Omaemoda Productions

Thoughts on Volunteering from "Everyday Giving Blog"

2007-04-06T11:35:00.000-05:00

5 Reasons I Love To Volunteer

Why do people volunteer their time?

As a volunteer, you don't get paid for donating your time. However, there are benefits in it for you and me when we're unselfish in giving our time to benefit others.

The following are five major reasons why I choose to volunteer. Although I don't receive a check in the mail for my help, these reasons are more motivating than money.

I Love Supporting a Cause I Care About

We see and experience things everyday that scream for our help.

God has given me a passion regarding some of them. This passion continues to motivate me to take action and make a difference.

Committing my time and energy to a cause that I am passionate about is energizing.

I Love Learning and Demonstrating New Skills

Two things that are important to me are:

Continuously learning to improve myself
Mentoring others by sharing my knowledge, skills and experiences to help others improve

Volunteering has allowed me many opportunities to do both.

Every volunteer experience has required me to learn and experience new things. I have discovered more about the causes I support. I have also learned and practiced new skills as I have participated in new ways.

Donating my time has also provided me many opportunities to mentor. Being a mentor to kids and to other volunteers continues to be very rewarding.

I Love Making New Friends

I've made a significant number of new friends through my volunteering efforts.

Some of the kindest people that I have met were employees and volunteers of nonprofit organizations.

This is not a coincidence. These are people who are willing to dedicate some of their time or even their career to making the world a better place.

These are the kind of friends that are worth meeting and keeping.

I Love the Great Feeling It Brings

Have you ever taken a meal to someone who was sick or paid for stranger's cup of coffee for no reason at all? If you haven't, give it a try. If you have, then you already know the great feeling you receive when doing something unselfish for someone else.

The feeling you get is no different when volunteering your time to a cause you are passionate about.

I feel great when I have the opportunity to help someone. In fact, I have found the feeling can be addictive. As I support an important cause with my time, I want to do even more to make a difference.

I Love Making a Difference

I want the way I live my life to make a difference. I know that you want that for yourself as well. Volunteering has provided me a significant way to do just that.

By donating just a portion of our time, we can:

Make a difference in a person's life
Make the world a better place to live
Have a long-lasting impact

You can find volunteer opportunities everywhere. Look for opportunities at schools, churches, parks, community organizations, political organizations and charities.

Get involved in something that you care about and start making a difference. You will be glad you did.

Roger Carr is the founder and owner of Everyday Giving. Sign up at http://www.EverydayGiving.com to receive our informative article "9 Questions to Consider Before Volunteering" for free.

http://www.everydaygivingblog.com/2007/03/5_things_i_love.html

YNPNdc is Recruiting Board Members

2007-04-04T12:16:00.000-05:00

Online Event Registration - Powered by www.eventbrite.com

Artomatic!

2007-03-29T10:45:00.000-05:00

Omaemoda Productions is participating in Artomatic!

Details coming soon, but artists performing under the Omaemoda banner include Basso Moderno Duo and Schroeder's Songbook!

Check out our Artomatic profile here!

Check out the Artomatic home page here!

ARTOMATIC 2007
April 13–May 20, 2007
2121 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Va.
Metro stop: Crystal City
Free admission. Donations accepted

HOURS
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday: Noon–10 p.m.
Thursday: Noon–11 p.m.
Friday, Saturday: Noon–1 a.m.
Closed Mondays

Happy Hour Fundraiser at Bourbon

2007-03-19T12:08:00.000-05:00

Come out & raise a glass for a good cause...

Tuesday, March 27, 2007
6:30 - 9:30 pm

Bourbon
2321 18th Street, NW

Featuring Sean Quinn of textureDJs!

Drink Specials including $5 House Wine & $3 Yuengling!
Door Prizes including CDs and tickets to Omaemoda shows!
Silent Auction - More details coming!

