Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Life Lessons from High School Theatre - Part 9
"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."
- William Shakespeare, from "Macbeth"
I had spoken my last line... taken my last bow. The curtain call had ended and my acting career was over. It's bright gleam had been extinguished as quickly as it had flared. I was at once filled with joy and seared with pain.
Time and time again I travel in my mind's eye back to those weeks. In "The Diviners" we are introduced to a boy named Buddy who became mentally handicapped after almost drowning as a toddler. Buddy's mother died trying to save him. Because of the tragedy Buddy is mortally afraid of water, even bathing is out of the question. As an odd consequence of the event Buddy has the strange ability to sense the weather and 'witch' for water. As though he were a modern-day Jonah, C.C. Showers was on the run from God and himself. A backsliding preacher who was disenchanted with his profession, C.C. befriends Buddy. They become instant friends and connect with each other on a level that neither have experienced in other relationships. This leads to disastrous results. At the climax of the play, in a horrific attempt to regain his own worth and spiritual calling, C.C. Showers allows Buddy to drown while trying to save him.
Let that sink in... while trying to spiritually/emotionally save a handicapped boy who had become his friend, the Preacher goes too far and allows the boy to drown.
...it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing...
"Danger, Will Robinson. Danger!" Up until this point in my life I was sure that my future would take me into theatre as a career. Not once did I ever confer with God on this subject. Hindsight is mostly 20/20 and I realize now that I was headed down a path neither He nor I wanted for me. I'd let my own fervor and lust usurp better judgement though. God had to do extreme things to push me back in the right direction.
There was no question in my mind that this was the 'fat lady singing'. Others wanted me out as much as I myself wanted free. Free of the pain. Free of the guilt. Free of the nagging of the Holy Spirit. They wanted to be rid of the conviction I caused in their lives as much as I wanted to be rid of the conviction that my life was on the wrong path.
The awards, the accolades and accomplishments, and all of the effort had come to nothing.
...Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more...
Stage make-up still clung to my face, sweat drenched my underclothes, and pain shot through my left leg due to a nasty tumble after curtain call. There was no one left in the auditorium. The stage would be struck tomorrow and with that "The Diviners", along with my stage career, would be over. I intentionally drug out the process of cleaning out my drawer, I wanted to be the last one that left the building.
Walking out of the dressing room I looked across the empty stage and began to cry. So much of my life the last three years had been played out here. There was a stark contrast between the barrenness of the stage and my own emotion. Moving as slowly as I possibly could I began the long journey from the stage to the foyer. I passed by the Orchestra Pit that had helped play me to a Best Actor award less than a year ago. As row after row I passed, I lingered at each remembering family and friends who had set here and seen my performances in ages past. Finally moving from the auditorium to the foyer which had previously brought much pain in life now brought me to a smile. There was no bitterness here -- not this night.
The long corridor outside of the theatre complex was quiet except for the sound of my lone footsteps lingering in the echo of cement block walls. This was the last time I would make this journey as this person. A chapter of life was left behind as those glass doors latched shut behind me. I saw it then as clearly as I do today. Emotion streamed down my face as I left that building for the last time as the person I was.
Like Buddy, I had to drown before I could be saved.
posted by Kevin at 4/30/2003 11:34:08 PM
Comments []
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
Not Much to Report
There is not much to report from my life.
I say that knowing full well that these last few days have been as stressful and dramatic as any I can remember for a long time. But there is really none of it that I wish to report on. Lucky you. So instead of printing things for all of you, I will just write personal messages to some of you....
To Mom: Who knew that graduating could be so tough? If I knew there would be so many hurdles to cross I probably never would have started on my Master's. Now, if only I could finish it.
To SammyG: I want that house. I don't care what anyone else says. And no matter what anyone else says, a fraternity is a great idea.
To Beth: Sometimes we need to find a different foundation for our house. Sand doesn't make a great base.
To DTS: Communicate.
To Michael: Are you still alive?
To the Grandparents and the gang: Texas or Bust! I can't wait.
To the Boss: Thanks for believing.
To the Roomy: You'll bi?
To the Volunteers: Congratulations... only a couple weeks and you will be craning your necks.
