Based on the Introduction from the e.e. cummings novel, The Enormous Room.

Don’t be afraid.
--But I’ve never seen a play you’ve been in or written, I’ve never attended one of your classes, I’ve never read a word you’ve written--
So what?
--So. . . you’re thirty-eight?
That’s correct.
--And what do you plan on doing with your life?
One needs a plan?
--Why, yes!
Oh, well, I’ve made plans before. Big plans. They fell through. So, instead of telling life what I want out of it, I’ve decided to ask what life wants out of me.
--Huh. That’s very 19th Century of you.
Maybe.
(. . .)
--So, you are a theatre artist.
I’m a performer.
--You’re an actor?
I’m a performer.
--What’s the difference?
I am finding out, now. I don’t always act, when I am performing.
--What? I’m confused.
Don’t be.
--I want to be.
Okay, but that doesn’t change the fact that I am defining myself.
--Fine.
Fine.
(. . .)
--What else do you do?
I crochet and felt things.
--Oh cool.
I play the accordion.
--Are you any good?
I can be. When I’m not too nervous to play.
(. . .)
I blog.
--Blog.
I write and post what I write.
--So, you are you a writer?
Yes. As we discovered, earlier.
--What have you ritten?
I have written my own performance pieces, I have
co-written a few plays. I write and perform a puppet show every month.
I write press releases. I love to do that. Imagine Rosalind Russell in His Girl Friday.
--That movie has racist undertones.
I know . . . It’s still a pretty good movie.
(. . .)
--Are you writing books and things?
I’d like to think I am.
--Are you?
YES.
--Fine.
Fine.
--You teach.
I teach.
--What?
Classes.
--In what?
Performance
--There’s that word again!
Performance + Art. And, classes for kids.
--Anything else?
I am a channel. Well, a medium. A third generation medium.
--What?
I automatic write, among other things.
--Automatic write.
Yes. I communicate with the invisible and transmit
messages by writing them down. Like William Butler Yeats.
--Just, like, with anyone?
No, not with ANYONE. Do you just talk to ANYONE?
--No.
Okay then.And I don’t see dead people. Not usually. Read my blog if you’re curious.
--You realize future employers might be reading this.
The truth eventually comes out. I also interpret coffee rings
left in the bottom of cups. That’s useful around the office!
--Really. Aren’t you worried that people will think you queer?
People will think what they want. Thoughts are free.
--Oh dear, here come the Puritans with their pitchforks!
I’m afraid you may be considered a sparkling beatnik, or worse, a hippie!
Don’t be afraid.

(September 22, 2008 @ 2pm.)