$5 donation at the door

http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/omaemoda@yahoo.com/bourbonparty

Omaemoda Productions is a 100% volunteer-run non-profit organization that uses the performing arts to raise funds and awareness for local charities in the DC Metro area. We also strive to develop local performing arts talent. For more information, visit www.YouAreInvolved.org

Omaemoda is proud to announce our 2007 Community Partners: Capital Area Food Bank and D.C. Learns!

Trent Stamp's Take

2007-03-16T10:17:00.000-05:00

The president of Charity Navigator gives an insider's perspective to the inspiring, intriguing, and sometimes idiotic inner workings of the world of non-profits and charities.

http://trentstamp.blogspot.com/index.html

As Banned (Not on TV)

2007-03-09T11:14:00.000-05:00

In order for me to tell this story accurately, I will start where it all began. None of these "in media res" bullshit. I'll start from the beginning like normal people do.
Last Friday, March 2, I did a set at the Starry Night Coffeehouse in Westminster. That night, the crowd was sort of half-and-half. Half of them got me, half of them didn't. It turns out that the half that didn't get me were the ones sitting up front. When I did the material that usually gets a good response, these people in the front didn't laugh. They didn't laugh at anyone else who went up that night, but that's beside the point. Here's where I decide to have a little fun with them. After a punchline I wrote got very little response, I repeated the punchline with more force in my voice. This time, the laughs were a little bit more infectious. Not that much, but better than my first telling of the punchline. I then made the comment "It's like performing for a meat locker in here tonight." And the crowd kind of liked that. Whether it was my delivery or just my overall uppitiness, they kind of dug it. So I finished with my set and got off stage.
Last night, I received an email message from the venue telling me that "Friday's show is a no-go." I checked the pages of other comics who regularly perform there and saw that there was still something taking place on Friday night. I called the venue to ask what was going on.
The woman on the phone told me that I was not welcome back at Starry Night anymore. I, of course, asked why. I had been performing there every Friday for the past six weeks using 100% unrestrcited content and after every week, they've always asked me to come back. She told me it was because she received numerous complaints. What about, I asked. You, she said. What about me, I persisted. She told me that I had been doing the same material over and over again. I told her that wasn't true; it was the case that while some of my material I had done was from previous weeks, I had some new stuff in there as well. Keeping in mind, this is an open mic. The whole purpose of an open mic is for comics to work on their bits so that when they get a paid showcase, they can have a polished set to perform. It wasn't like I was a parrot, imitating previous setups/punchlines. I was changing it up a bit.
I explained this to the woman over the phone and she said, "Oh, so what about when some people weren't laughing because they'd heard the stuff before and you called my customers in my place of business 'slabs of meat'?" I told her that it was only meant to be taken as a joke. I am a comedian, that's what I do. Fairly harmless comedy material intended to make people laugh. That's it.
I guess my rational thoughts weren't enough to sway this woman. She insisted on telling me that I was still not welcome back. I know when to keep fighting and I simply hung up the phone. There is no reasoning for someone who can't reason.
So, that's another little adventure in the journey that is the life of comedian Tom Myers. I'm not writing this blog to tell you not to go to Starry Night Coffeehouse again. I wouldn't do that.I'm just telling you what happened. I'm also, dare I say it, shocked and amazed that after six weeks of loyalty and telling me to come on back, they would fold like a card player with a pair of deuces and tell me I'm not welcome back anymore.
Well, there's other games and other venues in town and I just have to go to them. It's not as though the stage time well is going to run dry. I've got about a dozen other bookings that take me all the way into mid-June. Some of them have very lucrative potential, too! So, overall, I'm not complaining.
Until later!
~TOM

Give and Take

2007-03-05T14:57:00.000-05:00

The Chronicle of Philanthropy has launched a new blog, which is essentially a listing of other blogs about the nonprofit world:

http://philanthropy.com/giveandtake/

Check it out.

Forum for Emerging Arts Professionals

2007-01-19T15:01:00.000-05:00

Hello all, forgive my radio silence. My new resolution is to post regularyl if only to spread information. Here is an interesting event I think some of you may be interested in. TTFN.