To the Chinaman: Keep the SARS to yourself. Long Live NY! Keeo your nose clean.
To my future: 11 days till we meet.
To my sanity: 11 days till we meet again.
posted by Kevin at 4/29/2003 12:44:04 AM
Comments []
Friday, April 25, 2003
FridayFive
1. What was the last TV show you watched? CSI. One of the best 'new' shows on TV. I am impressed by its intellectually stimulating storylines, MacGyver style ingenuity, and the very hot blond. (Hey, I'm human). By the way, its also a Jerry Bruckheimer creation!
2. What was the last thing you complained about and what was the problem? It was this morning, and it had to do with a graduation problem involving my school. I really wish that I could spend the next 500 words complaining about it..... but it will be a LONG time before I am able to go there. Let's just say that maybe you should check back here at the ol' blogsite in about 6 months, and maybe (just maybe) I will be talking.
3. Who was the last person you complimented and what did you say? Um, I think that it was Pat S. our receptionist at the church. Oddly enough, she is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She is the Great-great-great-grandaughter of Dr. Charles Bellinger Stewart who designed the Lone Star Flag, the first Seal of Texas, and was the first signer of the Constitution of the Republic of Texas. I said to her, "Wow, I never had any idea that I was in the presence of greatness!," and I meant it.
4. What was the last thing you threw away? Einstein's bagels from Easter.
5. What was the last website that you visited? ChurchMedia.net, an online forum for Media ministers, etc. Yeah, I really am a nerd! Was there ever really any doubt?
posted by Kevin at 4/25/2003 12:32:19 AM
Comments []
Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Life Lessons from High School Theatre - Part 8
"...you preaching Jesus is no different than Larry, or anybody else, preaching lubricants. It doesn't matter whether you're selling Jesus or Buddha or civil rights or how to make money in real estate with no money down. That doesn't make you a human being. It makes you a marketing rep."
- The Big Kahuna
Maria A., that was her name (or at least what I will call her). I was now a Junior and she was our new drama coach. MariaA was short and a little stocky, but she more than made up for her height with a bubbly personality and contagious smile. We all immediately liked her.
"The Diviners" was to be our first play under her direction. This seemed to be an odd choice considering our past lighthearted fare. "The Diviners" was set in the fictitious town of Zion, Indiana. A God-forsaken place off the beatin' path where Ferris Layman, along with his children, is weathering a severe drought. Set in the farmlands of Indiana, 1930, a disillusioned preacher meets a disturbed young man (Ferris' son) who lives in terror of water, even though he can "witch" water deep underground. Both funny and tragic, this play explores mystery, faith, and the meanings of baptism beyond the expected.
As I had done many times before, I auditioned for the play and then waited with great anticipation until the cast list was posted. I wasn't sure whether or not I should be expecting a part in this play. There was a new Director, the script was very weird, and the play only called for 11 actors. I did get a part, playing Ferris Layman. It was not the lead but was still a very big part. Oddly enough, being cast in the play sealed my theatre career's fate.
All began well but went downhill fast. It quickly became apparent that MariaA and I had severely divergent opinions on many issues. This should not have surprised me since approximately 1.03% of all Theatre people are Christians and even fewer are conservative. MariaA claimed to be a Christian, but she never claimed to be anything but liberal. We clashed on both accounts.
MariaA would speak of her college days (at a religious university) and how they would drink and smoke, etc., etc. And it always seemed as though these conversations only came up in my presence. Maybe they were trying to get a rise out of me (most of the time it did). I even remember one conversation where I was lambasted by her and other people in the cast for having standards, believing in absolutes, and thinking that there was only one way to God. I couldn't believe that a 'Christian' would even question these things. (Remember, I was young and stupid). But our differences were not only religious and political, they were also philosophical. Cindy Haston had never asked us to use foul language on stage or drink (even pretend drinking was mostly taboo). MariaA believed in the purity and sacristy of the script and required it to be performed exactly as written. As if by the hand of God it just so happened that my character was very given to language and chewing tobacco. The language issue came up on the first day during the script readthrough when I skipped over the objectionable words. She stopped me and asked why I hadn't read the dialogue as written. I said: Because we never have before and I wasn't really planning to start now. (I imagined the look on my mom's face if she heard me say @#$%^& in front of 'God and everybody'). MariaA said we would discuss it later. We did... and she never gave up... and I never gave in.
