Terry DiCarlo

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 This post discusses the shooting that took place at the Pulse
Nightclub on June 12, 2016. It contains difficult content, so please do
not read on if you feel you may be effected. 

This article and sketch have been posted with the express written
permission of the interviewees. Analog Artist Digital World takes the
privacy and wishes of individuals very seriously. 

Terry DiCarlo had been in the HIV diagnosis business for over 30 years. He was the director at The Center at the time of the Pulse shooting. The Center is the largest tester for HIV in Florida. They do 500 to 600 tests a month for HIV.  Orlando is fifth in the nation for the most newly diagnosed cases. Just before the shooting Terry had been offered a Director’s position at AIDs Health Foundation (AHF) which is a Los Angeles based global nonprofit provider of HIV prevention services, testing, and
healthcare for HIV patients. AHF currently claims to provide medical
care and services to more than 1 million individuals in 43 countries
worldwide. He was offered twice the salary that he was making at the Center. His start date was to be August 1, 2016 and July 16th was going to be his last day at the center. All the paperwork was done. He was packing up his office and then June 12 happened, the day of the Pulse massacre. AHF pushed off his start date to September but by mid August he realized in his heart would not let him leave Orlando.

There were between 300 and 600 people working in the tiny space
inside the Center. It got hot in there in with the smoldering June heat.
Someone donated several large mobile air conditioners to help. With the back
doors always open taking in donations, the heat kept flowing in. On the third day after the shooting that took 49 lives, Terry decided he had to close the Center at 6pm. Had he kept the Center open 24 yours, the volunteers would have stayed for 24 hours. They had been working 12 to 14 your days for three days straight. They were ordered to go home and rest. Terry started turning off lights to shut the Center down.

At 5:45pm he got a call, letting him know that Florida Governor Rick Scott was planning to visit and wanted to enter by the back door so as not to draw attention. All the lights went back on. The governor banned all press and anyone in the Center would have to turn off their cell phones. Terry grew angry. His Orlando community had just been hurt, and this as their house. He called every news station and let them know that they had 5-10 minutes to get to the Center. The news trucks were all close by.

Three black SUVs pulled up behind the Center. The governor and his entourage entered via the back door and the press poured in the front door. The governor was shocked, but put on a plastic smile. Then Terry invited everyone in the Center to take out their cell phones of a photo op. This was supposed to be a private photo op for the governor since he had his personal photographer in tow. It was a chance for him to brag that he had been to the Center and the photo would imply that he cared. It was all self serving PR.

He never said the word LGBT. He never said “I’m sorry for what you are going through.” He looked at Bill, Terry’s husband, who had a tattoo and asked, “Did that hurt?” Bill responded, “Is that really all you have to say?” The governor shook Bills hand who wiped his hand off on his pants as the governor walked away. He seemed to have no idea what the Center was or why there were 600 people there. He asked nothing about all the donations or where they were going.

Down at Pulse, Marco Rubio showed up and started talking to the media about The danger of Islam, terrorists and hate. He was spewing false information. Terry shouted out that this wasn’t about hate and division. All the cameras turned towards him. He always spoke from the heart. He tended to stand on the side lines while Patty Sheehan, Mayor Buddy Dyer and Police Chief Mina walked to and from the Command Center for updates. Then while they stood talking to media Chief Mina signaled to Terry that he should join them to help relay information to the world. This would become his role in the months and years to follow. One New York Times reporter had Terry’s name on file with the initials GTG beside his name. That meant “go to gay.” Terry would always offer honest opinions when asked.

The Angel Action Wings were created at the Shakespeare Theater with the help of Jim Helsinger. They were donated to the Center after Terry explained that they would be respected and used at proper events to honor the 49 lives lost. No one ever sees the angels getting ready. When they appear at Pulse, the fire station down the street lets them get set up in the parking lot behind the station. When they appear at Lake Eola, a condo association across the street allows them to get ready in the ballroom. Bill created an 8 foot high PVC pole that held several white flags. This helps in letting people know that the angels are coming and it helps part the crowd. The angels were originally intended to protect against hate and now they have become a signal of hope and of love. People just come up to the angels and hug them.

