Shadowlands

Shameless self-promotion- again!

Tue, 09 May 2006 17:24:24 GMT

BEYOND THE WARDROBE
An Evening With C.S. Lewis

J.T. Turner brings the famous author of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" to life in this one man show. Focusing on Lewis' relationship with God and his conversion from atheism to Christianity, Lewis shares his life story with the audience, including the development of his Christian writings, his science fiction works, and of course the Narnia series. He also speaks about the life and death of his wife, and how it affected him as a Christian.

The show will be presented on
May 12 and 13th at 7:30pm
at
The First Congregational Church of Ipswich.

Admission is free, but a goodwill offering will be accepted, proceeds will support First Church.

(For more info and pictures, go to www.jtturner.org)

Marrow Drive

Fri, 03 Feb 2006 13:52:14 GMT

Many of you have heard me mention the bone marrow drive Amy and I went to recently. The young woman this drive is for, Emily, is still in need of a match. Her days are literally numbered. Below is a link to some drives here in Massachusetts that are coming up.

http://homepage.mac.com/dok/iblog/B1289807253/C1286371065/index.html

There are 5 drives coming up. They are easy and very user friendly. Even if you are not a match for Emily, you could be for someone else. There is also a link on this page for getting a test kit through the mail, ( I think it costs $18). Also the Saturn car company sponsors drives across the US, although the link on this site seems to be down today.

Please pass the word. Some of you have heard me speak of young Jessie, a second grader going through her second series of chemo. Jessie could not find a marrow donor, but fortunately had this alternative treatment available to her. Emily needs a donor, and has no other options.

Feel free to re-post this, or link to it, and spread the word.

Time to edit the friends list.

Wed, 13 Jul 2005 13:38:26 GMT

Hey there, I have decided to revamp my friends list. My postings are mostly friends only, so if you would like to stay on the list please comment, no foul if you opt out.

If your not on the list and would like to be please comment. A warning for my teen actors, I only have let a few teens in, because I sometimes comment on shows. So if I don't add you, please don't take it personlly. Your chances are better if your graduated!

A public posting

Thu, 16 Jun 2005 15:12:43 GMT

I haven't posted publically in a long time, I must have something to say.

Over the past 2-3 weeks, no less than 5 people connected to people I know have commited suicide. The majority of them were young, High School, or fresh out of High School. I am sure there are clear connections, pressure about grades, making life choices, watching people celebrate and not feeling a part of the group.

No matter the reason, I have to wonder what we can do. I am not a professional in this area by any stretch of the imagination, I just work with teens a lot. But I am a believer in one on one intervention, that means rather than just ignoring issues, or saying "wow that kid is messed up", "man they are so depressed and creepy", do something. Listen to them, get them to talk if you can. And if they say they are going to take thier lives, call the police. That intervention will make the ones that are serious see someone cares, and will get them some help. And the ones that are just talking will hopefully realize that words have consequences.

Sometimes however, the crys for help are more subtle, (and sometimes not there at all). Changes in moods, being uncommunicative, staying alone, losing contact with friends, trouble concentrating or making major decisions,sleeplessness, or lots of sleep, fatigue, can all be signs. With teens especially, there is a feeling of worthlessness.

I know I am rambling, sorry about that, I can't put this in words well. Simply put, get involved in a kids life.

And if you need help, advice, or someone to talk to, its jtactor at aol dot com. Same name for IM, whenever you need me.

Tonight at 7!

Fri, 28 Jan 2005 16:56:46 GMT

I know much of the initial furor over the Tsunami has subsided, but the pain, devastation and loss is sstill very much there. For those of you who wanted to do something, come to First Church, Ipswich tonight at 7pm.. An hour of fun stories, and donations taken to help those in need. Bring the kids, treat the nieces, nephews, grab a date, call an old pal, just show up.

Tentative list of tales:

The Lion and the Mouse
Arthur and the Sword
The Man Who Didn't Know He Was Dead
Gawain and the Old Hag
Finn McCool
The Snowman and the Scarecrow
The Poor Man with a Kind Heart
3 Dolls

Because doing something beats doing nothing.

Friends Only

Tue, 08 Jun 2004 18:57:13 GMT

Hope I am doing this right this time! I am going Friends only, so if you want in send me a post. Gratzie!

Friends Only

Tue, 08 Jun 2004 15:15:06 GMT

I have decided to move into a friends only format. So many of my teens are posting out here, and I would just assume be more private. Most of you are already on my friends list, if you are looking to be added, comment here. Cheers!

Yankee Clipper

Tue, 08 Jun 2004 15:12:36 GMT

Oh I am tired. A late night finishing the recording of the radio show, YANKEE CLIPPER. 14 episodes done. Yeah! They will all be available on Spoken Word in July for download. It is a fun adventure story, on the dark and spooky side, about a clipper ship transporting eygptian treasure. Murder, theft, ghostly warriors, and mystery. Its worth the download to hear my passionate romance with an island princess......