This was the beginning of the end.
Several weeks later we dealt with the chewing tobacco issue. The script called for my mouth to be full of it all times and she wanted me to start getting used to it now (so I wouldn't cough and gag during the play). At first I thought she was joking. I laughed loudly. That made her angry. She wasn't joking at all. I received a verbal thrashing for not being committed, not following her authority, and for generally being an unlikable fellow. I said she could remove me from the cast, if she liked, but I would not use chewing tobacco under any circumstances. While I would use gum to simulate the effect, I would not cross this line and she might as well drop it.
MariaA hated me from then on.... Unfortunately, so did the others on the cast.
It became so bad that even the parents of some of the other cast members began deriding me for my insubordantion and apparent attitude problems. I remember one such instance where a father cornered me in the lobby of the auditorium and literally yelled at me for five minutes (YELLED) about my commitment, dedication, and treatment of his family. He ripped me up one side and down the other. I have never cried so hard, or hated theatre so much, as I did that day.
The dream died that day. If there was ever any remaining hope that I might continue down the road I was on, that day it was dashed to pieces.
Let me stop here for a moment and give two caveats: 1) For those from my past who might wander upon this and have actually been a part of these events.... I realize that this is only one sided I most likely did many things to deserve the treatment that I received. Blame is a two-way street. I do not dislike my fellow cast, disdain MariaA, or even hate the parents who hated me. In fact, quite the opposite, you were an instrument of God to course-correct my life. I have fond memories of all of you. 2) This is what real theatre is like. While it is an art, and even a love for those who give their lives to it, it's also a passion. Theatre people are passionate. And people do things for their passions that they will not otherwise in good conscience do.
MariaA was passionate about Theatre, I was not. I was passionate about my spirituality and personal testimony, MariaA was not. Frankly, we failed each other. She was never able to allow my passions to be as important as hers.... and I was never able to allow her passions to be as important as my own.
I hated that play. I can admit that now. Hands down, those were the worst 8 weeks of my life. Oddly enough though, I thank God for that play and the pain it caused me. Without the valley, I would never have known what the mountain-top looked like.
posted by Kevin at 4/22/2003 04:16:58 PM
Comments []
Saturday, April 19, 2003
Life Lessons from High School Theatre - Part 7
"I am a band geek I just never joined the band."
- American Pie 2
I was king of the world! "Guys and Dolls" had just wrapped and I was on top of the world. I had held my own in the enormous shoes of Nicely-Nicely Johnson and there was lots of praise going around. Admittedly, I was pretty darn proud of myself too, though I would never have said as much. My Sophomore year was coming to a close and I was fitting in and making a name for myself. The success was to be short lived, yet I still could not see the roadblocks looming nearer.
In the quiet of my own time with God I have often prayed a certain prayer. This prayer is more an outgrowth of my own stubbornness rather than God's unwillingness to lead me. "Lord, please widely open the doors that you have for me and slam in my face the ones you do not. Force me down the path you would have me walk." I am a proud and stubborn man. Only lately am I admitting it to myself; God has always known as much.
Best Actor! I could not believe it when the announcement was made. This was a hotly contested award that normally went to an upperclassman. My peers had named me (in the role of Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Guys and Dolls) as the best actor for the 1993-94 School Year. Could there be anything better than this?? While outwardly I was as excited as I had ever been over receiving an award, inwardly I feared that my budding friendship with Scott might suffer (and while I was glad to be recognized, it seemed to me that he probably deserved it more).
That summer brought the International Thespian Festival. Being a member of the International Thespian Society, with recently attained Honor Thespian status, allowed me the opportunity to attend the Festival (but let's be honest, it was also in large part because my parents scraped up the money to send me). The ITF brings together thousands of the top high school theatre students in the nation and drama professionals in an event that is both entertaining and educational. How's that for an ad line!?! It was honor to be invited to attend, and to be able to do so with Scott H. (our local drama phenom).
