October 14, 2004

• The Daily News

  
  

  1   AHHHHHH!!!!!!

  
  

  2   Muggy weather. Block schedules! Anyone else wanna complain?

  
  

  3   Ah, why complain. Can’t complain. It’s just like 6 something on Thursday night, and it’s hot as the proverbial oven.

  
  

  4   Not sure which proverb, actually, but if there actually IS a proverbial oven, I’m the turkey.

  
  

  5  Stick a fork in me, man.

  
  

  6  Poooooooooshhhhhh!

  
  

  7  Whawtuh. Whawtuh.

  
  

  8   Yesterday in Drama, we found some ancient Drama Workshop archival tapes. They were of auditions for Skin of our Teeth (1990), and Surprise (1993). I played them for the class, so we could study what to do and what not to do at auditions. The kids, of course, loved the 90′s hair, outfits, and all the rest.

  
  

  9  I smiled, and amazed them that I not only knew the names of everybody who auditioned, but that I could tell them which colleges they attended, how many kids they had, and anecdotes to boot!

  
  

  10 It was really fun! Such great Workshop names as Jenny Warkentin, Ivria Kaplowitz, Kim Kirutsubo, Patty Greene, Gabe Moreira, Kristi Parker, Andrew Navarro, Chella Aranda, Sharise Dang, Michael Jeter, and a ton of others flashed in front of my eyes. It was like watching a movie of some of the Legends of the Drama Workshop. There was even a rare shot of myself and Ponch walking across the stage, which, of course, brought down the house!

  
  

  11 Amazing memories, good times. The ’93 auditions rocked, because we were auditioning for Surprise, a funny little show that I believe was written by Jack Sharkey, the same guy who wrote Creature Creeps, yet the set for Wizard of Oz was being built. Just amazing.

  
  

  12 Interestingly, we JUST threw away this blue board with Wizard of Oz written on it in sparkles. I’m pretty sure it was used to house one of our follow-spots on that amazing show.

  
  

  13  I guess this whole year will be all about stuff like that. That was right when Heidi was at her wonderful peak, haunting this and that and the other thing all year.

  
  

  14  Funny, because all morning I kept hearing the name of Heidi on the radio. Wonder if anything’s up? It is, after all, moving towards Halloween! 

  
  

  15  Ms. Hooper, please don’t trip. It’s a different Heidi, so I think you are safe.

  
  

  16  Actually, everyone is pretty-much safe with Heidi anyway.

  
  

  17  So Choir, you guys ready to roll? Don’t worry about Heidi; I’ll give you the heads up on that wonderful spirit who still dances through our building. She’s a sweetheart.

  
  

  18  Band: you guys sound sooooo good every day that you march past my room!  You all make me smile so much!  I don’t want YOU guys to worry either. Nice ghost. Loves all.

  
  

  19  19.

  
  

  20  Haha.

  
  

  21  19. This stuff gets so silly. If you want to know ahead of time about the ghostly sprite, go to www.ybdrama.com, and click on the Heidi Chronicles. I update it once a year on Halloween, so go in there  and enjoy!

  
  

  22  Good times, good times. It was ever thus.

  
  

  23  Sometimes those old videos make me smile. I think of myself, Ponch, Shawna Fleming (one of the most WONDERFUL teachers walking this planet!), and everyone else who made those wacky days seem like the Wild West.

  
  

  24  Today, when you get ready for the game, or for whatever you are going to do this weekend, walk through these halls and rooms with the dignity of a museum. A lot of beautiful memories have traveled through these walls. Yesterday brought all of that richness and wonder alive once again, and I went home smiling for times that only those who lived them could possibly realize.

  
  

  25  The times continue to this minute.  I look forward to many more wonderful moments in this building this year!

  
  

  26  Peace, and enjoy a wonderful weekend, everybody.

  
  

  27  Out.

  • 9:24 pm
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