SAVE THE DATE!

WHAT: The Forum for Emerging Arts Professionals (The Forum) is hosting a discussion on community and cultural development at Flashpoint, a creative laboratory for DC’s arts industry.

DATE: Tuesday, February 6, 2007, 5:30 – 7:00 PM

WHERE: Flashpoint, 916 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001

WHY:

Participate in a discussion with other emerging arts and nonprofit professionals about cultural and community development.
Visit and hear from the folks at Flashpoint, a project of the Cultural Development Corporation (CuDC) , a dynamic arts space dedicated to nurturing and growing emerging artists and cultural organizations. From essential management services to innovative performances and exhibitions, Flashpoint offers exciting opportunities to experience DC's arts in action.
As always, you will have the chance to network with other emerging arts and nonprofit professionals in the DC area.
There are many places near by to continue thought-provoking conversations over a beverage or two should you be agreeable.

RSVP: theforum.mail@gmail.com

Forum for Emerging Arts Professionals

2007-01-19T14:59:00.000-05:00

Participate in a discussion with other emerging arts and nonprofit professionals about cultural and community development.
Visit and hear from the folks at Flashpoint, a project of the Cultural Development Corporation (CuDC) , a dynamic arts space dedicated to nurturing and growing emerging artists and cultural organizations. From essential management services to innovative performances and exhibitions, Flashpoint offers exciting opportunities to experience DC's arts in action.
As always, you will have the chance to network with other emerging arts and nonprofit professionals in the DC area.
There are many places near by to continue thought-provoking conversations over a beverage or two should you be agreeable.

RSVP: theforum.mail@gmail.com

On Political Comedy

2006-11-27T01:31:00.000-05:00

Last year, I was invited (check that -- I imposed myself) to write my thoughts about political comedy on DC Standup. I imposed myself on these three questions.
1) Why doesn't Washington DC, the political capital of the country, produce more "political" comics? 2) Why are people more willing to espouse left-leaning views on stage than conservative views? 3) Who is the best political comic of all time?
Here were my answers.
*********************************************************
Answer #1: After a careful reflection, I have come to understand the following about political comedy. Trying to do political jokes, even in DC, is like walking across a mine field. If you step in an area you shouldn't go, audiences, much like the mine, will explode in anger, and in either case, the comic will die, on stage or in the field.
(Some of you might be asking me, "Tom, why would a stand-up comedian be walking through a field littered with mines?" That's a different story altogether – and a very painful one.)
Regardless of how people feel about politics or how they feel about President Bush's last speech about Iraq, Social Security, or whatever issue the media decided to focus on that day, comedians' political views have kept many marginalized and trivialized for years, owing to the fact that many people are surrounded by politics all day long (on television, in the newspaper, the guy sitting next to them at the local watering hole) and aren't in the position to have it thrown back in their faces when they come out to a comedy show. They come there to laugh at simple things in life, like airplane food and supermarkets. People want a quick fix when they go to a comedy show. They want something to satisfy their humorous cravings in a way that they can easily understand it, without having to think extensively for long periods of time. How do you think Larry the Cable Guy grew such a strong following?
I believe the reason more political comedians have not emerged out of DC is because there is not enough dissent and distrust within the populous of this country to be able to poke fun at American politics, although I think Cindy Sheehan is slowly changing that. When the United States initially got involved in Vietnam, people were led to believe that it was the right thing to do because Americans did not want another country to fall to the Communists. As the war continued throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, many Americans began questioning their concern for the Communist menace and they introduced the American menace. As a result, people began to understand government incompetence and pain-in-the-ass bureaucracies almost like they understand how horrible airline food is and how difficult it can be to find something in the supermarket.
So, why haven't more political comedians emerged out of DC? My short and sweet answer, give it time. People will catch on eventually.
Answer #2: I think the answer to this question lies in demographics. For the most part, performance art of any kind tends to attract crowds looking to escape from the ideas that they were taught growing up, such as you go to school for forever, you go to college for forever plus four more years, acquire debt due to student loans, work until you pay them all off and then you die. Pretty bland stuff. That's why people not happy with the status quo are attracted by comedy. Stand-up comedy is pretty much a way to grow up and evolve, for audience and comedian alike.
Answer #3: I think the "best" political comedians are ones that don't have an entire row of CDs for sale at Best Buy or Circuit City. Specifically, I am a fan of Richard Belzer, who has been incorporating politics into his act since he started doing stand-up comedy in 1972. In the 1980s, his phenomenal views of Reaganomics probably would've gotten him shot in rural America, but he found a way to express his views in a way that people could understand them. As a result, he maintained a strong cult status even into today, where he does some of the same material today that he did 33 years ago. In my mind, the Belz is the Man.
*********************************************************
Take them for what they are. This was Tom Myers in September 2005.
~TOM

