in the play, Death Trap, I was more than a bit daunted.  It was to be my first comedic role, and as of yet, I have always had very serious dramatic parts.  Furthermore, was trained in college in dramatic pieces.  So, the thought of having to make something funny seemed a real challenge, at first.

However, what I learned is that acting, whatever the genre, stays true to the same basic concepts I was taught.  Still with comedy as in drama, there is the basic premise of 'being truthful in the imaginative circumstances' of the character's life, her basic needs and intentions, how she goes about obtaining those needs (ie what she is fighting for), as well as how she relates to others' around her in the story.  (See: substitutes.)

Furthermore, there is still the need, (at least for me, an actress who goes a little too method at times but not always) to meditate in preparation before entering the stage, visualizing the steps taken before entering the scene, also running through my head are the intentions I am seeking as I enter, as well as the relationships of the characters' I will face in conjunction with who they represent for me, Lia, in real life.

This may sound like a heck of a lot of work, but really its not...at least for me.  Just a means for me to quiet my mind before going on and dive into the depths of my creativity and that of the character.

All that to say, it's all there.  The same truths and steps that I take when taking on a dramatic character applies here to the comedic.  Once I've come to that place, the dialogue, actions, and reasons for it all fall into place naturally.

And, then there is that weird feeling of hearing the audience laugh when I am used to making them think deeply or even cry, at first, having an unnerving effect on my self esteem until I understood...They like me, they really really like me!

Heck, I guess I am naturally a funny person after all.

Deathtrap

Helga Predicts!

I am Helga Ten Dorp.  I am psychic.  And, this my story, of who I am & how I came to claim my powers of ESP.

I was raised in a small rural Holland town, the oldest of a family.  My father was the town dentist and in his spare time pursued his interests of science.  He outwardly professed that it was only science, logic, and reason that could explain the nature of the universe and down-played any form of spirituality.  My mother was a house-wife who had married young, at the tender age of 19.  Her mother, my grandmother, was psychic, and my mother fought to diminish and hide any part of that in her new life, even going so far as refusing to allow us to see her.  When she discovered, to her horror, that I had talent with "the sight", she punished me brutally any time I showed signs of it.  As a child, I didn't understand nor know what I was doing, I felt alone and misunderstood.  I finally started getting some answers and understanding of myself when my grandmother discovered that I had the "sight".  She started secretly helping me by explaining the true reason God had given me this gift, how to use it for the greatest good, and not ever for profit.

Due to my father's insistence, I enrolled in University and began studying psychology, but after only a few years of attending, I dropped out before graduating and married my first love after getting pregnant with my first daughter.  Unfortunately, my husband became weary of my powers which increased after the birth of our second child, a son, and of which I was no longer able to contain privately.

Alone now with two children, I had to find a way to make money and provide for my family.  So, I hung out a little sign and opened a little shop, doing what my grandmother strictly forbade me to do, to commercialize my gift as a product.  However through that business, I met my second husband who came to me to find out if his current wife was indeed being unfaithful to him.  She was, according to what I saw, and no, my feelings for him did not cloud my vision in anyway.  Honest!

After my ESP skills deepened with the birth of our daughter, my third child, my husband became more interested in my sight and encouraged me to branch out with my career.  He helped me get involved with the police force, where he worked as an officer, helping to solve crimes and murders.  As I gained more prestige, fame, and notoriety by working in this industry, he became increasingly jealous and eventually left me.

Alone again, I threw myself into my work in a very male-dominated environment.  I pulled all my femininity in and became more masculine in appearance, for work purposes only.  Five years into it, with much success, I meet my fourth husband, my truest love.  We marry, have a daughter, Emily, my favorite because I can see from early on that she has the sight, and I decide to move away from my career and settle down at last.

But, that is not to be so.  My darling husband, my truest love and soul-mate, dies in a car accident during a thunder and lightning storm, something I foresaw but hoped to prevent.

I close up my insides and fall into the workforce, losing sight of myself with the need to care for my four children, who have every advantage possible and who are encouraged freely to follow their dreams.

When my children finally come of age and move out, I look forward to retirement with hopes of finally giving up the rat race, returning to what the gift is truly for, the benefit of humankind.

But, then I find myself resting in a rural Connecticut city...

Come See What Happens Next!

Girlhood Crush!

A little about me:  My name is Jill Summerfield, I'm 29 years old, newly married, and has just achieved my dream of running my own law firm.  Its small but its just beginning, who knows what the future will bring?

