Second COVID-19 Vaccine Shots

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Once again Pam and I got up a 5AM to drive to the Valencia College campus FEMA site to get our second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Since this was our second dose we were directed to a line that went straight inside the tents essentially bypassing several registration tents that e waited in the first time around.

We gave our drivers licenses and vaccination cards to a worker and she entered the information into her phone which was hooked up to a tiny printer. She printed out a sticky label that I was to wear though the remaining process. As we went to the next tent another helper checked my label against the drivers license and I was told that my last name had been misspelled. I had to go back to get the information changed.

Ultimately we ended up in a holding tent with multiple switchbacks waiting to enter the tent here shots were administered. The site was officially to open at 7AM and there were only minutes before we would be let inside. I decided there wasn’t enough time to sketch all the people waiting. But the minutes dragged on and 7AM became 7:15 and onward.

A woman walked her way backwards in the line and kept asking “Are you Janet?” Who was Janet, and was she the cause for the hold up? Dammit Janet. It turned out she wasn’t looking for Janet, she was asking if people were Spanish. No one who spoke only Spanish would likely respond to someone asking asking questions in English. Regardless several others walked back through the line asking the same question. Then someone started shouting the question loudly from the sidelines. Finally a National Guardsman shouted the question in Spanish and several hands went up. This was unsettling. Something was up. Then everyone was given pens. The computer system had gone down and we had to fill out a Vaccine Screening and Consent form.

I immediately filled out my form incorrectly by putting my first name in the last name field. Then came a series of questions which required me to check NO…

Are you experiencing fever, chills, cough, soreness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle of body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea? Well I always have a headache, and allergies have been really bad this year so I have had a cough and runny nose. I checked NO.

Have you tested positive for COVID-19? NO

Have you had a serious reaction to a previous dose of vaccine. Well I got a headache and aches. NO

Have you had any vaccinations in the last 14 days. How long ago was the first dose I got? I don’t know. NO

Have you had any COVID-19 antibody therapy in the last 90 days? NO

Have you received a previous dose of the COVID-19 vaccine? NO. Oh wait, YES! Hell I already checked the box wrong! OK cross it out and put a big circle in the YES column. But everything else had been filled out with check marks. Would the one circle on the page cause some alarm?

The line started to move as I was still filling out the form. I was directed to seat number 8 and I took off my jacket and sweat shirt. Pam sat diagonally across from me. The sweatshirt got stuck on my baseball cap and mask. I couldn’t just remove the cap since the mask was tied over it. I struggled with my head wedged in the hoodie for what seemed an eternity and finally pulled the sweatshirt over my big head ripping off both my cap and mask. Mortified, I quickly re-masked. I don’t think anyone noticed. I made sure my sticker was on top of my pile of folded clothes. It was chilly outside. The National Guard officer scanned my sticker and had me roll up my sleeve. Before I had time to wince, the shot was in and I was getting my sweatshirt back on. No one ever took my form. I guess the computer system was back online.

After Pam and I both got our shots, we were directed to a tent where we had to wait for 30 minutes to be sure there were no severe reactions. This is when I finally got my sketchbook out and sketched the guy in front of us as he waited for the moment he could return to life as normal. I got the VAX!!! The next day I have a headache and feel achy but that means the vaccine is working. Soon life can return to a new normal though I will still wear my mask, social distance and wash hands often until research proves I can not infect others.

FEMA Vaccine Site at Valencia College

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Now that teachers are allowed to get vaccinated, Pam and I went to the Valencia College, FEMA Vaccination site. White tents were set up in the college parking lot and National Guard troops handled much of the logistics.

This sketch was done in the first of a series of switchbacks. The site officially opened at 7am and we were there about an hour early. We didn’t actually wait an hour since the line started pressing forward before I finished this sketch.

In each of the seven tents we had to provide a drivers license and proof of school employment. We had to answer questions about foreign travel, and if we had any COVID-19  symptoms. Temperature checks happened several times. It was nice to be in a place where everyone wore a mask. Pubic health took priority over politics. White Tape marks on the pavement kept people six feet apart in line.

We had a choice to take the Johnson and Johnson vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine. We chose Pfizer. The shot itself was quick and painless. Now I am waiting to see if I get any side effects. Honestly I feel good. This is the first time I have felt some hope for humanity. The birds are chirping, and the weather is gorgeous. Perhaps life is beginning to return to normal. In April we will return to this site for our second dose of the vaccine.

Pfizer said its Covid-19 vaccine blocked 94% of asymptomatic infections in an Israeli study. The study also found the vaccine was at least 97% effective against symptomatic Covid cases, hospitalizations and deaths, the company said.

Transition: An Original Docudrama

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Transition is an original docudrama directed by the Valencia College Theater program chair John DiDonna. The show explores the lives, concerns and obstacles facing those in and through a period of gender transition. It was created through interviews with members of the transgender community.

The show started off the entire cast entering the black box theater telling tales of Greek myths. The pace was hurried with members of the cast obsessionally talking over one another. Then the cast settled in and we were allowed to meet each in turn as they discussed their lives. For some, gender was fluid, not as sharply defined as the blue and pink world that delineates boys and girls from childhood on.