This week at ITF was one that I will never forget. There were the girls who sat in front of Scott and I at the main conferences. They wore dog collars and sported purple-spiked hair. Oddly enough they were some of the most friendly girls I've ever known. There was "Mr. Sticky" who worked for 3M and taught us how their various products could revolutionize stage crafts. He was right. He did things with spray cans filled with glue, rubber, silicon, and foam that still keep me dreaming at night. I remember going to some dialect classes. Who knew that a Southern accent could be so difficult to pick up, but yet hot as heck to hear spoken? My favorite was the Clowning Class taught by teachers from the actual Barnum and Bailey Clown School. I learned prat-falls, fake trips, double takes, and other things that I still use in my everyday life (but most people who know me probably have no idea they came from here).
The social life was also quite active, as is almost always the case with drama folk. The extent of my participation consisted of walking halfway across the Ball State campus to a dance. It was being held in an enormous gymnasium that was dark and filled with teenagers. Being drama people, you can imagine the crowd. There were tons of people with dyed hair, black clothing, combat boots, tongue studs, tattoos, piercings, and other odd paraphernalia. I could count on my hand the number of people who did not fit in: one. Within about 2 minutes I realized that no matter how much I tried to fake it I was not going to fit in or feel comfortable in this atmosphere. I left the dance. I left the dance and in so doing left a chapter of my life behind... though it would be almost a year before I would let go of my dream.
This was one of those moments in my life - one of those times that changes everything in your life to come (only you don't realize it at the time). I can only assume that it was God who set this chain of events in motion. The first in the series was the exit of Cindy Haston, my drama teacher. "Guys and Dolls" was her last production before she became Cindy Reed and moved to Indianapolis. It was a great time in her life but would be the first closed door in my own.
posted by Kevin at 4/19/2003 12:38:56 AM
Comments []
Friday, April 18, 2003
Yes, I am an Alumnus
One realizes that he is more than a little removed from his alma mater when the primary source of his information is through the Alumni Office. While I am not completely in this situation yet, give it a couple months and I will finally be a full-fledged card carrying alumnus of Cedarville University (College to those in the know). Although I have been out less than 3 years, they have changed Presidents, added 2 dorm complexes, switched to a Semester calendar, built a Student Center, added an Athletic Complex and renovated the old, retrofitted no less than 3 buildings, fired a my old Department Chairman (word on the street says), and added a couple Master's programs. In a month, the freshman will graduate. Goob, Jeremy, Roester, Felmlee, TikiTiki-boy, and the last bastions of my old regime run from 227 will become alumni themselves.
You might think that all of this would make me sad... but it really doesn't. It is the march of time and it continues whether I like it or not, so I might as well deal. These young men will soon exit formal education and begin to make a difference in their own worlds, in their own ways, and I like to think that take a little part of me with them.
And isn't that what its all about? Making a difference? As an alumni I know that I made a difference in other people's lives, and I thank God for those people that made a difference in my life: Dave, R.Brent, Leah, Joe, L, DocB, theChief, D, Kev, Eric, Michael, Seth, Paul (kinda ;), Chris, Geoff, and countless others.
posted by Kevin at 4/18/2003 01:41:59 AM
Comments []
Tuesday, April 15, 2003
Life Lessons from High School Theatre - Part 6
"On the day when I left home to make my way in the world, my daddy took me to one side. 'Son,' my daddy says to me, 'I am sorry I am not able to bankroll you to a large start, but not having the necessary lettuce to get you rolling, instead I'm going to stake you to some very valuable advice. One of these days in your travels, a guy is going to show you a brand-new deck of cards on which the seal is not yet broken. Then this guy is going to offer to bet you that he can make the jack of spades jump out of this brand-new deck of cards and squirt cider in your ear. But, son, do not accept this bet, because as sure as you stand there, you're going to wind up with an ear full of cider.'"
- Sky Masterson, Guys and Dolls
The lights came up on stage, the curtain was pulled, and music swelled from the orchestra that was set up in the pit below where I was standing. The intro was short. I took a deep breathe and jumped into the first line of the song with all of the bravado that I could muster: "I got the horse right here, his name is Paul Revere, and here's a guy that says if the weather's clear, 'Can Do. Can Do.' This guy says the horse 'Can Do!'" Then Skipp Whitlock, who was positioned next me, started his line and the show was off-and-running.... I couldn't have been happier.... this was my moment!