My husband, David, is my childhood sweetheart (well, one of them) and the man who got me started thinking seriously about law as a career.  I remain still fairly close with my best friend from high school, Debbie, or as she likes to be called these days, Wind-Passer or no, wait, Wind-Dancer.  (I think that's right.)  We are as close as can be expected with the fact that she lives across the Pacific in Hawaii and I live and work in the beautiful San Francisco.  She works for money in a restaurant and paints, smokes, and who knows what else by night.  I believe she is very talented and just wish she would do more with her life...this is a source of major contention and disagreement between both of us as to what "more in life" really means, and basically, has been since we were teenagers!

When all is said and done, I feel as if Debbie is more a sister than a friend and her involvement in my life is without question.

Debbie and I bonded when we were girls together over our mutual love of music, especially The Beatles.  She patiently stood by while I gushed over the amazing John Lennon and, for that matter, still have the same adoring affections for the man to this day.  Although my obsession has tamed a bit since my youth, I still find myself pulling out my old records and listening to such favorites as "All You Need is Love", "Yesterday", and "Because" especially during moments of stress.

All You Need Is Love

Although the divorce and subsequent marriage of John Lennon to Yoko Ono was shocking, to say the least, I really admire and believe in their message of "Give Peace a Chance" and "Make Love, Not War".  I see these truths as vital to the change we need to make in the world, starting with ourselves first and then allowing that to move outwards.

And, then the shocking news came....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwPI_aalZ8Q

Jill Summerfield is a character from the play, "Loving John Lennon" written by Darlene Ensor which will be read at Paschal Winery on February 28th and March 1st at 7 pm.  The play is directed by Michael Meyer and stars Brittany Bosworth, McKenzie Baratta, Lia Dugal, Kristen Lorange, Diane Nichols, and Becky Durango.  The show includes musical guest, Chiron O'Keefe.  Ten Dollars admission fee at the door.

Loving John Lennon Event Invite

http://www.paschalwinery.com/

Lots of Gratitude on Thanksgiving 2014

As I sit here, sipping my coffee, just waking up, my mind tries to wrap itself around just how much I have to be thankful for...

I can't help letting my mind go back to two years previous, when I was married...life was overwhelming stressful at the time, and when the holiday came, I was home with a husband who slept the day away on the couch while I (ever one to try & make holidays majorly celebratory) attempted to cook the whole meal...

Days leading up to this, I had been going from work to rehearsal to home where I would be either yelled at for something I didn't do or given the silent treatment..And now, on Thanksgiving, the only other person in the room besides me slept on the couch, without offering to help...while in California, at my parents' house, a huge family gathering was taking place and I was more alone than I had ever been....

That feeling of loneliness & despair is something I am very grateful to not have any longer. Now, I have much to be thankful for:

1.) Michael, my life partner, boyfriend, best friend who 'gets me', makes me laugh, loves me, loves being around me, enjoys the same things as me, listens to me, appreciates me....I am really glad this isn't a fling!

2.) my cats, one of which snuggled with me this morning with my arm around him, and the other of which is snuggling down on my chest at present, making it rather difficult to type...however, for that I am thankful, if I didn't have it, well life would be a little less beautiful

3.) My family, both blood-related & extended

4.) My wonderful friends, so many to name, for the past friends who are still with me, thank you for being there & believing in me throughout all these crazy years, for the present friends, thank you for your presence in my life, you encourage me to grow & follow my heart & dreams in many ways daily, make me laugh a lot, & I look forward to many many years to come

5.) I am thankful that I am living the "real life", the life I had always dreamed of, hoped for, but never really thought existed....

6.) For my freedom in so many many ways....

7.) For my ever-growing spiritual growth, that deepens & guides me no matter how diligent I am

8.) That I am finally paying off long-standing debt & moving forward with financial freedom independence

9.) That I am finally able to focus on my true calling & "career path" and I foresee fruitfulness both financially & spiritually in this area in days to come

The Madness of The March Hare!!!!

In my prior life, I was a Butcher's wife in the slums of London in 1855.  After my husband passed, I was left with the business and our 6 little children.  With not a lot of money after the funeral expenses were paid off, I took to hunting down the local stray animals, and sometimes those pets of local families, and slaughtering them to sell.  The rich buyers of my goods always liked the best meats and finest delicacies of that fashion.  I made up names for these deceased pets or rather said they were of different animal origins...but I was being watched.  By a witch, who seeing my evil misdeeds and lying ways, punished me by magically whisking me away to this strange place I would come to know as Wonderland.

