Janice Thompson's Blog, page 13
June 24, 2012
Missing in Action
The Director's Cut
Back in the 80′s I was pretty new to the “church musical” scene. I’d done a couple as a kid, but most of my acting took place in school plays and/or at TUTS (Theater Under the Stars), a theater company here in the Houston area.
I started directing kid’s plays/musicals at my church in the 80s when my girls were young. One of the productions was a Christmas show about angels (titled “Arch, the Angel”). Had a blast with the cast and crew, and especially loved co-directing with my BFF, Kay Malone. She and I worked well together and had as much fun as the kids. In fact, Kay even agreed to don earmuffs and play the role of an airplane marshall (that guy/gal who uses light sticks to guide the planes in and out). She would “appear” at the onset of each act to “guide” the angels to their landing spots. Sounds like fun, right?
On the night of the big show, the first act went great! The audience took a fifteen minute intermission and the lights went down (at my direction). The music number started for the opening “bit” and Kay was nowhere to be found! M.I.A.! Ack! I’d started without her! Suddenly, from a side door of the auditorium, she came running in, grabbed her earmuffs, shoved them on, grabbed her light sticks and jumped into place–all of this in front of a watching audience.
Turns out, she’d been in the bathroom. Oops. Sorry Kay. (I still cringe as I type this!)
What does this have to do with my heroine in The Director’s Cut? Everything! She’s often caught off-guard, thinking she’s ready to roll when (in fact) she’s not! (We directors are like that. We always think everyone is on the same page. We’re also convinced everyone in the cast can read our minds!) Tia Morales is a woman on a mission, one who won’t be stopped. But when she meets her love interest. . .well, let’s just say she’s willing to slow down a bit and not jump the gun.
Ah, to wait on God’s timing!
To learn more about Tia’s “directing” woes, click on the link below! Happy reading, y’all!
June 21, 2012
Life Happens
The Director's Cut
I’ve spent this month sharing true-life director’s tales about “stuff” that happened to me while seated in the director’s chair. All of this, to encourage you to check out my latest Revell comedy, The Director’s Cut.
Today I’m going to share a story that still sends a shiver down my spine! About a year ago I directed Zaney Muldaney, On the Road to Kingdom Come, (an allegory similar to Pilgrim’s Progress). Our “Zaney” (the lead character) had hundreds of lines to memorize, (far more than any other character in the show). She did a fantabulous job!
However, something happened about a week before the show that almost became our undoing! Zaney got appendicitis! Yep, with just six days before opening night, she had to be hospitalized for surgery to remove her appendix.
What a strange a funny memory, thinking back to the day I visited her in the hospital. Silly girl! She was more concerned about the show than her own surgery! Honestly, I knew (in my knower) that she would be fine. And I leaned on that old adage: “The Show Must Go On!”
We put another girl in her place for the tech rehearsals, but come dress rehearsal, there she was–our now-healthy Zaney–up on the stage, doing her thing (and doing it brilliantly, I might add).
What does this have to do with The Director’s Cut? Everything! Tia, the Stars Collide Director, faces chaos when Kat (the lead actresses) unexpectedly goes into labor while on the set of the show! She wonders if the show will go on. . .but it does (of course).
Maybe you’ve faced that inevitable question: Will I be able to go on. . .or won’t I? The answer is, “Yes! You will!” Add a hefty does of humor to your situation and you’ll overcome it in no time!
June 19, 2012
Unscripted
The Director's Cut
As both a writer and a director, I have a very clear plan for how I would like to see the lines from my plays delivered. While writing the scene I can “see” it all in my head. And while rehearsing the scene, I do my best to transfer that vision to my actors/actresses. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn’t.
A couple of years back I had the privilege of directing Johnny Be Good, a ’50s musical (an allegory about the prodigal son). The cast seemed to take to my ideas willingly and the first few performances came off well. However, on closing night (with several special guests in the audience) a handful of the kids decided to re-write the lines. I honestly thought the first one was a slip-up. The second? Not so much. Remember. . .the story was set in the 1950s. The lines the kids had re-written were modern. Stuff about the Internet.
What in the world?
When the light went down for intermission, this chubby director went flying from her seat. I ran backstage, where I gave my cast a piece of my mind. Let’s just say I put the fear of God in them. They’ll never forget it. Neither will I.
The Director's Cut
And Now, Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Program. . .
If you’ve read The Director’s Cut, you know that Tia (a director) wishes she could control just about everything. She loves the fact that the lines in the weekly sitcom are scripted. She wishes her life outside the walls of the studio were scripted, as well! Unfortunately, THOSE characters (her father, her brothers, her younger sister) are writing the script as it goes along, and they’re coming up with some goofy lines, much like my Johnny Be Good cast members.
