Kaleidoscope Theatre Ensemble, Inc.

Our daughter Jemma, became Mrs. David Bennett over the weekend, in a small, wonderful, Covid conscious ceremony in our backyard, zoomed to friends. It reminded ...me to check if the flower from Mary's bouquet, 36 years ago, was still pressed in our Shakespeare. Sure enough, there it is! "A lover's eye can gaze an eagle blind!" See more

Some exciting news to share: I am running for State Assembly in AD-51! I am so thrilled to embark on this journey as we fight for the families of AD-51. Our st...ate is in a state of crisis. Not only are we facing COVID-19, but also an Affordable Housing Crisis, an intensifying climate crisis and a Healthcare crisis. Too many of our neighbors are unhoused, too many are already being impacted by climate change, and too many have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. We can change all of that. We can build a better world for ourselves and our loved ones. We just have to have the courage to demand it. That is why I am running. We deserve better. AD-51 deserves better. As a mom and gun-violence survivor, I have organized for years to strengthen our communities. I am ready to take the fight to Sacramento. But I know that I can’t do it alone, I am taking with me so many advocates, organizers and concerned community members who want best for AD-51. I am a mom that will fight for the working families of AD-51. Join our people powered campaign and let’s make history together: miaforassembly.com

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AMAZON INTERVENTION Hear me out. These last few days, things have been hard. I am not going to lie. I have not been giving two fucks, and I do not like myself t...his way. Something needed to shift, and who knew it would be Amazon. Teaching is a humbling and privileged act, but it has not been easy. Students seem, to me at least, suffering through more this semester. Maybe it’s the settling into another fully on-line semester, or the thought that many will graduate without ever having come back to campus in another long year of isolation. A number of students were late and a number of them kept their cameras off today. It is very hard to do what I am doing, which is to work emotionally while we examine and discover art, language and idea. These disembodied fragile voices that I am trying to connect to Zoom is already a hard medium for nuance and subtlety, and now it’s just so difficult to make connection. One of my students is joining from Shanghai, taking class with us from two to four in the morning. Another student announced that they and their whole family had tested positive for Covid. I was happy to see them in the room. Anyway, I gave a big speech about discipline. I am not doling discipline out this semester, show up because it’s good for you and your process. Be here for the spiritual element of your practice. The rest will work itself out. Make this your sacred space. They probably thought I was crazy. So, I went for broke and we read a hard play about women, violence and culture. I announced that every play is full of triggers. Every play, even the ones that comfort, are full of danger and surprise. Poetry is dangerous. Let’s dig in and discover it through feeling, intellect will follow along. Well, they went in and it was intense, beautiful and I was reading stage directions moving it along. All of a sudden. I hear a knock on my door. ‘Amazon’ a voice shouted loudly. I had ordered a pair of Apple earbuds to be able to improve the zoom quality by plugging into the computer. There were supposed to come two days ago, but they never showed up, and now, here they are. But we are feeling our way through this play, students are deep in their emotion, and I can’t stop this heightened scene. I managed to mute and shout, So sorry, I am teaching! and went back into the play. I was still in my darkness, and now, in a mood. Oh great, this is when they would show up. Then I hear the Amazon voice I hear you teaching. I am going to leave the package behind the big plant on the side. I saw your name on the package. If it’s who I think it is, I took your solo performance class over ten years ago at USC and you changed my life. I love you What the Sometimes we forget. Everything we do. Has meaning. We ran out of time and we finished with a crucial scene in the play. We will pick up again on Thursday. The students were changed. They said thanks, waved as I hit that red LEAVE button. Everything melted away, from getting through the moment, to just being able to appreciate that. I went from not giving two fucks, to being in it to win it. Change is hard, but its reward is mysterious and unexpected. And delivers when you least expect it

I’ve been kind of speechless all day. Bob Avian was very special. He was the ACL Daddy. We all wanted to make him proud. I knew Bob liked me. He loves all hi...s ACL kids. But I wasn’t sure how proud he was, until closing night. He opened up and finally told me how special I was for him and our company. He acknowledged my work ethic and my powerful place in the company. It made my night. It made my 2 years with ACL all worth it. It’s not an easy show. The fact that he waited to closing night was especially powerful and perhaps a little torturous. Damn you Bob! I used to say, Thank God for his partner Peter. Peter showered us with compliments and Bob kept us guessing. But I know it was his way of demanding the best and keeping you on your toes. I am so grateful to be an ACL original and to have been in the presence of Bob’s greatness and to have been one of his Mike’s. Rest In Peace Bob. We will keep making you proud. #acl #achorusline #bobavian See more

https://www.newyorker.com//moonstruck-knows-that-the-best-

Our Mysterium Family is devastated to share the passing of one of our beloved talented members. Michael Gallardo graced the mysterium stages in several product...ions. He magnificently danced in and was our dance captain for In The Heights and spring awakening and choreographed several other shows. Not only was he a talent, but he was a kind and giving soul. He was funny and playful. He will always be remembered as Charlie Brown. You are a good man and will be missed. See more

Article on the LA Theatre Scene - Ed Krieger - Rest in Peace and thank you for your service to the LA Theatre Community.

One of Tony Carreiro's students from Long Beach City College. Great read.