Guys and Dolls is without a doubt one of the most brilliant (and liked) musicals ever created. It is a comedic story of love, money, and salvation set in New York City. The set and props are great, the dialogue is tremendous, and the music is so catchy you will find yourself singing it for weeks to come. The original play was a smash hit on Broadway in the 50's which led to a movie starring Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, and Stubby Kaye. In the early 90's Broadway revived it again, this time with Nathan Lane.
When I heard we were doing a musical, I was scared. Choir and music training had been a part of my life for as long as I could remember, but I was smart enough to know that musical theatre was much different than doing a solo in choir. I tried not to get my hopes but became more in love with the script the more I read it. I wanted to be in this musical (and secretly I wanted a good part). But was I good enough to make the cut?
Apparently I was. I didn't get one of the lead roles, but instead received the top supporting role: Nicely-Nicely Johnson. I was mildly disappointed till we did our first read-through as the new cast. It was a phenomenal part... in fact, it was like type-casting! This was the greatest part in the entire play. Nicely-Nicely was the comedic sidekick to the lead role. He had the best lines, the funniest scenes, and the best songs. Nicely-Nicely was a good natured, scene-stealing, laugh-a-minute riot... and he was fat! I couldn't believe my fortune. This was going to be great!!!
The following months of rehearsal were grueling. Who knew that a musical would be so much work!?! Not only did we have to learn our lines, cues, and stage direction... but we also had to learn choreography for the dance numbers (of which there were many) and musical numbers (which in plays tend to be very difficult musically). But it was enjoyable and I grew close to the cast and crew, as well as the coaches for acting, dance, and music.
I found myself relating to Nicely-Nicely Johnson in a way that I had not related to any of my other characters in plays long past. I saw that he was bubbly and joyful on the outside, but that it masked an inner seriousness. While Nicely-Nicely was the brunt of some jokes and not necessarily the star player, he was a huge player in the tapestry of the story. He was more a part of the story than showed on the surface. I got the impression that Nicely-Nicely's seemingly shallow exterior hid an inner depth. THAT connected with me - and I put everything that I was into Nicely-Nicely Johnson. He was me. I was him.
"What's happening all over? I'll tell you what's happening all over, Guys sitting at home by a television set who used to be something of a rover. That's what's happening all over." I found myself singing again, a little later in the show. "When you see a guy reach for stars in the sky, You can bet that he's doing it for some doll." I couldn't believe that I was singing the title song. This was a dream.
Words cannot fully express the extent to which I loved this production and felt completed by it. I simply could not fathom that theatre could be better than it was on this day. How could my drama career ever attain a height higher than this one? Sadly, it never would. These performances (this character) would be the pinnacle of my three years in theatre. I could not have known that the fat lady was singing... all I could still see ahead were limitless opportunities, but my hopes and dreams would soon be dashed. I was in for a rude awakening. For now though, I was king of the world.
"I dreamed last night I got on the boat to heaven, And by some chance I had brought my dice along, And there I stood, And I hollered, 'Some one save me,' but the passengers they knew right from wrong." I was singing again. The musical was almost at its end and this was MY song. It was the musical climax of the show and the catchiest tune in the lot. Here was where Nicely-Nicely met religion, and the plot began to tie itself up. I continued, "For the people all said, 'Sit down, sit down you're rockin' the boat.'" In the tenor and timbre of an old spiritual I belted as load and spiritual a melody as I could muster. There was no holding back. I wanted to make this song so incredible that it was worth the price of admission in its own right. "And as I laughed at those passengers to heaven. Ha ha ha! A great big wave came and washed me overboard. And as I sank, And I hollered, 'Someone save me' That's the moment I woke up, Thank the Lord! And I said to myself, 'Sit down, sit down you're rockin' the boat.' And the devil will drag you under, With a soul so heavy you'd never float, Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down, Sit down you're rockin' the boat."