'Tis the season of giving at alternative gift fairs

2006-11-20T11:34:00.000-05:00

The leaves have changed color and fallen off the trees, squirrels scurry about in pre-hibernation rituals storing and eating acorns, and non-profits across the world are sending out appeal letters to raise funds. . . these are all signs of the holiday season.

The last quarter of the fiscal year, especially November and December, are the months when charitable giving is at it's peak. I give what I can when I can but as a young professional I typically can not budget the expense of writing checks to charity. I know that many like me share in the dilemma in wanting to make a contribution but not knowing how. This blog is my own holiday appeal on behalf of local DC non-profits to encourage you, the reader, to participate in alternative gift fairs and in-kind donations to the clients served by non-profits.

From http://aggw.org/FAQ.html:

What is an alternative gift fair?

Alternative Gift Fairs provide critical support for local, national and international organizations with established track records of helping people and the environment. They’re also a fun and inspirational way to bypass the stress of holiday shopping.

At an alternative gift fair or market, shoppers have an opportunity to support charities working to address the world’s social and environmental needs. Working from shopping lists, shoppers make donations to charities, supporting a specific service or item to help communities and environments in need. (Click here for examples of recent alternative gifts purchased at DC fairs.) Shoppers make these donations in honor of family members and friends in lieu of consumer gifts during the holidays, birthdays, weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs and other events.

Personally, in lieu of a holiday party where gifts are exchanged among friends as secret santas, my girlfriend and I are hosting a holiday party where we have asked our friends to bring an in-kind donation of socks, winter hats, gloves, and blankets to benefit to poor elderly served by Emmaus Services for the Aging. I encourage you to attend a alternative gift fair or contact your favorite local charity asking them for a wish list for their clients. Truly make this the season of giving to those most in need.

Martin Luther King, Jr. on Volunteerism

2006-11-13T10:33:00.000-05:00

Today on the National Mall in Washington, DC, construction begins on the Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial. Luminaries such as former President Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey are scheduled to take part in the ceremony. "The MLK memorial will stand on the last remaining open space on the National Mall between the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials, facing the steps on which King gave his 'I Have a Dream' speech on Aug. 28, 1963." (excerpt from http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2648168)

So in honor of Dr. King and his committment to public service, this quote is shared with you in hopes of inspiring you to engage in volunteering your efforts towards worthy causes:
"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

http://www.mlkmemorial.org/

Make a Difference Day: Saturday, October 28th

2006-10-28T07:39:00.000-05:00

Joy, who has taken a leadership role in Omaemoda, has asked me to join this blog to share my perspective on the work of nonprofits in the D.C. area. My hope is to write about the challenges of community service and volunteering as well as activism. My perspective is one as a volunteer - I have never been employed by a non-profit. My sister has been the development director of Emmaus Services for the Aging since July 2004. My parents have served on many boards. I have volunteered the vast majority of my life beginning with delivering Meals on Wheels in elementary school. Enough about me and back to blogging. . .

