Omaha, Nebraska, at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region V Conference. A massive conference, bigger than I ever knew in undergrad or grad school. Some 1500 students. A joy to find two of my favorite playwrights here, the thoughtful and awesome Kate Snodgrass and the endlessly imaginative Elaine Romero! Was honored that they both came to my performance of Love Arm'd, Aphra Behn & Her Pen. David Crespy keeps calling us all the "daughters of Aphra"! Lots of fun with this. Came down with the most terrible cold, wasn't sure I'd make it thru. Space huge, used lots of voice. Had to preserve energy at the tech. Surrounded with young women at end, very happy with how it went in spite of my illness. Tried to use the fact I was sick. After all, AB is sick in this play. Worked thru as well as I could, determined not to let people down.

Ocala, Florida. Just back from the show. Very happy with the performance. Large audience that laughed very hard. I was mugging terribly - it was fun! Taught two workshops today, had half the basketball team in the Voice and Verse. Tall! To be tall like those students are would be quite something! I think they enjoyed saying some of Shakespeare's verse and discussing Aphra Behn's poem about Cupid. Forgot my pictures at home for the Regency Workshop, had to have the CFCC Library and Dave Hartley supply them. Had some wonderful Gainborough for couples and the singles to work with. Want to try to find these pictures to work with more. Students seem fascinated with the idea of animating a painting and I get a lot of out watching them bring the characters to life.

Greetings from Ocala, FL! The weather is not as warm as I would like it but it is very beautiful!Spanish moss, palm trees and Jane Austen. I cannot think of a better combination. I had a high school matinee at CFCC this morning that I was a bit nervous over. As it turned out I had no reason to be because the students really got many more of the jokes and funny lines than I ever expected! Even my young man, though quite reluctant to dance with me, obliged me when I quietly said, "won't you come with me"! And naughty Lady Susan got whistled at and she wasn't at all mad about it - she rather secretly rejoiced in it and smiled voraciously at the young man. To still be whistled at at my age! My goodness, we had such fun! I'm always a wreck beforehand and always overjoyed after getting out there. There are palm trees and lots of visiting with locquacious head of department Dave Hartley - everyone here is so hospitable - true southern hospitality.

I am behind. Am trying to get off book for Innocent Diversions and every spare moment is spent at that. Had a magnificent time at Hanover College last Friday, over 250 people in the audience and had to hold long periods of time for laughs - a very silly time indeed! I will post pictures in the next two weeks.
Currently at Simpson College in Indianola, IA and the hosts here are also exquisite. First sign for the college is on a large green field with cows grazing around it! Theatre is three quarter thrust and a real challenge for Jane which is staged mostly proscenium style, much was running thru my head in the manner of reblocking last night at the tech in order to be seen and heard by alll the audience.

Wow! Reviews are out - and they are even better than I could have hoped for - in the Bath Chronicle yesterday morning. I will post on my website as soon as I return state side. The time here has been gratifying and exhausting. A brief run down. Three runs of Aphra on Monday, third tech was for a critic in order to get coverage of Love Arm'd in the paper on Thursday morning. Tuesday with Jane the same. Ran the show 3 times third time was opening in front of audience and critic. Wednesday Matinee of Aphra Behn for a college group at 1:30 pm and 7:30 show. Thursday 10 am Matinee of Jane Austen for Paragon School and 7:30 pm performance at night. Have today and tomorrow evening only. I can only say that it is amazing to perform these plays over here and have more than one chance at it. Lots of playing around, and fun with the audience too. Don't think this is very coherent but will sign on more upon our return. Pleasantly surprised by friend David Green and the Macy's. Ann Garner and Andrew Ellison of Next Stage Theatre Company are extraordinary and supportive - the Mission is an intimate, personal space for theatre.

Friday night's performance was also loads of fun. My roommate from graduate school, Jeanine, came to the show and I dedicated the performance to her. My professor, Jim Patterson, who has four books out now, also came and played James. He was terrific, throwing various ad libs out there just to see if he could throw me! Tim D. was also in the audience and gave me lots of encouraging (and infectious) laughter. Folks weren't quite so paralyzed with fear this evening and there were members of JASNA there as well! I am most grateful for the support I have received from the Jane Austen Society of North America. I am busy today running both shows and prepping the program for Bath!

What an evening! I was terrified before I went on but did calm down. The show was heaps of fun. For the first time that I've performed this play, I had much trouble getting "Tom Lefroy" to come up on stage with me for the dance section - he was glued to his seat - I had to tug and tug. It was hilarious! I was panicing because I was losing time in the music and then I heard Susan's voice in my head saying, don't worry about getting behind, it really doesn't matter, they are watching the guy! Susan, it was so true! He got a huge round of applause and I got to finish my dance while people were still clapping. The expressions of panic on people's faces when I came out as Miss Bates were absolutely priceless. My Caroline and Fanny were so sweet and cute and James was played by the head of the English Department here - he was quite debonair! I will have pics to publish when I'm home and can download. I forgot to mention that I saw a wolf on the streets here after dinner on Wednesday night. I've never seen a wolf in the wild - on city streets - it was breathtaking.