The number ended with enormous fanfare from the live orchestra. The cast froze as I hit the last high note and held for as long as my lungs could handle... seemingly 8 or more bars. I stole a glance around and the cast wore smiles, their hands in the air and their bodies in various states of religious contortion. I cut off the note and dropped my head to non-verbally cue the songs end. We all continued our frozen hold, waiting for a response, something, from the audience. Then the noise level in the auditorium soared as the crowd applauded and cheered our efforts. It was amazing! I began to laugh as the nervous tension began to escape me and allowed me to relax. The curtain pulled together and several of the cast dig-piled me in elation just after the fabric hid us from the audience. We were laughing and cheering each other as the adrenaline coursing through our bodies immediately took control of our senses. This was the greatest moment of my life.
posted by Kevin at 4/15/2003 12:14:06 AM
Comments []
Sunday, April 13, 2003
Life Lessons from High School Theatre - Part 5
"No Day but today"
- RENT
Sophomore year of High School was my year! This is where it all clicked. I had found a hobby that I loved, an activity that I was relatively good at, and more importantly, what I wanted to do with my life... Theatre!
By the end of freshman year I had made a name for myself in my theatre troupe, Tri Epsilon. While I was an average actor, in my own estimation, I brought other things to the table. My attention to detail and ability to get things done had elevated me to a more notable position among my fellow thespians. I was elected to the position of Secretary in our troupe and also became Publicity Director for the productions my Sophomore year (which believe it or not is a lot of work). I had been admitted to the International Thespian Society and would even end up attending their International Conference later that year.
The first play of that year was "Twain by the Tale." This production was not like anything that I had ever been involved with. First, it wasn't really a play as much as it was a collection of short stories (re: skits) that were adapted from Mark Twain's writings and tightly woven into production that was both comedy and tragedy at its best. I auditioned and received several minor roles. While almost everyone had several roles in the production, I was a little disappointed that I didn't get a larger part. But there were many excellent actors in our company. My friends were still all there and we became an even more tightly knit group, maybe even a little too tight. But I loved these people and we spent so much time together that it was almost impossible not to become joined at the hip.
Interestingly enough, this was also to be a dinner theatre, which was new to me. Tickets were more than double what their normal prices were, and we were to serve food immediately before the play began. This meant there would be a much smaller audience and a more intimate atmosphere. In fact, much of the action took place in the middle on the crowd. It was an extremely exhilarating experience! One of my parts was to play a Frenchman--King Henry--in a duel. It was difficult for me to try and speak with a french accent, but I eventually picked up enough of the dialect to be able to do a partial imitation. I even memorized the entire "Hail Mary" speech from one of my Catholic friends, Sharon, and was extremely proud that I had thought of this all by myself... using it under my breathe through the duel as my character became more and more fearful of dying during the event. I will leave it at that.
By this time I was taking more acting and theatre production courses, learning all that I could about theatre. I never really saw myself being talented enough to make a living acting (so few people ever really do, and I was way too pragmatic in high school) so I focused on learning publicity, lighting, set construction, and other areas of theatre to try and learn what I had a passion for. Unfortunately I found that I had a passion for all of it.
I didn't think that I could find anything that I loved more that acting... but I was to be proven wrong yet again. The Spring were to bring with them some of the highest points in my theatre career, but they would be short lived. For now though, I was on an upswing that I hoped would never end.....
posted by Kevin at 4/13/2003 09:38:12 PM
Comments []
Thursday, April 10, 2003
FRIDAYFIVE - TriplePlay
This week, In honor of the Chinaman....
1. What was your most memorable moment from the last week? Going to my first Texas Rangers game with SammyG. The Ballpark at Arlington is a phenomenal place.
2. What one person touched your life this week? Pastor G who offered me his tickets! (see a pattern forming?)
3. How have you helped someone this week? I've helped many people... its what I do. I damage controlled a frightful weekend in ChurchMedia, finished a BroadcastTV Commercial for Team Impact, I taught someone to direct (go Barry!), I helped someone see their need for College (please God!), oh... and I've bought several people lunch!! I love being able to do that, people are such a blessing to me, its great to be able to bless others!
4. What one thing do you need to get done by this time next week? Just every single facet of preparing our Media Ministry for a sunrise service at Frisco, Texas' new Dr. Pepper/ 7Up Stadium on Easter Morning. This includes scheduling volunteers, finalizing equipment, designing animation for the outfield LED Ad Screens, and basically.... everything!
