Meet Laura Sullivan

For the first twelve years of my life, I was raised, on and off, by my mother, Penny.  She was an alcoholic, I can admit now, although then I tried desperately to cover for her, to make her drinking not such a big deal, at least for me not so much for her.  I wanted to hold onto some kernel of belief that my childhood was happy, healthy, normal, in some way, albeit only fantasy.  For so many reasons, I was older than my age for at twelve years I had already seen and been exposed to so much.

Eventually, it became too hard to pretend.  We bounced from place to place, sometimes staying for a few days and sometimes longer.  She had many different boyfriends during those times, sometimes even girlfriends, but the most permanent fixture in our lives (if you can call anything in my childhood "permanent") was life with Leon, the worst of all.  I never felt particularly safe with him, for myself or mostly for my mother's sake.  For years, I watched, in terror, while he hit and physically abused her, yet always she went back to him.  She took most of the blows from him, on both of our behalf, so, I guess, that's one way she showed her motherly affection and duty.  Although with no lock on the bathroom door, I never truly felt secure while taking a shower, because Leon could come in whenever he wanted.  My mother tried to assure me he wasn't interested in my childish body, yet I was never convinced.

The one bright spot in those years of my life was the few weeks I spent with Captain Royal.  I hoped, during that time, that he would become my dad and a good match for my mom.  However, our paths seem destined to not be chosen for us.  My mom bounced back and forth between Leon's place and Royal's house, finally getting herself arrested on association with Leon's drug dealing habits.  It was then that she gave up custody and all rights to her parentage.  Thus, I became a ward of the state and was taken away from Royal, who was restricted from seeing me based on false allegations due to my shaky testimony during the trial.

I went to live in foster care with a family in the country, on a big farm with lots of children, chickens, and other livestock.  I grew to love and appreciate them, but at first felt isolated, alone, and trapped.  I never forgot Royal or the times I spent in his presence.  Those times were my first glimpse at the reality of hope and love.

I often wondered, as I grew up, why my mother was as she was, did what she did, and just couldn't stop drinking--but years later when we finally reunited, she explained to me why, how she drank to hide from the pain, to fill the aching void in her heart, the need for love.  In turn, this helped me understand my own addiction of co-dependency and need for love.

I have since married a wonderful man, Jorge, and together we have a beautiful daughter.  We have just opened a seafood restaurant together, our long-term dream.

Before her death, I found peace at last with my mother and even some form of mother-daughter relationship.  I have also reunited with Captain Royal, the only real father figure with whom I ever truly connected.

Come hear more of my store this Monday, October 27 at 6:30 pm at the Ashland Public Library in the Gresham Room.

https://www.facebook.com/events/960142974002564/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Grace to a Fish

Hi, I'm Grace Woods.  I have lived on the earth 12 years old but at present I am well beyond that in years of maturity and understanding of life, both good and evil.  My mother named me Grace and she always said she is proud she did because I represent, in so many ways (even more so at present), the true definition of that word.

Here is how my story unfolds:

I am the youngest daughter of my parents, with one older brother who is 16.  I had a simple, care-free life, until recently, always having a great love for animals of all kind and also, in a way, the underdog.  I wanted to be a veterinarian when I grew up.  This is what led me to the man who came to our door looking for some yard work help.  The man's name was Albert Fish.  Because of the need I saw in this poor man, I convinced my mother to let me go with him.

On the way to his house, I was very excited and Albert seemed like such a warm, friendly fellow.  I was happy to know I was going to help him and knew in my heart I would try my best at that.  Along the way, he told me about the local plant-life and about the history of the area.  I, in turn, told him about my favorite movie stars, favorite music, and what I wanted to be when I grew up.

What happened when I got there was not what I had expected or wanted.  But, in the end, I think I accomplished my goal of helping him, even though it was not as I had planned.

See what happens tonight at the Playwright's Atelier at the Ashland Library at 6:30 pm.

Fish & Grace is based on a true story adapted into play form by an up and coming playright, Joshua Hendrickson.  The show also stars my good friend, Will Churchill, as Albert Fish.

The Call of The "Sirens"

Hi! My name is Lissa Adams, 20 years old.  I am a creative writing major at Southern Oregon University.  I recently completed a course of free-writing on addiction and recovery.  The teacher asked us to free-write based on some people we met that suffered through some form of addiction.  I found it interesting to write based on the perspective of my sister's best friend, Emily Jones, who suffered and overcame a gambling addiction.  Emily is 36 now but she was in her late twenties when her addiction began.

Here is her story:

I am Emily Jones and I am a compulsive gambler.  I got into gambling, on accident, as a drug to hide my insecurities and to have some form of power over my low self worth and image...but as I got more and more addicted, I lost control over my power to rule over it.