Upon arriving, my form changed from human into a sort of animal form, that of a Hare.  It was early March at the time, which prompted being called the "March Hare" by a local hatter, mad as he was, who happened to find me first, when I was wandering in the woods confused on my first day of arrival.  He took me under his guidance, or control, taught me the ways of Wonderland, shared his glue, and helped me along the path to madness.  Finally, all hope lost of ever returning to my former life and sense forgetting there ever was one, I set up house and home, building an abode whose resemblance looked uncannily liked my new physical form.  So, beautiful it was, both inside and out, that I, in my madness, decided it was too perfect to live in so set up my existence in the outside, with a lovely tea table laid out for myself and company, mainly the Mad Hatter.

One day on his walk to my house, he found a little Dormouse, stranded, soaking wet, and afraid.  He brought her to me and I took her in, sort of as a motherly role, although without any degree of affection but more out of duty or a remembrance of past child-raising.

Then, one fateful day while at a concert held in the Red Queen's honour, my madness in full swing, the Hatter made a grave error in angering Father Time while performing a song.  In punishment for this crime, he and I (for I was deemed accomplice) were whisked immediately and without any ability to protest to my tea-table for an eternal 6:00 tea time, never to move forward or even backward.

However, in my duranged mind, the sameness of life seems somehow comforting and I find peace, in some ways, with the routine, my mind doing its best to blank out the negative side-effects of my current life situation.  All seems to be going well with my life neatly arranged, always the same and what I can control until one day, one not so good day, when a little girl shows up...

Find out what happens and see more of my crazy adventures and those of my friends starting next Thursday, 11/20 at the Bellview Grange's Theatre Convivio's production of "Alice in Wonderland".

Alice In Wonderland Event Invite

Lewis Caroll's "Alice In Wonderland" is adapted by Evalyn Hansen.  It is directed by Richard Heller and stars McKenzie Baratta as Alice.  The show runs from November 20th through December 6th at Theatre Convivio in Ashland, Oregon.

Meet The Fish!

Hello there, Allow me to introduce myself; my name WAS Sir Edward Lightfoot, from the mystical land of Archelia, where I was the main Lord of the land, for a time, that is, until---

Anyway, the community was a small fishing village, where I made my wealth with the taxing of the townsfolk (perhaps a little too much, I do admit now, regretfully).  With this money, I had myself knighted, even though I never fought any battles.  I lived this life in a sense of pride and entitlement until one fateful day---

On that day, a mysterious, old, traveling woman came through town selling her wares of magic.  I wanting to have that magic for myself, but she, knowing I meant this for evil gain, spirited me away to Wonderland as punishment for my evil deeds.  Upon coming into that land, I was made personal footman to the Red Queen, something that would have caused great pride, if I hadn't been turned into a sort of half-man, half-fish creature as further punishment.

The frog-footman, a distant relative of mine from somewhere, is my counterpart in service to the Duchess.  I do not like him, as this stems from my past life with him in the land of Archelia, however I do not remember this life whatsoever.  I only know that I hate him still but thankfully feel myself superior to him because of who I serve in comparison with his mistress.

See more of my crazy adventures and those of my friends starting next Thursday, 11/20 at the Bellview Grange's Theatre Convivio's production of "Alice in Wonderland".

Alice In Wonderland Event Invite

Lewis Caroll's "Alice In Wonderland" is adapted by Evalyn Hansen.  It is directed by Richard Heller and stars McKenzie Baratta as Alice.  The show runs from November 20th through December 6th at Theatre Convivio in Ashland, Oregon.

Lorelei the Lory!

My name is Lorelei the Lory.  I am a little girl of about 9, although some may say I resemble a bird.

One day when my mother was on her way to town, she forbid me to leave the house whilst she was gone and not to go out to play with my friends.  After she had left, I grew quickly bored with my surroundings and my toys and thought nothing else but wanting to be outside playing with my friends.  Mischievous as my temperament is, I decided to once again "forget" my mother's orders and go out to the wide world to find my friends.

As karma would always have it, I got caught in some kind of a freak flash flood made by this ginormous little girl (who I had never seen before) with my friends.  When we finally found the shore, we were soaking wet and very cold.