Remember, folks: those around us have free will. They can do and say as we please. We can pray for them, sure, but in the end, they are responsible for the scripts they write.
June 17, 2012
The 11th Hour
The Director's Cut
People of faith know that God often comes through in the 11th hour. This is one question I plan to ask Him when we meet face to face: “What’s up with the 11th hour thing? Why not the 10th? Or the 9th?”
But I digress…
I want to share a story about a time where I saw God come through in the 11th hour. I was co-directing a play titled Robbie Johnson Goes to Camp. On the night of the dress rehearsal we (literally) stayed at the theater until the middle of the night, but never made it past the first act. I told my good friend (at 3:00 a.m.) “There’s no way we can do a show tomorrow night. We’ll just have to cancel.” In my mind, the whole thing seemed completely impossible. (Ever been there?)
The next morning we got up, somehow muddled our way through a rehearsal, and put on a whopper of a show that same night. When I say “whopper of a show” I mean a great show! It was truly amazing. Yep, God (and my actors) came through in the 11th hour. (Why was I surprised?)
If you’ve read my book, The Director’s Cut, you know that Tia (the heroine) likes all of her ducks in a row. She’s not keen on surprises. (Structured/disciplined/OCDish folks rarely are.) When it comes to directing a show of any kind, we directors like things to be “just so.” But sometimes we’re headed into the 10th hour and things are a mess. Then comes the 11th hour. . .and bam! A miracle occurs!
To enjoy some of those miracles alongside Tia, you’ll just have to read The Director’s Cut. In the meantime, leave a story about a time God came through for you in the 11th hour!
June 15, 2012
Interview with Author Eleanor Clark
Leaving a Legacy for Your Children
People from north to south, east to west are celebrating the summer months in a variety of ways: leisurely days at the neighborhood swimming pool, a family vacation to the beach, camping out with loved ones. In the midst of this fun season, don’t forget to give your kids the very best sort of vacation—the kind they can take in their imagination!
Today I’m interviewing octogenarian, Eleanor Clark, a vibrant woman in her golden years who has written a lovely series of books for girls called The Eleanor Series. The books released a few years back in hardback, but she’s in the process of putting them out as e-books. Exciting news for parents on the lookout for great literature for their kids!
Eleanor, welcome! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Perhaps I should start by telling you that I just celebrated a very important birthday—my 80th! And yes, I’m still very active! I’ve spent years researching my family’s lineage. After discovering some exciting stories, I decided to write them down in The Eleanor Series. I spend every day telling others about my books and sharing my love of faith, patriotism and godly character. What a wonderful life I lead!
So, the stories in this series are based on real-life experiences?
Yes, loosely based, anyway! I’ve fictionalized several very real stories, going back to my 8x great-grandmother! My family instilled a wonderful legacy in me and I want to pass that on to my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and to all of my readers, as well.
Can you tell us about the book you’re featuring today?
Today I’m featuring the first book in the series: Mary Elizabeth, Welcome to America. I’m so tickled to announce that this book is now available in e-book form! I’ve waited for this day for some time, so I’m very excited. Here’s a little tidbit about the story: Mary Elizabeth’s life undergoes a dramatic change when she leaves the only home she has known for another world far away in a place called America. The journey aboard the ship not only teaches her about perseverance but also that making a home in a new world has its share of challenges. Join Mary Elizabeth as she lives one of the greatest adventures of a lifetime and learns the importance of family and the value of perseverance.
So this book is already out in print?
Yes, the entire series released in hardback a few years back. Hardback copies are still available. All seven books are available at Amazon.com or by contacting me through my website.
Will the other books in The Eleanor Series release as e-books as well?
Yes, and I’m so excited about the adventure ahead! The books will release one per month over the next six months with the final story, a Christmas story, releasing in early December. Here’s a list of the titles and release dates:
Mary Elizabeth: Welcome to America (June 15th )
Victoria Grace: Courageous Patriot (July 15th)
Katie Sue: Heading West (August 15th)
Sarah Jane: Liberty’s Torch (September 15th)
Eleanor Jo: The Farmer’s Daughter (October 15th)
Melanie Ann: A Legacy of Love (November 15th)
Eleanor Jo: A Christmas to Remember (December 1st)
What sets these books apart from the American Girls series?
The American Girls series is a wonderful collection for girls, but my stories have something those books do not: faith elements. The salvation message is evident in every story, as well as a deep love of God and country. Not only will children get a comprehensive history lesson through the exciting stories, they will also receive a greater understanding of the role their faith plays in modern-day life.
