Golden Autumn

New endeavors, coming at me, quickly and relentlessly. But it's all-good. I auditioned for--and got--a lead role in a new Web Series which will debut, next Spring. We will be filming the "trailer" for this series, in November. The filming of the Web Series will be every Saturday and Sunday, in January.
Wish I could say more, but until the trailer is filmed and ready to launch on the Internet, all I can tell you is: I have a lead role; it's set at a college, and it's a "dramedy".
When not memorizing poetry or monologues, I've been organizing two workshops for poet extraordinaire--Cecilia Woloch--which she will be leading, on December 5th and December 6th.
December 5th's is completely full; the December 6th Workshop is nearly full. Both are "Mostly Generative, With Critique". I am very excited about having her back in Atlanta, and I am participating in both of her workshops.
And speaking of poetry, I participated in the inaugural meeting of the newly-formed Atlanta Women's Poetry Collective, last Sunday. The "Fab Four" creators of this group includes Lynn Pederson, Amy Pence, Hilary Rogers King, and Karen Paul Holmes. The meeting in a beautiful private home on the west side of Buckhead, and the group was an eclectic collection of estrogen-fueled humanity. From what was said, it appears our mission is to create more support and love of poetry, and we will accomplish this in myriad ways:
by integrating our poetry with other art forms; by showcasing our poetry at local theatres; by offering Retreats for members; a take-a-poet-to-dinner-series; a partnership with Georgia Poetry Society and/or other organizations which bring poets into the schools;by  mentoring young girls, prisoners, and the elderly.
I'm leading the effort to get poetry launched at local theatres. I think this will be a win-win, for everyone.


 Last night, I attended a showing of "Redemption", which was screened at the Midtown 8 Cinemas in Midtown Atlanta, by the "Let's Make Atlanta NO-KILL" coalition. This organization was created to eliminate the killing of healthy, adoptable animals in Atlanta area shelters.
A great group of folks, who are already making a difference in the lives of animals, and people, all over our great state of Georgia:
Major Dillard Hughes, is Support Section Commander for the Gwinnett County Jail, and his responsibilities include Inmate Services, which runs the Second Chance Dog Program along with Gwinnett Re-entry and Intervention Program (GRIP). The good Major commented that this program is win-win for the previously-condemned dogs, and the weary, need-to-learn-to-care-for-others/learn- new-job-skills-inmates.
Grace Hamlin, Founder and President of W-UNDERDOGS, a grassroots campaign founded as a way to keep the kids of Peoplestown engaged and off the streets through instilling compassion and ethics by rescuing and caring for animals in need.
Erin Meurer, Head Technician and Animal Rescue Coordinator for Fayetteville Animal Hospital in Fayetteville, Georgia. Erin has a special interest in animal behavior and works to rehabilitate rescue dogs to help make their transition into homes successful. After witnessing the need for more rescue work, Erin became involved with Safe Harbor Animal Rescue. Three years later, she helped found
 Hounds in Pounds, Inc., a dog-rescue group.

And finally,  Gypsy Theatre Company, helmed by Mercury (he uses one name only) and his gorgeous wife, Danielle Gustaeveson, is now the Resident Theatre at The Buford Community Center. They perform at the Sylvia Beard Theatre, and are featuring a Jones/Hope/Wooten World Premiere as part of their 2015-2016 Season. Playwrights Jones/Hope/Wooten are the writers who created "The Golden Girls" TV series, and wrote all the scripts.
Here's to golden times, ahead.
Peace, kids.

Cold outside, Hot music inside.

