sometimes there's job so quickly
in which we get excited for the Brooklyn Americana Fest 9/24 and a couple of other projects taking shape on the horizon...
Hey Hartlist,
Remember that whole thing about “give me leave to do my utmost”? from a few newsletters back? My frustrated artist’s plea to just let me do all the things?
JUST THE FACTS
Saturday, 9/24, *6:00PM* @Brooklyn Americana Festival, Dumbo Archway
Sunday 9/25, 4:00PM EST, ‘The Chrysalis’ Livestream #65 (YouTube etc) February 2023 concert reading of Iron John: an american ghost story
courtesy of the Irish Arts Center
May 2023 - presentation of original solo show (!) courtesy of The Cell Theatre Developmental Residency
… Stay tuned. Or, read on.
FROM THE CHRYSALIS
So I wrote the title of this newsletter and then wanted to launch into a series of clarifying disclaimers about whether or not a residency is a JOB-job per se, and how I’m auditioning, and how the festival gig is a free show, and what a fun paragraph for you.
Instead, I will do something more appropriate, like stand on my head. Or run around the block while making whooping noises. Or jump up and down at my desk. Or, more likely, silently high-five myself at my desk (because at my Very Quiet community writers’ space the floor shakes if you walk on it too heavily and there’s actually a sign on the door asking that you not do that.)
But I will celebrate, because I AM WRITING AGAIN.
Something that I have honestly felt kind of unable to do for a while.
Like, not Trying To Write, but getting on the train and feeling it clack-clack-clack-actually leaving the station. Things are moving.
***
So. As soon as I wrote that euphoric paragraph, I tried to continue and got completely stuck. I wrote and erased a followup paragraph four or five times. I actually heard myself say, out loud, “This sucks and it’s not about anything”, which I’m sure is frowned upon here even more than Loud Walking. And I went and made a cup of tea, thinking what am I even doing I have nothing to say. And then I came back here to continue.
And there you have it, friends! The Process. In Real Time.
And I guess that’s what the newsletter is “about” this week.
I am 100% thrilled that these things are happening. I haven’t done a solo show (as writer/composer/actor) in years and I can’t wait to, you know, do my utmost. And also… I went back and read my application and was like I said I would do what now?
We’ve been saying for two years “We should probably try to have a reading of Iron John in the city and Act 2 needs rewrites” and then the Irish Arts Center was like ‘Hey want some help with that?’ out of the blue. It’s amazing. And also… Act 2 needs rewrites.
And while I was writing THAT paragraph I got a callback to play (wait for it) Jacob Marley. Yes, that Jacob Marley. In A Christmas Carol.
You know what, keep it coming.
See you at the Americana Fest 9/24!
Love,
Rebecca