My friend, Dory the Dodo, came up with this very fabulously fun new game called the "Caucus Race", which she promised us would help us dry off.  So, the race began with mass confusion and ended almost as soon as it had started and we were all dry and even better had all won!

All given prizes, strange as they were, were dutifully handed round by the very large little girl.  Once given out, we tasted the treats which I made me choke and almost die, having been saved by my best buddy, Eddy the Eaglet who patted my back.

All seemed well and it appeared as if the flood had been my only punishment until nosy Miss Marcie the Mouse accidentally told my mother all about our adventures that day.

See more of my crazy adventures and those of my friends starting next Thursday, 11/20 at the Bellview Grange's Theatre Convivio's production of "Alice in Wonderland".

Alice In Wonderland Event Invite

Lewis Caroll's "Alice In Wonderland" is adapted by Evalyn Hansen.  It is directed by Richard Heller and stars McKenzie Baratta as Alice.  The show runs from November 20th through December 6th at Theatre Convivio in Ashland, Oregon.

7 Days of Gratitude, Day Five

7 Days of Gratitude, Day Five

1.) for my home, its comfortable & safe, both of which are vastly important to me & for my well-being

2.) for the new show & the challenge it brings

3.) for Rogue Community College, it holds a good energy & a warm place in my heart

4.) for the breakdowns I've had, because I've gotten up again & been stronger for it

5.) for lies that were told to me because of them I found my truth

6.) for Robin Downward, for some reason, either way, its kind of funny

7.) for Chloe', Vanessa, & the new friends who rallied around me with love & so much laughter during this last year

8.) for Doniella, well, obviously

9.) for the fact that I don't have children (& won't ever), its so much easier to have a cat

10.) for people like my boyfriend, Michael, Chloe', & Koiwu, who make me laugh harder than anyone else

11.) for Paxil, because even though its causing some disturbances emotionally I am starting to feel better

12.) for Royce because he taught me to be "so happy its thursday"  & for the Doctor in all his regenerations

7 Days of Gratitude, Day Four

7 Days of Gratitude, Day Four

1.) oddly enough for my sleep-deprived, foggy brain for its an exercise in focus & endurance & because it came about as an example of my knowledge of self-care

2.) for the roofers banging on my roof, distracting & frustrating to me, they deserve some love~for their efforts & for the very fact that they are a cause of such annoyance without really meaning to (they are just doing their job) & I am sure I will be very thankful for their work done later on, especially during the rainy season

3.) for my friend, Ruth Wire, because she's epic & because at her glorious advanced age she is still trying to better herself as a person and an actor/writer

4.) for my very talented, self-directed boyfriend, Michael & for watching him film his final scenes last night.  It was epically beautiful.

5.) for the new friends I met through that experience the last few nights

6.) for black Virgin Marys & other inside jokes, with new friends, random people & old friends

7.) for Tinseltown because they show Doctor Who

8.) for how amazing it is that Doctor Who is a world-wide phenomenon & a cult-icon & for Stephen Moffat  because I personally think he is amazing & he needs some love & doesn't get it

9.) for writers because if we didn't have them the world wouldn't exist

10.) for auditions, which are the equivalent of job interviews for normal people (See: Muggles), but an extremely more gut-wrenching & emotionally charged

11.) for genuine people who say what they mean, mean what they say

12.) for good healthy partners of my friends who treat them how they should be treated

Awakening my Inner Bad-Girl: All About Babs

On the record of me at the local police station, it begins with:

Babs Babcock, 16, teenage runaway...

But that doesn't really explain much, does it? I mean, it really doesn't give any circumstantial details, like why I'm a 'runaway', or any of the other interesting facts about my life and why I am where I am today, the choices I have made.

To start with, my father was pretty much absent, basically took off from my mom's and my life when I was, like, 11.  My mother, well, she's a bag of tricks, is she ever.  An alcoholic, in her right, to beat out all other alcoholic, dead-beat parents ever.  Sometimes, if she's nice, she shares her drinks with me but that's only when the night is good, she's feeling fine, the gambling was successful, the guy forked over the money.  Because, you see, as we never have enough money, my mom finds other ways to keep the house and regular expenses afloat and even more so keep her expensive habits active.  Basically, her own brand of legal "prostitution" of herself.  No matter, I think she enjoys it, which is admirable and probably the one greatest lesson in life she has taught me.  Sex, no matter what the situation, can be enjoyable and, in the end, employable.  It can bring great gain, I tell you, she has shown me and I have seen from personal experience.

