Tag Archives: Dusty Shoes

Technical time…. ack!

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Quick update on today’s adventure – the technical rehearsal with people who have never seen the show, one who has read the script and heard the sound cues, and one who hasn’t one clue about the show, but is ready to dive in.

Mix in a newbie producer, moi, a newbie roadie, who didn’t know he was going to be a roadie, my guy, and a theatre full of more lights than I thought I was going to have, some wonky wood and you have an interesting time ahead.

photo1Regina

I am taking notes and will share those with you later. All I can say is the simpler the better, the more prepped you are the better, and drink water.  (And, warm up before dancing the Charleston in motorcycle boots… ouch!)

We had three hours to set up, do sound and lighting cues, and figure out… Continue reading Technical time…. ack! →

Zooming on… leaping ahead!

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“Best laid plans of mice and men…” Daily, I wanted to blog  my process of creating and producing a one woman show, my show, Dusty Shoes. Well, it’s hard to do that. Every inch of my time has been devoted to getting this piece up and running.

And…

Believe it or not, we open THIS week at the Regina Fringe Festival. I will back track in my process as it’s been incredibly fascinating, and involved. I have learned so much.

But not now.

Now, I should be in bed, getting rest before I catch my plane, early tomorrow morning for Regina. But, I wanted to post something, anything, that marked this occasion.

I’m excited, nervous, calm, wired, tired, deliriously happy, and in awe that my project is actually happening, actually coming to fruition. I had a taste of what the fruits of my labour will be at my dress rehearsal before about 20 people last Thursday evening at the Presentation House Theatre. The results were beyond my expectations.

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On that note…. I will see you in Regina, in a cafe, no doubt, when I finally have some time to write more. Bon voyage!!

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Happy Canada Day!

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Happy Canada Day to all fellow Canadians!! The sun is shining and summer has riZ! (and Happy Day to all who are NOT Canadian… you are today!)

Canadian shoeSThings are a brewin’ for our Dusty Shoes Fundraiser on Tuesday evening at the Shark Club in Vancouver. Hope you can make it! Tickets are 10.00$ and all proceeds go to supporting the Dusty Shoe’s team. Vive les arts that make you think, and laugh!

Dust off your favourite, funkiest shoes, bring a pair to donate to our charity shoe drive, and be prepared to see some bouffons, and a very special unveiling of Madame Rouge, Trilby’s bouffon, with her sister musical bouffons…. Shhh… it’s a surprise!

An update blog post soon to follow! (whew… rehearsals are going well.. )

Writer, Producer… finally, the actor

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Currently, I could call every blog post “Juggling” as that is my chronic state. I’ve never had so many interesting tasks to do, simultaneously, in my life. Want to test your focus, stamina (ack! sleep!), domestic control, and your creativity? Write, produce, and act in a one person show.

Recently, the producer in me starting to hustle the writer in me as the actor in me started to knock on the writer’s door every day, demanding the script. The actor has been pacing around, anxious to get rehearsing as she could see time ticking. I don’t blame her.

Finally, the script was passed from my left to my right hand … Continue reading Writer, Producer… finally, the actor →

Fundraising…. yup..

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When I got into acting, I remember someone saying “Oh dear… acting? Actors are beggars.”

That made me feel discouraged and somewhat determined not to ask for help. And, I did well for awhile. I supported my “folly” with side jobs and eventually a decent career in costuming. I earned my “big” bucks on film sets, and then… Continue reading Fundraising…. yup.. →

Lumps, bumps, and costuming fun…

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Today’s post?

Simply that while Dean, my director, and I rehearsed, re-wrote, found sub stories, philosophized, ate strawberries, and discovered new elements of Dusty Shoes, my friends were laughing it up as they began creating one of my character’s, ‘Madame Rouge’, new outfit.

Dawn Climie and Kevin Harrison are skilled veteran theatre/film costumers I worked with years ago during my costuming career. Who would have thought that ‘flash forward’ they… Continue reading Lumps, bumps, and costuming fun… →

Giving anxiety form…

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Things continue to rock and roll with the creation of Dusty Shoes. My last post of “Hat Juggling” pretty much sums up what will continue until showtime. However,  doing as much of the producing part before full on rehearsals, and the opening seems to me to be a smart thing to do.

I must admit I was feeling somewhat … Continue reading Giving anxiety form… →

Hat Juggling…

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Which hat am I wearing currently? That is the question I am most posing myself these days.

I actually love wearing hats, and at one point in my life  was a hat maker (milliner), but that’s another story!

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These days, however, I’m juggling the producer hat, the marketer hat, the social media “expert” hat, the fundraiser hat, the graphic artist hat, the writer hat, the actor hat, and all the other “normal” life hats. Okay… maybe those … Continue reading Hat Juggling… →

Le Retour….

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Yes, it’s been awhile since I have written here. I haven’t forgotten about my work, let it go, or anything dramatic. I took a time out to visit my family in Eastern Canada before my summer really took off. It was necessary to do for many reasons.

My parents live in Prince Edward Island, where I spent many years. The energy by the Atlantic Ocean is quite different from the Pacific Ocean sensations. Both bring deep feelings to me.

Kamouraska, Quebec
Kamouraska, Quebec

Now, I am in the countryside in Québec, in a small gentle area called “Kamouraska”. I am fortunate enough to be … Continue reading Le Retour…. →

Tornado of tasks…

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Oh my. The last week has been a whirlwind of activity with Dusty Shoes, and life. In fact, as I write this, my goal is to get to my bed at a reasonable hour tonight. The last two nights have been busy with getting details together for my Regina Fringe Festival information deadline, yesterday. Hmmm… taxes and the Fringe on April 30th.

What did I have to have ready? Well…. Continue reading Tornado of tasks… →