Nina Foxx's Blog, page 4
February 17, 2016
Gratitude and Thankfulness
Nina Foxx's Just Short of Crazy was an amazing success, far beyond anything I could have imagined. Thank you all of the people who supported the effort, either through the IndieGoGo Campaign, through direct contributions or by putting their body in a seat. Over 500 people did. There was actually one person who came every night and brought a different person with him each night, and no, he was not a relative. There were people who bought a copy of every book I had. There were companies who donated food so my talent could eat during long rehearsals, and others who donated money for concessions. Thanks to Starbucks Coffee Company, Ezell's Famous Chicken, Weichert Realtors, The City of Seattle Arts/Langston Hughes Institute (building grant) and our presenting sponsor, The Paul & SallyJanowitz family. With your help, I was able to bring a message of positive self worth and female empowerment and draw attention to the issue of domestic abuse in our communities in an entertaining manner.
As an artist, the world you create within your head makes sense to you, but you are never sure about how it will land with others. When the curtain goes up or the first page is turned, you stand naked before the world. On opening night, I sat in the directors chair literally shaking in my shoes. And the audience saw what I saw. The cheers, laughter and the tears made me grateful for and overwhelmed by the storytelling ability and that I have been given and the production skills I have learned, and humbled by the talent of my team. Every night, before the curtain went up, I was still unsure that the audience would come with me on the journey through Ayzah Brown's world.
On Monday morning, when the theater went dark, I received a message from a fellow author that I didn't even know was in the audience. I imagined him poking his lip out as he told me that I had him in his feelings". He related a story about how a woman he'd loved broke up with him because his job wasn't fancy enough, just as the women in the story were discussing. He felt that I had put some really ugly issues in our community in our faces and made the audience look closely. Sexual harassment, talented women of color leaving corporate jobs to do their own things, domestic abuse, our opinions about whom we should marry and judging people by their titles rather than their self worth. The main characters Could not get it together until they figured out that other people and more things weren't going to make them happy. He said that he didn't know that all that was in the book that the play was based on.I laughed, but was finally able to relax, and assured him that that had been in the book but no one could tell it at first glance because they'd wrapped it a pink and polka dot cover.
I learned a lot on this journey, about the industry and about myself. Sometimes, you really do have to do things for yourself. Yes, it is incredibly hard, but the experience of the journey is well worth it. No one is going to tell our stories like we do. As Alma Davenport (producer/stage manager) put it, "Sometimes YOU have to be the old white man in the scarf." Ayzah Brown, one of the main characters summed it up in the last line of the play, and the music said the rest.
"God will carry you."And
"God helps those who help themselves."
Amen.
As an artist, the world you create within your head makes sense to you, but you are never sure about how it will land with others. When the curtain goes up or the first page is turned, you stand naked before the world. On opening night, I sat in the directors chair literally shaking in my shoes. And the audience saw what I saw. The cheers, laughter and the tears made me grateful for and overwhelmed by the storytelling ability and that I have been given and the production skills I have learned, and humbled by the talent of my team. Every night, before the curtain went up, I was still unsure that the audience would come with me on the journey through Ayzah Brown's world.
On Monday morning, when the theater went dark, I received a message from a fellow author that I didn't even know was in the audience. I imagined him poking his lip out as he told me that I had him in his feelings". He related a story about how a woman he'd loved broke up with him because his job wasn't fancy enough, just as the women in the story were discussing. He felt that I had put some really ugly issues in our community in our faces and made the audience look closely. Sexual harassment, talented women of color leaving corporate jobs to do their own things, domestic abuse, our opinions about whom we should marry and judging people by their titles rather than their self worth. The main characters Could not get it together until they figured out that other people and more things weren't going to make them happy. He said that he didn't know that all that was in the book that the play was based on.I laughed, but was finally able to relax, and assured him that that had been in the book but no one could tell it at first glance because they'd wrapped it a pink and polka dot cover.
I learned a lot on this journey, about the industry and about myself. Sometimes, you really do have to do things for yourself. Yes, it is incredibly hard, but the experience of the journey is well worth it. No one is going to tell our stories like we do. As Alma Davenport (producer/stage manager) put it, "Sometimes YOU have to be the old white man in the scarf." Ayzah Brown, one of the main characters summed it up in the last line of the play, and the music said the rest.
"God will carry you."And
"God helps those who help themselves."
Amen.
December 31, 2015
Just Short of Crazy Tickets on sale Jan 4
Common Essence Theater presents Nina Foxx's Just Short of Crazy, presented in partnership with Langston Hughes Performing Arts.
