Chance = Change

..was so exciting...I am really enjoying this private teaching, especially as the classes that have come together are really, now coming together in ways that are strong and creative....and there are such talented individuals in each class, i would love to write about them and the work they are choosing to do in each session..however, a friend advised me last night not to write about my private students (without their permission ) because I could run into all sorts of troubles later, if the individual student was somehow offended by what I had written,etc. all of this in the context of the many dillemi developing as a result of the universal popularity of blogging...everyone reads everything...though i consider this friend's advice wise and, finally, instructive, i do regret not being able to discuss the events of my class more freely. However, this i will do in my private pages. Suffice it to say: the two night sessions I am currently teaching are really exciting. Much creative work is being accomplished and it looks like growth for all concerned. The three hour sessions fly by,and i feel so grateful for what goes on in these rooms.

And I am learning so much

Tea with David Staller was delightful yesterday afternoon. Joe Allen's was as familiar as ever, and so quiet at 4:00 pm...a perfect time to have a tea and talk...and we did...we talked and talked and talked...what a dear gentle man he is. And so passionate about his work with the Epic and about theatrical notions altogether. He has a deep and smart understanding of process and pretense...he wants to accomplish something to do with getting writers and actors to grow, and in his way, cognizant of how much of this sort of activity goes on in NYC, he nonethless strives to contribute his ideas to the mix, and so is guiding the Epic in the direction, if he can, of contributing in a unique way...his base is, I would say, extremely political, and he seems to be looking for ways to help people understand that individualism and a person's right to be who they are, is paramount in a civilized society...i would say that is the basis for a strong mission, and we had a good time discussing it...of course, he is also aware that political agendas are dangerous when it comes to raising monies, but on the other hand, if presented in a humanistic way (one of his idols is Shaw), people with a passion on both sides of the political fence, would see the advantage in helping his company, and i think that is a good good thing. I did enjoy his intelligence yesterday. Next time, the tea is on me!

He is planning a series of Shaw readings at the Players Club starting in November...good combination, the Players and Shaw...Staller's plan is to go through Shaw's entire cannon of work over a two year period...every last little bit of theatrical writing, no matter how obscure...this sounds interesting to me, and of course the writing can't get much better, at least in our language...meanhwile he looks for new writing, and friends like Kathryn Houghton and others bring their plays to him for help. People need intelligent arenas for their artistry.David seems to be supplying one.