This one goes out to all the supporters! Everyone who comes out to watch us perform, shows up to a fundraiser, gives us a word of encouragement – This one's for you.

I’ve been doing a lot of solo performing lately - Candice also, in her one woman show "Anatolia Speaks" (soon to be performed at the Edmonton fringe) - and the both of us have had a similar experience – It gets lonely. When on stage alone, in a city where you know few people, or no people at all, even performing to a sold out crowd, you feel alone when you leave the performance by yourself.

I never realized how much having even just one friend in the audience means more than having hundreds of audience members. To me, having someone in the audience who knows me and cares about me regardless of how my performance was, is very comforting.

On a slight side tangent, this experience goes to affirm that fame will never be the measure or delight of our successes as artists. It is the individuals we meet, connect with, learn from, and maybe even are blessed enough to grow with, that really enriches our lives, brings joy, and instills a deep sense of accomplishment.

How timely that I should be having this experience just around the time that Poiema had it’s fundraiser in Edmonton. To everyone who came out, know that regardless of what $ value you contributed to the evening, what has exponential value to us as a company is your support, your belief in us as young women hoping to create meaningful theatre and bring about a change.  We really are blessed to have you in our lives; it touches our hearts all the time.


-S

I just watched this video this morning and it brought me to tears. The ability of those two humans bodies is unreal, but it’s also the trust that they have in each other. The hours they must have spent in the studio developing that routine is incredible, YEARS I’m sure.

But even before they met one another, their parents put them in dance class. Or perhaps they had to pay for it themselves because their parents didn’t support it. Then they chose to take the risky, sometimes thankless path of becoming an artist, because you can’t develop a skill like that on the weekends, or a few hours in the evening during the week. Becoming that talented at something means giving up so much, and dedicating your life to your art.

Still, what you gain is worth it. Whenever I create something with others, from nothing, we develop a relationship. That relationship, like any other comes and goes with time, but in that space for whatever amount of time you hold it, there is the deepest connection you have ever felt. You connect so deeply with who you are, and with the other people in your midst partly because of trust, and partly just this magical, subconscious, consciousness, creation-thingy-bondy, indescribable something seems to happen. In that space in time you are a community, where everyone is contributing by just being and bringing who they are to the table.

As our world gets larger and people spend more time connecting online, I feel, and I know others I have talked to feel the same as well: that what we crave above all else and hidden under all the crap, is connection, a sense of belonging, community. But it’s hard to find in a world that revolves around your face and a screen. You need human to human contact.

So art, giving people the space to create something out of nothing, even if they do it just in their spare time and never as a career, is more important as our culture moves towards more introverted lifestyles. In this video the performers and the audience were engaged and created a community for just 6 minutes, but the time is irrelevant, because you measure this experience in feeling. Seeing the faces in the audience, you see how moved they are, and I, watching this was brought to tears, as those two artists reminded all of us of how beautiful creation is and how majestic and breathtaking it is just to be alive, in these glorious bodies.

THANK YOU ART! 

- S

We are one week away from our much anticipated event, Fashion For Freedom!  The girls and I have accomplished many different tasks while planning this event: hiring a caterer, finding entertainment, volunteers, a venue, media coverage, equipment rental... this list goes on and on.  The evening will be filled with tons of great people, delicious food, fun beverages, silent auction items, merchandise for sale, and the main event: the fashion show!  If you don't already know, we've asked 20 local Edmonton and area artists to create two pieces of raw couture each using anything-but-fabric. (I.E. paper, plastic, metal, tape...) We are expecting some very creative pieces and, from the few we've seen so far, the audience will not be disappointed.  To add to the fashion show fun there will be dancers, singers, speakers, and a beautiful short film. (Check out a teaser of the film made by Joses Martin on our Facebook Page.) 

The most important part of this night is that all proceeds go to The A21 Campaign, an organization that exists to abolish injustice in the 21st Century.  They help rescue and provide the victims of human trafficking with a safe and comforting environment, with access to medical and psychological care, vocational training, secondary education assistance, counseling and access to legal assistance.

