Saturday, August 31, 2013

2013 Goals - Monthly Update

Here's how I did with my goals during August.

See a minimum of 5 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows in NYC
- Still no plans. (I need to get going on this one!)

Read 65 books for my Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
- I read 5 books toward my goal: Hush Little Celia, Don't Say a Word, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Bullying Under Attack, All About Faith and The Last Kiss Goodbye.
- Total books toward my goal of 65 - 36 books. (According to Goodreads, I'm 11 books behind schedule. Yikes!)

Read a minimum of 9 books off the BBC Reading List
-Nope.


Visit:
1.The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA
- "I'll Never Be Hungry Again" (Completed April 7)

2.The Moulin Rouge in Paris, France
- Does dreaming about it count?

3.Walt Disney World or Disneyland
- See #2.

4.Boston, MA
- Tried to take a day trip to see my brother but it didn't pan out.

5.Pittsburgh, PA
- Nothing planned.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

A Book Review

This book contains powerful letters, stories, poems and artistic renderings from those who are bullied, those who bully and those who helplessly stand by. It is a book that every middle and high school student, teacher and parent, should be required to read.

Friday, August 09, 2013

...And The Review Is In...

Local Writer Puts Faith in World Premiere Production

By Rob Taylor (8/8/13)

Greensboro, NC—The World Premiere of a new play is tremendously exciting to be a part of. New plays have yet to go through the emotional wringer of an audience’s critical eye and even though they may have gone through readings, workshops and weeks of rehearsal, the unknowns of introducing the audience into the mix mean that you just don’t know what to expect. Things that you thought would work fall flat, moments that you weren’t sure of soar and, in the end, it’s not until that curtain goes down on an entire first run that you can really stand back and take stock. Of course you could argue that is true of any production, but with a previously unseen piece of drama the magnitudes are greater. In short, producing a new play is a thrilling and dangerous undertaking.

Local writer Bill Cissna’s All About Faith made its debut tonight in Greensboro and bravely took further steps towards the completion that only comes with full production. At times riveting, occasionally clumsy and mostly entertaining, the fortunate crowd in attendance seemed to view the production as an overall success and, indeed, the positives did outweigh the productions’ flaws.

The play takes place entirely in the office of Sylvia Adams (Kathy Anne Cissna), a psychiatrist in the Tennessee Prison for Women in Nashville. Taking place, in a dramatic conceit, over the course of a weekend, it follows Sylvia’s attempts to understand the psyche and motivations of her patient, Faith Wilson (Charis Jeffers) who talks almost exclusively in Bible verses and is imprisoned for a crime that goes unmentioned until the climax of the play. Sylvia interviews Faith and two of the most important figures in her life—husband Delbert (Rosser Lamason) and preacher Calvin Revels (Cameron Williams)—facing up to her own prejudices and assumptions as she unravels the story surrounding Faith’s crime and attempts to reach her.

The play runs approximately 100 minutes and is still in need of some trimming. Generally wellpaced and often delightfully nuanced it nonetheless feels a little bloated from time to time. Characters frequently voice conclusions that the audience should be trusted to come to themselves and a particular scene between Sylvia and her colleague Jonathan Pinckney (Michael Shapiro) discussing religious beliefs, evolution and education feels superfluous as it treads over oft-discussed theories on such matters without offering a fresh perspective. The scene ultimately sets up an idea for Sylvia as to how to reach Faith, but it’s a long way to get there. The mystery of Faith’s crime is also a problematic feature of the script, becoming apparent to the audience far too early to land the emotional impact that it could have.

The characters are, for the most part, well drawn individuals, even down to the minor role of prison guard Ophelia Washington (Ashley Lumpkin). Each gets their moment to shine within the play. Sylvia is, perhaps, the most problematic character in the play and the playwright, at times, struggles to separate her human aspects from her dramatic role as the driving force behind proceedings. Sylvia’s part produces too much emotion too early, softening the impact of her later emotional outbursts. On the flip side of the coin, Faith is layered almost perfectly within the dramatic convention of the play. Her journey to taking responsibility for her actions is beautifully constructed and emotionally devastating. The weakest of the characters is Calvin Revels who is much less interesting as a smug conman and real villain of the piece than he could have been as a more enigmatic, humble character driven by (however misguided) beliefs. Revels role borders on melodramatic by the end of the scene and, though he enables us to sympathize more with Faith by giving us a figure to hate, I’d have preferred more blurry lines and moral ambiguity.