A relationship developed between a woman who fell in love with a man who was transitioning into womanhood. He pushed her away feeling she was naive, but she persisted and she was with him through his entire transition. The important theme throughout was that we should all be accepting and love one another.

The word SEX was boldly projected on the screen. The entire case suddenly grew quiet and uncomfortable. It was a comic moment that grew as the moment lengthened. One cat member walked the runway out into the audience dressed in his khaki shorts, a t shirt and open dress shirt. He must have once been female, but I couldn’t tell. He glanced at the word and looked back out at the audience and finally said “heel no.” and walked back to the cast.

By the end of the show the cast held one another as each in turn asked for  understanding as they moved forward with their lives. Shots of estrogen or testosterone defined their gradual transformations. Skin grew smoother or voices changed pitch. Each wanted what we all want, acceptance and love. This was a unique evening of beautiful people sharing their stories.

The remaining show dates are:

April 7, 9 13 and 14, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

April 8 and 15, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.

The performance on April 14 will have an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter.

Pricing:

$12 General Admission

$10 Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Seniors.

Save with you-pick packages. Mix and match any dance and theater performance.

Four tickets for $36 or eight for $60.

Where:

Valencia College East Campus, Black Box Theater

701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail Orlando Fl 32825

Rattlesnakes at Valencia College.

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Directed by John DiDonna, ‘Rattlesnakes’ had its Central Florida premiere from British playwright Graham Farrow at the black box theater in Valencia College. The play explores the theme of retribution, and the fall-out from infidelity in marriage.

In ‘Rattlesnakes‘, a vigilante group of husbands seeks retribution on the seedy gigolo giving satisfaction to their bored wives. This is a hard-hitting study of betrayal and personal failure.

The play was unnervingly violent, taking place in the hotel room where the gigolo was about to meet one of the wives. Instead, five working class husbands show up all at the same time. A baseball bat, rope and the threat of a knife set a dim future for the cornered well dressed seducer.

Extract:

McQueen (The Gigolo)  
Well, if it’s confession time tonight . . . if it’s truth you want . . . if it’s truth we all want, then why not? It’s why you’re here. ‘S what you said. It was the first question . . . ‘Why are you fucking my wife?’

Jarrett 
My wife’s dead. She’s lying in the bath home with a shower-cord wrapped around her neck. Funny, but I thought you knew that . . . thought Richie told you when you first sat down.
McQueen
Okay, why did I fuck your wife?

Jarrett 
That’s better. 

McQueen 

You wanna know?

Jarrett  

If it’ll help you. Personally, I couldn’t give a

shit, but it seems to make your balls grow a bit
bigger.

Though cornered and beaten, McQueen manages to get under each husbands skin showing them how they failed in their marriages and are to balm for the wives need for companionship.

The Art and Horror of ‘Phantasmagoria’ was at Valencia College.

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A multi-media art exhibit brought the spirit of a Victorian-era, Steampunk-influenced Halloween opened at Valencia College’s East Campus on Oct. 3 for a one-week run.

“The Art and Horror of ‘Phantasmagoria’: Puppetry, Photography, Costumes, Props and Video” offered an inside peek at the magic behind “Phantasmagoria,” a critically-acclaimed stage production that director John DiDonna describes as “a graphic novel come to life.”

Five years ago, “Phantasmagoria” began as an evening of horror stories told by local actors dressed in clothing from the late 1880s. Today, the production has evolved into a sort of Gothic soap opera, with recurring characters who appear year after year.

The exhibit also included Phantasmagoria-related works by prominent local and international artists, including paintings by Thomas Thorspecken and photographs by Kristen Wheeler and Beaureguarde Von Hoffman.

The exhibit was on display at Valencia’s Anita S. Wooten Gallery.I went to the opening reception and was immediately drawn to the Punch and Judy styled puppets on display. Some people at the opening were dressed in Victorian Steampunk fashions and they weren’t even part of the Phantasmagoria cast. Members of the cast did mingle mysteriously at the opening and then they waltzed to music that only they could hear. Giant skulls and bones hung from the ceiling and a ghostly figure hoovered in the corner.

A panel discussion helped students learn about Theater.

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John DiDonna, who is the Program Chair/Artistic Director of the Theater Department at Valencia College‘s East Campus, organized a panel discussion with some of Orlando’s biggest talents. The event was held in the community area right next to the campus Black Box Theater in front of the gallery which had a show of black and white photos documenting racism in Central Florida.

Beth Marshal started off the discussion, Mike Deaven and Anastasia Stacy are integral to her production company, Beth Marshall Presents. Beth basically stressed that students should have realistic expectations if they want to get into the theater business. When I sketch at Beth’s auditions, Mike is always there to play opposite someone in scenes. He is Beth’s assistant. Anastasia is Beth’s son’s girlfriend and she has become indispensable as Beth’s Stage manager. Students who go into theater tend to think they will start making over $30,000 a year, but realistically most actors, directors and stage hands all need to have a day job to pay the bills. The only way to work your way into theater is through patience, perseverance and endless determination.

