Blogging Around

Yesterday I Played an Iguana

Sarah Syverson — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:29:34 +0000

I just never know what will happen next. I just have to be ready for it.

Yesterday, I played a chihuahua, a donkey, and an iguana all in of a period of about an hour and half. It was thrilling. I can't remember the last time I got to walk around chewing on my leash and panting or slithering around slowly below knee level.

Animal characters must have been in my cards these past few months because I also got the opportunity to play Dancer in The Reindeer Monologues last December which was a complete joy. Something about flitting nervously around stage in a tutu, tights and antlers made me feel right at home inside myself.

I have no idea what I am destined to play next. I do know that I am deep into planning a farm show and there are all sorts of tributaries to travel down on that one. My muses are approximately 100 yards from my bedroom so the character research should be magnificent.

And there is something so freeing about becoming something non-human. What creature would you be?

Chalkboard Trumps Computer

Sarah Syverson — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:53:23 +0000

I've been a little crazy lately, doing things like losing all perspective on what really matters in life. Practices like feeding the cat, scrubbing my toilet, and making sure I brush my teeth get thrown out the window while I whiz around the house bouncing off the walls like a rebounded basketball, all the household animals skittering around trying to find cover from my spasming gestures. I've been doing that a lot lately.

I wouldn't say it makes me proud. More confused really.

I had to ask my partner, Janette, why I was doing that. I didn't really have perspective, you know? It's like trying to study my face while staring out a window instead of into a mirror. I always think I'm just a wee bit prettier than the reality of the situation. Janette, being a creature of few words and true statements, simply chirped, "You always do that when you feel pressured."

Oh really.

"Who made you all omniscient and special?" I wanted to squawk at her. But she had a point. Whenever I feel overwhelmed I have a tendency to loose all self-control and and begin taking the formation of a Midwestern tornado hurling dirt and broken materials at whatever and whoever may be standing nearby. It's not pretty and it's fairly destructive. And generally speaking, it just doesn't work very well.

So I ordered a chalkboard. Somehow clicking, "YES! I'll take a 3 foot by 4 foot one! Have that cute UPS guy bring it on by ASAP" cured my flailing limb syndrome.

I got a black one. Just like old times. Somehow it calmed my nerves and brought me back to Mrs. VanKrevelen's second grade classroom at BigforkElementary School. The chalk stacked neatly in the corner next to the erasers, the board in all it's coal black magnificence waiting for ourmultiplication tables, our spelling bees, and our reminders of homework to be done. It's all so....organized and visually apparent. I'm in love - in a calm, peaceful, organized kind of way.

Chalkboard trumps computer any day for me.

Crestone Show was fabulous!

Sarah Syverson — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:02:00 +0000

Oh it was a beautiful show people. Crestone is an exceptional community laid up against the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in central Colorado. It is a mecca for spiritual seekers from all religious backgrounds as it spells home to a diversity of monastic traditions, ashrams, buddhist centers, and spiritual communities. There are hot springs nearby to soak your inner and outer aches and pains away and some great restaurants and health food stores to nourish you. Even a little tea shop with an extremely knowledgeable tea master doling out tea lore to anyone that will listen.

The show was a benefit for the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program which supports those in need of financial assistance for a variety of things including food, shelter, and medical expenses. We had standing room only with a crowd that was generous with its laughter and ready to have a good time! Absolutely lovely! Can't wait to get back there for another show - thank you Crestone for a remarkable welcoming!

I am currently planning some shows in the Bay Area and up into Ashland and Portland, Oregon in late April and early May so stay tuned for those dates.

The Search for Enlightening Theater

Sarah Syverson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:09:55 +0000

Greetings spiritual theater seekers!

I've been on a virtual rampage sucking the marrow out of any spiritual theater scene I can get my hands on. They are very few and far between. I'm not looking for some ungrounded New Age scene in theater. I'm looking for actual practical transformational theater that is grounded in a spiritual practice or discipline. Combining Higher Consciousness, theatrical endeavours, and a good dose of humour is hard to find. If any of you out there have any links, ideas, or creative inspirations on the subject, please let me know.

Greetings from Montana!

Sarah Syverson — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:19:05 +0000

Welp folks. It was a grand time in Boulder. Really. So much excitment leading up to it, a great deal of hard work and effort and well, it was worth it. Met some amazing artists and performers with alot of heart, alot of drive to put their work out there.

There will be a performance in Durango as a benefit for the Durango Arts Center as well as my meditation group where the writing started on October 10th. Hope some of you can make it. It is sure to be a grace filled performance.

I'm currently up in Montana visiting my parents and the place where I grew up. Made it up to Glacier to see a few bears, got my hands on some fresh huckleberries and soaked in some hot springs. It's also been a great time of reflection for me about my roots, my lineage, the things I carry down the line that are beneficial and those that don't seem to be so helpful anymore. It's great foder for another show, or at least a journal entry or two. Either way, I give myself a bit more space and compassion for those habits that I seem to have a hard time letting go of and I find some joy and gratitude in the habits of my self that are helpful.

Hope that peace of mind can extend to you on this great day, where ever you are and whatever you find yourself doing. Peace and good fortune to you.... I'll see you on down the road a bit.

Sarah

La la la heading to Boulder!

Sarah Syverson — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:27:06 +0000

Alright people! I want to say a huge GRACIAS and SPACEBO (thank you in Russian) to everyone who has contributed to this production in all ways, shapes, and forms. I am off to Boulder tomorrow to knock their socks off (chacos - whatever!) and I feel great about the show!

I've been getting my little rear end in gear with marketing stuff, costumes, props, tech details, breathing, swimming, naps, and rehearsals! I ready to go. Just got the last critical detail worked out with housing - thank you GREG!! If anyone is into some groovy gypsy music, check out heavymeadows.com for some great tunes.

I've decided to pack mostly in baskets because, I don't know, it just feels better to me!! Wonder if I could do that on an airplane with a live chicken.... they do it in Russia.... why not in the good ol' US of A? My actual prefered mode of transportation would be something much slower.... like a donkey or a pack goat or something. More on that later.

I love you people!

In Full Production Mode

Sarah Syverson — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:29:35 +0000

Well folks. I'm in full swing trying to get The Secret Lives of the Divine off the ground and running. I find myself in odd places looking for props - like the action figure isle at Walmart searching for GI Jane and the Lone Ranger. Action figures have come a long way since I was a kid. Or looking for an old tweed coat that I can then take home and burn holes in with a cigarette and run over with the car about 20 times. These are the things that occupy my time lately. Never a dull moment.

In between production time, I occupy myself with lovely massage clients and walking our 10 month old crazy heeler puppy who can propel her entire body into the air in pursuit of any object you throw her way. It's like there's a fierce and fiery bull trapped in a 20 lb puppy body just dying to get out. She's a nut case. I wanted to name her Kali after the Hindu goddess of destruction but thought it might set the wrong intention. In retrospect, I think I was simply seeing into the future.

And the band plays on....