The production itself is directed with a pleasing simplicity by Cheryl Ann Roberts. Roberts resists the urge to over direct what is in essence a simple series of interviews. She and the cast do struggle a little with the more problematic elements of the play already discussed. The telegraphing of Faith’s crime is probably as much a problem of production as of writing, for example. Nonetheless, Roberts pulls some terrific performances from her actors without overreaching or complicating proceedings too much. Stage management by Sarah “Sparkie” Sparks and sound and light tech by Chris Anderson are efficient and, as would be desired, do not intrude upon the production.

For the performances, Jeffers was a standout as Faith, delivering a really compelling performance full of nuance and emotional depth. She delivers her character’s pain at the climax of the play with such skill that it is almost tangible and is impressive in bringing subtle changes in emotional level earlier in the piece. It’s a terrific overall performance. Lamason is also very strong as Delbert. Truly sympathetic in the role, he gives us a character to root for, though Delbert’s story is more tangential to the focus of the play. Kathy Anne Cissna is a powerful stage presence as Sylvia, though she struggles to bring a needed focus to the overall character arc, starting out at too high an emotional level to leave sufficient room to develop fully. Williams is delightfully sleazy as Calvin Revels but is doesn’t quite bring the force of personality we might expect to see from a charismatic church leader. Shapiro’s performance as Jonathan is a great foil to Sylvia, bringing a relaxed enjoyment to proceedings and displaying a playful quality that counterpoints well with Sylvia’s more focused intensity. Finally Lumpkin is charming as Ophelia and brings an unexpected and pleasant family feel to the trio of prison staff members.

In terms of entertainment, All About Faith was thoroughly enjoyable and well worth checking out. With a full production behind it, I’d be very interested to see a future, perhaps streamlined, version of the play. I certainly look forward to seeing other Bill Cissna works to come.

Facebook Message, "All About Faith"


    • Maryann Luedtke


      Fantastic job with this show - I was totally engrossed. The cast is really terrific - Kathy Anne is excellent and I got everything from her and Revels and Ophelia.
      I lost alot of the lines though, by Jonathan and Faith. . . he was talking pretty fast and she was pretty soft! We were sitting in row D, fairly close to the stage, and I really had to strain to hear her and still lost about a third of her lines, particularly in the first scene. (My hearing may be going, but I don't think it's that bad yet!!)
      I loved the show - my first Bill Cissna play - hope it won't be the last! Wonderful to see you - xoxo MA


Monday, August 05, 2013

Email Exchange

From: Cade
To: Ster, Sam, Mommy
Sent: Sat, Jul 27, 2013 1:36 pm
Subject: Testing

I'm testing my email. Email me back.
From: Mommy
To: Cade
Subject: Testing
You should ask Will, Tyler, Andrew and Jacob if they have an email address. If they do, you can communicate via email.
From: Cade
To: Mommy
Sent: Sun, Aug 4, 2013 8:56 pm
Subject: Re: Testing

You really do make booboos feel better.

From: Cade
To: Mommy
Sent: Sun, Aug 4, 2013 9:01 pm
Subject: Re: Testing

I think I got to tell you when too late. Hahahahahaahahahahahaha
From: Mommy
To: Cade
Subject: Testing

Well too late is TOO LATE! At least give me a warning!
From: Cade
To: Mommy
Sent: Sun, Aug 4, 2013 9:03 pm
Subject: Re: Testing

Sure but no promises OK
From: Mommy
To: Cade
Subject: Testing

OK. I guess that will have to do.
From: Cade
To: Mommy
Sent: Sun, Aug 4, 2013 9:08 pm
Subject: Re: Testing

That's totes Cray.

From: Cade
To: Mommy
Sent: Sun, Aug 4, 2013 9:09 pm
Subject: Re: Testing

Just like this why you Ackin so Cray Cray
From: Mommy
To: Cade
Subject: Testing

No, you so cray cray. Like supah cray cray.
From: Cade
To: Mommy
Sent: Sun, Aug 4, 2013 9:09 pm
Subject: Re: Testing

Do you txt your mother with that computer

From: Cade
To: Mommy
Sent: Sun, Aug 4, 2013 9:13 pm
Subject: Re: Testing

Ok so do you take meds with your wine
From: Mommy
To: Cade
Subject: Testing

:P

Sunday, August 04, 2013

Cade's Notepad

This notepad entry is actual several nights of conversation.