What is so heart-warming is how many people have come forward with generous offers to help, donate and volunteer.  We've received emails from strangers who, having planned similar events, offer us advice.  We've had companies donate exciting silent auction prizes such as an iPad, Chanel Sunglasses, Handmade Jewelry, and a flight for two anywhere in North America.  I'd like to give a special shout out to Poiema Gal, Candice Fiorentino, who is the heart and soul of this project.  She has been planning to throw an event of this grandeur for years now and it has finally come to fruition.  She has worked extremely hard in every aspect of planning this event and I believe she is a big part of why so many people want to be involved.  

Fashion For Freedom will take place Saturday, April 27th.  Doors open at 6:30pm.  Check out www.fashionforfreedom.ca for more information and how you can get tickets.  We hope to see you there!

-B

I was going to write this week's reflection on all the casting call character descriptions I have been reading lately, in which 9/10 female roles specify the girl must be ‘sexy,’ ‘beautiful,’ ‘the girl next door,’ ‘attractive,’ or ‘thin.’ While only 1/10 male roles will comment on their physical appearance, and usually it will say, ‘burly’ or ‘muscular is a plus, but not essential.’

Then I would expound upon that idea by mentioning last week's ‘Girls’ episode that got a lot of controversy as Hannah had a weekend sexcapade with an attractive older doctor, and critics were having a hard time believing that that would ever really happen.

However, thank goodness, I had a change of heart. Last night I went and saw three funny ladies who comprise ‘The Sweater Zeppelins’ perform in their first comedy sketch show, self written and produced. These women wrote intelligent witty comedy without making the use of the word 'F@#$'. That made me extremely proud. Go ladies. When you can’t find the work you want, you create the work for yourself. Talk about empowering.

Then this morning, I spent some time looking at a birthday present a friend had made me a few years ago, and thought ‘this is just what I needed to keep my spirits up.’ My friend filled a mug which reads, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”, with phrases like: “I’m so blessed to have you in my life.” “Your laugh is infectious.” “You're beautiful.” “I’d let you bite my arm.” (bit of an inside joke). “ I know everything that you do will be GREAT!” ...and the list goes on. Immediately my mood changed as I was filled with love and acceptance from someone who knows me inside and out, because she took time to empower me and encourage me with such loving phrases.

So rather than ranting and raving about the way ‘society’ is bringing me down. I would like to comment on the power you and I all have to bring people up, by sharing some loving encouragement, or having the courage to do what we love and the persistence to make it happen.

Thanks to the many wonderful people in my life who encourage and strengthen me, may I spend my efforts doing the same for others, rather than dwelling on the things that do not.

-S

Gone are the days, it seems, when an actor waits to be cast by someone else, or at least those days are fading quickly, and thank goodness. For actors who like to control their lives (who doesn’t), this is empowering. It means more say over what you do, and doing work that is meaningful to you. It’s also scary as heck, because now you are responsible for your own career. No more sitting back on the excuse, ‘I just wasn’t discovered’ or ‘my bad luck I guess’. 
I also think this will be even more effective in weeding out people who are looking for a quick climb to fame without really putting in the work. 
Lastly, I hope this will equate to more meaningful and less trendy plays, movies, and television shows. Hopefully intelligent, socially concise artists will take back media from the gun-happy, sex crazed culture, and create some stuff that enriches our souls. Don’t get me wrong, I love an action movie just as much as the next person, and love stories are of course a secret passion of mine, but as Scott Swan, one of my mentors says: “The last thing the world needs is a mediocre production of anything. Never lower the content of a show to the audience, make them rise to the occasion.”
Art needs to be in schools encouraging the next generation, and on movie screens and in theaters encouraging others to think critically and look at the world in a different way, find empathy, and move towards better relationships with one another, not perpetuate fear and prejudice. 
You know, I’ve been hoping lately that I would become passionate enough about something to be propelled into action. Sitting here, writing this, I think God has given it to me. Now will I be brave enough and convicted enough to stand out and act upon it? Only time will tell. 
I write all this after spending a few hours last evening watching “The Walking Dead”. Ironic? Hypocritical? Yep, a lot of both. Can’t be perfect I suppose. Although, in my defense, I woke up this morning angry that the show chooses to assume that if the world was ending people would start killing each other instead of working together to survive. As a relative mentioned over Christmas, living in Montreal during the power outage, people didn’t become scarce minded and fearful. Instead you would see every third or fourth house occupied as people banded together to stay warm and pool resources. Yeah humanity!
Random Rant? I think so! Have a great week every one, and if you don’t agree with something I said, GOOD! Form opinions, become enraged, make change, but always remember to walk a mile in another person’s shoes before you write them, or their opinions off.