On a whim, because of this, I left home at 14, headed down to, what is affectionately called "Psycho Beach".  In order to survive, I have learned to hustle, myself and others, in an ongoing pursuit for survival and success, mainly using my body as a means of financial gain, as it were.  And, hey, I really do enjoy it.  Its 'nice work if you can get it', let me tell you.

I first met Roxy after I found myself homeless when a guy I shacked with randomly kicked me out, for reasons unknown to me.  The Steel Kahuna, they call him, and I was immediately enthralled and obsessed with him at first sight, so that power went to his head and he took me into his bed.  Our relationship had to be secret being that I was 14 and he was, well, older.  Perhaps, the fact that the police started snooping around our place had something to do with him just up and kicking me out.  No matter, I found Roxy.  Roxy taught me "the ways of the street".  For the first couple of years, I idolized and looked up to her, mimicked her in every way; clothes, hair, ways of talking.  But, recently I have been finding some form of confidence in my life-style choices and abilities and now I kind of sort of want to break away, branch off on my own.  Maybe, its because I found "Lips", my little minion, someone I can lord power over, at last, and boss around.  Lips isn't the smartest but she needs me, how else would she survive let alone have fun, so in that she is faithful.  In a sense, she is the sister I never had, and even, not sure I ever wanted.  But, there you have it.

I have known the rest of these Psycho Beach people since I was young, since middle school.  We all went to the same school, well until I dropped out.

Victoria is a girl I used to make do my home-work and copy off her in tests.  I think, at one point, she had a secret crush on me and in exchange for her helping me, I let her go down on me.  Once.  Only once.

Mary-lou is the popular girl in school and she and I used to be best friends in middle school.  We both had a mad crush on Ricky and even at one point Bip, wow, can't imagine why?  I started to have some trouble at home, hooked up with The Kahuna, and we just slipped apart.  I'm a little jealous of her because of Ricky, my dream-guy and well, actually, my biggest quest for life.  Also, he plays a huge part in my secret fantasies, you know, to dominate him and make him mine, all mine, ooh, yeah baby!

The Gerk is just this annoying local guy who thinks he's super hot and smart but isn't.  Awhile ago he tried to hook up with me, basically, he kissed me but it was all slobbery tongue so I never let him go any further.  I think he still wants me though, which has its benefits, I assure you.

So, that's my life, in a nutshell.  You'll have to stay-tuned for more details.  I do have a plan that when I die, I'm going to come back as a ghost, walk through walls, and basically scare the shit out of other people.

Babs Babcock is a character from an upcoming film written and directed by Dan McCloy, to be shot locally in Oregon.

https://www.facebook.com/beachblanketfrankenstein/info

Tansy's Trek

...Or How I Found Myself...

My name is Tansy Mae Winters.  I am 15 years old and I live in the swampy backwoods of the Louisiana Bayou with the shadowy figure of Jacques Devereaux.  He has some secret past that he is hiding from, I pay no mind to this, after all don't we all have something to hide? He gives me place to live while I help run errands for him.

One day while exploring and playing in the Bayou with my bird, Marigold, I come across some outsiders.  At first, I am instantly fearful of being discovered, made fun of, or worse, rescued and put into a foster home.   I like my life the way it is because it is my choice to live this way, and with my past history of abuse, I'd rather make my own way.  (Ultimately, I'm afraid of change and being hurt, but aren't we all?)

But then I see Jason and have a Miranda experience, a la The Tempest, "O Brave New World that have such creatures in it'---

In fact, in a very real way, I am a mixture of Miranda and Caliban.  In a sense, most of the other characters see me as the latter but to Jason I am Miranda and that is all that matters.  To be fully seen as beautiful and special is what changes me and helps me to accept the person I am inside and meant to become.  Even, in a sense, my relationship with Jacques, albeit abusive at times, is a lot like that of Prospero and Miranda.

The other people that come into the Bayou for the trek and that I meet later on are Beau Douville, Karen Moore, Tina McCourt, and Bobby Robiere.  At first, I am scared of each of them, especially Tina because I am sure she will make fun of me.  Beau and Karen may decide they have this "pressing need" to rescue me, so that makes me weary.  Of all of them, Bobby seems the most benign and thus the most trustworthy.

