2018: All About the Me

Theatre

Any year review of me should probably start with theatre.  It's been something I've been doing since 9th grade, and it's a rare year when I haven't been in one thing or another.

From the picture above, you can see the highlight of the year for me was performing as Fester in The Addams Family.  Not only did I get to perform with my son, Benjamin (who played Pugsley), I was able to sing onstage.  The Moon and Me song was a career highlight for me.  It was in my vocal range and had some high notes that I DID NOT MISS!  Great comedic acting?  Check!  Enjoyable singing performance?  Double check!  Dancing?  Uhhhh...in a fashion, yes.  Best I can say about that is....nobody got hurt.

There were other good theater experiences.  I was able to do Love Letters with my good friend, the very talented Julianna Lacefield, for a Valentine's performance at my church.  I played multiple parts in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.  I was the railroad conductor and narrator of The Polar Express.

2019 may be even lighter, as I am holding off and only doing shows with Benjamin (at least until he starts college in the Fall).

Travel

Regular followers of this blog will know about our trip of a lifetime to Ireland.  Above pictured were my traveling companions - Alison, Doug, and Paige.  I won't go into the trip here,, as that could be quite detailed.  Please follow the tag Ireland for plenty of great commentary and pictures from this sensational trip.

Later in the year, we were able to spend a weekend with my sister, Carol, and her spouse, Michael, at St. Simons.  Time with them is rare, and it was a great weekend just to eat and talk.

Writing

It was a good year in that I got two new things out for sale - Crowley Stories: Swamp's Edge and A Christmas With Pegasus (cover done by local professional actress Kennedy Brice, who is roughly the age of the lead character in the story).  I also won first place in both Story and Poetry in the Fifth Annual Okefenokee Heritage Center's Writing Contest.  The story was The Chicken Hut Changes Its Name, and the poem was Step by Step.  Both are available on this blog.

It was a bad year in that nothing I published sold well.  At all,  A real disaster.  And I spent $1600 with Bookbaby thinking it will help not only publish but promote my book.  The results were horrible, and I'm having a hard time coping with taking away so much money that could have been used for the family.

I'm a fair writer, but a lousy publicist.  It's a problem that will dominate 2019.

I've written a good chunk on The Extra Credit Club and I've been trying to market My Europa.

I need to reorganize my writing time, and this will be a significant 2019 goal.

Clubs and Organizations

I remain a participant in the Okefenokee Heritage Center Writer's Guild.  Pictured above is Grace Lee at her 90th birthday party.  Attendance this year has been down, but I remain committed to getting Grace Lee to the meetings.

As I am trying to move away from accounting, I an refusing Treasurer's positions, but Purlie Productions got grandfathered in.  Their commitment to socially relevant theatre productions is a real beacon for this area, and I hope they continue to do well.

Grace Episcopal Church continues to be a cornerstone of my life.  I am a lector and prayer reader there, and I went as a representative to Convention.  I hope to do more for charity in 2019, in conjunction with church activities.

Work

I worked part-time at Higginson & Paulk.  I'm having great difficulty making money creatively (which some of my more cynical friends are not surprised to hear), so I will probably be there for the foreseeable future, working about 40 to 50% work schedule compared to full time.  The people there are very friendly and easy to work with, as long as I don't express myself politically.  It helps make having to continue in accounting much more tolerable.

Politics

It was a tough year.  A lot of scary, dangerous things coming from the Trump Administration, but also glimmers of hope in a new Democratic House coming in, and the Mueller report moving forward.  I spoke out often on Facebook, my blog, and in newspaper columns.  I supported Lisa Ring for Congress and Greg O'Driscoll for State House.  Neither won, but it was an honor being able to vote for them and have choices.

