Community Theatres in the Kansas City Metro

I was recently asked about auditions for productions around town. I find out about many of the shows going on because I have so many contacts that are directing, auditioning for, or performing in them, but I'm posting this list to help others who may not know where to begin looking. I've included upcoming audition info for those looking to participate onstage in the near future. If I've left someone out, please let me know.

East

Blue Springs City Theatre. Aug 25, 26: Dixie Swim Club; Sep 22, 23: It's a Wonderful Life, the Musical
City Theatre Independence. Aug 25, 26: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Raytown Arts Council
Summit Theatre Group (Lees Summit)

South

Leawood Stage Company
Olathe Civic Theatre Association Sep 6, 13: The Best Man; Nov 8: The Musical of Musicals (the Musical!)
White Theatre (Overland Park) Aug 16: Fiddler on the Roof
Tallgrass Theatre Company (Paola) Aug 24: The Legends of Sleepy Hollow

West

Theatre in the Park (Shawnee) Summer shows only
The Barn Players (Mission) Oct: 6x10 Play Festival
Mid-Life Players (Kansas City, KS) Aug 11: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (concert style)

North

Gladstone Theatre in the Park Summer shows only
Bell Road Barn Players (Parkville)

North West

River City Community Players (Leavenworth) Sep 15, 16: Bus Stop; Nov 10, 11: The Spirit of Christmas
Weston Community Theatre
Theatre Atchison

North East

Corbin Theatre Company (Liberty) Aug 5: Love, Loss, and What I Wore
Paradise Playhouse (Excelsior Springs)

Well, that's good for a start. I've performed with eight of these groups, and can attest to a very active and living theatre interest in the Metro. Go out there, my friends, and break a leg!

Write Better Blog Posts, Please

I recently read a blog post written by a person who purported to be an expert on a particular subject. Granted, I am not an expert on that subject, but from the way the blog article was written I had my doubts about the author’s expertise as well.

Just as important as the thoughts that you wish to communicate to your audience is the way that you express those thoughts. Unfortunately, many so-called “professional” writers undermine their own authority by falling into bad habits, or perhaps, never developing good ones in the first place.

So here are three tips to help you write like a pro and not sound like some nineteenth-century huckster peddling snake oil.

1. Cite your sources. If you didn’t originate the information yourself, it’s not yours. Tell the reader where you got your data and be specific. Vague references to “scientists at a major university” and their “extensive research” are dubious. Those adjectives are subjective; not everyone may agree that Smallville Junior College is a major university, or that asking forty people at the local mall is extensive research. Record your sources and give others the opportunity to check the facts for themselves. That makes you more credible. Think of those citations as offering further proof that your article’s thesis is correct.
2. Avoid the imperative voice. Don’t demand that your reader do things; give him logical reasons to do things. Let him decide that he needs to boycott a certain product or write to his representative. When the reader determines on his own to take action, he’s much more likely to follow through and won’t feel that you’re trying to manipulate him.
3. Hire a proofreader or editor. If you’re going to be a professional writer, grammar and spelling mistakes are not acceptable. Don’t expect your word processor’s spell checker to help you out of a jam. I once read an issue of a newspaper where every instance of a particular word was misspelled the same way in every article where it appeared. I think that someone must have added the misspelled word to the spell checker’s dictionary, and the word processor “corrected” the word every time it was run. Take ownership of your writing and hire a professional to catch silly mistakes.

If you’re going to pass yourself off as a professional writer (and you’re not writing a comedic blog) then please use good style. While this is not an exhaustive list, at least do these three things and your audience will take you more seriously.

Shakespeare for Modern Teens

I took my daughter to see Romeo and Juliet at the Kansas City Rep last Friday night. We really enjoyed the show, and I highly recommend it. You'll find it an entertaining way to spend your evening, even if you're a little intimidated by Shakespeare. This production is very easy and approachable, so that even my fourteen-year-old had a good time. The set was somewhat minimalist, effectively implying a Renaissance Verona without being overbearing. In fact, all the staging and most of the costuming was subtle, allowing the characters, action, and dialogue to be the focus of the evening.

The dialogue. That's the reason we go to watch Shakespeare, after all; to be enthralled by the pen of the Bard come to life for a brief hour before us. This cast did a great job making the text their own. They seemed quite comfortable with their lines, as if they were accustomed to using Elizabethan iambic pentameter in their daily conversations. There were no stertorous attempts at stuffy British accents, which made the phrases seem wholly natural. With very few exceptions the dialogue didn't seemed forced or stilted. During the intermission my daughter queried me, asking if those were Shakespeare's actual words. I assured her that they were. She was surprised, because it seemed to her so modern.

In fact, that was what struck her most about the production: it seemed so relevant. She found in Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio, and Tybalt some of her own high-school acquaintances. I suppose teenagers haven't changed much in 500 years.

Recesky, Part 2

Here are a few more pictures from the Recesky. This second roll didn't do so well, but I was experimenting. I got nine photos out of this 24-shot roll, and these are the best of the lot. It has given me some things to work on, though.

The First Roll from the Recesky

 As promised, here are some photos from the first roll of film I shot with the Recesky Twin Lens Reflex camera that I built. These are among the best shots—most weren't so good. I'll need to practice more, and maybe make a couple of modifications. The trouble I have is telling when my subject is in focus, particularly in very dark or very bright conditions. I really like the effect when I get it right, though. It's very cool.

Old-School Camera Kit

I just built this Recesky Twin Lens Reflex camera today. It uses good ol' 35mm film. I've already shot one roll. When I get it developed I'll post some pictures and we'll discover how well it does.

Making a Difference

Wow, I had such a neat experience today. A fellow walked into the room where I was preparing material for my evening class. He introduced himself as a former student who had taken a scripting class I taught about a year ago. He said that he had used what he'd learned in my class to automate some processes in his job, becoming the scripting guru. He's had two promotions since then, which he attributed to my instruction, and he thanked me for teaching.

It was great to hear that he was able to use the things I had taught him, and humbling that he considered me responsible for some of the good things he found in life. You don't often get a chance to hear how you've made a difference in another person's life. It's nice.