Radio Interview

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I was asked by Mary Thompson Hunt to be a guest on Real Radio’s “From The HeArt” on Magic 107.7 FM. Mary’s husband Jason Hunt does highly detailed pencil renderings. Jason and I had both had our work projected on the side of the Suntrust Building  in downtown Orlando during the Creative City Project. It was amazing to see my sketches projected 3 stories high on a skyscraper. The point of the projections was to spark conversation.

Joshua Vickery and Mary hosted the radio interview.  The show is about the arts of Central Florida. We’d wanted to  hear about both of our work, how we create and why. In particular they were curious about my take on the creative arts and
visual arts scene of Orlando. Of course sketching at an art opening is one of the most challenging and frustrating experiences because people only pause to look at any work of art for a moment and then they move on. Instead I focus on musicians and actors who must remain on stage for the duration of a show. My work needs to be finished before any show is over. I then close the sketchbook and consider the sketch complete.

As Jason described his work I felt a universal connection to him and his process. “My graphite pencil drawings are called ‘Moments in Time’. For 58
years I’ve drawn from life’s experiences of innocence, loss,
inspiration, love, and the many beliefs we embrace throughout life.
Seems memories often become a tapestry of our many bits of pleasure and
scraps of pain.”

“My graphite pencil drawings are in black and white because I’ve come
to believe that most truths are found in the many shades of gray. I draw
what I love about this world and what is possible for us in
relationship to one another. I’m passionate about depicting the
beautiful everyday moments and also our inevitable bouts with madness
and pain.”

My work is a bit less about scraps of pain. I tend to focus on people who gather together for entertainment, fun and pleasure. In part because of the difficulty and challenges of drawing on location, my sketches seldom depict a stolen smile or laugh. Even in public I tend to find people bowing their heads in reverence to technology. In  our efforts to become part of the hive, we are becoming more isolated.

The radio interview was only an hour, so I had to work fast to catch the chaos of microphones and digital screens. The host was in the opposite room behind a glass screen so and interpersonal eye contact or expressions to be found in a person’s face were lost. Regardless it was a fun experience.

The Stories of Christmas

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After a radio interview, Joshua Vickery invited me to a dress rehearsal for The Stories of Christmas, at Central Florida Community Arts
(250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32804).  

This holiday season, the 300 voice
CFCArts Community Choir and members of the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra will perform their rendition of The Stories of Christmas. This year, the show
will share family traditions, childhood memories, personal stories and
much more through their favorite Christmas songs, as well as the
incorporation of “Noel: The Carols of Christmas”, the retelling of the
Christmas story through traditional Christmas hymns. Don’t miss this
fantastic holiday production as only CFCArts can present.

The
Stories of Christmas will be held on Thursday, December 8th and Friday,
December 9th at 7:30pm at Northland Church, (530 Dog Track Rd, Longwood
FL, 32750). They are offering the convenience
of assigned seating for this event! That’s right, you will be able to
CHOOSE YOUR SEATS when you order your tickets. All seats in the
auditorium will be assigned and will not be first come, first served. So
buy your tickets now! Tickets are $10 each for advance sale ($15 at the
door), Priority Seating tickets are $25 each, and tickets for Premium
seating (which also includes a CFCArts Cookbook and Autographed Poster)
are $50 each.

Please note that tickets will NOT be available
for walk up purchase at Northland at any time prior to the night of the
show. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the CFCArts Box
Office at 407-937-1800 x 710.

Balcony seating is not
handicapped accessible. For handicapped accessible seating, please call
the CFCArts Box Office at 407-937-1800 x 710. Children ages 3 and under
will be admitted for free. For those parents wishing for their 3 and
under child to have his/her own seat, a free ticket will be available
for reservation. Doors will open at approximately 7 p.m. Nature’s Table
Cafe will be open at 5:30pm both evenings – come early and join us for
dinner!

