Intermission: Conversations with Theater People about anything but Theater

...like music, and clown work, and breath work, and ghosts, and UFOS, and all of the things that happen BEFORE art gets made.

...like drag performances, cosplay, bikers on horseback, giantminiature dwarven warriors, storage issues (because cosplay gear takes up space), and One Piece, the card game.  Adulting is expensive...

like the Boss (Springsteen), music (its joys and pains), board games (solo and group), and teaching. Because, we are all in between, in between here and there, in transit, in process. Sometimes that is stressful. Sometimes its exactly where we want to be...

...like creating community through ttrpgs, fighting with swords, championing empathy, championing imagination. #frogmount. Check out Gals and Goblins! https://open.spotify.com/show/1lhVsJzg2DZ9zoLH2Zwerx?si=ce7d10e94f1f4bd1

...like the joys of horror, be it on the television, in a book,on film, deep psychologically disturbing, or good old 80s hack n slash.  You know?

like Hatsune Miku, Baldurs Gate, Full Metal Alchemist, the beauty (terrors) of fan fiction and how to make it worse (better?) You know, the good stuff...

...like anime, animation, DnD (online and in-person), Sonic the Hedgehog, Raven (Teen Titans), Mutant Ninja Turtles (Teenage), Sailor Moon, CosPlay, Cons, creepy people at Cons, Ren Faires, mead at Ren Faires Hellsing Ultimate, Scarborough's Hollow. You know, the cool stuff.

...like the creation. Artistic. Cosmic. Is there really any difference? Each is wrapped in mythology. All of it attracts scientists and philosophers. How does it happen and why do people create? What do you think?

...like pen, paper, but the right pen and paper. The right ink. the right weight. To grid or not to grid. That is the question, as recorded in your journal.

...like the nature of sin. I mean, who decides what is good and what is bad. What if what's good, oppresses? What if what's bad, liberates? What if what waits just outside the door is a life free of restraint? You'll have to have your throat ripped out first, but such is the nature of vampirism. Right, Mr. Coogler?

like letting go of the things you think you own. In the end they own you. Unless of course you let them go. Make some space, invite yourself in, see what happens. It might surprise you. At the very least, that next move, cross town or cross country, is going to go a lot smoother...

...like cats. Warrior cats. Not Black Panther or Catwoman, but no less heroic and adventurous. Pick you clique, Thunder, Shadow, River, Wind, or Sky. Are you a Kit, come and listen to the elder to find your path to paw-hood. And beyond. Step into the territory...

...like DnD. Original, Crunchy, Shiney. When you just give in to playing a simple, arithmatically heightened, game of period improv with your close friends, instead of trying to be the next internet sensation. Unless of course, there is chest of gold coins involved...

like comedy and tragedy. Like plants and animals. Like pigs and... what is the foil for pigs? Chickens? Fish? People?

like what do rock climbing, sword fighting, and skateboarding all have in common. It's not what you think. Actually... it probably is. But there is something else that that they all have in common. They all--

like hamburgers. Pastrami Burgers. Butter Burgers. Nut Burgers. Fried Onion Burgers. The Connecticut Steamed Cheeseburger. The Mississippi Slugburger. The Frita Cubana. The Juicy Lucy. And then there is the question of toppings, sides, condiments. To tomato or not to tomato. And ketchup. Don't get me started about ketchup...

...like fistfights and art. You know that cycle of creation and destruction that human beings do oh so well. Is there something about the human condition that allows us to move so seamlessly between the extremes of chaotic violence, and fertile artistic production. And what about extraterrestrials?

...oh we're still eating, but I can roll that D20 with this hand.

like food. Rice. Dal. Salisbury steak. Cold milk. Think of the grand questions human beings have been asking since the beginning of time. Who am I? Are we alone? What is the meaning of it all. What's for dinner?

like reality TV. Whether it was the covid or comfort, sometimes a bit of interactive television can hit the spot. And who knows, watching someone else's adventure might be prepping you for your own...

..like Star Trek. And when it ends. Endings are beginnings, right? When one automatic bridge door closes, and airlock into the void of space opens. Hopefully, the next ship (or series) comes along before you freeze. Or explode. Whatever happens in the cold dark of space...

...like horror-comedy movies. Everybody loves a good scare. Everybody loves a good laugh. Since each reaction is subjective, find a genre that allows you to choose your own adventure...

like a second round of improvisational games with other like minded folk who just want to rap about something new.

like swords. Sharp and pointy. Andrew and I talk about swords. Well Andrew tells me about swords. He's been swinging with about for a while. I'm just nerding out next to him...

...like vampires. Prudence and I discuss the do's and dont's of vampires in fiction. Some people get it right. Others do not. There must be consequences...