I purposely chose today to begin the blog because today Saturday, October 28th, is "Make A Difference Day." Today is a national day dedicated to helping others. If you're reading this today - stop reading and find out how to make a difference in the last remaining hours of the day. For starters, stay online and visit Volunteer Match to find a way how you can use the power of the internet to help promote the mission of non-profits.

If you were unable to make a difference on "Make a Difference Day" then rest assured that this annual event is devoted to the spirit of volunteerism and can be channeled into a year-round commitment to help improve our communities. So you have 364 more days to find a way to make a difference in your community.

We Didn't Start the Fire

2006-09-05T12:56:00.000-05:00

I should introduce myself. I am a new addition to the roster of bloggers at Omaemoda. My name is Phoebe Lee and I am the Communications Manager at the small nonprofit focused on international women's issues. The Women's Edge Coalition, a coalition of over 40 U.S.-based organizations and almost 15,000 individual advocates, works on focusing U.S. international assistance and trade policy to help poor women around the world.

The de-wonked version of our mission is: The U.S. sends a lot of dollars to other countries for various reasons. We make sure that money is used in the most effective way, and we believe that way is to get money into the hands of poor women. We're not talking about just barely enough money to scratch out an existence, we're talking about enough money to send their kids to school, to treat easily-preventable diseases, and to earn a living wage.

So, with the help of our member organizations (CARE, Amnesty International, the Global Fund for Women, to name a few), we work with the United States government to change United States international assistance and trade policy. Sounds like a big job. It is for an office of 9 full-time staff. I hope my posts on working with a broad coalition of nonprofits, along with our individual activists will be interesting to you all.

A little about me: I am a native Bostonian suffering in the swampy quagmire of Washington, D.C. summers. I miss snow, and I hate mosquitoes. I accidentally fell into communications work after becoming the ad hoc information technology specialist. Please note that I know nothing about computers besides how to plug them into the wall. I now manage our two websites (See exhibit A and exhibit B), manage the production of our publications, and assist our Communications Director to beat the importance of international women's issues into the minds of the media. And if you don't like where my posts are going, too bad. Just kidding, send me comments, send me questions (no epithets, please).

Larry the Cable Guy

2006-09-01T09:44:00.000-05:00

I don’t understand Larry the Cable Guy. There is one thing I can say without hesitation: I don’t consider him a comedian, at least what I believe a comedian should be, at least not an Enlightened one.
As I am writing this long-hand before I type it into the online world, I am sleeping in, what was fifteen years ago, my cousin’s bedroom in what is still my aunt’s home in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. I am lying here trying to go to sleep so that I can wake up and go to a family reunion in West Chester, just a tad north of Landenberg. I know it will be difficult to explain to my relatives what I do. What will be most frustrating is if I tell people that I am a comedian, they will automatically associate me not with George Carlin, Lewis Black, Bill Hicks, or Richard Pryor, but with Larry, the Cable Guy. Being West Chester, I will probably be peppered with “Git-R-Done” again and again throughout the entire damned afternoon.
I do not make blanket statements like this without having evidence that backs up my claims. I have seen a few Larry the Cable Guy performances, those few have been enough for me. I don’t care to watch any more. Coming out to applause at the start of his set, he will dance to get the audience more riled up. After the dance, he’ll inform his audience, “Yeah, I had to get ma’ underwear outta ma’ crack.” The first time you see it, it’s kind of funny. And I mean “kinda.” After you see it a few more times, it is not even “kinda.” He does this at the start of EVERY set???? Hmmm … you would think that this man would figure out that this problem was going to occur ahead of time and rectify the situation before coming out on stage. However, if he gets rid of that one bit, he will lose half of his act that will actually work with an Enlightened audience.
The other half, of course, is the catchphrase “Git-R-Done.” This guy should be able to stroll out, say “Git-R-Done” non-stop for forty minutes, walk offstage, collect his check and be on his way until the next time he’s thrown into the barrel like a monkey at the Delaware State Fair.
Comedy is supposed to be performers having original thou8ghts, which is to say that the comedian is to bring his own original thoughts to a particular subject. Larry, the Cable Guy may do this, but the whole idea is cheapened and compromised by the catchphrase, which I can tell the Cable Guy himself is getting sick of saying time and time again. I can just see the pain on his face when he realizes the only way to shut some loudmouth hillbilly heckler in the audience up is to say “Git-R-Done” the MIDDLE of one of his bits. With a catchphrase, he was painted himself into a corner out of which there is no way to get out.
Speaking of catchphrases, there is something else Larry the Cable Guy says that, if said by other comic, particularly a struggling one, would get them the cold shoulder from the audience. After a particularly off-color joke, “Larry” will say “I don’t care who you are. That’s funny right there.” I’ve got news for you. Judging from my own personal experiences about what I find funny and other performances from comics bombing on stage while begging (unsuccessfully) for laughs, if a comedian has to tell someone that a joke is funny after you tell it, it’s not. End of discussion. As far as I’m concerned, that bit is never going to be funny.
To sum it up, I do what I do. Larry the Cable Guy does what he does. There are fans of me. There are fans of Larry the Cable Guy. I know that the chances of these two groups mingling are less than one percent. I say, let everyone do what they want to do.
And as a side note, during the reunion, there was not one “Git-R-Done” uttered. There is still hope for the people of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