In time, Terry had to step down from being the director at the Center, taking a communications director position instead. In the months after Pulse he was pulled in so many directions, that something had to give. He has talked to survivors who are going through a lot. For the first year, survivors were being flown around the world to Pride events and fundraisers. After one year that attention disappeared. They felt lost. One survivor, a nurse said she can not get a job. At interviews she holds back not wanting anyone to know she was at Pulse that night. She suspects she might be sabotaging herself.

The current administration is promoting hate and division and that trickles down. The love and unity we experienced is being torn apart. People seem unable to see through the smoke screen. We can not let people forget. Orlando stood as one, united in not letting hate win. Orlando reacted with love and the world saw that and stood beside us. For a few days, hate stood still.

On January 27, 2020, Terry DiCarlo died of Cancer at the age of 57.

The Mystery of Irma Vep

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The Orlando Shakes (812 E. Rollins St Orlando, Florida 32803) is presenting The Mystery of Irma Vep, a Penny Dreadful by Charles Ludlam through November 18, 2018. The title is the name of a character in the 1915 French movie serial Les Vampires and is an anagram for the word “vampire.”
The set by Bert Scott was fun with it’s forced perspective that would lead your eyes to the doors center stage. Even the floor boards all radiated from this central focal point. This is a perspective trick I often employ in my own sketches so it was fun to see the idea employed in the three dimensional design.

I didn’t glance through the program when Pam Schwartz and I entered the theater, instead I got right to work sketching. As actors got on stage I started populating the sketch and I wanted to be sure to get as many of the cast on the page as I could. First, I focused on the maid talking to Lady Enid and then I added Nicodemus who gestured up at the painting above the fireplace of the previous lady of the house, Irma Vep. When the sketch was done I put it aside and relaxed to watch the second act. That is when I finally realized that there are just two actors in this play. I had been duped by very different mannerisms and accents. Lady Enid was never on the stage at the same time as Nicodemus. Brad DePlanche played Nicodemus, Lady Enid, Alcazar, and Pev Amri while Chris Crawford played Jane Twistden, Lord Edgar, and an intruder. Some 35 costume changes take place in the course of the two-hour show.

The play is very tongue-in-cheek with lightning fast cross-dressing. There is plenty of sexual innuendo and comedic pauses with dramatic music and lighting cues to heighten the humorous mysterious mood. The director Jim Helsinger seems to be a master at milking a comic moment. The play has a dark and sinister past and features love, intrigue, and a sinister mystery. It was a fun night of theater and perfect for the Halloween season. Get your tickets today, but the Halloween performance is already completely sold out.

The Shakes 30th Anniversary Gala

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The Shakes (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803) pulled out all the stops to create an amazing 30th Anniversary Gala this year. Gorgeous blue and pink curtains were hung at the entrance and a shimmering silver carpet was rolled out to the entry door. High columns of glistening crystals lined the walk. Inside, a line built up for picking up programs and bidding numbers. Food stations were set up throughout the Shakes, both inside and out. I settled in immediately at a standing table to sketch since I knew that time would be limited.

I focused my attention on Capa Restaurant from Four Seasons. Capa is a luxurious rooftop restaurant at Walt Disney World resort. They were serving Cerdo, which is pork belly, rhubarb, and hazelnuts covered in a rich creamy sauce with bright sprigs of garnish. It was like an extra thick cut of bacon lightly crispy at the edges. I sketched madly as they prepared plate after plate of food. For the most part I just drank Coke to keep my sketching buzz on. Pam Schwartz explored the various food stations and brought back samples. I tried lamb shank that was delicious. Somehow a chunk of mashed potato got wedged between my palette and sketchbook. I only discovered it when I finished the sketch and started cleaning up.

Several patrons were charmed that I was sketching. One woman stopped to tell all about her two daughters, one is bohemian and an artist herself, and the other is a type A personality. Another couple started talking about the vibe of the arts scene in Italy. I started talking about Provence, confusing it for Italy because I was so focused on my sketch.

