Monthly Archives: September 2020

I am very proud that I received my MFA in Playwriting from Pennsylvania State University a hundred years ago.  I loved writing, and I loved teaching writing.  One of the challenges I have had over the years is how to come up with that very first assignment to get my sophomores to connect and really love this art.  I had quite a few that had some luck- but nothing had the success of this assignment.  One year we had a surprising span of time at the end of the semester and I thought it was a good time to introduce an assignment for a bit of fun and a bit of torture for the young writer, but it was amazing.  Giving students each one of these ridiculous titles below, I had the very best plays of the year.  This was true year after year.  AND all I asked was that the title somehow be integral to the play.  I HIGHLY recommend this ultra simple exercise.  Here are the titles I used the first year: Read more →

For over thirty years, I dreaded the span of time from 2:30 to 3:30pm known as last period.  It was that part of the day that I was at my lowest energy.  No amount of protein bars, candy, 4 hour shots of B vitamins and caffeine, healthiest of food, or unhealthiest of foods could change this drop in energy.  It got so bad a few years that I bought a cot for my tiny office and had a wee nap just to pretend I had gotten more sleep.  This time of day was doubly troublesome in that rehearsals began at 4pm and lasted for 2-3 hours – – and that was the time that I WANTED to be at my peek energy and creativity.  Year after year, it was a fight – – that somehow I won – – no matter the collateral damage.  But now in  retirement I snub this time of day and at 2:30pm walk myself into my well air-conditioned bedroom and SLEEP – sleep until I am damn well ready to get up.  Take that 2:30pm!   You haven’t won!  I defy you with each and every nap!

When I started down this teaching journey at the ripe old age of 22, I just cringed at every mention of the title “Mr. Higgins”  Apart from recalling my father, I was only 3 years at most from my 18 year old seniors.  I mean we listened to the same music and watched the same TV shows.   It was just so odd to have them use that title.  It made me feel a bit sad and also made me long to return to college where the separation would not be there.  But now – – upon retirement – – actually 2 months into it – – I realize that I will likely never be called, “Mr. Higgins” again.  Now I miss it.  Now I would like to feel that bit of respect that comes from the title.  Now I miss those two letters.

I have mentioned before that one of the things I notice most about retirement is my freedom from all those damn ringing bells that mark the start and end of every period and every lunch.  Now, lunch is when I want it and where I want it.  Today, I ate at Subway after I had finished at the gym.  (Please hear the bragging I am doing about the gym attendance.)  The minute I walked in, I could sense the trauma of all the people in work uniforms pushing the line to go faster and faster.  They all checked their phones every few minutes and grumbled and pushed the line beyond its six foot barrier to five to four and even to three.  A few called and made excuses to likely their boss about being a bit late.  Their heart rate was raised.  They were mad.  However, I was cool as the cucumbers on my sandwich.  I COULD take hours if I wanted.  I never needed to check my phone.  Retirement was marking out one more perk for me.  I was winning at the Subway.

I think that every serious theatre program in the country has got to deal with the dilemma of process and product.  Too many – way too many programs spend the entire school year cranking out play after play after play.  I guess they feel that in doing the so many performances, the actor is learning the art.  I disagree.  Too much production at the secondary level simply sets bad habits in the student.  Unfortunately, they learn to crank it out and play to the audience.  Sure it is fun to have the families come in with their bunches of grocery store flowers and shower adoration over them.  And if it is all about seeking approval and funding a program that can crank out even MORE plays then this is the right path.  I differ.

Read more →