Night with my stuffed animals
It is always fun for me at night to talk to my animals. But the animals I'm talking about are stuffed animals. We talk about fun stuff like racing and how they comfort me and stuff like that. I just can't wait until night just to talk to them it is so much fun!! But sometimes I can't sleep and I have to go find Ster or Mommy so they can help me go to sleep again. But I always picture myself at about 2 in the morning fast asleep in one of my favorite places; Dream Land!! But tonight I can't go to sleep so I've already gotten up to get Mommy and so now I'm waiting until I get tired enough so I can go to sleep. It feels like it's working but there is a good chance it won't.

We just got back from the fireworks at the park near our house. It was a pretty good show! So if it were a paper and I were grading it I would give it an A+ just because it was fun and we got to bring Commander!! I think he liked it A LOT but it was probably loud for him and a few loud BANGS here and there but still it was fun. Anyway that's mostly what I talked about tonight. I think my stuffed animals liked it. A LOT!! Or at least that's what Beary said and a lot of other stuffed animals. So I'm glad they enjoyed it. Really glad!!

Tonight I'm trying every thing to go to sleep but yet somehow I just can't so that is how I got to be writing on my kindle but this is what I talked about tonight just basically my day and what me and Ster did today. This is what first I got up then went downstairs to see Ster after that I played on my PlayStation for ten minutes then we went to Bridget's house and helped her get unloaded and went back here to clean the building up. So I practiced Fooseball and then ate dinner then watched T.V. and went up here to go to bed so that is what I talked about. So then I couldn't sleep and wound up here. But it was still a fun day and I got to get Krispy Kreme Doughnut s and ate some tonight. So I think I hear Mommy snoring so I think I'll go to sleep again and hope to go to sleep and fall asleep. So I will.

So tonight I talked about the car show tomorrow and racing also some of what I did today. We got to get the Ram and 4Runner inspected at Modern Auto Extras and went to Mommy's work to pick the 4Runner up. After that we went to Bojangles to get something to eat and it was Good! So then we went home and I went to the house while Ster got changed into more comfortable clothes. I played Gran Turismo in the living room and I finished playing and we went to go I on the Mustang for the Car Show. So we did that and I practiced some Foosball and worked on it some more. After that we went inside to go watch some T.V. and then Ster got tired and he said that we should go to bed and we did. While he put me to bed and tucked me in he said that we have to get up at about 8:30 A.M. to make the show in Kernersville so I have to get a good sleep but I don't think I can go to bed that easily like Ster can. Only sometimes I can do that. He goes to bed easily! So I'll go to sleep and I hope I can. Let's just see.

I did and today I am in Mars Pittsburgh and at Bridget's parents house. Her brother Barry has a nicer house than this place but it isn't the worst it can get. I'm on here because I want to be but it is also because I have a fan with me because it is so hot in here without it. Her parents are with us and they are nice to me. We had some pretty bad hot dogs but Mommy said eat what's put in front of me so I forced it down to be nice to them. I texted Ster and we were saying what we liked on Spongebob Squarepants and some other stuff. I also texted Mommy and she was glad I was safe and sound in Mars Pittsburgh but I want to really go to sleep so I can't here the fan. But I'll still talk to my animals a bit quietly so I can really go to sleep so I will and let's hope I go to one of my favorite places Dream Land.

Last night I got to sleep pretty well. And I also got a good sleep. So tonight I haven't talked to my animals yet but Ster said I could. So I will. But not yet. So anyway today it finally rained here and it was a good rain but it didn't delay anything so everything was ok. But we did get some post cards and we addressed them to Sam's address and Ster and Mommy also my house. Bridget kept one and I kept two different ones. Like the Spaceship and the aliens. MinI someday this week we will go see the little caboose and we will go to Bridget's friends house tomorrow. We will go swimming though. Anyway I got to play with Barry's dogs Ruger and Kimber. They were both named after firearms.

