Just saw some 5min, 1-person, scratch pieces from students at Pepperdine University in California. These guys had never done solo shows, nor heard of scratch nights, before. They did remarkably well. The standard of writing was strikingly high. And the openness of the performers struck me too. Reminded my of my colleagues at Steppenwolf last year; of the grace and integrity of American artists. Reminded me of how lucky we are over here to have funding for the arts, to the ex

I've been hideously negligent in maintaining this blog of late. And yet there is much to be blog about! Starting with Bard in the Botanics. It's the first time in three years I've been able to see all the BitB shows and I'm loving them. Production and costumes are slick, stylish. Nicole Cooper as Coriolanus was standout in a standout show all round. I'm currently re-reading the play with a great deal that's been added to my enjoyment because of Gordon Barr's production. Twelf