Ticketing problems or questions? Contact the CFCArts Box Office: (407) 937-1800 ext. 710 or boxoffice@cfcommunityarts.com

The Orlando Ballet brings the magic of Coppélia to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

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On April 30th I went to the Dr. Philips Center for the Performing Arts to sketch a dress rehearsal of Coppélia. In Greek Coppélia means “young lady” and this comic ballet premiered in 1870. The performance was set to he music of Léo Delibes. Terry decided that she wanted to see this rehearsal, so she met me in front of the Center. When I opened the stage door, I was surprised to see a crowd of journalists. At Earth Day, I bumped into Jim Cundiff, the Interim Executive Director at the Orlando Ballet. He told me about an exciting collaboration between the Ballet, Orlando Philharmonic, and Central Florida Community Arts. It turned out that this rehearsal was the platform to officially announce this collaboration.

Robert Hill, the Ballet’s Artistic Director, David Shilhammer, the Executive Director of the Orlando Philharmonic and Joshua Vickery the founder and Executive Director of Central Florida Community Arts stood on stage before the rehearsal.  Since it’s inception in 1974, the Orlando Ballet has relied on recorded music for it’s performances. Starting in October of 2015, the Philharmonic Orchestra will perform in the pit to bring all future ballet performances to life. David Shilhammer explained that recorded music limits the performers from taking chances and varying their rhythm and timing, The orchestra can adapt to each performance allowing for greater flexibility. In April of 2016 the Ballet will collaborate with Central Florida Community Arts which has 800 singers in multiple choirs. This is a win win for all the organizations and audiences. As the Dr. Phillips Center was being constructed, critics assumed that local arts groups would never stand to benefit. This incredible collaboration proves that they can and will endure.

Coppélia concerns an inventor, Dr Coppelius, who has made a life-size dancing doll.
It is so lifelike that Franz, a village youth, becomes infatuated with
it and sets aside his true heart’s desire, Swanhilde. She shows him his
folly by dressing as the doll, pretending to make it come to life and
ultimately saving him. The rehearsal was playful and magical. The mechanical dance choreography was delightful. I had never seen this ballet and I am glad I finally did. I also admired the gorgeous painted backdrops which had a rich deep impressionistic use of color. I would think that the dancers might hold back a bit in a rehearsal, but everyone danced full out. Many of their athletic moves defied gravity.

Mark Your Calendars! The remaining performances of  Coppélia are today May 2nd at 11am and 8pm and May 3rd at 2pm at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 445 South Magnolia Avenue

Orlando, FL. Tickets  starting at $38.75 are available online or at the box office. This really is an amazing production, and bring your kids, they will love it too.

Looking ahead…

October 30- November 1, 2015 Gisselle with music by the Orlando Philharmonic.

December 17 – 20, 2015 Nutrcacker with music by the Orlando Philharmonic.

February 5-7, 2016 the world premiere of The Firebird with music by the Orlando Philharmonic.

March 18-20, 2016 Don Quixote with music by the Orlando Philharmonic.

April 29-May 1, 2016 the world premiere of Beauty and the Beast with Central Florida Community Arts.

The Music Man Sweeps into Longwood

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On September second, I went to the tech rehearsal for Meredith Willson‘s “The Music Man” presented by Central Florida Community Arts. This was their 4th
annual Summer Broadway Season production. Performances were September 4, and 5, 2014. The production took place at
Northland, a 3,100-seat, state-of-the-art venue, located at
530 Dog Track Road, Longwood, FL, 32750.  Proceeds from this production benefit local youth arts programs and summer camps.

With book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, this concert-style
production of “The Music Man” is directed by Rob Lott, with musical
direction by Jacob Haines, assistant direction by Ashley Willsey,
choreography by Katherine Rivera, stage managed by Sean Middlebrook, and
is produced by Joshua Vickery. Michael Swickard had some large shoes to fill as Harold Hill and he excelled in his shifty eternal optimism. Kelley McGillicuddy starred as Marian the librarian and she had a playful coyness that suited the part. Since this was a tech rehearsal, there was plenty of stopping and starting as lights and sound cues were worked out. During one particularly long pause, Michael and Kelly played Patty Cake as they waited to restart their romantic scene. I like seeing these playful moments caught between the mad rush of the story.