It's all about the Benjamins baby

2006-08-17T19:26:00.000-05:00

I've got money on my mind. I had a long chat today with the education director of an arts org that shall remain nameless. She was frustrated because the org is in a bit of a financial pickle, and the solution that the board and the admin team has come up with is to consider scaling back education programs. She wanted me to point her towards stats and research studies that would help her save the programming, which I gladly did. But the more we talked, the more frustrated I became. Because the short mindedness behind cutting education programs is only going to hurt the organization in the long run. For the most part, arts education doesn't bring ticket buyers. It brings arts to kids who are starved for it, who don't get it in their schools, and who think that Puff Daddy's rapping is the only kind of music that exists. No offense to Diddy, but I know better than that. Arts education may not bring ticket buyers, but it opens kids' minds to possibilities. And then, ten or twenty years down the road, when they have jobs and a bit of disposable income, they might consider buying a ticket. But they wouldn't take a chance on something they know nothing about- research studies prove that. So in the long run, arts education is probably one of the best choices an arts org can make in terms of how they spend their cash. While it may not produce results right now, it's an investment in the future.

Tax rebates for volunteering?

2006-08-09T13:48:00.000-05:00

S.A.V.E. (Support American Volunteer Efforts) currently has a bill before Congress that if passed would grant up to $2,000 in a tax rebate to people who volunteer for nonprofit organizations.

The only way to pass this bill is to let Congress know that Americans support it!

Go to the S.A.V.E. website ( http://www.saveusa.info/) and vote for the S.A.V.E. bill! You could win a case of Annie's Macaroni and Cheese and also help make the S.A.V.E. bill a reality.

The Comedy World According to Tom

2006-08-03T13:11:00.000-05:00

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tom Myers. I am a stand-up comedian, based in Baltimore, MD. However, I have done shows outside of the Baltimore area. Most of these shows have been in the DC-Metro area, such as the District, College Park (in Maryland), Arlington and Alexandria (in Virginia). The furthest I have ever traveled to a show is Richmond, Virginia. I hope to travel to other regions of the U.S. and eventually, travel around the world doing comedy. I consider performing more than a hobby and I feel I take it more seriously than other comedians that I've seen in my five years doing comedy.

The sole purpose of this blog, "The Comedy World According to Tom," is to give my readers a perspective on the world of comedy. As I have only performed in Maryland, DC, and Virginia, I will focus on those comedy scenes and my observations about what goes on and how such events affect the comedy scene in general. All I am doing in these posts is expressing my opinion. These posts are not always meant to be taken literally and I do joke a bit when writing them. Of course, feedback (good and bad) is always appreciated. I will read each of your messages and take them into consideration when writing my entries.