Written and Directed by: Nina Foxx
Produced by: Nina Foxx and Alma Person
Based on the book by Nina Foxx(Harper Collins)
February 12, 13, 14, 2016
Langston Hughes Performing Arts
104 17th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98144
Tickets sales begin January 4, 2016
Written and Directed by: Nina Foxx
Produced by: Nina Foxx and Alma Person
Based on the book by Nina Foxx(Harper Collins)
February 12, 13, 14, 2016
Langston Hughes Performing Arts
104 17th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98144
Tickets sales begin January 4, 2016
December 26, 2015
A funny thing happened on the way to the Yule log
Y'all know that I wanted a Apple Watch, but when my Luvster told me it was not on the plan for my holiday, I was good with it. I certainly didn't need a new device and I absolutely have everything that I could ever want. I was resigned to the idea that I was not going to get an Apple Watch as a gift, left to contemplate buying one myself, when about 6 days before Christmas, I get a bank alert that someone spent an Apple Watch amount at the Apple Store.
This posed an interesting dilemma, did I say something and make sure that no one was making merry with our money and possibly spoil my surprise (even though he knows I get these alerts since every time he buys burgers and fries without me, I send him a "nice Nina-gram" to gently remind him to make better dietary choices), or did I keep silent and risk eating 500 bills? I decided to take the latter route, kept a poker face and then pushed the whole thing to the back of my mind. Fast forward to Christmas morning. The fireplace was lit, Christmas music floated through the house and we open our gifts with the kids. The next box is going to be my Apple Watch, I'm certain, and then suddenly, everything is open. No watch. Luvster says, "Oh, one thing didn't arrive."
Of course, my mind jumps directly to the Apple watch that is not under either of the trees in the house. I breathe easier, 'cause now I know it's coming. Or not.
We settle into breakfast and he comes close, hugs me and says "There is one small gift for you upstairs on the bed."
My heart jumps. I run upstairs. The Apple Watch is awaiting. I pick up the small, wrapped box and tear into the wrapping--and it's not an Apple watch. It's naughty underthings. That's nice too. I smile. He couldn't have given me these in front of the kids.
We sit together as a family and watch sports and movies and read books and do projects and I, once again, push that Apple watch to the back of my mind.
But then the movie gets boring and my mind starts to wonder. What if our credit cards were scammed, AGAIN, and he didn't by me an Apple Watch? What if he bought an Apple Watch and gave it to someone else? What if he bought HIMSELF an apple watch? What if, like on My Wife and Kids, He bought an Apple watch and donated it to a needy family in Peru in lieu of a goat?
He interrupts my thoughts. "What's wrong, baby? What happened to your holiday spirit?"
"Nothing. I'm fine." But was I really? I push the Apple watch to the back of my mind again.
The day goes on. We go to bed. No effing Apple Watch appears. Who the hell has my $500 dollars then????
Dawn comes and I get up to go to the bathroom. I come back, and my pillow is hard. I try in vain to plump it up. Barely able to see, I think I'm laying on his arm. "Honey, let me back in please."
He grumbles. He's on the other side of the bed.
Not only did he not get me the Apple watch, but he didn't keep my spot warm when I left like he normally does. What the hell???
Why was my pillow still hard? I reach under it and pull out a long box. With the dim light and my eyes that are still asleep, the box appears too long to be an Apple watch. It couldn't be that anyway because mail hadn't arrived yet and he said that one thing was delayed.
I sigh. The man always has nookie on his mind because he has now given me the sex toy to go with the special undies. It's a sex toy shaped box. I mean, what else could fit in there?
I. Can't. My eyes are still asleep. My body is still asleep. I mumble "Thank you, Lover," and toss it on the floor.
Two hours later. I'm more awake now. And I'm mad. Who the hell is walking around with the Apple watch that we paid for?
I pick up the box and my eyes are awake now. I feel bad for thinking all kinds of things.
Luvster bursts into laughter. "I was watching you call me a mother fucker inside your mind all day yesterday. I wanted to see how long it would take you. I BET you that you actually thought that was some type of naugty adult toy since I had already given you a racy gift. Am I right???"
No way was I going to tell him he was right.
I started to open the box. It's a long, retangular box sort of like a box with a tube of toothpaste in it. My eyes are still not quite working well as I open it and inside a kinda phallac plastic case inside the box was --- my lavender Apple Watch, just like the one on my wishlist.
Luvster chuckled, and when I started to giggle like a little school girl who got a new toy he said, "Well, I'm glad the real you is back. The pouting is not a good look, but I DO like the dirty mind part..."
