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On October 7, 2009

In deeply personal, me on stage, theatre stuff, writing

So I’m sure you can guess what’s occupying my brain (and heart) right now. I am reflecting a little after day three of rehearsals, and again I am thanking the crazy gods of theatre for the sequence of events that has brought these amazing actors into the rehearsal space.

I have always had a bit of a problem with writers who direct the plays that they have written, and here I am, doing just that. But, I have to say, I’m loving it. This work (of rehearsing) is so complex and layered, and so much more than what is on the page, that it is so exciting fleshing it out. And there is also the luxury of time to do it; this isn’t a rush job.

Naturally, while we are focusing so strongly on the making of the play, there is not enough time for me to market the thing. I hope people will want to come and see it. It’s amazing how I can give myself things to worry about hey? Obviously there is on Facebook. And I’m writing about it here, on meganshead. Doing last year’s showcase has helped get the word out there a bit. and a cast of eight will at least have friends and family to see it.

Ok, I’m going to let myself worry about something else now. Until tomorrow, day 4. And, I’m loving it.

TheatreSports wins big time

By megan

On March 9, 2009

In deeply personal, me on stage, theatre stuff

So I must confess to the smallest (I lie) of hangovers this morning, but I did do a lot of celebrating last night at the Fleur du Cap awards. The ceremony was the usual glamorous affair at Artscape, with pre-show music and drinks, a full on show during the awards, brilliantly hosted by Nik Rabinowitz and Thoko Ntshinga and a few lekker performances by The La Rosa Spanish Dance Company, Laurika Rauch and Dizu Plaatjies, in particular. The theme of this year’s function was ‘green’ with a green carpet and green inspired invites. A nice touch. I went to the thing with my sister-in-law who was proudly nominated in the category "best performer in a musical" for her performance in Chess, and I was much more disappointed than she was that she didn’t win. I saw the show three times and she totally blew me away. I have to confess though that it was my night! And I didn’t see it coming at all! First up, I was so totally touched that John Caviggia mentioned me in his long and winding thank you speech, acknowledging the work I did in The Merchant of Venice. That was pretty cool. But, blow me away when they announced a brand new category, Innovation in Theatre and I was called up to accept the award, for TheatreSports. This newly created award is to honour theatre that does not fit in to the other more traditional categories; and I think it was fabulous of Distell to make the new award and then to give it to me! I loved it! But that’s not all. Because of the extremely successful campaign of getting friends and fans to vote for TheatreSports, we also won the People’s Choice Award, for which I am most proud. You see, this one is about all the people who love what we do voting for us. And there are a lot of people who love what we do; and who went ahead and voted. It’s been a long, successful road for me and TheatreSports, my theatre baby, of over fifteen years of performance in Cape Town. And it’s really special to be honoured like this. I was so touched (literally hugged and squeezed) by well wishers afterwards, as I ploughed my way steadily through the Pongratz(ulations), and more than one person spoke to me about meganshead, which was also very cool. I am amped for the work I’ll be doing this year! Thank you Distell. Thank you TheatreSports players, present and past, and thank you our fabulous, loyal audiences.

TheatreSports rocks!

By megan

On February 9, 2009

In deeply personal, me on stage, theatre stuff

So, I emceed tonight’s almost full house of TheatreSports tonight and it was an absolute gem of a show. It was calm and comfortable, with no panicking, so there were real stories and relationships and proper playing together to make a beautiful and well received show. The actors were clever and funny and sweet and original. Yve was inspired at the lights and Godfrey was genius on the piano. My job was easy and the audience loved it.

I must admit though, that the thrill of my evening was hearing that someone (who watched the show and who was introduced to me afterwards) loves this blog, meganshead. Yeeha!

12 hours in

By megan

On January 25, 2009

In complaints dept, me on stage, theatre stuff

It’s 06h10 in the morning and I can’t pretend to sleep anymore. I am properly wide awake and my brain is churning. How on earth am I going to put a play together to be performed this evening? I still have to find music, scratch around for bits of costumes and props, and then be at rehearsals at 08h30 this morning. It’s going to be a weird day. That’s the only thing I know for sure. The good news is that I’ve been blessed with an excellent, talented, positive cast. They have gone with my concept wholeheartedly, which is quite an ask. Big Friendly is also up and trying to find me the music on the web.

And speaking of Big Friendly and the web; I am so lucky to be married to a webmaster. You see, yesterday Big Friendly outed a troll. Huh? you may ask, as I did when he told me about it. A troll is a little somebody who gets their tail in a knot on the internet and leaves comments pretending to be from different people. Somebody who leaves comments with the intent of antagonising and offending. There is a saying amongst web geeks that goes "don’t feed the troll", don’t respond, in other words. You see, I couldn’t understand how an innocent comment of mine, became such an interesting focus for four people who have me on their hate list. After not much scratching, and because Big Friendly knows how to look and how it works, he showed me how all the comments came from the same IP number. So, even if you leave different email addresses and nicknames, we can still see where they come from, Eishwena. Now, in the past I have allowed everybody and anybody who isn’t spam to leave a comment on meganshead. I like a completely open, responsive forum, especially since I know that there will be people who will disagree with me on things. But I can still throw them out if I want to. I never have up until now. But henceforth James/Dewald/Eishwena/Anon, you’re gone baby, solid gone.

Megan's Head

A place where Megan gets off her head.

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