Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Walking By Faith - A Hit Gospel Musical

Walking By Faith is the 2nd stage-play I've had the privilege of being in. It is written and directed by Don B. Welch

Here's a behind the scenes shot in the dressing room of most of the cast.




It's always a pleasure working with so many hard working and talented actors. And Don B. Welch is very gracious in bringing in new talent and giving them a chance.

One of the cast member in the front row of this picture in the suit and pink tie (Dante) actually moved to LA just so he could be part of Don B. Welch's plays. Don has written close to 30 stage plays and has been blessed enough to have at least 4 of them turned into feature films. His latest release you can purchase is call "The Divorce"

In the play Walking By Faith, Don pulls back the curtain and shows some of the unpleasant things that are never talked about in the church. The taboo subject matters that people deal with. The hypocrisy of certain member who look like they have everything together. There's pain and hurt underneath their Sunday morning masks.

And although no one is immune from having issues, there is a healing that takes place that is available if you draw close to God and Walk By Faith. Although it deals with very serious subject matter, there are plenty of laughs to lighten up the tense moments.

This is me and Joshua. I would say he's definitely one of the comic reliefs in the play! A few people told Don that it was like going to an actual church service with the amazing singing of beloved hymns that you can't help but to sing and clap along with; but first and foremost, it is truly entertainment.

 Yes you will be touched moved and inspired, and perhaps you will take home a lesson or two. But the most important thing is, you will relate, you will be pleasantly surprised and you will laugh.



 Because of the popular demand and turning away people at the door. All three of our initial shows were sold out. Don B. Welch is bringing the play back one more time for an encore performance at a larger venue! Don't wait, get your tickets now for the May 24th performance!




Wednesday, January 15, 2014

2013 Recap - Writing Transformation

So it seems I didn't write a single post in 2013, which may have led some to think I didn't write in 2013. But it was quite the opposite. I had a lot of discovery's with my poetry in regards to defining my voice and how I want to say things in 2013.


I had a wonderful mentor Kimberly L. who gave me tremendous feedback on my manuscript, and I spent the rest of the year, revising and getting my work to line up with the vision I told her I had for the poetry.

It has been a challenge, but the end results have lit me up with excitement over being able to say what I need to say not only in a unique way, but a way that would lend to people remembering what was said more, and hopefully provide a bit of a chuckle, if not merely a knowing smile.

Let me show you a bit of the transformation when I took note not only to make it more memorable but more visual  as well. Here's an example, excerpts from the current book I'm working on "Poetic Prescriptions for Plaguing Problems"


PREVIOUS VERSION EXCERPTS (not consecutive stanzas):



Because of slip-ups, small or large,
That I have previously made;
They’re blown out of proportion, say
“I’m just calling a Spade a Spade.”


When we have all of these human laws
To obey what should they expect?
They’re not flawless in their own lives,
No matter what they now project.


I say I can’t let what they speak
About me get me to be down;
They’re in the trade of finding fault
With everyone else in this town.
 
Sours how I feel, stops me from
The joyous way I wish to live;
Makes me question every small thing,
When they’ve chosen not to forgive.

One locale it makes me question:
Whether or not I’m living right;
Self examination is great,
However, they just want to fight.

AFTER THE CURRENT REWRITE EXCERPTS (not consecutive stanzas):



I wonder what’s attracted them?
To this attack I’m a beginner;
I’ve never seen such hunger here
Perhaps to them I smell like dinner?


If mess up and they point it out
They show their nymphs what they detect;
These omnivores have their own flaws,
But it’s perfection they project.
 
I must debug, get rid of them
Devouring me they still consume;
Proactive now I have become
There’s roach motels in every room.

 
Portray themselves a certain way
And then before I know they molt;
They look to multiply themselves
With orange oil I will revolt.

They hunt to hide where it is dark
They leave their droppings everywhere;
It seems to rob me of my joy
When they accuse and they compare.


As you can see the two versions of stanzas are distinctly different, not only is the 2nd one more visual, I believe it makes more sense and says what I want it to in a more memorable way.

Stay tuned as I attempt to follow up here a lot more often than once a year!