I seen the book is intended for girls. What about my son? Well he enjoy it too?
I’m thrilled to report that some of the series’ biggest fans are boys! And adults, too. I’ve been tickled to see people young and old, male and female, enjoy these stories. Here’s what one reader had to say: We purchased four of the Eleanor Jo books for Christmas gifts for little girls on our list and after reading the book, we intend to order several more. We will be proud to give this book to any young children. We began reading the book, just to review the content and could not put it down. (Ella & David Lott, A reviewer, 11/07/2006)
How do I order a copy of the book?
Mary Elizabeth, Welcome to America is immediately available on kindle or in hardback (through my website).
What are you offering my bloggers today?
One lucky person will have an opportunity to win a hardback copy of Mary Elizabeth welcome to America when they leave a comment at the end of this blog!
You’ve been a delight to interview, Eleanor! How can we stay in touch with you?
Thank you so much for having me! Readers can reach me at:
My website: www.eleanorseries.com
My facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/eleanor.clark.50
My Eleanor Series facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheEleanorSeries
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Eleanor_Clark
Friends, please check out Eleanor’s series. I think you’ll love it. The Eleanor Series will be a wonderful addition to any library. It will also inspire parents and grandparents to research their family’s history. So, this summer, as you’re setting your sites to the school year ahead. . .take a moment to look back at where you’ve come from. Then, be prepared to leave behind a legacy of love!
About the Author:
Eleanor Clark lives in central Texas. She is the matriarch of the family that includes 5 children, 17 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. Born the daughter of a Texas sharecropper and a child during the Great Depression, Eleanor was a female pioneer in crossing economic, gender, educational, and corporate barriers. Eleanor was an executive for one of American’s most prestigious corporations and founded her own highly successful consulting firm. The appreciation of her American and Christian heritage comes to life along with her exciting and colorful family history in the youth fiction series, The Eleanor Series.
About the series:
There are seven books in the series that highlight the lives of young girls throughout American history. The stories are based on the true-life accounts of author Eleanor Clark’s family history. Each book focuses on a particular character trait and is laced with the pioneering spirit of one of Eleanor’s true-to-life family members. Twenty-first century readers are sure to relate to these amazing, character-building stories while learning Christian values and American history. Modern parents will be blessed as their children learn countless lessons from the pages of each book in the series.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
The Director's Cut
Not everyone is clean-cut and easy to deal with. Some people are just downright dirty, inside and out. If you’ve read The Director’s Cut, you know that Tia’s father is a piece of work. For that matter, so is her younger sister. Her brothers aren’t much better.
Life gives us plenty of opportunities to deal with “messy” people, doesn’t it?
As a theater director, I’ve had my share of messes–some onstage, others off! One of my most memorable on-stage messes happened during “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Remember that character of Pig Pen? Well, someone got the idea that our Pig Pen should add baby powder to his dirty clothing so that he would “permeate the air” with a cloud of dust. It worked…and then some! At one point he slapped his thighs and a cloud of dust filled the air! Thick dust! Gag-you-where-you’re-sitting dust. After the dust settled (figurative and literally speaking) Pig Pen finally stopped laughing long enough to deliver his lines.
That’s kind of what happens in Tia’s case, too. She realizes that the “cloud of dust” created by her family will dissipate, if she doesn’t give up on them. By the end of the story the dust has settled, and the characters are all in a great state of mind!
If you haven’t read The Director’s Cut, this would be the perfect time! Let me know what you think about those “messy” characters!
June 13, 2012
Make ‘Em Laugh
The Director's Cut
There is no great thrill for a writer than sitting in an auditorium listening to an audience roar with laughter. Talk about satisfying!
One of the most “laughable” moments in my history as a director came during the production of Little Women, back in the ’90s. My oldest daughter (Randi) played the role of Aunt March, a cranky old soul. She did such a great job that a couple of audience members in the front row got tickled. They laughed. . .and laughed. . .and laughed. Before long, we were all laughing, (including Randi, who had a hard time containing herself and carrying on).
The whole thing reminded me of one of those old Carol Burnett skits, where Harvey Korman and Tim Conway couldn’t keep a straight face.
What does this have to do with The Director’s Cut? Everything! Tia (the Stars Collide director) doesn’t have much of a funny bone. . .at first. It takes awhile for her to get started. But once she does. . .watch out! Turns out the girl has a sense of humor, after all!
That’s kind of how I view my books, folks. Some readers chuckle out-loud from cover to cover. Others shrug and say, “What’s so funny about that?” I do my best to MAKE those folks laugh before the story is up!