The fundraising portion of the evening was an amazing success. I had a print in the silent auction and it was sold, though I didn’t see the final bid. The auction held in the theater itself offered several dream stay-cations and a dinner for 100 friends. These packages went for thousands of dollars. Bidding for the Shakespeare education programing was extremely lively. Tallahassee has cut the arts budget by more than 90% this year so fundraising is more important than ever.

Jim Helsinger and Scott Maxwell both told stories about Harriet Lake who has just died this year. It seems everyone who met Harriet has a story about her. She always made an impression. She used to always sit in the same front row seats and though she was offered comps she would insist on paying. However she would at times show up unannounced and want to sit in her seat. Because of this, the staff of the Shakes always kept those two seats open until the last minute.  Jim announced that a plaque will be added and those seats will forever be known as Harriet’s seats.

In the Heights is now playing at the Shakes and in that musical residents of Washington Heights dreamed of what it would be like to win the lottery worth $96,000. The cast of In the Heights took to the stage to perform $96,000. In a stroke of genius, Jim Helsinger asked how much money had been raised in the silent auction and the live auction so far. We were just about $5,000 short of $96,000 dollars. Bidding was opened again and in the excitement over $96,000 dollars was raised.

The cast of In the Heights then performed a cabaret that ended with the entire cast performing the opening number of In the Heights. I lived In the Heights for 10 years as a struggling artist in New York City, so I identify with the hopes and dreams of that barrio.  It was a rousing and fitting end to a very successful gala.

12th Night at the Shakes.

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At the opening night performance of 12th Night by William Shakespeare, the director, Carolyn Howarth and the costume designer Jack Smith sat on stage for a pre-show chat. Carolyn explained that what we were about to see was an effort to present as historically accurate a production of the play as is possible. In Shakespeare’s day there was no stage lighting, so the house lights never went dark. As an artist this was a real blessing. Electric candles hung from the ceiling to illuminate the space. They seemed to float magically as if in Harry Potter’s Wizarding School.

In the day, a play could be seen for a penning which was also enough to buy an ale and some bread. For that price they would be a groundling, standing in front of the stage. More expensive cushioned seats were of course more. The church did not allow women to perform on stage, so this production is as well performed by all male actors.

The costumes by Jack smith were absolutely gorgeous. He spent time hand embroidering things right until the curtain opened. He did however praise the entire costume shop staff. Pink was a popular color for men in Shakespeare’s day and the women preferred blues and teals. All of the costumes were lush, with highly researched detail. This has to be the most well crafted production I have seen in Orlando for a long time. In Shakespeare’s day there were no sets, just a few benches and the expanses of the wooden stage. Most of the architectural elements of the previous production “Shakespeare in Love” like the arching ceiling joists, were left in place. At the end of Shakespeare in Love, Queen Elizabeth asked the young author to come up with something new “for 12th Night”. It is believed that this play was first performed for Queen Elizabeth in 1602.

The play began with a foppish Shakespearean actor pounding his walking stick to the floor. The buzz of the audience silenced and the magic began. Shakespearean accents were a melting pot of Irish, Scottish, West Country and American and the actors were carefully coached to recreate the sound and flavor. The director joked that we might catch a flash of pirate in the accents as well. The acting was over the top and comical which seemed odd at first but then I grew to love each character.

The plot involves two shipwrecked twins who both believe the other to be dead. Viola (Thomas Leverton) dressed as her brother Sebastian (Austin Larkin). As a man, Viola is caught in a rather awkward love triangle. To avoid any spoiler alert, I’ll just say that love finds a way in the end. Olivia (John P. Keller) who is mourning the death of her brother becomes infatuated with Viola who was sent by Orsino (Timothy Williams) with a message of love. Olivia’s steward Malvolio (Jim Helsinger) had a hilarious performance. He was tricked into thinking that his Olivia was in love with him and his attempts at appearing happy were endearing and over the top hilarious. Sword fights were foppish and comical. honor being served by who surrendered first in terror. Throughout the show I was laughing out loud.

This show highly deserved the standing ovation. This is one of the most polished productions I have had the honor to enjoy and sketch. We left the theater glowing. Shakespeare’s genius still shines bright 416 years later. For several hours we were magically transported back in time.

12th Night runs through March 23, 2018.

