Duck Town - The First Draft is Complete

Sorry, little blog... I know I've been gone away for so long, but I haven't forgotten you. I've just been incredibly busy this semester, which is a good thing.

About a month and a half ago, my agent told me how much she liked the first chapter of Duck Town, and that she's anxious to show it to people, so that lit a fire under my you-know-what. Ever since then I've been penciling away... and last week I penciled in the words THE END.

But there's still tons of work ahead of me. I've got to ink three chapters, and I still need to scan and edit about seven chapters. Not to mention touch-up work. So, on the one hand, I'm very happy with my progress, but on the other hand, I'm frustrated that I can't work faster (and that I've got a full time career -- can't forget about that!)

Good things have been happening in the theater world too... Bullshot Crummond had a successful run. The Bullshot crew has met a couple times to try to develop our next project. Cheri did an excellent job (of course) directing CSI: Wonderland. It's approaching its third week of performances. (I'm running sound, Mack did the lights, and Emily filled in as lighting tech more than a couple times -- not to mention filled in on Happy Days the Musical). Cheri's now working on Hello Dolly!, I am the co-chair on John Lucewich's children theater production of his original "Impossible Adventures," and it looks like next season Cheri and I might be directing "Around the World in 80 Days" -- that's a big maybe; I'll let you know when it's official.

I've got about 40 days left of school... and during the summer break, I have no idea what my next project will be... But I already miss being in Duck Town. I might just stay there.

Having a Blast with "Bullshot Crummond"

We're in the middle of the second weekend of the Canyon Theatre Guild production of Bullshot Crummond, and we are having way too much fun on this show!

This is one many scenes in which we try (and fail) to not crack up. Chris Flowers is an excellent choice for the debonair yet idiotic leading man. Tyler Joy always lives up to her joyful namesake, and has truly blossomed as a leading lady. And then there's me, the supposed master of disguise, taking on eight or nine roles -- I lose count.

Of course, there's the villains too... I'll post a photo of Barry andSanya very soon -- but right now I'm off to run some errands and then do another show!

Happy February! (2016)

Hello, Internet People!

School and rehearsal have kept me busy. I'm going to do my best to keep on blogging, and perhaps more importantly, to take more photos of my daily life, especially with my family. That was one of my most important New Year Resolutions.

So, with that in mind, here's a photograph from Monday -- our very first rehearsal of CSI; Wonderland. 

As you can see, it's our table read session. You can see Cheri and her ponytail. She's directing -- which means I get to relax as a regional playwright and executive consultant!

So Much Business! (So Little Naps)

I have been wanting to sleep for about five days straight. Sure, I sleep about four hours each night, but it's not enough!

The last couple of weeks have been a constant flow of waking up, working at Moorpark, driving back and forth, eating some lunch, walking the dogs with Cheri, and then going to the Theatre.

Bullshot Crummond opens tomorrow. We didn't have an actual dress rehearsal because the set changes are slow and technical problems arose... Tonight we will hopefully fix all the technical troubles.

In other theater news: Cheri held auditions (with assistant director Keri and humble playwright me by her side).

The Yagotta List

First day of spring semester. It's off to a good start. In fact, I didn't make my traditional mistake during class. Almost every first class starts with some sort of goof -- and to my knowledge that did not happen. 

On Mondays and Wednesdays, I'll be teaching a 10am class... And that's it until the late start class begins in March. 

When I teach English 1B I have my students do an ice breaker activity. I call it the Yagotta List. 

It's a list of things "you got to" experience, more specifcally a list of things that you love, that you don't feel has gotten enough exposure, and you want other people to experience and celebrate it.

Here are the categories:

Yagotta Watch:

Yagotta Read:

Yagotta Hear: 

And Yagotta Visit:

I encourage students to choose subjects that are on the more obscure side. It's pointless for me to answer with Star Wars or the Beatles, since those are already incredibly popular. 

However, I might say... 

Yagotta Watch a film from the 1980s called Birdy, directed by Alan Parker -- nobody talks about it in critical circles today, but for me it was groundbreaking, weird and beautiful, haunting and sometimes even hilarious. 

Yagotta Read a book called The River Why, it's about a young fly fisherman who longs to be by himself, doing nothing but fishing in solitude... And then something terrible happens, his wish is granted. Be careful what you fish for. 

Yagotta Hear a podcast called Welcome to Nightvale.... This is incredibly popular in podcast circles, and probably doesn't need any help. Yet, since there are many people unfamiliar with this strange new genre of storytelling, it seems like I could use the Yagotta list to continue to get the word out. 

Yagotta Visit a place in England called the Chatsworth House... It's the world of Pride and Prejudice come to life. We went there back in 2008, and we went into a frickin' hedge maze for the first time in our lives -- and we survived! 

So, what's on your Yagotta List?

Y

Getting Ready for Spring 2016

The semester begins tomorrow. Spring 2016. The only thing standing in the way of my summer vacation!

Seriously, though, I'm looking forward to this semester. I've got one English 1B (Intro to Literature class) with at least ten return students. That means they liked my freshman composition class enough that they've come back for more!

I'm also teaching two 1A courses -- and one late start course (Eng M02). So, my semester is a bit lighter than the Fall schedule.

Today, I've been getting mentally prepared by making a list of things to do in my iPad "To Do App" -- it's practically the only app I still use on a regular basis, besides Boggle.

Hopefully, I'll get a good night's sleep (despite this residue ache from my root canal operation) and be ready to present my best teacherly self to a new batch of college students.

Coming Soon to Santa Clarita Valley!

Look what arrived today!