A serious issue of theatrical proportions

I have been mulling over an issue that has hit me hard lately. It may not impact others the way it has me, but I feel quite passionate about this. It's an issue that slightly frightens me. We have a wonderful theatre community in Central Ohio. And yet live theatre is suffering, locally and nationally. Companies are merging, downsizing, and even closing. It kills me. Since becoming a reviewer with Theatre Vault I have been connected with so many wonderful people, and  pleasantly surprised by how many theatres we have in our hometown. I have also picked up on a couple of common themes: Lack of space, lack of funding, lack of interest. Lather, rinse, and repeat with the next theatre company.  And not just the community theatres either. Our main equity house, CATCo, has also felt the harsh blow of our currently economy to a great extent. How tragic is it that an actor's escape or true utopia, their home, the stage, is being threatened by something  beyond the realm of creativity? How sad is it that we must almost beg and borrow to make a halfway decent production only to be let down by a miniscule crowd on opening night?
 Luckily (for most theatre groups) actors are creative, giving, and resourceful folks who find ways to make their shows work. Instead of performing on an actual stage, you find theatres like Raconteur Theatre Company, a company that is often seen performing on the second floor of Club Diversity. You also find a lot of costumes, props, and sets are borrowed between theatre companies, as we are a community and we are all connected through each other. For some theatres who don't have their own home stage, there are others like Columbus Civic Theatre who allow other companies to share their stage and utilize their facilities. So there are a many resources and people in our city who are willing to make ends meet in the midst of the dreary circumstance. Still, there is a need. There are still those who are feeling the harsh blows. What else can be done? PLENTLY. My favorite thing to do is to audition. Support your local theatres by auditioning or being involved backstage. So many patrons are sick of seeing the same actors in every show. If you are one of those patrons, put up or shut up. AUDITION! Donate your time to props and costumes. Sit in the freaking tech booth and push buttons. My next suggestion is to donate props, costumes, or even money. A litte, a lot- it doesn't matter. Every little bit helps. And stop complaining about ticket prices. If you want to see a show, save up and go. Support the theatre and the actors. You never know; that extra money might be going towards the meager recompense of the actors. Yeah, your attendance may pay the actors. The actors will love you for that. Theatres always appreciate their patrons in their programs and newsletters. We need people who are willing to support our art. And I don't mean theatre folk supporting theatre folk. We get bored with each other after a while. I mean regular, not theatrical, sane everyday americans looking for entertainment, education, and an escape from their everyday american lives.
Bottom line, something has to be done. There needs to be a radical change in our community. I'm one person. PHYSICALLY, I'm one person. I write my reviews, I attend shows, I donate my time, I perform. I live for my art. I'm doing what I can. And now I'm challenging everyone who reads this. There are shows going on EVERY weekend in Ohio. I guarantee you, EVERY weekend, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, somewhere in our state, someone is performing on a stage. Go. Support them. Laugh at them (even if they aren't funny). Cry (especially if they aren't funny). Love it. Hate it. Debate it. GO. Better our community by better our theatre community. And think about what you can do as an individual and we can do as a people, united by one goal.

Myrtle Beach Vacation, Part One

It is 3:35 am. I am completely numb to feelings and emotions right now as they do not exist in this ungodly hour, though if I were to pinpoint one that I probably would be feeling right now it would be unmitigated disdain for this terrible time. As I lay here, the rest of the household sleeps. I woke up early to shower and get ready because everyone one else said they would wake up around 4 am. I didn't feel like fighting for a shower, so I jumped the gun on this one. I hate long roadtrips where I sit in the back seat for nine hours, hating life. Knowing that is what is looming in the near future only adds to the resentment. I've never understood the concept of getting up so early to get on the road. I know it is to reach your destination at a decent hour, thus beginning your vacation and optimum relaxation time.... but seriously. I for one want to collapse on a bed when I get out of that despicable van. I have no desire to eat or sightsee. THAT can begin tomorrow. Whatever. I've learned not to argue. I've accepted my fate. And besides, if it makes the parents happy I'll be cool.
My next coherent thought won't be for hours as I will try the uncomfortable effort of sleeping in the godforsaken van. That will go over really well I'm sure. :o/
Why couldn't Myrtle Beach be closer???

