Bellissima Ballerina

When I was a Brownie or Junior Girl Scout, tenish years ago (oh my goodness), I remember going to see The Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center. I got all dolled up because I was going to the theater, and that is what you are supposed to do when you go to somewhere almost magical (well, feels that way when you are ten) like the Kennedy Center. The ballerinas were all so pretty and concise.
My slideshow is about a ballerina, her dancing, other interests and pursuits in her life to come. She does gymnastics, ballet and soccer. She's funny, sweet and goofy.

-Heather

Let's Hear it For the Playwrights

Annually, since 1982, Baltimore has welcomed Maryland playwrights to perform their plays on stage at the Baltimore Playwrights Festival, located at Fells Point Corner Theater. Tonight is the night that the festival begins, and it is featuring 10 plays this summer. Volunteers read through hundreds of plays to vote on which plays will be staged. A play is chosen based on the amount of yeses it receives from the readers. If a play receives three yeses, it will get a reading. No one, not even the actors are paid. A prize of $250 is, however, given to the playwright who has the best play, based on the opinions of a panel of theater producers and teachers. Putting on a show is not about the money, of course; it is about being able to put on a show that has never been produced before.
The article "Baltimore Playwrights Festival opens tonight" could use a little input from a volunteer.
Although Bob Russell, a theater owner and organizer for the festival, is knowledgeable and interesting, I feel like a volunteer could express the excitement that putting on these shows deserves.
It is interesting to see his point of view- it is necessary to explain the submission process- however, I would like to see enthusiasm.
I would like to know how many plays are submitted, and if any of the plays have made it past the Maryland scene. Have any of the playwrights written anything that I would know?
The article is not poorly written at all. The author has the important information that should be seen. I am just a little more curious about the playwrights and the people who are involved with selection process.

-Heather

Nonlinear Story

A good way to introduce my beat in a nonlinear story would be to express the immense amount of performing arts that communities in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area have to offer. Schools, high school and colleges that offer plays; community centers have summer intensive programs that teach theater, writing, directing and dancing; there are dinner theaters for people who enjoy watching, rather than being more directly involved.
Basically, there are a lot of opportunities to get yourself out of the house and try something new, fun and a little out of your comfort zone.

- Heather

Living the Dream Behind the Scenes

I finally have my feature story posted.
I interviewed a few people about their job as stage managers. People who work behind the scenes in theater are not acknowledged as much as actors and actress, despite their work being just as, if not more laborious.

-Heather

Non-American Widows Have to Go

I watched a short segment called For Better Or Worse from CBS's 60 mins. Basically, if an American marries a non-American, and the American born citizen dies, the widow has to go back to their birth country, according to the U.S government. If the couple has a child the child is allowed to stay, however the widow must leave. The problem is the government does not process the paper work efficiently and quickly enough that states that the couple married for love and not just for citizenship.
The law says that a spouse is considered a citizen and that widows do not count as spouses; however the definition "surviving spouse" disputes that.

-Heather

Audio Story

I interviewed Andre Mazelin and Greg Hamilton from the Creative Alliance for my audio story. Creative Alliance houses galleries for art as well as a stage for theatrical performances. The events at Creative Alliance are open to everyone, and you don't have to be skilled to take part in any of their workshops. You can learn how to improvise on stage, act, be a clown, put on theatrical make up, and make set and costume designs. Some workshops are free; the paid programs are less expensive than summer camps, so it is a great summer activity for kids, teens and adults.
-Heather
Listen to this story on the creative fun workshops that Creative Alliance has.

Audio Story Ideas

Centerstage was what I was planning to write my audio story on; in fact, I have the outline of my story written.  The problem was that the people in charge took a little too long getting back to me, and someone from work offered to try to set me up with an interview with his friend who owns a theater.  Now, I am waiting to see if I can get in touch with his owner friend, who I hope will let me interview him about how he came by owning a theater, how the theater is doing despite financial constraints, and whether his theater is affected by financial cuts the way many theaters in the area are.

-Heather