07.25.2010 by Shannon
Today I did a little Sunday-improv action with Upright Citizens Brigade over at Pan Theater.
It’s funny how I enrolled in the Level I improv class back at the new year just to “keep myself from getting rusty” while I had to take a little performing hiatus while I started my new job in January — and have ended up taking six, now, improv classes and workshops, from traditional improv games to long form to Action Theater.
Category Daily1, Narrative, Over in Oakland, Performance | Tags: | 1 Comment
07.21.2010 by Shannon
When it comes to “progress,” why is it always two steps forward, one step back? When they say “life is a dance,” I didn’t know it would be so tedious.
(And my inner dance partner has two left feet. How many times do I have to tell her to just feel the goddam rhythm before she stops stepping on my toes?)
Category Daily1, Over in Oakland, This Modern Life | Tags: life is a dance,two left feet,two step | 1 Comment
07.18.2010 by Shannon
…we have for far too long been undermining ourselves.
Yes, the world is full of beautiful, talented people. But we are beyond comparison.
We are at zero. Not one. Not negative one: zero.
Neutral. Incomparable. Singular. Is.
You are a beautiful, talented human being. I am a beautiful, talented human being. What are we waiting for?
I realized tonight HOW MUCH I judge myself. The world is tainted through my eyes. When will I throw off this oppressive delusion? There is absolutely No Thing standing in my way… Except for me.
Why do we hide our light? We must step bravely forward to do our service, to fulfill our duty–which is only to become what we are, to be our Is-ness– to ourselves, and then the world.
There is so much potential for greatness! No question. It is guaranteed. We have ten billion suns inside of us, and it’s mind boggling how we are able to fight that for so long…
Sometimes an entire lifetime.
I don’t want to fight anymore.
I just don’t understand what we’re waiting for. What I’m waiting for.
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07.15.2010 by Shannon
What are we to do, my Beloved, if we are not willing to undo everything for you?
I stumble, and I blunder, and I fail.
I could repeat this a thousand times.
But here, in this moment, I know that I am doing all that I can.
And all that I can do is understand that I can understand nothing, and trust-
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07.12.2010 by Shannon
The Railyard Performance Space in Santa Fe is confirmed for a production of my solo performance BURST the weekend of September 10th/11th! Venue and dates have changed! Sept 17/18 and 24/25 at the Santa Fe Performing Arts Center.
Also, got confirmation that I’ll be performing a condensed version of BURST and co-hosting an improv workshop as the “keynote speaker” at the Consumer Wellness Conference in ABQ September 29th/30th.
More info by and by.
Category Announcements, Daily1, New Mexico Magic, Performance | Tags: abq,burst,conference,mental health,one woman show,railyard,sanra fe,shannon dejong,solo performance | 1 Comment
07.08.2010 by Shannon
Some great things are afoot: it looks like I might have an opportunity to bring my solo performance BURST back to the Land of Enchantment for a little more New Mexico magic.
I’ve been nominated to perform BURST as the keynote speaker at the only peer-run consumer wellness conference in ABQ. I should hear back on that by the end of the week — cross your fingers!
I’ll also be working and staying in Taos for about 3 weeks, and am looking into venues there and in Santa Fe as well. I figure I will throw possibilities out there and see what sticks.
New Mexico has always captivated me, and remains an incredibly pivotal place. Somehow, when I’m there, beautiful things emerge, productivity flowers, and my bones settle in a dusty calm.
An incredibly deep and grateful bow to those who are already making this happen!
Will keep you updated,
.s
Category Daily1, New Mexico Magic, Performance | Tags: albuquerque,burst,conference,consumer wellness,mental health,one woman show,santa fe,shannon dejong,solo performance,taos | No Comments
07.07.2010 by Shannon
Number one word to describe tonight: fun.
For such a flat-footed, sallow little three-letter word, it sure encapsulates the intoxication I experienced from 7:05pm-7:55pm. Fun. Fun, fun, fun. Fun! In the parlance of the Internet, let me capitalize to indicate increased volume: IT WAS FUCKING FUN. (more…)
Category Daily1, Over in Oakland, Performance, Writing & Language | Tags: acting,action theater,arts center,craft,improv,practice,temescal,theater,Writing & Language | No Comments
07.05.2010 by Shannon
You can laugh at this guy, but he’s on to something.
Category Brands/Trends, Daily1 | Tags: | 1 Comment
07.03.2010 by Shannon
So today I got pulled over by a cop. We both played out the scripted roles.
“Do you know why I pulled you over?”
“I do.”
“And why’s that?”
“I was going too fast.”
“Yes, yes you were. Are you heading home?”
“No, I’m on my way to my teacher’s performance.”
“And you’re in a hurry because you’re late?”
“Well, to be perfectly honest, I just got my period and– (more…)
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07.02.2010 by Shannon
Why is it that we get exactly what we need? How can it be that what we want most in the world is given? That that for which we have such longing, such deepest magnetic draw, is that which the universe wants for us? All is given, that is, with a little patience.
I am always amazed when I’m granted grace. I still have a long way to go to develop my faith and discipline to a level that even begins to come close to reflecting the blessings that I’ve been given. As if it’d never come! I am constantly bombarded by the Larger Picture pummeling me with gifts — I somehow seem to mistake it as abuse. (more…)
Category Daily1, Over in Oakland | Tags: | No Comments
07.01.2010 by Shannon
Showed up for an “extra” off-the-schedule class at Pan that our stand-in teacher D. offered to teach while A. is away in Ireland.
Only three showed, but what a class. Such learning. D. is really showing us some of the guts of improv, and how certain choices can yield different results. “Follow the fear!”
He instructs us to do the one thing the character doesn’t want to do; say the one thing that is hardest to say. That moves the action. That creates the tension of the scene.
We would do a scene over and over– “freeze!” D. calls out, and then asks us “what would be the most difficult thing to do right now? Great! Do THAT!”
Takes the scene somewhere completely new.
More and more I’m finding my stage craft to mimic any practice in life: be present. Trust. Embrace the fear or excitement. When in doubt, just say exactly what’s right in front of you. The juice lies in the difficulty.
Thanks, D. for the extra class. We are coming along.
Category Daily1, Over in Oakland, Performance | Tags: fear,improv,pan theater,practice,trust | No Comments