I continue to be depressed by the Trumpeteers in my life.  How they can not see what a foul creature Captain Bone Spurs is, is beyond me.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

T. M. Stait

Post Dancing Wednesday Wanderings

That's not a bald cap.  That's me.  Bald.  I don't think I'd ever been bald before.  I came out of the womb with a full head of hair.  My Dad had me get a crew cut once when he was afraid I might turn into a hippie, but that was only one haircut (and I never did turn into a hippie - liberal politics, yes...liberal lifestyle, no).  Playing Uncle Fester was more than I imagined, and I fit the image of Fester much more than I expected.

-----------------------

My feet hurt.  Hopefully, it will pass and not be bad for weeks like it sometimes gets.  There was a lot of dance and movement in The Addams Family, and I'm glad I didn't get this while the play was on - it would have made things very difficult.

---------------------------

Tax season grinds.  Yes, I thought I was distancing myself, but I did not get completely out, and until I make money creatively, I need the income.  And yes, I understand.  I may never make money that way.  But I want to try.  Lord, I want to try.

----------------------------

But it won't be for the next few weeks,  Although I should have slightly more time now that The Addams Family is through.  In theory.

--------------------------

Speaking of theory (like the great movie The Theory of Everything), I was saddened to hear of the passing of Stephen Hawking.  He challenged his ALS as dramatically and valiantly as anyone ever had, and made contributions to the world that exceed that of even the healthiest among us.

--------------------------------

It may be going to a recount!  Glad to see that Conor Lamb may be pulling off a huge upset, and winning a Congressional seat in a deep red Trump district.  It's another conservative Democrat who may cause me fits on some issues, but it's a giant step in the right direction.  Not much happens unless the Democrats regain control of either the Senate or the House.


------------------------------

People are leaving or being fired at the White House in unprecedented numbers.  There may be no one left to turn out the lights.  I wish.  But there is a despicable row of people to take over the job if Trump should get rumped.  Pence followed by Ryan followed by Orrin Hatch followed by whoever the hell the Secretary of State is at that time.  Sad and disgusting, but Russian hacked elections have consequences.

--------------------------------

The Writer's Guild had eight people at its meeting last night.  That exceeds the last meeting by at least....7!  It was fun and spirited, but I had forgotten to research upcoming events, particularly cons and festivals, so it was bereft of new information.  And I did not include writer advice or writing exercises.  My bad.

--------------------------

Well, that may be all I have time for.  The tax season I tried to pull away from beckons.  One more month.  Sigh.

Return to Reality Monday Musings

It's back to the hard crunch of reality.  After one of the most successful and enjoyable plays I've ever been in, it's back to the reality that I am not a paid actor, or a paid anything creatively speaking, and it's still tax season in a profession that I'm still involved in.  My efforts to pull back from accounting have succeeded.  It just has not been a complete withdrawal.

The Addams Family was a great experience, one that pushed me to the limits of what I thought I was capable of doing.  I was challenged repeatedly to do better, and I did my best to meet that challenge.  My dancing was not great, but it blended well with the character, and I remained cheerily "Fester" about it.  I felt like I sang well, although it was a constant challenge for the band to keep up with my broken metronome.  I did something I thought I would never consider - when it was clear that bald caps would not have the effect I wanted, I shaved my head.  I climbed a ladder every performance, even though I'm afraid of them (both my father and I have had falls from ladders, and we both suffered subsequent chronic pain due to it - mine significantly less severe than my Dad's).

But it was worth it.  I got to perform in a musical alongside my son, Benjamin.  His portrayal of Pugsley was pitch perfect, and he did a wonderful rendition of Pugsley's solo song.  He enjoyed talking and befriending others backstage.  I had to listen to his song from behind the curtain, waiting in position for the next scene, and there were many a night I would tear up listening to him.

We both received raucous applause when we bowed at curtain call, particularly on the last performance.  I hate to sound conceited, but that swell of applause is one of the things that charges me up most about theater. Like many, I am in an applause-free profession, and I do crave approval, so it means a lot to me to hear it.

I think Fester was a fan favorite for many.  Partly, I think, that was because Fester was like the Deadpool of the play, occasionally breaking the proscenium and talking directly to the audience.  He also is a fun, enthusiastic character, the most gleeful and carefree Addams family member.