5. What one thing will you do over the next nine days to make your world a better place? See Number 4. I will take tens-of-thousands of people before the throne of God on Easter Weekend using media, and then hundreds-of-thousands for years to come through the broadcast tapes of the weekend.
- - - - - - - - - -
1. How many houses/apartments have you lived in throughout your life? Um, including College, eight.
(1) A little house on 30th Street in Connersville, Indiana.
(2) Half-a-Duplex in Offut's Park as we built our new home.
(3) Our new house near Lick Creek Cemetery in Fayette County, Indiana.
(4) Lawlor Hall, Cedarville College.
(5) Bethel Hall, Cedarville College. Long Live Bethel! - In our hearts.
(6) McChesney Hall, Room 227, with the greatest roommate ever, Cedarville College.
(7) Roach infested Brookshire Apartments, Dallas, Texas. But I loved that place, it was great... other than the obvious.
(8) OakHaven Luxury Apartments, Carrollton, Texas.
2. Which was your favorite and why? Tossup between Bethel and McChesney during the College years. There was nothing like the Camaraderie and maturing that went on in the Bethel years. I found a best friend and developed friendships with tons of quality men. I will love those guys forever. The McChesney years brought a roommate that has had profound impact on my life, and a plethora of freshman whom I was able to disciple (but I think they taught me more than I ever taught them).
3. Do you find moving house more exciting or stressful? Why? Well, I enjoy new digs... but I own SO much crap that it is an enormous headache. Next move, I think I am going to throw EVERYTHING I own away.
4. What's more important, location or price? Well, if you can't afford it then you can't live in it. So price, followed closely by location.
5. What features does your dream house have (pool, spa bath, big yard, etc.)? Any house would be nice. Are we really meant to live in apartments?? It reeks of transience if you ask me.
- - - - - - - - - -
1. What was the first band you saw in concert? Humh. It was in High School, but I can't remember which came first... it was either Michael Sweet (formerly of Striper) at Cincinnati Bible College along with the greatest youth workers ever, Brian and Alan J. Or it was the time that I saw PFR (formerly Pray For Rain) at Taylor University. Or it was the time Ben and David W. went with me to Kings Island to see Church of Rhythm, Audio Adrenaline, and Petra (my favorite band at the time). Unfortunately it started raining and they cancelled the show right before Petra came on.
2. Who is your favorite artist/band now? There are several..... Petra, because they have the most doctrinal Christian lyrics and and best sound of any Christian band ever.... the Cathedrals, because no matter how hard I try to hide it Southern Gospel is in my veins..... Coldplay, because of their sound..... GooGooDolls, because of college..... Dolly Parton, because my roommate came in looking like that..... TransSiberianOrchestra, because NO ONE plays Christmas like them..... 4HIM, because they were my first venture in contemporary Christian music..... Harvest, because they are WAY old-school..... and almost every One-Hit-Wonder out there!
3. What's your favorite song? "Grace By Which I Stand" - Keith Green. "Because He Lives" - Hymn. "I Stand in Awe" - Easter Pageant anthem..... let's just be honest, there are WAY too many.
4. If you could play any instrument, what would it be? Once again, way too many. I vacillate between guitar, trumpet, sax, piano, drums, and violin.
5. If you could meet any musical icon (past or present), who would it be and why? Probably Bob Hartman. Any man who could write those lyrics HAS to have a prayer life and doctrinal foundation that is deeper than any I have ever known.
Link
posted by Kevin at 4/10/2003 11:28:55 PM
Comments []
Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Put Me in Coach, I'm Ready to Play
Thanks to a nice gesture from my Pastor, I was able to attend the Texas Rangers game tonight at the Ballpark in Arlington (using his great season tickets right at first base). Joining me was my partner in crime SammyG. It was a great time. I had forgotten how much I love sitting and watching baseball. And even though the weather was a niply 45 degrees.... I had an awesome time. Notable memories included: 1) the couple behind us who never shut up about the war, insider trading, children's eyesight, and why Jordan is like Walmart. 2) the drunk 20-something's who were heckling Oakland from the front row. 2) NO HOT CHOCOLATE. 3) Sam and his towel-of-warmth. 4) Parking 2 rows from the building. 5) finding out that cold weather and bathrooms do NOT mix.