You can do that too, you know. The next time you’re in an awkward situation, do your best to lighten the moment by throwing in a joke or a light-hearted comment. Before long everyone will be smiling again!
Ah, laughter! It truly is like medicine, isn’t it?!
June 9, 2012
The Show Must Go On
The Director's Cut
Directors (like Tia, in The Director’s Cut) LOVE to be in control. I speak from experience. . .lots of experience. As opening night approaches, we do everything in our power to make sure all t’s are crossed and all i’s are dotted. We fine tune the actor’s lines, make sure the set pieces meet our specifications, print the program and work with the guys in the tech booth to ensure a solid performance all the way around. But not everything goes as planned. Sometimes you get right up to the night of the show and things simply aren’t ready.
Then what?
About a year and a half ago I directed a musical comedy titled Zaney Muldaney, on the Road to Kingdom Come. What an amazing show! What a brilliant cast! And the costumes! I could hardly wait for opening night so that folks could see the bright, colorful costumes.
Unfortunately, not all of the costumes got finished in time. We got to a key/pivotal scene (in a garden) and the kids were supposed to be dressed up as veggies.
Some were.
And some weren’t.
Ouch! Our veggie scene left something to be desired that first night. Thank goodness we managed to get most everyone costumed by the second show!
If you’ve read my novel The Director’s Cut, you know that Tia faces some challenges with the sitcom she directs (Stars Collide). She doesn’t always feel prepared. Still, the show must go on, as the old saying goes, and she manages to pull off a winning performance every time!
Oh, and about those costumes: take a look at some of the photos from Zaney. I think you’ll be amazed!
June 7, 2012
The Kid Factor
The Director's Cut
Ah, kids!
Working with children can have its challenges, particularly in theater. I’ve directed little ones many times and it’s a challenge, I don’t mind admitting. Kids are so unpredictable! You just don’t know what they’re going to do. Some cry and refuse to go on the stage. Others steal the spotlight from the “main” actors. Some show amazing potential. Others you have to coax into their roles. Trust me, I’ve seen it all!
Perhaps the wackiest onstage kid performance I’ve ever experienced happened back in the ’80s. Our church was known for its live nativity scene. People would come from all over the city to watch us act out the story of Christ’s birth. In this particular show, I was playing the role of Mary. Standing to my left on a bale of hay was a boy approximately nine years old. He was a bit on the shy side, and I felt bad for him because his role as the manger angel forced him to hold his arms up for an extended period of time, not an easy task.
About mid-way into the performance I noticed him squirming. I figured his arms were getting tired. He squired some more. I whispered, “It’s okay. You can put your arms down.” He did, but that didn’t stop the squirming. A few minutes later, the front of his lily-white robe was soaked. Yep, soaked.
You guessed it. The squirming had nothing to do with his arms. It had everything to do with his bladder.
As I said, kids are unpredictable! If you’ve read The Director’s Cut, you know that Tia (director of the Stars Collide sitcom), works with several small children. They’re a handful (one in particular). Still, she does her best to include them and make them feel special.
They are, you know. Kids are gifted to do great things for God. So, the next time you see a squirming angel, look beyond the damp robe and see the real angel on the inside.
Read it on your kindle right away:
June 5, 2012
We All Fall Down
The Director's Cut
A couple of months back I co-directed a musical called The Foul Case of the Missing Pheasant (a comedic mystery). Talked about a talented cast and crew. Wow!
There’s a particularly infamous scene where one of the characters (an older woman called “The Widow Preston”) has to faint. The others (a group of men) catch her on the way down. During rehearsal I gave instructions for how this scene would play out, and the gal playing The Widow Preston did her part–she fell backwards. The men? Not so much. Apparently they got distracted. Next thing you know, I have an actress on the floor/stage and a bunch of guys gathered around her looking like goobers. She was fine, thank goodness, but certainly felt embarrassed (and a little achy too, I’m sure)!
The Director's Cut
If you’ve read my novel The Director’s Cut, you know that my heroine, Tia Morales, has serious trust issues. When I think of The Widow Preston falling backwards, I try to envision Tia “letting go” and giving herself over to the Lord. She has a hard time! Then again, don’t we all? That old phrase “Let Go and Let God!” is easy to say, but not so easy to do.
The next time you think about trusting God (or people) remember The Widow Preston. She got up, dusted herself off, and fell all over again (this time landing in the arms of the guys, who decided to pay attention).
God won’t drop you. . .I promise! He didn’t drop Tia, and He’s got a firm grip on you, too!