Often I am told that I was "made" to be a specific character.  That's partly true, but it's also true that I do a lot to make it seem that way.  I am grateful that in my acting career I have been able to play an incredible variety of characters, many of whom I was "made' to be. The range of characters I've been able to play is quite broad, and that has been another great joy of theatre - avoiding being pigeon-holed as only one thing.  Although I must say - Fred Astaire I will never be.

I want to thank Director Pam Fields for pushing me to be the best Fester that I could be.  I want to thank my fellow actors for their friendship and support, especially Cole Hendley, whom often assisted me in checking my movements and lines and singing, and helped me get down from that darn ladder.

We did censor some of the language in the play.  There is one line that I say that was changed from "Look at that son of a bitch go!" to "Look at that son of a gun go!"  It was a self-deprecating line, directed by Fester at Fester.  Yes, that's right.  We showed more restraint than the President of the United States, who used the phrase not to self-deprecate (something he appears completely unable to do), but to denigrate center-right Meet the Press host, Chuck Todd.  He did it to vilely slander another human being.  And yet, some of the same people who would have been freaked over me saying it in a play, are some of the same people who shrug their shoulders when they hear the President say it.

Anyhoo, back to the grindstone.  Meanwhile, I have my delicious memories of a play gone swimmingly well.

And soon, I will have my hair back as well!

Ba-da-da-dum!

Ba-Da-Da-Dum! The Addams Family Comes to WACT!

Here they are!  The amazing, uber-talented cast of The Addams Family!  Each and everyone suited to their individual role, this is one of the best cast shows I've ever had the privilege of being associated with.

The brilliant Jaela Rogers as Morticia, dancing with the Ancestors.  A real triple threat, with the excellent dancing, incredible singing, and spot-on acting.  She was one of the many dead-ringers we had portraying members of The Addams Family.  Not only did WACT find super talented people to perform these parts, they LOOKED the parts as well!

A family portrait!  They are deliciously morbid, are they not?  Jaela Rogers as Morticia,  Benjamin Strait as Pugsley (who blew up the stage - literally!), Brock Gilliard as a spot-on Gomez Addams, and Allyssa Barber as little Wednesday Addams, now all grown-up and falling in love, but still a fierce, crossbow carrying, dark and gothic Addams - and one who can sing, dance and act up a storm!

It's that Beineke couple!  From the very first read through, I knew that Ethan Mitchell as Mal Beineke had something special.  His portrayal was unique, refreshing and would totally captivate an audience. Nikki Spivey as Alice Beineke was perfection, and had one of the most rousing and applauded musical numbers of the show.

The magnificently talented Sarah Braswell played Grandma, seen here describing her potions to Pugsley, played by my son, Benjamin Strait.  Grandma's performance was vibrant and energetic, top-notch comedy gold that got some of the biggest laughs of the show.

This is me, Uncle Fester, singing my big number, The Moon & Me.  I had a blast singing this song, my favorite part of doing this show (next to acting with Benjamin), with several ancestors accompanying me with their beautiful dance moves.  Kudos to the band for the difficult job of keeping up with my random rhythm changes.  And no, that's not a bald cap.  That is au natural baldness.  What I do for theater!

Look!  We even have a Cousin Itt!

The hardest working ancestors in show business!  This super-talented bunch put in extra practices, polished their movements to perfection, and took a great show and turned into an extraordinary show!  Bravissimo!

They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky
They're altogether ooky, the Addams family!
Their house is a museum, when people come to see-em
They really are a scre-um, the Addams family!

Ba-da-da-dum!

You will WANT to see this show!

Want to see dancing?

This show has as much dancing as I've ever seen in a community theatre production! Everyone from the leads to the hardest working ancestors in show business, dance in one breathtaking number after another. Well, all except for Uncle "Left Shark" Fester - but nobody can doubt his gleeful enthusiasm.

Want to hear singing?