He rolls over to return my hug with that look in his eye, and I wink back as the wake up alarm comes on. I whisper in his ear, "Gym time! let's go see how this new tech works!"
Yes, the gym and tech excite me, in more ways than one.
Love me some him. And I think I'll like my Apple watch, too.
This posed an interesting dilemma, did I say something and make sure that no one was making merry with our money and possibly spoil my surprise (even though he knows I get these alerts since every time he buys burgers and fries without me, I send him a "nice Nina-gram" to gently remind him to make better dietary choices), or did I keep silent and risk eating 500 bills? I decided to take the latter route, kept a poker face and then pushed the whole thing to the back of my mind. Fast forward to Christmas morning. The fireplace was lit, Christmas music floated through the house and we open our gifts with the kids. The next box is going to be my Apple Watch, I'm certain, and then suddenly, everything is open. No watch. Luvster says, "Oh, one thing didn't arrive."
Of course, my mind jumps directly to the Apple watch that is not under either of the trees in the house. I breathe easier, 'cause now I know it's coming. Or not.
We settle into breakfast and he comes close, hugs me and says "There is one small gift for you upstairs on the bed."
My heart jumps. I run upstairs. The Apple Watch is awaiting. I pick up the small, wrapped box and tear into the wrapping--and it's not an Apple watch. It's naughty underthings. That's nice too. I smile. He couldn't have given me these in front of the kids.
We sit together as a family and watch sports and movies and read books and do projects and I, once again, push that Apple watch to the back of my mind.
But then the movie gets boring and my mind starts to wonder. What if our credit cards were scammed, AGAIN, and he didn't by me an Apple Watch? What if he bought an Apple Watch and gave it to someone else? What if he bought HIMSELF an apple watch? What if, like on My Wife and Kids, He bought an Apple watch and donated it to a needy family in Peru in lieu of a goat?
He interrupts my thoughts. "What's wrong, baby? What happened to your holiday spirit?"
"Nothing. I'm fine." But was I really? I push the Apple watch to the back of my mind again.
The day goes on. We go to bed. No effing Apple Watch appears. Who the hell has my $500 dollars then????
Dawn comes and I get up to go to the bathroom. I come back, and my pillow is hard. I try in vain to plump it up. Barely able to see, I think I'm laying on his arm. "Honey, let me back in please."
He grumbles. He's on the other side of the bed.
Not only did he not get me the Apple watch, but he didn't keep my spot warm when I left like he normally does. What the hell???
Why was my pillow still hard? I reach under it and pull out a long box. With the dim light and my eyes that are still asleep, the box appears too long to be an Apple watch. It couldn't be that anyway because mail hadn't arrived yet and he said that one thing was delayed.
I sigh. The man always has nookie on his mind because he has now given me the sex toy to go with the special undies. It's a sex toy shaped box. I mean, what else could fit in there?
I. Can't. My eyes are still asleep. My body is still asleep. I mumble "Thank you, Lover," and toss it on the floor.
Two hours later. I'm more awake now. And I'm mad. Who the hell is walking around with the Apple watch that we paid for?
I pick up the box and my eyes are awake now. I feel bad for thinking all kinds of things.
Luvster bursts into laughter. "I was watching you call me a mother fucker inside your mind all day yesterday. I wanted to see how long it would take you. I BET you that you actually thought that was some type of naugty adult toy since I had already given you a racy gift. Am I right???"
No way was I going to tell him he was right.
I started to open the box. It's a long, retangular box sort of like a box with a tube of toothpaste in it. My eyes are still not quite working well as I open it and inside a kinda phallac plastic case inside the box was --- my lavender Apple Watch, just like the one on my wishlist.
Luvster chuckled, and when I started to giggle like a little school girl who got a new toy he said, "Well, I'm glad the real you is back. The pouting is not a good look, but I DO like the dirty mind part..."
He rolls over to return my hug with that look in his eye, and I wink back as the wake up alarm comes on. I whisper in his ear, "Gym time! let's go see how this new tech works!"
Yes, the gym and tech excite me, in more ways than one.
Love me some him. And I think I'll like my Apple watch, too.
December 6, 2015
December 3, 2015
Books Make Great Christmas Gifts
TODAY and TOMORROW ONLY(December 3rd and 4th)Momma GoneCatfish
...You can order autographed copies of Momma: Gone and Catfish(bundle package) for only $20 plus priority shipping. Each bundle package also includes a FREE Marrying Up t-shirt. Send your request to Yolanda L Gore, ylgore74@gmail.com. Remember books make great Christmas gifts.