Through the meeting of each of these people, I discover my equality with others and even though I appear different I can still be one of them, am like them, and can help them 'save the day'.  In the end, I find my own personal power and pursue my destiny.

After the trek comes to a close, not only do I stay together with Jason but Tina and I become friends and she helps me to fit better with society and I help her become more comfortable with her true self, not worried about the opinions or judgments of others.  For example, she helps me learn about hair-care and other beautifying tips and I open her eyes to a world outside herself, a world more focused on the spiritual not the temporal.

Even though Jason and I stay in the Bayou, like he says, we still spend a lot of time in the town.  We both enroll in the local high school and get part time jobs.  He starts working at a garage where he learns about the trade of being a mechanic.  I get a job at a drugstore and soda pop shop.  In addition, I get a tutor to help bring myself up to grade level.

We stay in touch with Bobby, who with Beau's help, finally gets to be on the football and track team.  Tina becomes my pen-pal and after graduation when I receive a full scholarship to NYU, the two of us become room-mates.

At NYU, I study literature and English and hope to become a writer.  My first novel is about my experiences living in the Bayou, with an absent mother, and life with the infamous Jacques Devereau. Later on, I attend graduate school and receive my Ph'D in English literature.

Jason and I initially break up when I leave for college but years later while in my first year as a professor, we reunite, fall back in love, and marry.  We now have one son and another on the way.

Trek of the Catahoola Kids is a radio play written and produced by Ruth Wire.  It is currently in production but will aired later this year on a local Jackson County radio station.  It is co-directed by Jonathan Pratt and Michael Meyer, with Joshua Hendrickson as assistant director.  The play also stars Michael Meyer as Jacques Devereau, Christopher Horton as Beau Douville, Ceara Hays as Karen Moore, Tim Kee as Jason Meredith, Krystal Brewer as Tina McCourt, Jesse Lawson as Bobby Robiere, Catherine Hansen as both Mrs. Meredith and Mrs. McCourt, and Joshua Hendrickson as Mr. Robiere and my bird, Marigold.

Happy Valentine's Day to my Sweetheart!

Here it is, our very first Valentine's Day together!  Many more to come, as I plan on never letting you go, ever, ever, ever! I've been waiting 35 years for someone to treat me the way I deserve, not as subservient but with respect and devotion of soul and heart, as an equal.  I have been waiting since I started dating at the tender age of 15 to find a lover that is also a friend.  A friend that loves me for me, gets me like no one else has, and believes in me and my dreams!  For this reason, I'm not letting go...as long as you want me around, which I hope is forever!  Aw, mush!

With you, I have the kind of love that brings peace and true acceptance.  Last night, in bed, falling asleep in your arms, I decided to stop questioning how and why but merely just accept completely our love for what it is.  I have never known real happiness and satisfaction in love until you came along...I had no idea in past relationships, where I was "just settling for less than greatness" that there was a "Michael Meyer" out there waiting for me, as you never imagined a person like "Lia Dugal".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05qcA4KPI0k

Even though, we may not see eye to eye on all issues, or our beliefs may differ slightly, you are helping me to remember the true purpose of life is love, not just others, but, more importantly, myself.   In loving myself first, I have found I can truly be more of an asset to you and your own understanding of self.  As scary as it is at times, it is so refreshing to be with someone with whom I can be completely open and honest.  Thank you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydfH7iuLR0I

Once again, thank you for the day I walked into the Randall Theatre, the Wild Goose, the radio station was the day you walked into my heart and helped me truly to 'begin again'.  To find healing and truly find myself and continue all in that I was meant to be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOw4EfQK72o

As I walk my life with you now, my understanding of the spiritual and the divine expands and yet returns to what it was before the "mental corruption".  This morning I was refreshed reading a new spiritual text that expanded on an old truth, a refreshing look at the story of Esther, a Jewish princess.
She was described as a "little spring which became a river" and that brought "light and sun and water in abundance".  Through my time with you, you are helping me to become that river bringing light, love, and blessings to the world.  Thank you!

It is true, then, love changes everything. For us both!

Michael & I with our beloved friend & castmember, David Gabriel

I love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, your Duchess I'll be!   I sincerely hope you know that you can turn to me and trust me with every part of yourself, allow me to hold you when life is hard and you want to cry.  Please let me be the woman whose arms you fall into...forever!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33bqRoMUBWE&feature=youtu.be