The Addams Family is filled with beautiful, catchy tunes, sung by many fine singers - the music is amazingly evenly distributed throughout the cast. Uncle "No Metronome" Fester - even he can hit the high notes!

Want to experience first-rate acting?

The Addams Family is stocked to the brim with unusual and interesting characters, all played with aplomb by one of WACT's finest casts ever assembled! Like your gloom served with a huge dose of joy? Then you need to come out to see this great show!

Want to see Tom Strait bald? Well -maybe want is not the right word. Maybe more like...curious. Well, come to the show to find out, because I guarantee you, I, as Uncle Fester, will be BALD! I will also dance (more or less), sing (while the band tries to figure out what different drum I'm really following), fall in love with the moon, and take off with a rocket pack on my back!

And Benjamin Strait, my son, is Pugsley! He is tremendous, has a sensational solo number, and is having the most fun I've ever seen him have in a community production!

In fact, we're all having so much fun, I expect you to join us!

Come one!

Come all!

Be a part of the creepiest, most interesting family on Earth....

The Addams Family!

Mixed Monday Musings

It's good that so many volunteers are helping to adopt out the remaining pets at the Okefenokee Humane Society shelter.  Special kudos need to go to Charlotte de la Vergne in her tireless efforts to post pictures and information about the beautiful animals that are there.  As I write this, there are only about a dozen or so animals left, as they strive to complete their efforts by March 5th.

Because that's the bad news.  The shelter is closing March 5th.  I can't go into details at this time, but my heart and sympathies go out to the Okefenokee Humane Society and what they have gone through. Alison is on the Board, and I know that the last few weeks have been very hard on her.  I hope, for the sake of the animals in this area, that these issues are ultimately resolved in a way that minimizes the harm they are exposed to.


----------------------------------------------------

It's good that I am in a musical with my son.  He is doing a bang-up job, and I'm very proud of him.  I think this will be a musical (The Addams Family) that everyone will enjoy.

It's bad that I can't dance as well as I hoped.  I will continue to improve as much as I can, but I'm afraid, by the time of performances, I will still be known as Uncle "Left Shark" Fester.

It's even worse to me, though, that I am having trouble with my songs.  I can sing fine.  I'm just having trouble matching what I'm doing with what the orchestra is doing.  Some of it can be fixed by Thursday.  I don't know how much of it, and it's worrisome to me that I have practiced these songs so much, and I'm still off in the timing.  I am so proud of my song The Moon and Me.  It is so enjoyable to sing.  But it shook me to the core in Saturday's practice that that was one of the songs I was having trouble matching with the orchestra.

It's good that I was provided a Youtube audio of my songs to learn by.  I have used them HUNDREDS of times.  I could not have learned my songs as well as I have without them.  I don't sight read well, so this was perfect for me.  Unfortunately, the audios in parts are not the same rhythm or timing as the music the orchestra is playing. I am trying my best to bridge that gap, but I am very frustrated that I have this problem with something that I originally had a lot of confidence in.

It's good to be in a production with Benjamin.  I hope to be in another one with him if he so chooses.  I'm very afraid my performance in this one will prevent from ever being cast in a musical again.  But I'm not giving up.  I'm going to work my hardest to get better every day.

-------------------------------------------------------

It's good to see so many young people speaking out on the gun control issue.  This may be what finally turns this around, and we get some measures passed that actually have majority popularity, but are stuck in the mud because of the great wave of NRA dollars that wash over our cowardly politicians.  It is also heartening to see President Bone Spur's popularity start declining again, in part because of his support for the NRA and opposition to common sense gun reform.


It's bad that he's President at all.  Yes, I know Vice President Pence may actually be worse in some ways.  But overall, there is nobody worse than Trump, nobody more dangerous.  And despite the efforts to check him, the damage that is done becomes more irreversible every day.

Just a reminder - in a rare political message, the American Humane Society recommended not to vote for Trump, as he represented a danger to animals.