Looking forward to "Six Degrees of Separation", at Actor's Express, on their "Rough Cut"/Wednesday night, a kind of pre-Preview night. I'm going to attend with Collin Kelley, and I can't wait. I've seen "Six Degrees" produced by other theatre companies, but I am excited about Actors' Express, because they always. do. theatre. edgier. On Tuesday night, I escaped from the seemingly-constant-replaying-of-worry over Mom, Daddy, and other family members, by flitting off to the coolest Italian place in Alpharetta, "Altobeli's". Tuesday nights feature my fellow-SAG-AFTRA-member, the talented singer, Michael Carlton King. It was a respite from responsibility: a glorious hour or so of 1960's and 1970's hits. Classic standards and R & B, and how lovely to see a few fun folks go out into the below-freezing temperatures, to get to the hot swingin' tunes inside Altobeli's! One cool-couple in attendance: our neighbors, Kathryn and Doug Cueny. Kathryn is probably the kindest soul you could ever meet: she's in our Palisades' Book Club, she's very supportive of the arts (I found out weeks-after-the-fact, that she was the one who arranged for several women from our neighborhood to come see me perform onstage in "The Dixie Swim Club", when Gypsy Theatre Company produced it, in February 2012), she appears to be a very grateful person, too, as she revels in her grandchildren and extended family. When I spoke to hubby Hansoo after returning home, and suggested he have a "respite" too, he responded by saying he wants to come hear MIchael sing, and.....he wants to play golf with him,too. I'm hoping Michael Carlton King will be able to (he's quite the golf enthusiast!), and perhaps Doug will join them. Dear ol' pal, Danny Morrison drove me to Altobeli's, and he enjoyed the banter with Michael Carlton King over various musical artists and songs. Music soothes, and heals. And so does theatre. And poetry. Peace, kids.

Communion.

The second-to-last night of "The Dixie Swim Club",(Saturday, Feburary 25th) I had the loving support of many in my family(My Daddy--John Allender, was unable to come, due to a severe cold), IN THE AUDIENCE, including hubby Hansoo, my Mom--Demetra Allender, my Sis--Tina Dudley, My Uncle Buddy--known as Nick Comati to others, and dear friends Dan M., Coral McGhee, Alan Wright, and Cheryl Jones. I was told by Tina, that Penny (I'd call Penny Tina's BFF, fer sure.She brought her daughter, Isabo, too) would also be coming...and I was guessing all this support allowed me to personally have what was my best. night. onstage.....I recall feeling that the "communion" of which I often speak, was there. Real. Palpable.
That "sense" that the audience is TRULY "with" you....
I was about to discover who ELSE made this audience, all that I could have DREAMED OF...
After changing clothes, I ran outside our "green room" to hug family and friends, and was there only a few moments, when I noticed a red-haired woman who reminded me of BFF, Jeanne, from Florida....Standing directly behind her was a handsome, husky man with greenish eyes and jet black hair and a kind smile, who looked verrry familiar. I thought, 'Wowsers, she looks like Jeanne....And that guy, he looks alot like Derek Conte'...oh my God..is that...?'
I kept stammering "What in the WORLD?!" (something to that effect),because I was in a state of disbelief, suddenly understanding Jeanne had come over 500 miles,to see the show, and had enlisted Derek's help, in surprising me....
I managed to grab a passer-by and she readily agreed to photograph the entire big bunch of us...What Fun!
The hour was late, so I suggested we all get-together on Monday night,(the show closed after the Sunday, Feburary 26th Matinee').My family would have to leave Sunday morning, but several friends made it to The Tavern at Phipps that Monday, where we regaled each other with tales of acting, music, mayhem, and our collective sadness over the loss of Whitney Houston.
One important note: many, many relatives and friends made the trip out to The Cumming Playhouse,to see "The Dixie Swim Club", and I am so grateful for your kindness, laughter, and support and engagement in the arts....and in me!
Big, Big, Big Thank Yous to Hansoo Kwon, Jerry Gibbons; Dan Morrison; Joe and Mary Jean Goode, and Maggie Winfrey; Cathy Harris and Richard Olson; Young Soo and Young Ae Kwon, and our nieces Rachel and Grace; "Omma K" and "Appa K"; Carole Madan; Crystal & Wes Rast; Faith Dubose and three of her dear gal-pals; Collin Kelley, Franklin Abbott, Cleo Creech, Julie Bloemeke; Aarti Nayar; Estelle Ford-Williamson, and her friend; Dale & Christine Gray, and(up and coming Playwright)Glenn Slattery, & his wife, Karen; Kathryn Cueny and seven other women, including Dianne Williams, from our neighborhood(I still don't know who all was in the group, though I received nice notes thanking me for my performance!); and at our final Matinee', Andrew Pope and his wife, Bonnie.
Dear friend Dan attended the (rather rough) Preview Night(February 1st), and hubby Hansoo attended Opening Night(February 2nd), The Author's Night(February 10th), with the Playwrights), AND that truly-fabulous Saturday (February 25th) night.
If somehow I forgot to list you, please DO remind me...
Biggest thank yous and hugs to the cast in which I was so fortunate to be included:
Debbi Hamm--Sheree Hollinger
Danielle Gustaveson--Dinah
Carlene Archer--Vernadette Simms
Tracy Lee Holden--Jeri Neal
Director and Fearless Leader--Mercury.
Our crew was amazing too, especially Costumer, Debra Signa, and Bonnie Smith, Dresser/Stagehand.
Bob, our Lighting dude, was/is amazing!
Up next at Gypsy Theatre company, this Summer: The Wizard of Oz!!!
I don't audition for Musicals, but I'll be helping with Publicity on that. :D
The show is sure to be magical!
Peace, kids.