...You can order autographed copies of Momma: Gone and Catfish(bundle package) for only $20 plus priority shipping. Each bundle package also includes a FREE Marrying Up t-shirt. Send your request to Yolanda L Gore, ylgore74@gmail.com. Remember books make great Christmas gifts.
November 19, 2015
November 17, 2015
Just Short of Crazy Casting Call
Do you have acting chops? You are invited to audition to play a character in my stage play, Just Short of Crazy, which is also based on my novel. You must be local or willing to pay your own housing and transportation. All roles are paid.
Sign up at http://tpsonline.org/auditions/auddb....
Just Short of Crazy is a comedic relationship drama about two women from different walks of life who are after the attention of the same man and end up finding themselves in the process.
November 14, 2015
It all Matters
This will piss some people off.
In America, I am Black first. As a result, we tend to codify many things by race. It is a travesty, though, to contrast the media coverage of the Paris terror attacks and the Kenya University shootings as a function of race. I realize that doing so, for some people, is an avoidance of a collective social hurt.
There has been a war on Christianity since the crusades. It is not new is certainly independent of color. In all likelihood, the shooter in Kenya was black. This does not make it un-terrible.
What happened in France was also independent of race. The news reported two Americans died. I saw one man who was as at the Stade show his almost-wound. His phone saved him. He was black. He was also African. And French.
What happened in France is better compared to 9/11, when we, Americans of all ilk felt suddenly naked as the terrorist attacks stripped the proverbial wool off of our western sense of security and safety we enjoyed. We mistakingly believed that our lifestyle was above what we saw in other places. Like 9/11, the attacks in France were an attack on our basic freedoms as Americans.
We believe we have the right to go the movies, a sporting event, walk down the street or enjoy a meal in our favorite restaurant without fear of being caught in the middle of someone else's fight, be it a drive by shooting, or a statement about perceived persecution in another's homeland, or just be killed because of the church we choose to worship in.
The Battle of Yorktown reminds us that without France, there would would be no United States.
"In Yorktown, the British could not retreat, surrounded by Washington and the French fleet. Cornwallis surrendered and finally we had won."
(Yeah, American TV)To be sad and angered about the events in Paris is to stand with a friend. It is no different than having your friend's back in a neighborhood brawl when you are ten. That friend is your friend until the end, because at one point they have done that or will do that for you. To stand with Paris is to stand against an assault on the way of life we enjoy in this country.
To compare the two is to compare apples and tires. It is not a black or white thing. It's not even a class thing.
Yes, I am black. (I'm sorry, I'm not African-American. I'm an American of probably mostly African descent.) I am angered by the social and racial injustices against people of all genders, races and religions across the globe.
It is an American thing.
In America, I am Black first. As a result, we tend to codify many things by race. It is a travesty, though, to contrast the media coverage of the Paris terror attacks and the Kenya University shootings as a function of race. I realize that doing so, for some people, is an avoidance of a collective social hurt.
There has been a war on Christianity since the crusades. It is not new is certainly independent of color. In all likelihood, the shooter in Kenya was black. This does not make it un-terrible.
What happened in France was also independent of race. The news reported two Americans died. I saw one man who was as at the Stade show his almost-wound. His phone saved him. He was black. He was also African. And French.
What happened in France is better compared to 9/11, when we, Americans of all ilk felt suddenly naked as the terrorist attacks stripped the proverbial wool off of our western sense of security and safety we enjoyed. We mistakingly believed that our lifestyle was above what we saw in other places. Like 9/11, the attacks in France were an attack on our basic freedoms as Americans.
We believe we have the right to go the movies, a sporting event, walk down the street or enjoy a meal in our favorite restaurant without fear of being caught in the middle of someone else's fight, be it a drive by shooting, or a statement about perceived persecution in another's homeland, or just be killed because of the church we choose to worship in.
The Battle of Yorktown reminds us that without France, there would would be no United States.
"In Yorktown, the British could not retreat, surrounded by Washington and the French fleet. Cornwallis surrendered and finally we had won."
(Yeah, American TV)To be sad and angered about the events in Paris is to stand with a friend. It is no different than having your friend's back in a neighborhood brawl when you are ten. That friend is your friend until the end, because at one point they have done that or will do that for you. To stand with Paris is to stand against an assault on the way of life we enjoy in this country.
To compare the two is to compare apples and tires. It is not a black or white thing. It's not even a class thing.
Yes, I am black. (I'm sorry, I'm not African-American. I'm an American of probably mostly African descent.) I am angered by the social and racial injustices against people of all genders, races and religions across the globe.
It is an American thing.