Twelfth Night runs approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.

Man of La Mancha at the Orlando Shakes.

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Man of La Mancha will be featured in Orlando Shakespeare Theater from September 6 to October
8, 2017 in the Margeson Theater. Inspired by one of
the greatest novels in Western literature, the show
brings the audience into the world of the “mad knight” Don Quixote (Broadway veteran Davis Gaines) as
he pursues his quest for the impossible dream. The internationally acclaimed
musical is a glorious affirmation of the unyielding resilience of the human
spirit. Featuring the classic song “The Impossible Dream,” this timeless tale of love and adventure
continues Orlando Shakes’ streak of bringing the best of Broadway to the
intimate Margeson Theater.

“Right now, I feel
it’s more important than ever that we give our community hope and something to
believe in,” said Jim Helsinger, Artistic Director at Orlando Shakes. “Man
of La Mancha is more than just a classic Tony Award-winning
musical. It’s a reminder that the human spirit has an unyielding capacity for
hope and love, and no matter how dark the world may seem, it is the light of
our dreams that leads us on.”

A seven foot deep hole was opened in the center of the Marginson stage to allow for Scenic
Designer Jim Hunter‘scentral elevator stage structure and trap door entrance to the scenes. The decision to
move Man of La Mancha into in-the-round
seating came about as a solution to better meet the needs of audiences.
Transforming the Margeson Theater into in-the-round seating will create an
additional 69 seats, for a total of 390 tickets eligible to be sold per
performance. It will also create a unique live theater environment that is
rarely experienced in Central Florida.

“Musicals
in-the-round bring the audience a closer, more immersive experience,” said
Helsinger. “Live theater is always a special experience, but with this style of
seating, audiences will be able to feel like they are a part of the story
unfolding in front of them. They will be on the fields of La Mancha with Don
Quixote.”

Ticket Information

PRICING

Wednesdays – Saturdays
at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. – $35, $50, $65

Preview Performances and
Senior Matinees – $18, $25, $33

Performance
Information and Related Events

Preview Dates: September 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Date: September 8 at
7:30 p.m.

Senior Matinees: September 13; 20;
27; and October 4 at 2 p.m.

Talk Back Performance: September 24 at 2
p.m.

Jim Helsinger discusses Angel Action Wings

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In Abraham Lincoln‘s Inauguration speech, he said   “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”This quote inspired Jim Helsinger to create Angel Action Wings after the Pulse tragedy. As he said, “Moises Kaufman wrote ‘The Laramie Project’, about the reaction to the 1998 murder of University of Wyoming gay student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming, what could I do?” When members of a Baptist hate group said they would protest at funerals of the victims of the Pulse shooting, here in Orlando, Jim had to act.

The Orlando Shakespeare Theater and
the Angel Action Wings Project teamed up to create
massive PVC frame, and white linen angel wings in the hopes of blocking the 40-member
“church” group and their hate-filled signs, the dumbest being “God Hates Fags.” Thanks to donations, the
Orlando Shakespeare Theater built each of the angel ensembles in
their costume shop.  There was much confusion on social media about weather the hate group would actually show up, but Jim went with a gut feeling and had the wings built anyway. At a funeral, singing and the angel wings blocked the protesters who did get a permit to protest.

After that initial success some one suggested that 49 Angel wings should be built. Although he as in Colorado, he spearheaded the effort from there. Volunteers from Disney filled the Shakespeare scenic shop completing the wings with incredible speed. After a Pulse theater community event at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts the 49 Angels marched outside the theater surrounding the large memorial that was in the plaza. A light drizzle accompanied their somber candle light march, but when they stood in silent vigil the rain stopped and a light breeze aired their wings. People exiting the theater where overwhelmed be the sight.

Theater has a way of framing grief. When in a dark theater surrounded by an audience, we realize that we are not alone. If others survive then I can as well. We do not live in a vacuum. 20 years ago Orlando was a conglomerate of corporations. In the last fire years, little theaters and restaurants have found a home here. Orlando’s reaction and response to the Pulse tragedy is something to be proud of. We as a community will embrace gays, Latinos, and immigrants.

