kcactf: part iv

Good morning everyone!
Just got two texts from Zac, both of them saying "Quack, quack." He's adorable. :) Alllright. I promised you an amazing journal entry for today. My last day in LA: The Staged Reading. haha It's gonna be SAWEET! Tomorrow will be the last day in the series, complete with an Andy Warhol production (AH), a "Playwriting for Children" workshop, and the Awards Ceremony. ...:) Until then, enjoy the crazy endorphins and adrenaline I experienced on the morning of February 16, 2013.

February 16, 2013

Dear Journal,

TODAY WAS INSANE.

I woke up with tons of butterflies in my stomach and tried not to freak out on my roommates. After a quick shower, I got ready as fast as possible. The nerves were too much for my body to handle. Everyone wished me luck as I ran out of the hotel room and slammed the door behind me.

My play was going to be performed for the first time in two hours.

As I rushed through the streets to the LATC, I found myself floating. Noelle, Heather, Adam, and other friends went with me, keeping me grounded and focused for the morning ahead. They were all so supportive and encouraging—it was exactly what I needed and I couldn’t thank them enough.

Noelle and I got to the theatre and met up with Carol, Aurora, and Dillon. Tech rehearsals started and we watched as each ten minute play did their thing. The butterflies multiplied as our performance grew closer. Then, all of a sudden, it was time for our tech rehearsal to take the stage. It was beautiful witnessing Noelle and Dillon connect with one another.

After the tech rehearsal, Dillon asked if he could talk with me. We moved away from everyone else and he leaned in close to me. He said, “So…I prayed last night.” Shock. Complete shock and love in an instant. I asked him, “You did?” He continued, “I felt like your script deserved it…and like you deserved it.” I couldn’t speak for a long while but then I found the words, “How was it?” He replied, “The words felt foreign coming out of my mouth…but it was good. Something good.” I hugged him close, he kissed my cheek, and we cried holding each other. It was seriously one of the most beautiful moments of my life.

Just before the performances were to begin, I called my mom and said, “This play feels like it’s bigger than me. Like I’m just an instrument in God’s hands. Like I’m seeing how small I am, but also how much potential I have and it’s insane. I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but right now, I feel very good.”

The first three plays were performed and then responded to by three professional playwrights: Jami Brandli, Georgia McGill, and Brandt Reiter. Georgia McGill is the National Chair for KCACTF’s National Playwriting Program; Brandt Reiter is the KCACTF Region I National Playwriting Program Chair; and Jami Brandli is a published playwright with many accolades. No pressure, right?

When it came time for my play to be read, I couldn’t hold in all the emotions that were going on inside. After the first sentence of the stage directions was read, I was crying. I held onto Lindsay and Brianna’s hands throughout the whole reading and I could hear sniffles in the audience. Finally, after the ten minutes were over, I could let out a breath. My notes immediately following the reading and my respondent’s questions:

OH WOW. I LOVE THIS. I LOVE HOW I’M FEELING. I CAN’T STOP.

-I need to put Emily’s name in the dialogue

Brandt Reiter
-Switch gears from relationship to not believing in God. Why is that?
-What is the conflict at the beginning? Is the dialogue at the beginning masking the problem? If so, why is it coming out now?
-What do they need from each other? What does Mitch need to fix or does he need to let go? Same for Emily?

Jami Brandli
-A lot of ink—what causes the ink?
-Confusion of why I’m having an emotional connection—It’s good, but I want to know why I’m having this reaction.
-What does the swapping of the shoelace mean? Connect the dots!

Georgia McGill
-Did they sleep together? How does that connect to her “glow?” What is the God/sex question you’re asking?
-If they did sleep together, just say it—That’s not the reveal. The reveal is her not having her glow anymore.
-At a basic level—What are those basic facts?
-Location questionable—Almost like a screenplay rather than a script.

Throughout the talk back session, I took their suggestions as graciously and earnestly as possible. It was such an honor to have them give me feedback! Chelsea Hickman, from Kansas, a BYU student. What?! As all three respondents were from the East coast, they didn’t quite understand the specifics in the play about Mormonism and Utah culture—that was their biggest concern. How can I make it more relatable and easier to follow? Finally, the respondents moved onto the last play and I could relax.

When it was all over, I didn’t quite know how to feel—it was done—finished! I kind of felt a little empty. Everyone told me they loved it and were impressed by my talent. Haha That was a little weird, but very welcome and amazing.  Complete strangers came up to me and told me how touched they were, how they were changed, how they felt something. It was SO overwhelming. Happiness filled to the brim, I left the LATC for lunch with friends and called my mom and husband. 

part i  part ii  part iii