I can’t get the Diary of Anne Frank out of my mind or soul. Watching rehearsals and feeling the build-up of the PCS Theater production has given me spiritual healing – saying it’s cathartic seems to trivialize what the Director, the cast, and the crew are all about. ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ rarely knocks… Continue reading The Diary Behind The Diary of Anne Frank
No picture this muse. You ask, why? It’s been that kind of week! I finally figured out something huge about myself–I’m a runner. And no, not a physical runner. In that regard, I hate running. But I run from the complex parts of life, especially when all goes to pot during hell week. Fight or… Continue reading Outcasts For Hell Week
The world’s saturated with creators–do we need one more? And if we’re not famous, forget about it, unless you have one million followers on TikTok. Then, by all means, open up your fashion line or singing career, or write that book. We all want to be seen and heard. Somehow, as crazy as it sounds,… Continue reading Letting It All Hang Out For Some Creativity
After 560 days, we were welcomed to the rock by Joel Hatch yesterday, where he first appeared in “Come From Away” as the mayor of Gander. What we weren’t expecting was just how cathartic that welcome would be. I have many ways to take this story, but if the writers could take 4,000 hours of… Continue reading 560 Days To Take A Gander At “Come From Away”
Last year I figured if I had to turn 50 and have a mid-life crisis, I better have fun doing it. So I went where I hadn’t gone before–to the stage. And the girls restored peace into my world again. Name another way that a mid-life mama could sing and dance and draw attention to… Continue reading Crisis Interrupted; Harmony Restored
Thinking twice about your love for Hamilton because the intellectuals doubt its relevancy in our lives today? Read this, and you’ll have something that they don’t have: hope. “I’m not throwing away my shot” to defend Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Hamilton cast. Ahmad Rashad said it best, “people build you up to tear you down.”… Continue reading In Defense of Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda & Imperfection
Dad used to say to me, “When you’re tall, you have to grow into your height.” You don’t come automatically coordinated or with an instruction manual. I never put any thought into those words–that maybe he was talking from experience–or if I did, I quickly brushed it off. “Dad? He doesn’t know what he’s talking… Continue reading Act As If
Part 2 of 2 We had our first rehearsal, and three subsequent practices, for Twelfth Night (our not-so Shakespearean musical). For the veterans this could very well be their twentieth show, for me, it’s Mama takes the stage, take two. In other words, I’ve reached the terrible twos with this whole acting, singing dancing thing.… Continue reading Re Re Who’s Who The Terrible Two’s
I auditioned for our local community theater’s new musical, Twelfth Night. If ever you need a moment filled with laughtear, get on a stage, especially if you haven’t been on one before. Before I can get to auditions, let’s talk terminology. And as you will soon find out, laughtear is not a mispelling for laughter.… Continue reading Auditioning for the Bard Arse Club
Mamma Mia! The Party at the O2, London/Greece ABBA made me turn 50, that is. And while we’re throwing blame here, ABBA made me sing and dance to the point I was dripping with gratitude for the music, too. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, and you’re that oh-so curious ABBA lover,… Continue reading ABBA Made Me Do It!
Copyright © 2024 by Stephanie Ortiz – All Rights Reserved