So today that's basically what we did. And also Michael came over today and he really liked my Kindle. So we went to Lowes and we played on this thing and when we got here I let it charge and we got to meet Barry's wife. That was all at Barry's and we fed the dogs at about 12:30 and we went here to the house. It was a big day and I had a lot of fun with Bridget and her dad Sam. So now I'll talk to my animals quietly.

I didn't get a good sleep last night but it was OK today but got pooped out in the hot tub at Bridget's friends house. So I went in the cool regular pool water and brightened up a bit. So after that I went back into the hot tub and got warm again. So then Bridget's friend told me if I wanted to put the cover on the pool. I said yes. So I jumped back in the pool and cooled down again. And got my legs in the hot tub then slipped and went into the tub. So I dried up so I splashed some regular pool water on my face and was ok after that. So it was a pretty fun day although we did do some stuff before that it was a fun day. I liked it a lot to. So Sters phone battery died and couldn't really talk to him at about 9:00 p.m. and left him a text or two. So Tomorrow we have to get up early in the morning to get Bridget's car fixed. She says that her front brakes are messed up because when she brakes it makes a rattling sound so that's our early thing tomorrow. So now I will talk to my animals quietly and hope to go to sleep really really good. So I can also be AWAKE tomorrow!

I slept pretty well last night and woke up well too. So first we went to the Ford dealership to get Bridget's front brakes right. So we did then we went to Eatin Park to get breakfast and it was pretty good. So then we went to Big Lots for a few things. Then we went to WAL-MART to get some extras and went to Aldis to get a purple waste basket. We did do some other stuff to but that was the main thing in the morning. So we did do some fun things today but I also got to get some new Hot Wheels and got Ster a new brush for his truck because he said he needed one and Sam said I could take it so it is packed away now. Well I think I'll go to bed and hopefully sleep better. Let's hope!

I slept pretty well that night but today we're at the beach and watching T.V. and now it's 60 min. So we're going to the beach tomorrow and were hopefully not going to get to badly burned but who knows. So we haven't gone to the complex pool but we might later this week. We will also go see Sters moms New house here and maybe spend a night or 2 but if Wilson leaves early then we will either stay here if he lets us or we might (will) go see Sters mom's house and might go spend the night and I get to drive their golf cart! I've always wanted to drive one but never ever have. I might have rode on one before at like a drag race or some other times but never ever gotten to drive one so that is a total bust.

Today we got go to the beach finally and I got a bad rash. But now I feel a whole lot better and relaxed. So also we got to go to the complex pool and it was fun but we got out early to go to Ridemakerz and that was fun. We made a Corvette. Well we're going to go to sleep now so I'll sleep good I just know I will.

A couple days after that we went to Ridemakerz again and I made a Dodge Challenger and made it look really cool! We also saw Sters mom sometime that week. So basically it was a very cool week! So today what me and my stuffed animals talked about was my train set and how I set it up. And we also talked about what I'm going to do tomorrow. We talked about the newest stuffed animal, Diney he loves to cuddle and loves to talk. He said that at the beach on Thursday when we just got up. So he loves a lot of things like his brothers and sisters. So once he got to meet them he said that he would be nice to them and like them. So we talked to him and also talked about what I'm going to do tomorrow also.

So we had a fun day and really I couldn't write because I was sleeping downstairs for the past 2 nights with Ster. But instead of being on the couch I was in the most comfortable sleeping bag ever! So it was a jam packed week! I loved it to but also today Ster is at work and Mommy is taking care of me for right now. We also watched the Avengers today and it was a good movie also.

So I loved the week and we got to drive my 2 Ridemakerz today in the garage and that was awesome. I love being back. Ster almost tore the Crate Myrtle tree down in the front yard. So I'm gonna go to sleep now and let's hope I do. I really hope I do!

Well I did sleep pretty good but didn't go to sleep good. It must just be like a trade off or something like that but who knows sometimes I go to sleep good but also stay asleep good. That's when I'm tired and wore myself out the whole day. Anyway let's get out of the sleep theory and into the talking with my stuffed animals. First we talked about Sters shifts because he works shift work that if we liked it or not but this is one shift TODAY that I actually like. But others like yesterday's shift I didn't like. And we also talked about middle school and if I'm going to like it or not. We all agreed that I probably wasn't going to like it. Lets hope I don't get Summer School. That would be pretty bad. But we didn't talk about that. Anyway I might and might not. I probably won't but it's a small thing. Go big or go home. That's what I say and by the way NO that means NO I won't go to Summer School or there's a slight chance I will. A very slight chance. So now I'll say goodnight to my stuffed animals and I hope I sleep good! Let's hope for sure!!

