I headed to Roberson for the inaugural Two Rivers arts festival, but there were so many things on my “to do” list that didn’t get done. Maybe you could tell me ( and the rest of BAMirror’s readers) what I missed. Please share what you did in the arts this past week.
What did you do in the arts this past week?
September 27, 2010 — Barb Van Atta2 Responses to “What did you do in the arts this past week?”
Contributors
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broomecountyarts
Barb Van Atta
Sharon Ball
Broome Arts Mirror 
September 27, 2010 at 10:58 am
I, too, was at the Two Rivers Festival, playing music with Shepherd and Ewe (Julian and Lee, cello and piano), and, from a musician’s viewpoint, it was a dandy festival. Folks strolled by in a continual stream, smiled, sat down to listen, applauded, thanked us. A far cry from the usual “wallpaper music” we too often provide, where people talk all during the music, and, if you play louder, they talk louder! It’s so nice to actually be listened to and appreciated. Hope we get asked back to play again!
September 27, 2010 at 12:21 pm
On Thursday evening, Sept. 23, I participated in the “Southern Tier Actors Read” production of Lillian Hellman’s “The Little Foxes.” We were honored to read in the ballroom of the Phelps Mansion, Court Street, Binghamton. The room contained 40 extremely appreciative audience members.
S.T.A.R. was founded by Judy McMahon and Heidi Weeks, two local professional actors. Eleven of us participated as the “readers/actors,” and we were directed by Bernie Sheredy also a professional actor who lives and works locally.
Standing behind music stands with binders that held our scripts, we used a narrator (Judy) and our voices to tell the tale of the greedy and vicious Hubbard clan. This play was written in the early part of the 20th century and is seldom produced nowadays. We used no sound effects or costumes (just concert dress: white top/ black bottom) and minimal staging.
If the feedback can be believed, the audience was transported back to the Old South and sat mesmerized by the powerful story.When I sat watching the audience, I could see their rapt faces and hear them emotionally talking back to the characters.The audience members had become one of the characters themselves by sharing their energy and attention. As one of the actors I was thrilled to be a part of the whole process.
In two weeks STAR will be presenting its second production, a reading of two “Twilight Zone” scripts: “A Stop At Willoughby” and “Eye Of The Beholder.” Please join us at Binghamton High School on Oct. 6 and 7. (Editor’s note: The 7:30 p.m. performances are free, but donations are appreciated. Tickets are needed, because seating is limited in BHS’s Black Box Theatre; call 607-762-8202.)
Play readings are immensely entertaining and a treat for the ear, the eye and the imagination.