My Theater Mantra

My Theater Mantra:

I can act with the best of them

I can sing with the rest of them

I can dance if everyone closes their eyes and pretends

But now, I find myself in a position where I must defy that mantra.  I am in a musical where I must dance, at least well enough to blend in with others and not be a distraction.

I am used to engulfing myself in self-deprecating humor so I don't feel so bad about my inadequacies. Sort of a preemptive strike, as it were. Make fun of myself before others can.  It's a trait I learned to distract bullies when I was in school,

But I can't do that this time.  When I self-deprecate about my dancing abilities, it just makes it look I don't care, and that I  am not taking it seriously.

And I do take it seriously.  I'm doing everything I can to come up to par.  I'm studying video recordings.  I'm trying to learn how to count out steps, something I've never done before, not even in singing.  

So I'm trying my heart out.  I still may fall short.  I still may wind up being Uncle "Left Shark" Fester.

But it won't be for lack of struggling to be better.

That I promise.

Super Bowl Monday Musings

Can't wait for the Super Bowl!  Woohoo!

Wait....what's that you say?  It's not next weekend?  They played it last night?

D'oh!

Who won?

Oh.  That team.  Well, congratulations, I guess.  Although the overdogging Patriots frustrate me, and I don't  feel too bad that the underdog Eagles beat them, I really didn't have a dog in that hunt.

Speaking of which, even though I didn't watch the game, I still had a dream about football last night.  I dreamed I was a starter for the Detroit Lions.  And so was my dog Pixie.  We were helping them win the Super Bowl.  I know.  That was a very unrealistic dream.  Not the part of me and my dog playing pro football, but of the Lions being in the Super Bowl.  What crazy stuff.

-----------------------------

For the umpteenth time, I think I have my semi-retirement schedule re-solidified. Working primarily on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  At least that's the theory.  My schedule has been going through more reboots than DC Comics.

I really hope to get a more consistent schedule so I can build more planned writing sessions.  But we'll see. 

--------------------------------

The continued stubbornness of the Trumpeteers to face the reality of the damage their "hero" is doing continues to frustrate me.  What is it going to take to wake them up?  It's hard to get into their heads and figure out what is going on, because they think so much more differently than I do.

--------------------------------

What am I watching?  Godless on Netflix.  This is a great 7-part western, that has both a classic and a modern feel to it.  I've seen the first six and hope to conclude it tonight.

What am I reading?  Sleeping Beauties by Stephen and Owen King.  Only about 100 pages in, but so far it seems like classic King, similar to 'Salem's Lot and The Stand.  Nice to see father and son doing something together.

--------------------------------

Speaking of father and son doing stuff together, Benjamin and I are preparing to perform in The Addams Family the first two weekends in March.  Things are coming along pretty good, except for my utter lack of dancing skills.  I am determined, however, to give it everything I can to achieve a level that is at least not glaringly horrible and distracting. Wish me luck!


Until next time,

T. M. Strait

2018 Up and Coming Events

Events coming up!

1st, on a personal front, January 20th, Alison and Benjamin will be seeing They Might Be Giants in concert!  This will be the third time Benjamin has seen them perform and the fifth time for Alison!

On February 10th, I will be performing Love Letters with Julianna Lacefield at Grace Episcopal's Valentine's Dinner.  Barbara Griffin and Lamar Deal will be performing the same play on February 17th at K.D.'s.

The first two weekends in March will bring The Addams Family to the Ritz theatre, WACT's 2018 musical production.  Benjamin will play Pugsley and I am Uncle Fester.  We are only a few rehearsals in, but I can already tell that the cast is outstanding, and this show will be well worth seeing.

In late March, I hope to be a part of the OHC Writer's Guild table at Collective Con in Jacksonville.  I have new stuff, but how much of it will be in published form by then is any body's guess.

Later in April, Purlie Productions will present Romeo and Juliet, bringing Shakespeare to Waycross.  This will be a spectacular endeavor, and I hope many of you will support it.  If you can't be a part of it, you need to go see it!  Make this a regular feature and attraction of the area!

I also should have sporadic guest appearances at Higginson & Paulk.