Hollowed Hills

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 12:28:47 GMT

Spent some of yesterday at the Hope Cemetary in Worcester. It was a celebation for the Cemetary (odd, ain't it?), and since John Gough is buried there, I went and did part of my presenatation at his graveside. It was my first visit to his grave, and felt a bit eerie, since I feel such a stron connection to him to begin with.

This may sound odd, but I like cemetarys. Its quiet, green, rich in history, and has a strong connection to the past.

Last night was first rehearsal for the new rpoduction, very promising. Although teaching 14 kids under 12 the jazz square is a bit daunting!

Brave Sir Robin

Sat, 05 Jun 2004 23:09:47 GMT

Nice time at Robin Hood rehearsal. It was my first time meeting everyone, and they were quite cordial to me an "ousider". And great to finally meet some of the faces from the LJ, fightguy, queenrose24,and so many others. Quite a nice family , all in all, I look forward to getting to know them all. And I get to fight, which i look forward to.

I love this...

Fri, 04 Jun 2004 19:32:23 GMT

A T-shirt I saw from California...

"MY GOVERNOR CAN CRUSH YOUR GOVERNOR".

Oh the things that delight me....

Polotics.....

Fri, 04 Jun 2004 13:46:49 GMT

Spent the evening commiserating with several of my charges who had not been cast in thier High School show. High School politics can often be so unfair, but unfortunately, so can real world politics. There is a fine line between having an 'in" group at a theater company, and just rewarding people who are hard working and loyal. And its a line thats often hard to define, you certainly don't want someone onstage that has no business playing a particular role, but talent being equal, or close, some thought and consideration has to go to a person that has paid thier dues.

But no one said life, especially in the grand game we call the theater, is fair. And I have certainly been miffed when a group that I am new or unknown to has not cast me, but usually the person cast is not even close to the talent level I have (blushes). But if the role goes to someone who is talented and has been with that group for years, that makes a bit mnore sense to me, or it does now that I have a directors/producers perspective.

But anyway, I am fiercely territorial, and get hurt when my kids are hurt. And since I have about 150-200 of them that i mentor in any year, I get hurt a lot!

Listen to the music of the falling rain...

Thu, 03 Jun 2004 11:46:51 GMT

Ah, more rain. Good thing I really love rain (must be an actor thing). Spent a chunk of yesterday portraying John Gough, the 19th century temperence lecturer. he was considered the most famous speaker of his time, but few people today have ever heard of him. He had an amazing life, and I have been honored by being chosen to portray him by the organization that is restoring his home. He would speak out against drinking, often to groups of 5-10 thousand people or more, telling the story of his own battle with alcoholism.

Today is rather low key, just prep work for rehearsals and for a seminar I will be giving in New York the week after next. the rain sounds great.........

Joyful noise!

Wed, 02 Jun 2004 01:03:39 GMT

So I had a nice audition for a group called Pastimes, which I know many of my LJ friends gig for. I will be a member of the Robin Hood Faire in July, I am very excited about it.No clue what role I will have, but hopefully the fight genius, I mean master. Fightguy, will plug me into some violence. (I know you are reading this, I am not above sucking up!

So thank you to the several of you that hooked me into this group, it sounds like great fun, I am looking forward to it.

Just in case it ever comes up.....

Tue, 01 Jun 2004 20:04:18 GMT

Not that it will but......

My Japanese name is Jotaro Kurogane.
Take The Kawaii Japanese Name Generator today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Name Generator Generator.

Off to an audition tonight, will update later. Ciao!

Sleepy from Seattle

Tue, 01 Jun 2004 00:39:53 GMT

Well I am back from that other coast. Good trip, good workshop, but with some flaws. a very disappointing Rapier workshop, basically just learning a simple routine, no real "meat". But a great class on double sticks, which were new to me, a wacked out class on fighting with found weapons, where I fought with a computer keyboard, a broom, a coffee pot, a tennis racket, paint tray, and a plastic bag! Neat class on Western gun drawing and spinning, (HARD ON THE FINGERS), and excellent classes on Broadsword, and broadsword and shield. For the first year of this particular event, i thought it went pretty well.

Now I have a mixed week of 2 historical perfomances, rehearsals, auditions, and finishing up a demo Cd. But compared with most peoples weeks, I'll take it!

Breakfast

Thu, 27 May 2004 15:18:29 GMT

I love breakfast. Without a doubt my favorite, favorite meal. It must be an actor thing, I use to have it at 3 am waiting downtown after an opening night for the reviews to come out in the newspapers. Now I enjoy it after the morning rush at my favorite resturant, a real townie place where they just see me come in and suddenly a diet coke and Lumberjack Special appears.

Off to get a massage, so my muscles stand a chance against all the youngsters at the stage combat seminar.

In the stillness

Thu, 27 May 2004 03:16:31 GMT

Nice day lecturing in West Springfield. I like teaching adults, its different than my teens or kids, of course the subject matter is also vastly different, but I enjoy both. Its the variety I have carved into my life that I cherish.