The reasons why you are suffering (a poem)

Tired, past the twilight
you're sailing into the murky night.
It's going to be another shouting match
Another bloodbath.
You're going to claw for each other's eyes,
both being accused of lies.
Unrelenting, unwilling to let go
and sail into a world you don't know.
you fight against the swirl of emotion. 
Only one has any devotion,
and one is making ends meet to try and keep it right
but you're only going to end up in another fight.
Never ending circle could end by your hand
but you're too busy trying to be a friend.
You are trapped in that cage,
and you can't find your stage.
You belong to yourself
but your balls are on her shelf .
You pray for release
so you can do as you please 
but you can't find your way
so you begin to sway
and fall down,
dirt and ground,
making the same mistake,
always give and never take.
You may never learn
and she'll make you squirm
and crush you with regret when it's your turn.

Guess what I've got to plan.............

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtGJ2PqNkMGAjcvWwYSzEvMjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20070130045420AApQq2f

http://partygameideas.com/bridal-shower/games-list.php
http://partygameideas.com/bridal-shower/knows_the_bride_2.php
http://partygameideas.com/bridal-shower/recipe_success_4.php
http://partygameideas.com/bridal-shower/be_the_bride_2.php
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ag.8Vd6VJjL6xabbH5d7LuUjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20070303203127AAtcPuA
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ag.8Vd6VJjL6xabbH5d7LuUjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20080921134927AATwroU
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgZtt44dXtKc05s86b9G.DYjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20081113183855AA12Bpl

Dreams of you and I, someday....

Suddenly sleep has overcome

and I am drifting away

sailing down night's rocky shore

dreams of you and I, someday

Kiss me once

Love me twice

Hold me close

and never say goodbye

I wish it would fade into nothingness
sail into the deep
All of the creeping, dangerous
words that come with sleep
I almost don't want to wake up
so I won't have to face the light
Won't have to deal with the consequence 
of wanting to hold you so tight
Push past the thorns and the briars of
confusion and misery's rose
Making a break 
don't want to wake up
fearing the flood as it goes
When shall we ever be free
When shall we sit 'neath the stars
When shall we share our words in the open
revealing our bruises and scars
So long since I could even cry
so long since I've seen you smile
I hate to say the word, goodbye
It's been for too long a while
Concealing myself
My heart's on the shelf
My mind is  sheer poetry
My eyes are yours 
wanting tears and sore
You are all I can see
Suddenly sleep has overcome
and I am drifting away
sailing down night's rocky shore
dreams of you and I, someday
Kiss me once
Love me twice
Hold me close
and never say goodbye

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!

RAINRAINRAINRAINRAINRAIN.... UGH! No more rain GOD! Please. Give it a rest. It sounds great and it's fine when I'm not in it. Unfortunately, half my life is spent in my car, DRIVING, so c'mon! Let's have a nice sunny day tomorrow, whadya say? Hmm? Sunny? Warm? Something optimal? Maybe even, dare I say, DRY? Just a thought...


I shed a tear in my indecent heartache.
I know it's too much to ask
to want our moments to last,
but I just can't resist...
I sit in my solitude
knowing you are not alone.
I breathe and worry...
I wonder if you think of me. 
The rain does nothing to console
but rather mimic the pounding of my heart.

VBS!!!!

Among everything else that is going on in my life, Josh and I were approached at church Sunday and asked to head up this summer's VBS. As in the church's VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!!!!! After the initial freak out, I realized I actually have to sit down and figure out what exactly I want to do for this VBS. I'm so excited. Now I need to praypraypray and find the perfect theme.
PRAY!
http://ministry-to-children.com/vbs/
http://www.christianbook.com/vbs?kw=vbs&event=PPCSRC&p=1018818&cm_mmc=Google-_-Vbs-_-vbs-_-vbs&gclid=CIHr9o2E5KECFSQ65Qod1HLPKQ