Alana McMillan Friskes is the Executive Director of the Garden Theatre. I love that historic Theater with its star studded indoor ceiling. Built in 1935, it was the first movie theater built for “talkies.” The theater underwent several renovations before closing in 1963. It was then converted into a farm supply store. The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, restored the Garden Theatre which  reopened
in February of 2008. With over 200 events per season, has quickly
become a shining star on Plant Street. Alana has been integral in bringing live theater to the stage in Winter Garden.

James Brendlinger, who is the Chairman of the Department of Arts & Communications at Lake Howell High, School, is also the founder of Penguin Point Productions. James helped build and organize a huge expanded Costume Room which is an incredible resource for the theater community. I know that he collaborated with Beth Marshall Productions on Hoodies which was a powerful production at this year’s Orlando International Fringe Festival. The Central Florida Theater community is small and very interconnected. A strong reputation takes time to build, but a bad reputation is quickly discovered by everyone in this tight knit community.

Aradhana Tiwari spoke about how she admired the work of a director at Mad Cow Theatre. She had never done this before, but she asked to shadow the director to find out how he worked. He then left the theatre and Aradhana was promoted to the position of being Mad Cow’s resident director. John DiDonna shouted out “She is essentially the Artistic Director.” This is a fine parable about how curiosity and drive can lead to unexpected breaks in this business. I learned things about the Central Florida Theater Community, and I’ve been sketching from the sidelines for years. This must have been an eye opening experience for students just starting out in theater.

Valencia East Campus

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On November 26th, I left work at 5pm and drove over to  the Valencia East Campus (701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando FL) to see the Valencia Jazz Band Concert

Concert directed by Chris Dolske. Unfortunately the concert didn’t start till 7:30pm so I had several hours to kill. Of course I started sketching.

Two benches away from me a hooded student seemed to be sleeping while sitting up. She then lay down for a sounder sleep. Another student sat closer for a quick cell phone conversation. Students that must be theater majors came out pushing and pulling a costume rack. One girl hopped up on the rack letting herself be pulled by the other student. One costume fell and was run over. They squabbled about whose fault it was playfully and frantically. More students walked by with wigs on Styrofoam heads destined for the green room.

With the sketch almost finished, it started to rain. I put up my red umbrella and kept working. There was another hour till the concert, so I decided this was my sketch for the day and I headed home. On the drive back I listened to a 1936 Carnegie Hall Jazz concert on the radio, so I got my Jazz fix.

Seed

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Hannah Miller let me know that she would be directing a 15-minute play called “Seed” written by Danny Kessler. She invited me to a dress rehearsal at Valencia Community College – East Campus (701 N Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, Fl). The rehearsal was on the East Campus, in Building 1 on the 3rd floor in classroom 368. I was searching for the room number when I bumped into Sarah Lockhard in a clowns outfit. She guided me to the rehearsal space which was an empty classroom with some boxes, a bag of seed and some recycled paper bags.

“Seed” is an existential play about the end of the world, filled with Skittles, clowns, and fantastic performances from students Jasmine Lesser, Jennifer Hurless  and local actress Sarah Lockard. Sarah stepped in when a student was unable to fill the commitment. Jasmine had been rehearsing from the start. Jasmine played the seed in bunny ears and a frilly pink dress while Jennifer played a mother earth type character. Sarah narrated the play’s opening scene and later came out in a hazmat suit to clean up the stage.

This was Hannah’s first experience directing.  As she said, “I took on the challenge to learn a little bit
about a director’s perspective on text so I’d be a better playwright.
I’ve learned a lot, I think.” Hannah and Sarah talked for quite a while about Sarah’s motivations and actions in the play. She had just stepped into a roll that had been established by another student actress and she hoped to put more of herself into the part yet the performance was only days away.

In this final week of rehearsals, Jane Henson passed away. Hannah works for IBEX Puppetry run by Heather Henson, Jane’s Daughter. Besides Hannah’s own grief, her boss’s enormous
grief, and the grief of everyone she works with, she had to handle the
overwhelming outpouring of communication on IBEX Puppetry’s behalf. To say Hannah had a lot on her plate would be an understatement, but as always, the show must go on. From my perspective seeing the run through for the first time, the play flowed effortlessly. The actual performance was during a school showcase in midday of Weds., April 10th.

Valencia Community College

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I went to Valencia Community College today to visit with students in a fundamentals drawing course. The instructor, Kelledy, asked me to tell the students about my background and about how I got involved in my latest endeavor which is, as you know, posting a drawing a day to this blog. I am seldom asked to share my thoughts about what I love most in life which is to draw and share my drawings with others, so for me it was a real treat. The students seemed really interested and with any luck my simple sketches might inspire one or two to look around and slow down to sketch and observe.
The students were working on still life’s from buffalo skulls. They were using mostly charcoal on large sheets of 18 by 24 inch paper with lots of tooth to hold the media. They constructed the compositions in a cubist manner then used cross contours to further refine the shapes. Finally everything was delicately shaded. I pulled out my Tablet and sketched for a short while. The room was a cavernous space with a huge skylight high in the center of the room. It really bought me back to my college days in NYC.