Friday, June 27, 2003

The Conference Three days immersed in the theatre---The Last Frontier Theatre Conference. • Fun, learning, thought provoking, intellectually stimulating, understanding, emotions. The following quote from The Art of Possibility by Zander says it all: The Life Force for humankind is, perhaps, nothing more or less than the passionate energy to connect, express, and communicate. Enrollment is that life force at work, lighting sparks from person to person, scattering light in all directions. Sometimes the sparks ignite a blaze; sometimes they pass quietly, magically, almost imperceptibly, from one to another to another. • The accessibility of featured artists; friendly; in blue jeans, sweat shirts, and rain gear; not only on panels but also part of the participating audience • Non-stop theatre activities 8:30 to 12:00. reading of one act and full length plays written by new playwrights and critiqued by a panel of professional playwrights----Edward Albee, Romulus Linney, Terrence McNally, Paula Vogel, Mel Gussow 12:15 to 1:15 Lunch was served 1:15 to 4:15 Panels. I heard panels about censorship, directing, and acting. Michael Learned: “My Career: The Waltons and All the Rest” and “Life with Dad” by Laura Linney and her dad Romulus Linney. 4:30-5:30 Master Classes in playwriting, acting, directing, costume design 7:30 A production on the main stage followed by a reception at the museum or some other place To bed, sleep, wakeup, and more theatre Lunch with Patricia Neal The night before, the main stage event was a monologue by Patricia Neal, “As I Am.”For me, this was one of those memorable lifetime music/theatre experiences. What a lifetime! What a survivor! What delivery! Then the next day to have lunch with her. There were five of us, Patricia Neal, her companion Warren, Joel Vig, a longtime friend of hers, Daughter, and I at a lovely Victorian Tea Room in Valdez. Great food, marvelous conversation and laughter about life, theatre, movies, Broadway, children, and grandchildren. Truly gracious people. After lunch Daughter and I drove them back to their campus housing. They invited us in for more conversation and pictures. Patricia Neal and me Left to Right: Joel Vig, Patricia Neal, Warren Thank you Daughter for an incredible gift! comment []11:41:47 PM

What an incredible Mother's Day gift! What a fabulous five days! Three days at the Theatre Conference plus the trip to and from Valdez. The trip to and from Valdez were the alpha and omega encircling a multitude of feeings, emotions, experiences, impressions, discoveries, and intellectual stimulation from three days at the Last Frontier Theatre Conference. The Drive to Valdez. Always before it had seemed endless---Anchorage to Glenallen and Glenallen to Valdez. However, this time it was effortless from the backseat of an Lexus SUV. The day and scenery across the mountain were magnificant. Far more glorious than the drive to McKinley---the mountain peaks so close, the deep valleys, and the many views of the Matanuska Glacier. With the great conversation between and among Peter, Daughter, and me, I didn't even mind the 40 miles of high flat land into Glenallen. The drive from Glenallen to Valdez is twice as long as it should be. However, we stopped at the Princess Copper River Lodge for dinner with a fantastic view of Mt. Sanford in the background beyond the Copper River valley. Off to the right the Alaska Pipeline threaded its way through the green growth on its way to Valdez. We made the usual stops at Worthington Glacier and Bridal Falls to take pictures. The glacier used to be about two blocks from the parking lot and you could walk on it. The falls are as beautiful as ever. Thompson Pass is always a dramatic climax to the drive to Valdez. The Trip Home We took the Alaska ferry home---Valdez to Whittier through Prince William Sound. It was worth getting up early to be the third car in line to board the ferry. This meant first choice of seats in the cabin (front and by the window of course) and the first off and in line through the tunnel and down the road to home. The most gorgeous scenery. The sound is narrow with the mountains coming straight down to the waters edge. Even though it was a gray day with light rain, it was beautiful---we saw the usual sealions and puffins. For part of the way I escaped Prince William Sound and went back to the Conference via P's computer and the now autographed DVD of Laura Linney in You Can Count On Me. It was special watching her in the film while hearing her voice in my head as she discussed the differences between theatre and film acting at the Conference. Home again, back to reality, but for awhile at least it will look different because of the very special days at the Last Frontier Theatre Conference. comment []10:45:14 AM

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