So just one day before I fly away and fight many college kids with swords. I can't wait! Not relishing the 8 hour flight, but it will be nice to have time to work on all the summer/fall shows, as well as get caught up on reading, and some audiobooks just to keep the mix interesting. Hoping the plane isn't too crowded, my shoulders are way too broad for those spaces they call seats on planes. But since its the long weekend, I suppose it will be packed. Sigh.

Odds and ends

Tue, 25 May 2004 17:54:53 GMT

Oh its a sad point to my life when a clean bill of health from my urologist makes me happy. But having lived with nasty nasty kidney stones for most of the last year, I was very pleased to be deemed well again.

Just getting ready to audition the troops tonight. I expect between 50-100, from ages 8 to ancient. If you have never auditioned people you cannot imagine the variety. Just think of American Idol, at its best and worse. but hopefully all will go well, we will get a great cast, and the summer will be fun for all.

Recording last night was great, some really spooky episodes, lots of action and danger. I have listened to the first few episodes, and the effects are great, audio at its best. The whole series will be out in July, and you can download it from Spoken Word, at a buck and episode. I'll put out more details when they are available.

On the high seas...

Mon, 24 May 2004 16:52:42 GMT

Tonight I will be recording another episode of a radio series. Its called "Yankee Clipper", set on a clipper ship in the 1800's. This current series is called " The Adventure of The Golden Sphinx". It involves a treasure being transported from an arcaeological site, and stolen by another clipper. Then the chase is on! Its really well written, very spooky, and will be out in about a month or so. I play Martin Hawk, the captain of the ship. It's such a blast to do, different from my other projects.

I am all ticketed and hoteled for Seattle. I am really looking forward to it!

Church

Sun, 23 May 2004 20:28:02 GMT

I know not all of you are big fans of organized relgions... but as I sat in church today, watching 3 adopted babies being baptised by my minister (an amazing woman), and learned that the three had been adopted by 2 women, and that my 300 plus congregation welcomed and embraced them, while also raising funds to bring another womans children out of Africa, which she had fled from persecution..... As I watched the 80 or so kids sitting with thier parents laughing and supplying sound effects to my take on the David and Goliath story.... and as I looked at a 90 year old wiping away a tear as I ended with the message that God doesn't show up in thunder and lightning, but rather just in each of us doing the right thing....well I just looked at this amazing communal worship and thought, "Yep, this is what God had in mind".

Its so not about the building you are in when you worship.

Eventide

Sun, 23 May 2004 01:27:38 GMT

"the angelus tolls the knell of day".....

A fine day overall. Fiddler was not bad at all, which is saying a lot since I HATE THE SHOW. But it was good hearted people working hard to put it out there, so bless them all.
Now spending a quiet night at home, nothing but reruns on the Tube, I am mostly caught up on my movie viewing, so I am just preparing to preach tomorrow, and looking forward to a book I am reading by David Gemmel, who I have just recently found, and to whom I am now addicted.

Leaving for Seattle at the end of the week, I have never been there, and while my time will mostly be spent swordfighting, I do hope to see some of the city.

So thats all from here, will spend some time online, so if you awake saturday night and want to chat, IM me.

Morning

Sat, 22 May 2004 14:38:33 GMT

Hello fans. The show last night, was interesting...Albee is really tough to digest, and I was worried what a community theater might do with it, but it was actually pretty good. The audience was laughing a lot, thining it was a comedy....oh well, thats Albee. Had a late dinner with some of the cast members, which is always fun, that post-show late-night chat.

Off to see Fiddler today. Isn't it odd what can be turned into a musical? The Diaspora,Titnaic sinking, a brain embolism, a guy stuck in a cave....but they all work. i suppose if musicals are defined by the classic "emotions so intenese that the character breaks into song", then tragedy works as well as love. Although personally, i rarely break into song for tragedy, but sing whenever my hearts in love.

I haven't sung much lately (:))!

Shows.....

Fri, 21 May 2004 19:06:20 GMT

OK enough of the sorrow unveiling. Tonight I am going to see A Delicate Balance by Edward Albee way out in lovely Fitchburg, a small community theater. Its a gem of a space, though too far for me to do much with. I got a call about a production of Bat Boy, but i am just too packed at this point to squeeze it in. Too bad its a great show.

Going to see Fiddler tomorrow, a show i hate (not as much as I hate Oliver, but close!). But when your an actor, you go see your friends stuff, its a rule. I may also go see a musical revue, if I can squuze it in. Preaching on Sunday (I am? Yes I am!, then need to get ready for a week of auditions, seminars and flying to Seattle.

Yearning.....

Fri, 21 May 2004 03:18:28 GMT

Feel an odd yearning, like a piece is missing from my soul. Just all this bottled up passion I suppose, with no place for me to focus it. I long to be consumed in someones fire, but so often that fire departs so quickly........and I don't mean just physically, though there is that, I mean my spirit......

Clearly , too much time on my hands. Good night, gentles.