The Parchment

by Taylor Coffman

Loreli Deleon

I figured I’d write a little blog update because frankly every other MTC’er is TOO busy! As I type the whole team is in the Lounge Theatre in Hollywood conquering the great “10 out of 12” cue to cue and then a full run. For those non-theatre insiders, “10 out of 12” is the only day the union allows for a 12 hour work day with a 2 hour break to use for meals. A “cue to cue” is basically the first time lights, costumes and sound are added- so you trudge steadily through the script perfecting each moment. It can be tedious. It’s a lot of hurry up and wait. It’s usually the day the actors only get to say a few lines because the focus is mostly technical. It’s actually a lot like working on a film come to think of it.

With almost 300 tech cues- Ditch is a monster for a “small theatre” production. Today will be an essential, but very long day.

It’s my lunch break at the office, even though I am at my desk tired after a long weekend and drinking an AWAKE Starbucks tea the size of my bladder (as if this will “wake” me up/although it reminds me of the Big Gulps I used to drink during my Psych Lectures in college. The act of drinking kept me more awake than the actual caffeine)… I am feeling a bit lonely.  Although, historically cue to cue makes me want to gouge my eyes out- it bums me out not to be in the darkened theatre for 12 hours. Read the rest of this entry »

by Taylor Coffman

(Illustration by Loreli Deleon)

Tomorrow will be the very first DITCH rehearsal I won’t attend… The show previews on the 29^th and opens on 30^th and my role as the playwright is becoming less and less needed in the production process.

Don’t get me wrong, I may still be around to change a phrase here and a word there. However, the play is the play at this point. The last round of major changes was submitted over the holidays and as we began 2010 the play, on the most part, is complete. Read the rest of this entry »

by Taylor Coffman

Illustration By Loreli Deleon

I’ve known Loreli Deleon since middle school back in Fairfax, Virginia. I am honored to say that through the years she has been the best of friends and developed into one of the most talented artists I know. Read the rest of this entry »

by Taylor Coffman

I’ve always wanted to write a love story. But i’ve always wanted to write honestly about love… the experience of it. So I wrote DITCH.

I believe to write honestly about love you have to explore self as much as the romance. I think our relationship with ourselves dictates our ability to successfully love others… our ability or inability to communicate. The dysfunction that troubled communication causes… especially when love exists.  Read the rest of this entry »

by Taylor Coffman

Sunday night’s Ditch workshop was amazing. Thanks to all who lent a hand.

It all started as a cozy read-through in our apartment the week before. In just 3 rehearsals, Jon practically staged the entire piece. Sometimes in very close quarters… Nina, Todd, Amber, Peter and Ron were patient and amazing with the pages of edits I sent them each day. James was great about lending another ear and even more sound input as I rushed to edit between breaks at work and rehearsal. Ginger was a rock throughout, taking care of everything at rehearsals so the rest of us could create in such rushed circumstances… It was not an easy week, at least for me. It’s all a bit of a blur now… Read the rest of this entry »

by Taylor Coffman

photo by steev-o

From a young age, I’ve just been one of those people who aims to please… probably not the healthiest thing… probably still isn’t. When I think of myself as a performer, it’s pretty clear how this need manifests–the joy I get from making people laugh… making people think… inspiring people… There is a distinct connection between myself and this hope to connect to others–for them to “like” me.

But, I often wonder: When does this “need to please” become destructive in art?

As I write, I often get feedback. Much I actually take; some I try to apply, but it doesn’t quite fit. And, I have to ask myself: Who does this play belong to? Me? Or them? Or everyone? Read the rest of this entry »

by Taylor Coffman

Check out this video. A group of artists collaborating to make this in a week of time. Watching this kinda thing will surely lower your blood pressure.

by Taylor Coffman

Anne Lamott (Photo by mdesive)

So I’ve decided to re-read Anne Lamott’s Bird By Bird. I read it in college a couple moons ago, and now seemed a good time to read it again. The first page struck me as she says simply:

“The first thing I tell my new students on the first day of a workshop is that good writing is about telling the truth. We are a species that needs and wants to understand who we are. Sheep lice do not seem to share this longing, which is one reason they write so very little.” Read the rest of this entry »

by Taylor Coffman

You might be wondering… as am I… what’s next for MTC??? Well in my personal opinion, it could be one of the amazing things percolating in what we MTCer’s call STAB LAB. What started as a workshop for scenes and audition sides has truly evolved into where the magic is happening! (although scenes and audition sides are still more than welcome). Its name came from an email exchange between Jon and me–and, well, my suggestion for calling it STAB LAB was actually half a joke–but it stuck and now there’s no going back. I do admit though it’s a perfect title. Mutineers probably stabbed each other a bunch. And it’s our way of “taking a stab” at new material…
Read the rest of this entry »

by Taylor Coffman

So, I am just sitting here with my notes, reflecting on yesterday’s “Ditch” workshop, eager to keep writing. I feel like I’m almost there, but every time I share this piece, it always seems to spurn more discussion, more ideas… which is AWESOME. But then I have to ask myself, “How the HELL do I know when I am finished???”

This piece is kinda surreal, so there are so many potential avenues to explore and potential places to invest. It’s fun that way. But, how and when does a writer say, “This is it. Take it or leave it.”? AND should a writer ever say that? Especially, of a piece of theatre, which in comparison to many art forms, is very much “alive”. It’s constantly being reinterpreted and explored. It’s physically being LIVED by the people performing it.
Read the rest of this entry »

by Taylor Coffman

I’ve been writing a play for ALMOST ten years… it’s funny to read the “wisdom” of my early 20’s. I probably shoulda followed more of my own advice.

Currently, I’m on the East Coast taking the closest thing I’ve had to a vacation in a while. Been writing and pumping new life into this play… exploring new avenues… painfully cutting scenes that have clung to the page through the years. But, I am excited to see the changes. I also found this quote which hits on themes that I explore in the play… and is true for us all: Read the rest of this entry »