A few months ago, a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to be a part of a new improvised musical workshop. I was honored and terrified. As usual, my instinct was to say no, but, against my natural reflex, I said yes. In some unspoken way, I made a choice for myself a few years ago that I would always say yes to a good opportunity, especially the scary ones. Since that choice, I have skydived Fox Glacier, scuba dived the Great Barrier Reef, jumped from worn ropes into unknown murky waters in Laos, walked through the haunted house at Universal Studios (I regret that one), stage managed shows with no experience, and treaded ice cold water in the Rocky Mountains… nude.

Improvisation may not seem as scary as these things, but my mind was filled with doubts and the heightened expectations I’d be under. I pictured an audience of people, watching me as they waited for a full solo number that was funny and impressive. But I said yes already. I had to go. 

My assumptions couldn’t have been more wrong. I showed up to the Varscona Theatre and was met by my friends and peers, all with the same excitement and slight fear in their eyes. My friend, Byron Martin, who put it all together calmed our worries right away. No expectations. No judgments. Improv shouldn’t be scary and he was right. We just began to play, something I haven’t done in a very long time. We played games, laughed A LOT, and even tried singing some songs accompanied by the extremely talented Erik Mortimer on the keys. And that is what we’ve been doing every week for the past few months. I’ve met amazing new people, surprised myself with what lyrics come out of my mouth when my brain has no time to prepare, but most of all I’ve had fun. I always leave with a smile on my face that has been stuck there for the past 2 hours of rehearsal. I am in awe of the local artists that come to rehearsal and blow me away with their talent and quick wit. I am proud to be on stage with these people. And as far as the ‘rules’ of improv go, my practice of always saying yes has come to good use. 

So come and see the “11 O'Clock Number” at the Varscona Theatre. Our first show is this Friday, January 11th at 11pm. We will perform a fully improvised, two-act musical on the spot based on suggestions from the audience. Produced by Grindstone Theatre, directed by Byron Martin, with pianist Erik Mortimer, and starring tons of local Edmonton artists. The show gives you a chance to get out on a Friday night and laugh, or cry, or be angry… because who knows what show we’ll come up with. 

-B

Find the event on Facebook here.
Buy tickets now here!

"The 11 O'Clock Number" plays every second Friday evening at 11pm at the Varscona Theatre starting January 11th until April 20th.

Block 1912, a cafe full of like-minded people, an aroma of chai lattes and steeping teas, and couches who’s overuse and gratitude engulfed their guests. We sat. Four girls ripe out of college with dreams and goals and no doubts or fears, not yet tainted by the failures and lessons life kindly hands over when you go for something big. 

We needed a name. As so many theatre companies that have come before us and the endless amount that will be born after. We started with a need, a great desire to create but most of all, create together. It isn’t everyday you find a group of people with the same amount of passion for a singular thing, each bringing their own special gifts. We shared a need to work in theatre, and if the roles we were itching to play didn’t exist, we’d create them ourselves. How hard could writing a show be?

But we still needed a name. As we sat in the cafe, we discussed every possible company name that came to mind. Inside jokes, popular titles, funny words, sappy and heartfelt labels. What would describe who we are and still be pleasant to a stranger’s ear? Melissa sat in her large, tufted chair as we debated, looking through a book she happened to have with her at the time. And she found it. Poiema. Google came in handy as we searched it’s exact meaning and context. 