I write this blog more for the benefit of the readers than for my own personal gain, but I will say that it is an honor to be selected to write for Omaemoda Productions. I hope to submit many entries for as long as I am capable of sitting at a keyboard and typing, which should be for many years.

Until the next post,
~TOM

Greetings and salutations!

2006-07-20T18:54:00.000-05:00

Hi all-
Blogger #2 reporting for duty. My name is Andrea, and I've been involved with Omaemoda in a variety of capacities (performer, marketing director, advisory committee) from the very beginning. I'm thrilled to see how it has grown, and I know the best is yet to come.

A bit about me:
I live and work in Manhattan- I moved from DC up here about 8 months ago with my job. I work as the education manager for OPERA America, the national service organization for the field of opera. What does that mean, you ask? Not much...no, I'm kidding. Basically, I work with opera companies around the country to develop curriculum, and programming about opera that they can take into schools and to their communities. I also develop a lot of web based content to introduce opera to neophytes, and advocate on a national level for music education. Outside of the typical challenges we all face at our 9-5's, I can pretty much say I dig my job. It makes me all warm and fuzzy to know that I'm making a difference. That's part of the reason why I've loved being involved with Omaemoda also.

Because I just can't get enough, I also spend my spare time making music, as time allows. I'm a karaoke queen, and have sung with semi- professional choral groups both in DC and NYC. Once I get back into rehearsals for my upcoming season with the NYC Master Chorale, I'll probably be bloggin a bit more about my singing.

But in the meantime, I'll probably fill my posts with my thoughts on the non profit arts world, from the perspective of an administrator and a performer. I look forward to chatting with you.

Community Theatre Is Not for the Weak

2006-07-18T19:48:00.000-05:00

And Stage Management is only for those with tough hides and ice water for nerves.

But more about that later.

Actually, no theater is for the weak. Even the "easiest" roles--what I like to refer to as breathing scenery, roles such as Third Lord from the Left, Interested Onlooker #5--require that you put yourself in the public eye for apprisal and judgement. And don't get me started on supporting actors. Bless them. Bless them a million times. The leads carry the main story line, but the supporters are burdened with making the whole damn thing work.

It's an adrenaline pumping, heart wrenching, nerve wracking experience.

Working tech, on the other hand, isn't even that relaxing.

At best, no one knows you're there. At worst, boy howdy do they ever notice you. They notice that you have completely and totally screwed up your job. And the conductor of this elephant tightrope act is the Stage Manager. Soothing the actors' egos back to the point of being able to find that motivation and/or sweet spot. Being able to account for the actors' whereabouts to the director. Giving the stage crew direction. Pointing the inconvenient shadows out to the lighting designer. Patiently explaining to that one actor in every group why leaving their costume on the floor is not acceptable. And moving to not so patient when they still haven't listened by the third run of the show. Holding your breath. The character of Philip Henslowe in Shakespeare in Love really had it right. It truly is a business, the natural condition of which is, "one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster." Waiting for the manifiestation of the mystery in which it all turns out all right.

Far too many community theatres, high school productions, and even college drama departments hand out Stage Management positions as the booby prize. Ye gods, we can't cast her, but she's the only one we couldn't find a part for. Make her the stage manager. Some day, if you manage to get me very, very drunk, I may someday tell you about Ariel, The Worst Stage Manager in the History of the World. Even thinking about him makes me yearn for a shot.

Seriously, if your goal is for everyone to feel included, split a Second Lord. Add another Townsperson. Stick another tree in the forest, but for the love of Thisbe, don't make him the Stage Manager.

I was once introduced to a cast as their Den Mother. It's not far off. You patch scrapes. You wipe tears. You arrange logistics. You delegate. Aside from keeping an eye on the technical details and timing, you are the UberYenta. You are the person everyone looks to in a crisis.