Once I admitted that I had a problem and began getting help, years of past trauma which caused the insecurities, as well as past pain, began to heal and dissipate.  I began to be and feel whole and complete.  I now feel comfortable with myself and honest with my addictions and weaknesses.  I now no how to fight it and how to remain healthy.

I realize that I didn't need to try and control what I couldn't because really there is no control or power...and in that at last I have peace.

Hi, its Lissa again!  Find out the rest of Emily's story and more about my class tonight at the Playwright's Atelier at the Ashland Library beginning at 6:30.

The Sirens' Tears is written by local playwright, Lyda Woods and includes other performers such as Maria Ciamaichelo and Lyda Woods.

Fighting for our "HOMS"

Hello! My name is Rasha and I am 16 years old living in Syria during a time of political unrest.  Because of family loss, I have become quite active of bringing justice and freedom to my country and my people, but especially bringing vengeance for my loved ones.

I am the youngest child with two older half brothers, but even though only 16 years of life, I feel very ancient from all the strife and suffering I have seen.  My eldest brother, Abbi, lives with his wife, Ummi, and their son, Tahu.  My second brother, Yousef, lives with me and our mutual mother.  Both of our fathers have been killed.  Because of this, Yousef is the man of the house and takes this role seriously, in his political activity he fights for our protection and freedom first and foremost.  However, in recent unrest, my mother was recently killed.

I am educated although unfortunately haven't been able to attend school for awhile due to the unsafety of current situations.  I try to stay abreast of my education in private quarters though.

Just yesterday, Yousef and I marched on the capital because of some arrests done of local school children, who were then abused.  Because of this, both he and I were arrested.  I was badly beaten and forced to look at other victims imprisoned.  I was released but told to protest no longer.  I immediately sought safety at my other brother's house, but I do not know the whereabouts of Yousef.

My own ambition at present is to ensure the safety of my brother, Yousef and the rest of my family.  My country's freedom is the last reason for continuing the fight.

Find out what happens to me tonight at the reading of this play, HOMS by local Ashland playwright, Joseph Suste at Playwrights' Atelier at the Ashland Library, beginning at 6:30 pm.

Other performers include Will Churchill, Maria Ciamaichelo, and Lyda Woods.

Hande & Foote!

My name is Miss Hande.  I have been hired by Miss Nina as a personal maid-servant.  I am a young 22 year old without too much knowledge of the world.


I am nubile and very fertile, which has resulted in two previous self-imposed abortions.  I suspect I am pregnant again this time by Foote, the manservant of Miss Nina.


Men are naturally drawn to my gregarious nature and infectious flirtatious charm.


To see how my life unfolds, come see Ashland Contemporary Theatre's spring production of Durang Shorts, several plays by the famous playwright, Christopher Durang.  This character is from the short play, Nina in the Morning, starring Judith Rosen.  Other characters are played by David De Moss and Archie Koenig.  The show is directed by Evalyn Hansen.

The Other Side...of Acting!

Acting, for me, is the best form of therapy.  At times, the most painful yet in the end the most healing to free myself from the past.

In every character, I can find an element of my true self, albeit comedic or tragic, but every now and again, there is a character given to me by more than the director or the writer but, indeed, by the hands of the divine that is in her essence so much of me that she and I become one.  In that way, I lose myself as I bring her to life--her worries, struggles, pains and, yes, hopes and dreams become fused with mine. It was this way with Edna Miles and it is this way with Elizabeth, a character from the short play, The Other Side, written by Bob Valine, which is part of this weekend's readings at Paschal Winery.

I always am humbled when, if ever, I have the chance to meet the writers and always hope that in bringing to life their beloved creations, their characters, their babies, I can do their work justice.  Even though I love all of the work given to me this weekend, it is Valine's Elizabeth that I am most grateful for and that poses the biggest challenge.  It is for this reason some days have passed before writing this.

In this play, Elizabeth has lost her husband, David, in a tragic accident and is trying, failingly to put it behind her.  Similarily, I lost my own beloved first love due to divorce, a death in its own way, even though the right thing to do.

Elizabeth suspects foul play in that David was unfaithful with a "bikini" and I, too, know that feeling in that my ex's "other woman" was, in a sense, his illness.  Like Elizabeth, I try to hold in and deal the best I can with the conflicting emotions of love and hatred for the man I swore to love for all time yet can never be with again; my first love at first sight soul-mate.

Yet there are moments when I wish I could have with him, one last chance, to tell my Billiam that I love him still and for always and that a part of me misses him and will never ever forget...

I am truly thankful to Bob for writing this script and birthing Elizabeth, to Michael for giving me to her to portray, and even my Theatre-Mama, Becky, for sharing this stage with me.