Poiema (noun) po-ay-mah. A hebrew word meaning masterpiece and workmanship. The words were epic, meaningful… and a bit dramatic for our small theatre company. But we knew we were beginning something great and lasting, and having a powerful name to live up to was the perfect way to set our goals high and have a constant reminder of where we started and the passion that brought us together. 

It hasn’t been easy. We have failed, succeeded, fought, cried, laughed, argued and lost sight of goals. But, as Sara so importantly wrote in our blog two weeks ago, we’ve always tried to enjoy the process. The workmanship. What is the point of having a great show if you hated the year leading up to it? If you lost friends in the process? If you became unhealthy due to stress? To us, there is nothing more important than spending time together creating in a positive and healthy way and learning as much as we can in the process. 

As an avid 'diy'-er (of clothing), I found a great craft of writing on fabric with bleach to create a design. As all the Poiema Gals (except for me) have birthdays in October and November, I thought it would be a great present. I made us all “I am Poiema” shirts and it occurred to me what that means. I am hardworking, I am a masterpiece, I have big dreams, and I do my best to enjoy life as it comes without constantly pushing myself for a final result. It makes me wonder: Are you Poiema?

-B

Lately I have been trying to watch a couple episodes a week of “Inside The Actors Studio”, a talk show in which James Lipton of The Actors Studio in New York, does an hour long, in-depth interview with a famous Actor/Actress. The common thread that seems to bind the best film and television actors of our time, and the concept that pops up more frequently the longer I pursue a performing career, is “Loving the Process.”

Kate Winslet spends hours building a back story for each character she plays, and at the end of a movie she has notebooks filled with thoughts and script pages covered with scribbles. Meryl Streep approaches every character new, trying not to predetermine her method for ‘finding’ each character, but tries to allow the character to speak to her. The actors that I really admire are the ones that lose themselves in the character, and spend months researching, traveling if needed, to create the life and world for whom they embody on screen. 

In the theatre realm of life, when reading plays like “I Am My Own Wife” or “The Syringa Tree”, the finished product is fantastic, and the preface describes years or perhaps a decade long journey that lead them to their final published production. These playwrights wrote, workshopped, performed, and re-wrote as little as four or five times before they finally felt like they had “finished.”

One lesson that is staring me in the face at the moment is the amount of research a successful artist does, and how unrealistic it is to think that you can write something down, perform it, and expect a rave review. 

The biggest elephants in my bedroom at the moment are the facts that I am NOT an avid reader, researching is NOT my favorite past time, and I want results NOW, not 10 years from now. 

Luckily, when you need to learn something, for example patience, life provides you with endless line-ups of indecisive customers who take 20 minutes to buy a can of tomatoes. This year, life is confronting me with many situations that are teaching me to learn to love the process. After rehearsing a play for 2 months at Seacoast Studios, where I study in Vancouver, we found out we could not get the rights, and so never got to perform the piece for anyone. Talk about all process. I am currently writing a children's play about divorce. Talk about a play that needs research and contemplation! I have been watching movies and taking books out of the library to find out what would help a child going through divorce deal with the aftermath of their crumbled universe. Finally, I am researching the role of Joan from Bernard Shaw’s ‘Saint Joan.’  There is no date for performing this role, just a role I would like to play and explore, not to mention a great character development exercise for future roles I will play. The great thing, a pleasant surprise in fact, is that slowly (ever soooooo SLOWLY) I am beginning to enjoy the reading and learning. In other words the process is becoming enough on it’s own, without needing to have a finished product valued by the enjoyment of it’s audience. 

As Poiema, we are doing the same thing, realizing that building a good company takes years. If we wish to be successful, we have to learn to love writing, re-writing, workshopping and researching - loving the process. Lucky for us we love being together so much, that learning to love the process is that much easier. 

-Sara