posted by Kevin at 4/08/2003 11:42:20 PM
Comments []
Sunday, April 06, 2003
Team Impact Video
A video I edited for an event I produced and directed has been posted to the Team-Impact website. Go ahead and see the video. I am not normally one to toot my own horn, but I am proud of the work that I did on this video and event, and think that it is a shining example of how our Media ministry is used by God to reach thousands of people from all walks of life.
posted by Kevin at 4/06/2003 01:47:57 PM
Comments []
Saturday, April 05, 2003
"The Abrogation of the Law"
No matter how you slice it, writing a 22-page paper on the book of Hebrews for a graduate level course in less than 11 hours is not (I repeat NOT) a good idea.
It is an even worse idea if that paper is the only thing that will decide whether or not you will pass said class.
And if your graduation (coming in 35 days) hinges on you passing this class...
... then you would be an idiot.
posted by Kevin at 4/05/2003 10:24:41 PM
Comments []
Life Lessons from High School Theatre - Part 4
"Honour and shame from no condition rise;
Act well your part, there all the honour lies."
- Alexander Pope, "An Essay on Man" Epistle IV, 1733-34
My first play was over, the final curtain call was behind us, and the cast party (swingin' as it was) had also come to an end. What was I to do with myself? It felt as though I had lost my family. So much of myself had poured in that play, it felt as though its end also meant a part of me had died. That was not far from the truth.
The following months seemed to drag on without end as I waited for the spring play. My high school did two a year, and I prayed that I had done well enough in the first to rate a part in the second. As auditions neared we learned that the play was to be "The Nerd," a piece that I'd never heard of (which should not surprise you) but that I liked from the first time I read through it. The play surrounds a man who's life is suddenly interrupted by an old friend, Rick Steadman, who is the classic definition of a nerd. Rick moves in for two weeks, innocently (and unwittingly) terrorizing his friend - driving him to the point where he and his friends devise a plan to rid themselves of the Nerd. The trio resorts to staring at apples, eating warm water and cottage cheese, pretending to be farm animals, and piggyback riding. Rick, however, joins in the fun and the plan is a total disaster. The play is hilarious and has a good twist to the end. In short, I fell in love with it and immediately wanted a part.
The cast requirements were small. Only 4 men and 3 women... which meant that there would be severe competition. But somehow I landed a part! And no, I was NOT the Nerd.
Warnock Waldgrave was my character, a rather stiff and old-school boss to one of the other characters. The part was rather large (all of them were) and I was pretty proud of myself. I still felt pretty out of place among these upperclassmen whom I considered to be better actors... but I tried to hold my ground. Having a smaller cast and a larger part did wonders for my self-esteem though, and I was learning a ton about theatre too.
This could possibly be one of the most enjoyable times of my life. I finally felt plugged in to a peer group. I had found something that I was good at and enjoyed doing. This script called for a lot of great one-liners, sarcastic asides, and physical comedy. I was in heaven. The climax of the plot came when The Nerd, his host, and the houseguests were playing a made up game with cottage cheese. In an act of symbolism the throw buckets of cottage cheese out a window, under which my character happens to be standing. I will never forget those three days of my Freshman year in high school when I had a five gallon bucket of cottage cheese poured on top of me (while wearing a jet-black suit), then entering the stage to the laughs and hysterics of the audience.
Although the bit was hilarious, it took years before I could stand the smell of cottage cheese (even longer to stomach it). My love for drama, though, was not soon to wane.
posted by Kevin at 4/05/2003 09:52:57 PM
Comments []
Wednesday, April 02, 2003
Soul Mate or Spouse?
I am breaking a rule.... and interrupting my 'High School Theatre' series (which has been popular enough to receive no comments and tank return readership faster than the Titanic)..... to post this article.
Soul Mate or Spouse made me think. I am VERY rarely surprised by a new thought. Jaded though I am, this one caught me by the head and forced me to focus my attention on its point. And it was worth my time. I have been pigeon-holed.
..... yet I wonder to myself: I have read and even seen Pride and Prejudice. Why is there not yet a 'look'?
posted by Kevin at 4/02/2003 02:27:45 PM
Comments []
