I feel that I begin many posts with; "It's been a while, but I'm not dead..." Haha. Life has been full since graduating. There was a "Senior Portfolio Zoo" as we affectionately call it, where the year's graduating seniors present their portfolios to the invited public, most of which consists of the local theatre representatives. I had spent the night with my friend Dani and after we got coffee, set up, and ready, waited nervously for the first people to come look at our work. It was a good moment for me, personally, because I was stuck in the mindset that I wouldn't be designing any more, I should only amount to a stitcher, and that Neverwhere was a disappointment. While most of it was, I shouldn't be leaving with that bad of a taste in my mouth, so to speak. Several dear professors came to look through my work and I was admonished lovingly as to why I wasn't representing myself better. Jennifer Lupton was the crux of my mind change, she was my scenic paint instructor, and a zany, vivacious, wonderful woman. She looked through my portfolio, telling me in her lovingly stern way that I was shortchanging myself. Why wasn't I listed as costume designer? Why wasn't I giving myself credit for this or that? It made me ask myself exactly those questions. Why? Because I didn't feel worthy of the titles. I am owning up to them now. My head is high, and I am aiming for the moon, even if you miss you will land among the stars.
I went through Cornish Commencement and I am very glad that I did because it brought the whole process around full circle for me and provided a closing ceremony to the experience.
I went through Cornish Commencement and I am very glad that I did because it brought the whole process around full circle for me and provided a closing ceremony to the experience.
Tony Kushner, (American playwright who wrote Angels in America) was one of our commencement speakers, along with the incredible Mary Lambert. I filmed Tony's speech but not Mary's and of course I was more impacted by what Mary Lambert had to say than Tony Kushner. Go figure. I've been spoilt listening to Neil Gaiman's HS commencement speech so many times and I badly wish I had Mary's. So good.
Shortly after commencement I was approached to put together an Amish costume for a one woman show about the shooting at Nickel Mines in 2006. A beautiful show, poignant and tender, called The Amish Project. It was written from interviews, news clippings, and youtube clips. One woman, Terri Weagant performs over 10 characters, distinguishing one from the other by change in physicality, voice, and accent. It was amazing to be able to be a part of this show, and so much fun to work with Terri.
6 year old Velda tells about Amish martyrs,
America works as a checker at the Big Foods on Route 33,
Anna realises she is dead,
gazing at the evening through the schoolhouse windows.
Now life is setting back into wedding planning, work, and summer! Yay Summer! I adore the Fall the most, but after long, grey Winters I can't wait for the sun-drenched days of Summer. I have a few posts lined up, so stay tuned!
xoxo,
Anna