Jim grew up in Ohio and has shot guns. He believes in the second amendment, but if an individual is on a watch list, or has been denied a flight license, then why can he buy an assault rifle? In Newtown a young boy could walk into an alimentary school and shoot children. Nothing has changed. People need to accept their differences. There needs to be religious and racial tolerance. We need to change the culture of violence to a culture of love.

The 49 wings were just transferred to the Center which will decide how and when the wings will be used in the future. This will allow Jim to refocus his energies on running the Shakespeare Theater. They were just worn in the recent gay pride parade, where thousands
cheered as the angels glided down Orlando’s downtown streets. The angel wings need to keep flying.

“Angel Action Wings For Orlando” Find New Home at The GLBT Community Center Of Central Florida.

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Orlando Shakespeare Theater (The Shakes) in Partnership with UCF permanently relocated the “Angel Action Wings for Orlando” to The GLBT Community Center of Central Florida (The Center). The “Angel Action Wings for Orlando” were originally constructed by volunteers from the community to shield mourners from anti-gay protesters during the funerals of Pulse massacre victims. They have since been used at the “Beautiful Together” benefit concert held at the Dr. Phillips Center and other local and national community events, including the recent Orlando “Come Out with Pride Parade” on Saturday, November 12, 2016.


 The wings were first used to block a hate group after the Matthew Shepard murder in 1998. After Pulse, the Shakespeare Scenic Shop built 49 Angel wings. “Orlando’s Angel Wings have become an inspiring image of love and unity in our community,” said Jim Helsinger, Artistic Director at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. “We have been honored to use them to pay tribute to those who lost their lives because they chose to love openly and wholly. In the end, love always wins.”

Due to the demanding performance
schedule of Orlando Shakes, The Center has graciously agreed to assume
responsibility of the “Angel Wings.” With this transition, the Center will
manage the future use of the “Angel Wings.” All funds raised to support the
care of the “Angel Wings” have been passed along to the Center as well.

“The Center is very honored to
accept responsibility for the “Angel Action Wings for Orlando,” said Terry
DeCarlo, Executive Director of The Center. “Personally knowing the history of
the wings, what they stand for, and their specific mission, The Center is prepared
to take on this assignment and will treat the wings with the utmost respect.
The Center will also be creating a community “Angel Force” made up of
individuals who will be trained and dispatched to special events where the
wings are needed.”

In addition to the 49 sets of “Angel
Wings” provided to the Center, two sets of “Angel
Wings” were also donated to the Orange County Regional History Center today for
a new community display.

“It has been a privilege to be the
guardians of the Angel Wings over the past several months,” said Helsinger. “We
look forward to seeing them shed light and love in our community in their new
home at The Center.”

The Taming of the Shrew

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Jeff Ferree suggested I stop in at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater to sketch the early stages of a set build. Jeff told me the inner structure was like a giant erector set and his description was spot on. A large crew of people had to work as a team to raise the large platform panels into place. It was like a good old fashioned barn raising. Wood planking was ready to be put down on the stage floor. Jeff showed me the blue prints for the set which would become a wild west town. The Scenic Designer is Kat Conley.

The show is a fresh take on William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Set in the Wild West and directed by Orlando Shakes Artistic Director Jim Helsinger. “The sweet and amiable Bianca can have her pick of suitors, but only once
her sister, the much less charming Kate, is married off. Fortune-seeking
Petruchio rises to the challenge, but can he tame this fiery-tongued
shrew? Set in the tumultuous Wild West, Shakespeare’s unruly comedy
gallops onto the Margeson Theater stage in a lively, high-energy battle
of the sexes with a couple hell-bent on confusing and outsmarting each
other right up to the play’s unexpected conclusion.”

 Mark Your Calendar! The Taming of the Shrew
began September 11 and runs through October 6, 2013 at the John and
Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park. Tickets, priced at
$17-$40, are on sale now at (407) 447-1700. On Thursday September 26 you can stay after the performance for an
informal moderated discussion with the cast and members of the artistic
team. On Sunday October 6th go to the prologue series which starts 30 minutes before the show. An actor will lead the audience through a discussion of the plot, themes and major characters in the production.