Hello, we’re here
So excited to get our site up and running. We are booking new teachers every day, but as you can see, we already have a stellar crowd!
The thru-line of ARTreach is access.
Many of you know that I was born and raised in the mountains of Appalachia. My town of Coeburn, Virginia had a population of less than 2000 and, until I was 13, we didn’t have movie theatres or fast food (remind me to tell you about that parade when Long John Silvers came to town).
In many ways it was an ideal place to grow up – quiet, simple, full of its own culture. But for someone like me, addicted to art and music in a pretty nerdy and obsessive way, finding great training was all about leaving the mountains.
Total true story – when I was a freshman in high school, my best bud and I wanted to see a professional theatre troupe that was visiting the area. Our principal equated our love of the arts with a love of fishing. He flatly refused to excuse us from class. Mel and I went anyway – the beginning of my suffering, rebellious period, don’t you know…
My hope is that as ARTreach grows, we will reach every city and town in America, with professional training, with exciting and innovated projects, and with an all-reaching vision that everyone deserves access to the creative impulse and its development.
Check in with us often and see what’s happening and where we are!
Peace out!
Mark
on February 25th, 2009 at 10:00 am
This sounds wonderful, Mark. Hope it turns out to be a great success.
on June 21st, 2009 at 9:58 am
Hi Mark,
Sounds great! Didn’t really realize that you grew up IN Appalachia, and in such a small town as described.
Was planning to come to L.A. originally by June 4th; ticket paid for, but am teaching a college summer course for another week; would love to see you when I can rebook; no seats available yet.
GEE, NEED ANY TEACHERS DURING REST OF THIS SUMMER? JULY/AUGUST? HOW ABOUT IMPROVISATION OR IMPROVISATION BASED ON AUDIENCE SUGGESTION WORKSHOP? LET ME KNOW….WOULD LOVE IT
Still here in rainy, occasionally warm New York; teaching Acting, Speech and Articulation courses at City College, main site, and at a second CUNY site, and doing lots of poetry/spoken word features now and in past six months or so; occasional pro acting auditions and gigs too—the balance act.
Miss you….give my best to Cleve; sure would like a personal email too. Are you emailing from No. Hollywood or are you in Appalachia, as this appears to have been a February blog???
Hope to see you in person soon or perhaps a live phone call would be great.
Cynthia (Toronto)
(718) 745-3696