Hezaasan

If You Have To Ask What Jazz Is

This weekend consisted of a significant milestone in my life, the end of a very old chapter. The equivalent of swimming in the ocean with weights around my ankles, and finally getting back to shore — where I proceeded to tear those bastards off and chuck them into the nearest firepit, cheering, I am free,ContinueContinue reading “If You Have To Ask What Jazz Is”

Open Mic Night

Just a few shots of the music and mayhem that served as my background music, while doing some directing prep at my favorite venue. Getting closer to their knowing my name and my order on sight, but not quite there yet. Shot on Pixel 6 Pro.

Art Votre Service

“Art serves us best precisely at that point where it can shift our sense of what is possible, when we know more than we knew before, when we feel we have — by some manner of a leap — encountered the truth. That, by the logic of art, is always worth the pain.”T.S. Eliot YetContinueContinue reading “Art Votre Service”

She Will Not Be Ignored

Shot on Pixel 6 Pro.

The Pedro Zone

I’m almost reluctant to advertise this as it was so cool to be one of three people in the audience – but that wouldn’t be very sportsmanlike. Pedro’s song hour at Berkley Coffee. Super chill vibe, just an hour of letting whatever music might happen, happen. Thanks for the fantastic ambiance as I continue toContinueContinue reading “The Pedro Zone”

Set Design: The Terrifying Beginning

“Many young directors make the big mistake of assuming that directing is about being in control, telling others what to do, having ideas and getting what you ask for. I do not believe that these abilities are the qualities that make a good director or exciting theatre. Directing is about feeling, about being in theContinueContinue reading “Set Design: The Terrifying Beginning”

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

“Over the years I have developed and employed a variety of such coping mechanisms, mostly focusing around a philosophy I call, “Live Because.”“Live Because” is in contrast to what I’ve termed “Live Despite,” which is the idea that people can live rich, full lives in spite of their physical or emotional barriers. “Live Because” takesContinueContinue reading “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”

Art Isn’t Easy

“Art, like life, is understood through experience, not explanations. As theatre artists, we cannot create an experience for an audience; rather, our job is to set up the circumstances in which an experience might occur.”Anne Bogart, “A Director Prepares” Told ya there’d be more of this.

The Art of Making Art

“I want an artistic explosion. Our present high-technology lifestyle demands a theatre experience that cannot be satisfied by video and movie screens. I want acting that is poetic and personal, intimate and colossal. I want to encourage the kind of humanity on the stage that demands attention and expresses who we are and suggests thatContinueContinue reading “The Art of Making Art”

OutSides and InSides

You know you’re directing a show when you are excited to get back into the office so you can abuse the printer/scanner. Audition cuts (aka sides) level complete! Now we just need actors to show up and read them. Zoom fraking zoom. Shot on Pixel 6 Pro.