Well I did sleep good and got my wish. Today I'm writing because I wanted to tell a little bit about my past. Here it is so in DayCare I was a nice lovable kid who was curious and wanted to try new things. Well I still am today. But I'm still also lovable too! I always had a fun time no mater what the subject. I always saw the good side of people. Now I still do that today also. I LOVE being around Ster and don't like it when he is gone. That counts for both times. But if I get married then I will always hang around my kids and try to keep cool. Just like Ster always does with me. And like Grandpa Kellam I'll try to build a train room just like he did. But Ster said his father was never as nice as Ster. Although I didn't live with him for that long or at all really he is kind of nice and doesn't mind ME around. And Ster too. They officially made up because they were in a sort of fight where it not really a fight but it is. I don't know it's sort of messed up. Well I'm tired and I think I'll go to sleep now. So let's hope I can sleep SUPER REALLY good!! Let's hope!!

Today we talked about Ster and his perspective of his work. Like how he and Mommy have to work to keep their jobs and they have to work a lot to keel OUR house to live in. He does a good job but still makes a few (not a lot of mistakes) in work. He works at Corn Products. Or now Ingridion which replaces the 150 yr. old name and is not the best name for a Company. But since then he's been telling people he works for a different company. It true but at the same place. It's just a different name. That's all it really is. So people over react and they say did you get fired. He says this nope we just changed the name! That's all! So he does surprise his family a lot but in a good way. Not on a bad topic or in a secret revenge certain way. So we had a fun time. Beary and his brothers and sisters all said that they enjoyed learning more about me and Ster! That's a nice thing. So now I'll say goodnight to my Stuffed animals and hope I sleep SUPER SUPER REALLY GOOD!! Let's hope!!

I slept pretty we last night as well. But today me and my stuffed animals talked about one of my games on my Kindle and how I'm so addicted to it. We all think I really am but if I'm taking it so far or not. So really I don't know. We also talked about the pros and cons about some of the cars that are in that game. (Only the ones that I bought.) So we had a fun day today but it was jam-packed yesterday because from when Ster got up to just a little bit before he went to work. So I'm going to sleep now and let's hope I can! I SUPER REALLY hope I can! Let's hope so!

We're in GoTriad!

Photo courtesy of Mary Lea Williams
Upcoming events in the Triad:

Drama by Triad playwright

“All About Faith” is the story of a young woman in the Tennessee Prison for Women who will answer only basic questions but otherwise communicates entirely with Biblical verses to her assigned psychologist.

Performances for the new drama by Kernersville-based playwright Bill Cissna are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 8 and 9, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10 and 2 p.m. Aug. 11 at The Starr Theatre (formerly The Broach), 520 S. Elm St. in Greensboro.

Tickets are $11 on Aug. 8. Tickets for all other performances are $21 through the box office at http://ctgso.org (click on Special Events) or by calling 333-7469.

Saturday, August 03, 2013

New Ride

I wasn't really planning on trading in the 4Runner, but I got an offer from Toyota that I really couldn't refuse. A brand new 2013 Toyota Camry with a moonroof, LED lights and leather seats for half the 4Runner payments. Yes, please!

Thursday, August 01, 2013

2013 Goals - Monthly Update

Here's how I did with my goals during July.

See a minimum of 5 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows in NYC
- So many show I want to see, no time at the moment to see any of them!

Read 65 books for my Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
- I read 3 books toward my goal: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Returned, and The Silver Chain
- Total books toward my goal of 65 - 31 books.

Read a minimum of 9 books off the BBC Reading List
- I was able to scratch Harry Potter off the BBC Reading List! Only 7 more books to go!


Visit:
1.The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA
- "I'll Never Be Hungry Again" (Completed April 7)

2.The Moulin Rouge in Paris, France
- Definitely September, sometime between September 7 and 14.

3.Walt Disney World or Disneyland
- Nothing planned.

4.Boston, MA
- Nothing planned.

5.Pittsburgh, PA
- Cade went, but that doesn't count toward my goal.