Mic checks were the first order of business and each character recited a few lines to check their mics. The 100 voice choir was still seated in the auditorium seats.  The School Board/Barbershop Quartet consisted of John Barnick, Chris Burns, Kevin Souppa, and Sean Stork. They performed “Lida Rose” for their mic check and everyone applauded. With a full orchestra and the huge chorus, this should prove to be an amazing production. Although his motives might have been selfish to start, The Music Man is selling culture and Community pride. I think this is something we all long for.

Oklahoma!

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Oklahoma written by Oscar Hammerstein and music by Richard Rodgers  was performed as a semi-staged concert on September 5th and 6th by Central Florida Community Arts. I went to the final dress rehearsal on September 4th at Northland, A Church Distributed (530 Dog Track Road, Longwood, Fl). The interior of this church is absolutely cavernous. Some volunteers were busy placing inserts in the programs. The concert would benefit victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes There was a 300 voice choir, 70 performers along with a 100 member orchestra. Most performers were volunteers. The guest conductor was Clay Price.

Joshua Vickery, the co-founder and executive director of CFC Arts welcomed me. This organization had set up its first headquarters in the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts (1111 N. Orange Ave. Orlando Fl ) a building it shares with the Orlando Ballet. They had to move out recently because the building is plagued with a mold problem. The building is set right across the street from Lake Ivanhoe and it’s foundation is actually below lake level. Any time it rains, the ground floor floods. I’ve seen the flooding myself several times when I’ve sketched at the building. Now CFC Arts and the Ballet need a new home.

The scenes played out on the arched stage the pushed out towards the audience. The musical began with Curley, played by Wes Miller and Aunt Eller, played by Alice Smetheram, singing “Oh what a beautiful morning” at Laurey’s farmhouse.  That was the moment I decided to sketch. When the entire cast sang “Oklahoma!” the shear scale of the concert became clear. It had been a long time since I saw the movie production so I followed the plot with interest. The production was surprisingly long. When I finished the sketch Act II had not yet begun. The cast was given a break and I decided to call it a night. I would have to see the ending at a performance.

Mark Your Calendar! CFC Arts will be presenting “The Music of Rogers & Hammerstein” on September 20 at 7:30pm, September 21 at 7:30pm and September 22nd at 6:30pm. tickets are $12 for advanced online reserved seating or $10 at the door. Performances will be at the Orlando Repertory Theatre, (1001 E Princeton Street, Orlando, FL).

Christmas Tree

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I live vicariously through other people’s trees. This tree was found at Northland, A Church Distributed (530 Dog Track Road, Longwood, Florida). I was invited here to see, Christmas at the Movies, a choral concert on December 6th. Sharon Hegedus advised me to just sit and enjoy the concert. As people lined up to enter the hall however, I couldn’t resist sketching the tree. Northland’s lobby is a cavernous space and this tree towered 15 feet tall. It was decorated with red and gold ornaments in various sizes. There were pine cones and ribbons giving it a traditional feel. A large painting depicting the prodigal son parable was hung above the hall entrance.

As I sketched, the doors to the hall were opened and everyone filed in. I could hear the first songs sung by the 220 person strong Central Florida Community Choir. Christmas Time is Here, Pure Imagination and a Polar Express Medley were performed as I stubbornly finished my sketch.  The show was directed by Joshua Vickery, backed by a live orchestra and with participation from the Central Florida Community Dance Team. When I did go in the hall, I had to pause to let my eyes adjust to the dark. A man seated in the back row with his son, gave me his program. This unrequested act of generosity took me by surprise. I couldn’t resist the notion of finding a perfect angle to sketch from. I sat on the house right and relaxed. O Holy Night welled up bringing the show to the intermission. I decided to change my seat and I walked up towards the balcony seating. The balcony was blocked off, so I sat in the last row right before the balcony. I got my book light out and started a second sketch.