Good Times with "The Dixie Swim Club". And afterwards.

So, updates on The Dixie Swim Club....and our fabulously supportive audiences! The past few weeks several dear friends, neighbors, and relatives have already seen our show, which closes this coming Sunday. We have a matinee' on Sunday, and on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, we have our evening show. Big big Thank Yous to Crys and Wes Rast, and Faith DuBose, and her pals for coming on Author's Night, and dear friend Aarti Nayar, and friend, who came the following week, and neighbor Kathryn Cueny and several ladies she brought from our 'hood, to the show last Thursday. Neighbors and close pals, Christine and Dale Gray brought Glen and Karen Slattery, and I'm especially thrilled that Glen enjoyed the show, as he is a playwright I deeply admire.( His "Von Who", which received a Staged Reading at Academy Theatre a few years ago, manages to create comedy in the era of the Third Reich, and Hitler! No easy feat, for sure.)
I had penned a column for our "Palisades Newsletter" in our neighborhood, which detailed an interview with our Artistic Director, Mercury, and I think this generated interest in Gypsy Theatre Company's "The Dixie Swim Club", of which I am so happy to be a part!
Others I wish to thank for coming: Kathy Harris and Richard Olson, my dear, departed Sis-in-Law, Toni Harris Kwon's ( may she rest in peace), mom and step-dad. They are always enthusiastic about all our family's endeavors, and they truly are, family. Omma K and Appa K ( my mother-in-law and father-in-law, respectively, attended the same night as the Harris-Olsons. Omma gave me a bundle of pink roses and baby's breath, with a card that read "Congratulations, Lexie" ( my character's name). Next night, Youngsoo and Youngae Kwon and my lovely nieces, Rachel and Grace came to see the play, armed with a lovely nosegay including roses, and daisies.
Sunday's Matinee' had Julie Bloemeke,, a dear friend, a peach of a poet and a sweet young mother, sweet, talented pal, Cleo Creech, and mentor Franklin Abbott, as well as eternal friend, novelist Collin ("Conquering Venus"; "Remain in Light") Kelley in attendance, and I could not be happier they all made it up here to see the show, and to celebrate afterwards, at The Ridge, a huge restaurant which serves kick-ass onion rings, and assorted chops and seafood. The "New Orleans Shrimp-and-Grits" was to die-for: sweet- creamy with mushroom, sun-dried tomato, huge Gulf shrimp and a homemade BBQ sauce, and studded throughout? Andouille sausage, of course! I was eyeing Franklin's Crab Cake, which looked delish. Great wine list, Julie and I both chose a glass of Shiraz. Hansoo joined us and had the"fall-off-the-bone" ribs. He told me we'll be returning, which means alot, because we seldom go out for dinner, so when we do, it has to be really, really good.
Good, good times.
Wish us "Break A Leg", kids.
Peace, kids.

Peace, kids.
I hope if you want to see a "...Comedy with alot of Heart", as I was quoted in The Forsyth County Newspaper, which also featured that quote as the headline in the article on "The Dixie Swim Club", you'll join us.... Come on in, the water's fine!