At Belmont University (Nashville, TN) in their new black box theatre(The Troutt Center) :

Wed (pay what you can), Thu (talkback panel following the show), Fri, Sat
Oct 17-20//7:30pm show

Tickets for these Belmont shows are $20 for adults and $15 for students and can be purchased through the Belmont University ticket system (615-460-8500).

This is a Naked Stages/ Greenroom Projects/ Valhalla Shakespeare Projects production.

It will first be performed at the Valhalla farm in conjunction with the Valhalla Shakespeare Project. Shakespeare out doors! This is extremely cool. It is a very beautiful farm and a great place to enjoy Shakespeare.

Those in the Nashville area, the show will be the first production in Belmont University’s new black box theatre. That is really awesome!

The cast is amazing and working with the director, Mark Cabus, is always a blast! I hope you all can come out for this show.

The Merchant of Venice dates are:

At the Valhalla farm (free to general public)

Sat, Oct 6 SHOW at 3:00 p.m.

Sun, Oct 7 SHOW at 3:00 p.m.

At Belmont University:

Thu, Fri, Sat Oct 11-13/7:30 show
Sun, Oct 14 MATINEE /2:00 show
Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat Oct 17-20 /7:30 show

Tickets for these Belmont shows are $20 for adults and $15 for students and can be purchased through the Belmont University ticket system (615-460-8500).

My old junior high is non-existent and my old high school has become the new junior high. There was a fire apparently in the old junior high and the city demolished the building…nothing left but a grassy stretch on a city block. That to me was perhaps the weirdest thing that I encountered on my trip. Although, having lunch at Pizza Man beneath a row high school football helmets that had awards and names listed on them was interesting…considering that my name was on the scout team award. Not the sexiest thing to be awarded; however, still kinda cool. It’s kinda like being given the “wait until next year” award which I got from my football team in elementary school in Mississippi. Not overly impressive, but the thought was nice. Probably also explains why I never played in the NFL. So thanks to Mykal, Amanda, and Bradyn for seating with us and enjoying the cuisine.

My wife probably had the weirdest reaction to the whole thing. This did not stem from anything bad happening or anyone’s rudeness because that was not the case. Everyone greeted her warmily and I thank you all for that. No, her reaction was caused by the fact that she believed where we live now is a small town…I guess I hadn’t properly prepared her for Pana. 5700 is what the signs say and for a girl born on Long Island that grew up in Boca Raton the smallness of Pana must have been staggering.

She said to me, “you have had a different life than me.” I chuckled and knew this to be true. There is something to be said for small towns; the comfortableness, the people and the heart. Life happens everywhere to all people, but it sometimes takes a trip to Pana to remind me how the quality of your life can never be measured by a number but by the people in them.

Also, breakfast at the Rosebud was priceless. So thanks to Melody, Shannon (which I have to admit was a bit of surprise to me) and Tim for organizing the weekend gathering. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed it! My son even smooched a girl…not bad for 14 months old. I am going to embarrass him with that story when he gets older, LOL!

So if you are ever in Pana, IL make sure you stop by the Home Town Food Center and getcha some hometown food! How’s that for a plug, Tim?

To my classmates that were unable to make it, sorry I missed you and hope to talk to you soon!

Other things…

The wife and I saw John Mayer in concert and I have to say that it was awesome. He is really a quality musician and if you get the chance…don’t miss him.

Finished the last Harry Potter book, it was good but sad that the story is over. But hey, still have the last few remaining films to look forward to.

The T-shirt line, ahem, will be improving shortly as I work on new artwork. This will be a tedious process as I am not entirely proficient at the software programs yet. But it is kinda fun to come up with ideas for t-shirts.

New headshots should be forthcoming in the next few weeks so be on the look out for them.

C-ya,

John

Check out more info on this in the upcoming episode #52 of the Inexplicable Dumb Show!

I will let you all know if I survive this with my psyche intact. Odds are…

more later.

To the 2007 theatre gang:

Your dedication and hardwork has paid off in aces.  Your commitment to your craft has been inspiring to me.  I appreciate all that you have done.  Just remember what I said to you on the bus back from Staunton and never let it slip from memory.  I look foward to hearing about what you do in the future…so please stay in touch.

and lastly to my wife and son:

Thanks for your patience.  Your support.  Your love.  Daddy’s coming home.

Two mouths speaking
Lost in translation falling
Sin of all failing

upcoming birth child
heartbeat picture of new life
welcome my first boy