Which is why you can't lose it. At least not in public. The cast and crew depend on you. The Stage Manager's purpose is to be depended upon. If the cast is afraid they'll hurt your feelings, how can they depend on you? How can they lean on someone who has shown themselves to be fragile? Please note that loud and belligerant is not the same as strong. Nasty is not the same as competent. And while crying isn't necessarily a sign of weakness per se, it does take people's minds off of what they need to do. It distracts. It takes the focus off of the show and puts it firmly on you. Which, if you are the Stage Manager, is the last place it belongs.

Please don't mistake me. I'm not saying that the people thrust into these situations aren't nice. I'm sure they're lovely people and in no way deficient as human beings. But if you're not someone who can maintain at least the illusion of strength in a crisis, then Stage Management is not for you. If you're not good with numbers, should you be an accountant? No. However, as Peter Hall, founder of the modern organization of the Royal Shakespeare Company, said, "Perhaps, therefore, ideal stage managers not only need to be calm and meticulous professionals who know their craft, but masochists who feel pride in rising above impossible odds."

I Hate Going First.

2006-07-18T19:39:00.000-05:00

Yikes.

Well, hello out there Internet. My name is Lyn Belzer-Tonnessen, and Omaemoda has graciously accepted my application to be one of their bloggers.

So who am I? I'm in my early thirties and have been working both sides of the community theater stage for a little under--cripes I didn't believe this until I did the math--ten years. I do lean a bit heavier towards "the dark side," with stage management as something of a specialty.

What will I write about? Lots of things. Probably not many reviews, but observations about acting, teching, doing what we love so much on so little, theater in general, and maybe even I'll take a stab at a theatrical trend or two.

So, this is me. Pleased to meet you. The show begins in five minutes...

Omaemoda Productions Comedy Night Fundraiser

2006-07-14T10:01:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, August 16
show starts at 8 pm; doors open at 7:30
Staccato Lounge: 2006 18th Street NW (18th & U, Adams Morgan)

Cover: $5

Technical difficulties

2006-06-14T10:35:00.000-05:00

The Omaemoda website (www.YouAreInvolved.org) is experiencing technical difficulties, but you can still visit us online at www.YouAreInvolved.com or www.YouAreInvolved.net.

Thanks!!

What's Better than Voting for American Idol?

2006-05-30T10:44:00.000-05:00

Tired of voting for American Idol just to see the talented singers lose? Then help promote real musical talent by buying Omaemoda Productions' Compilation CD!

Omaemoda Productions has just released a compliation CD that features original songs that range from country, to rock, to acoustic to electric. This CD features 14 talented bands, many of whom have played with Omaemoda in the past.

By purchasing this CD you can feel good knowing that you are supporting local artists and Omaemoda. All proceeds will help Omaemoda to foster the arts and community involvement. Your purchase will empower us to give a larger percentage of our show proceeds to other charities including Brainfood, Project Northstar and Washington Animal Rescue League.

You can buy the CD (and hear excerpts from the songs) at http://www.cafepress.com/omaemoda.47284081 .

Thank you for your support.

P.S. Omaemoda's Summer Concert – featuring Deborah Lombardi,
Schroeder's Sonbook and Just Like Always – will be June 7th at 7:30 at
Staccato at 2006 18th Street NW (Adams Morgan). Tickets are on sale
now at www.YouAreInvolved.org.

Acting Generous: Omaemoda featured in this month's OnTap Magazine

2006-05-02T11:37:00.000-05:00

Check out this month's OnTap! Theater writer Natalie Koss talks about what makes Omaemoda different from other theater companies.

http://www.ontaponline.com/view_article.php?article_id=10279

Tickets for Harold Pinter's Old Times on sale now!
May 11 - 14, 18 - 21 at the DCAC in Adams Morgan
$12 online, $10 - $15 at the door
www.YouAreInvolved.org

~~Raise money for Omaemoda Productions just by searching the Internet with GoodSearch: www.GoodSearch.com - powered by Yahoo! Just type in Omaemoda as the charity you're supporting.