The HeART of Theater

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0n May 10th and 11th, Central Florida Community Arts presented, “The HeART of Theater, An Evening on Broadway.” The event featured the Central Florida Community Choir, orchestra and Dance Team, at the Northland Church (530 Dog Track Road). When I pulled into the church parking lot, I saw a mini van unloading seniors in front of the venue. My NYC snobbery kicked in and I expected to experience an amateurish production. Most folks waiting in the lobby did have grey hair but I had to do a reality check, so do I.  The worship center was huge and the large crowd in the lobby filled maybe a third of the available seats. I sat midway back so I could capture the immensity of the space.

Joshua Vickery, the founder and Executive Director introduced the evening. He stressed that Central Florida Community Arts positively influenced the community by connecting, serving and performing. The group has a vision to make the performing arts more accessible and to help local charities achieve their missions. This volunteer singing group has performed for the Coalition of the Homeless, Runway to Hope, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Hope for the Nations, Florida Hospital and many other great local organizations.

The ongoing theme to the Broadway Musical numbers performed, was how the arts inspire and enrich the artists who perform. Staged scenes, and dance numbers punctuated the evening between choral performances. I was swept along by the shear power and enthusiasm of the performances. This was an energetic evening of music that far exceeded my expectations. The last piece called “You Can’t Stop the Beat“, had everyone standing, clapping and singing along. Beach balls floated down from the catwalks high over head and the audience batted them about. This was an energetic, wild evening, with CFCA splashing on the Orlando Arts scene like a tidal wave reaffirming the creative spirit. I’m indebted to Sharon Hegedus, who first introduced me to this amazing group.

Upcoming performances include, American Pops on May 19th, The Classical Music of John Rutter on August 11th and a choral concert version of the musical, Titanic on September 7th to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking. On August 4th there is The Heart of the Arts Gala, held at the Gaylord Palms, which will raise funds to help CFCA impact the community where we work and live.

Central Florida Community Arts

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I went to a Central Florida Community Arts rehearsal at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church (1655 Peel Ave). This was a combined rehearsal with all 200 singers. Sharon Hegedus, the Director of Community Involvement for CFCA had suggested I come to the rehearsal to get a sketch. When I arrived, the parking lot was already crowded with two volunteers helping guide cars to the few remaining open spots behind the church. Listening, I walked towards the sound of people kibitzing in the entry to the church hall. Two tables were set up with name tags the singers. The woman asked my name and I had to explain that I was just there to sketch.

Dianne Sheets stood at the front of the church to welcome everybody. She is a voice coach who works with Christian Singers and has branched out to coach country western singers as well. She has started traveling to LA and NYC to meet up with her clients. She was in charge of warming the singers up. She had everyone stand and face left and everyone massaged the shoulders of the person next to them. Darn, I should have sat closer! Everyone then faced right and returned the favor. Dianne asked for a volunteer with a nice long neck. “I have a long neck” I thought. She grabbed a guy from the second row and told him, “I’m going to put my hands around your throat.” Everyone laughed. She demonstrated how to further loosen up the neck and vocal chords.

A children’s choir gathered in the back of the church then assembled at the front of the church.After their song, someone shouted, “Aren’t they adorable!” There was a standing ovation. Joshua Vickery took over, directing the rest of the rehearsal with a chipper Disney attitude. Half way through, he said, “I’m going to get I’m trouble for saying this, but, this is the best choir in town!” Much of the rehearsal centered around the song, “You can’t Stop the Beat!” At one point everyone laughed when the harmony was lost and they scattered, loosing the beat. The rallied on the next pass. Sections of the choir would stand and sing just their part before all the voices were combined in harmony. The chorus was on fire as they sang “This is the Moment.”

The chorus has a performance coming up on May 10th and 11th titled “The HeART of Theater, an Evening on Broadway.” Performances are at 7:30pm at the Northland Church (530 Dog Track Road, Longwood). Tickets are $10.