To find out what happens, see you this Saturday, February 15th and Sunday, February 16th at Paschal Winery for the Paschal Readings.  Doors open at 7 pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/703614122993149/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

http://www.paschalwinery.com/

Bob Valine is a local Southern Oregon playwright.

Passion...

My old college class-mate, Peter, is having trouble in his marriage so he conjures up an image of me from my younger days, as a fantasy.  I am all too happy to comply and this is why...

In reality, I am Juno, as I said a former class-mate of Peter's from college.  Unbeknownest to me, back then he had a wee bit of a crush on me but due to the insecurities of the twenties never acted on it...to his shame, I would have quickly and swiftly complied.  I was a geek, what men thought of as a 'hot geek', although I had no idea of the hot part, so there never seemed to be a lot action in a certain department, if you know what I mean.  I spent many a Saturday night in college in my dorm room, alone with bon-bons, the tv, and my anatomy book.  (I studied nursing.)

I met my husband, Biff, in graduate school.  He worked in a factory in town and would hang out at the local tavern down the street from the university.  I thought it was quaint and a study on psychology, a course I was taking at the time.  He was blue collar, which fascinated me in a thrilling yet repulsive sort of way, to be smarter and more powerful than my mate was a new thing.  I thought it would always be that way; I would be the one with the high powered career...

In reality, I am now in my early 40's , kind of frumpy but trying to get back in shape (always).  I gave up nursing when I got pregnant and started focusing on raising my children.  I settled, is what I think.

My husband is now overweight, comes home from work, takes off his boots, and sits in front of the boob tube every night with a beer, falls asleep that way.  Maybe once a week we have sex.

In the late evenings, I sit on the back porch, longing for the old days, smoking cigarettes and drinking scotch straight from the bottle (in secret)---

Imagining myself in my former hot "geeky" body...

When I suddenly became the subject of a man's fantasy, if only in the psychic abilities of imagination...

See what happens next Saturday, February 15th and Sunday, February 16th at Paschal Winery in Talent, Oregon.  Doors open at 6:30.

https://www.facebook.com/events/703614122993149/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Juno is a character based on a character from the play, Passion Play, by Catherine Noah.  Catherine Noah is a local Southern Oregon playwright.

http://www.paschalwinery.com/Winery.html

Only In My Dreams...

Hi! My name is Judy Bishop and I am 22 years old and a student at Southern Oregon University.  I want to tell you about some crazy dreams I have been having...but first, a little about me.

First, I study psychology at SOU, live right down the street from the college on Garfield St. in the lovely Chief Tyee (translation: Chief-Chief, really, I'm serious!).  I live with this lovely roomie, Vhlanoe, a Russian exchange student studying theatre.  One day, a small kitten followed her home and now we are stuck with "Tansy", based on a character she played.  Tansy is interesting, to say the least.

I am originally from Berkeley, CA.  I sort of have a large family, two younger brothers and my mom and dad and our dog, Riff-Raff.  My little sister, who passed when I was 13 (she was 9) named his predecessor and we have just been renaming dogs subsequent to him, this is like the third version.  I guess, its in her honor or something.  Crazy thing is, she visits me in my dreams...in fact, this is the very reason I decided to study psychology as a major, a science I wanted to discover in how far the human brain reaches--Before the first Riff-Raff, we had a dog growing up named Beau, a golden retriever.  He used to sleep in my bed at night, until my mom found out and locked him in the laundry room.  He and I had a soul connection and he visits me in my dreams as well.

When I was 15, I had this boyfriend, Jack.  He as 18 and he almost raped him but I got away because my little brother, Steve, walked in on us.  Thank God!  Since then, I just have stopped believing in anything called "love" and just have "casual sex" with ANYONE available.  Yes, chicks too.

Sometimes though I have this sinking feeling of emptiness, a deep yearning for something more than just sex..a deep soul connection across distance, time, and space.  You know, a true love that lasts.  I, kind of sort of, hope he's out there, maybe I should just be patient...

On that note, I've been having these recurring dreams about this guy I hook up with in New York City, in Central Park.  I mean, really hook-up.  I didn't think it was too odd until I was scanning through my friend, Joey's friend list on facebook and came across this kid, Bob, who lives in Berkeley who looked strangely like the kid in the dream.  Funny he looked somehow familiar, like I might have seem him at the grocery store back home when I was a kid.  So maybe that's where he came from, just a recycled memory or scattered thought I had once upon a time, as the books say dreams are.

However, it was spooky when he told me his name was Bob and even spookier when, just as a whim in the dream, I asked for his phone number.  And when I called it...

Well, you will just have to see what happens, this Sunday evening, February 2nd at 6:30 at Barnstormers' Theatre in Grants Pass, Oregon.

http://barnstormersgp.org/