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Post by Jeanne on Apr 3, 2009 16:04:17 GMT -8
Greetings, Peaceniks,
We had such a lively, laughing meeting of our peace reading group this week, it gave me an idea for another performance piece for the corner. To fill you in, we have been reading Nonviolence: the history of a dangerous idea by Mark Kurlansky. We like the book so much, we each chose a person of interest from the book to research and report on in more depth. The presentations were fascinating. I was thinking that one night on the corner (around July 4th?) we could become these people and other famous or obscure heros of pacifism from American or world history.
I can see us in costume, in character. I can see Michael with shaved beard(no pressure, Michael), shaggy hair and moustache, reading Mark Twain's sermon. Paige reading some of Lydia Maria Child's work. We KNOW that will be a hit. Roberta-Jeannette Rankin. I could do Julia Ward Howe and read her Mother's Day proclamation. I'm sure that our talented creative corner folks could find favorite heroes to portray. We could each write and copy a half sheet of info about the character for passers by to take with them. And of course invite the press.
The scene from Fahrenheit 451 where the characters "adopt" a book to memorize and recite when all of the books have been burned, preventing their extinction, comes to my mind as an inspiration. We would be reviving and strengthening the memory of people who spoke up but have been overlooked by our culture. Here are some names to Google, if you're curious: Samuel Brownas, Anthony Benezet, John Dickenson, David Low Dodge, William Lloyd Garrison, Richard Gregg, David Dellinger, AJ Muste, Mildred Norman.
I just need to find a Civil War era matron's costume.
Does this interest anyone?
Peace, Love and Truth,
Jeanne
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Post by Jeanne on Apr 4, 2009 6:14:29 GMT -8
Anni, maybe you could be Sister Corita. You wouldn't have to say anything, just wear a habit and work on a gorgeous poster.
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Roberta
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Post by Roberta on Apr 4, 2009 11:43:21 GMT -8
Cynthia and I can be the Jeannette Rankins. A Rankin descendent teaches law in the SoCal area as of a few years ago -- Cynthia was in her class at Cal Poly Pomona. I'm going to try to locate her to invite.
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anni
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Post by anni on Apr 5, 2009 16:26:48 GMT -8
Anni, maybe you could be Sister Corita. You wouldn't have to say anything, just wear a habit and work on a gorgeous poster. You are a Jeanne-ious!!!
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Apr 5, 2009 23:00:21 GMT -8
I'm so glad that Jeanne started this thread. We began discussing her idea in e-mails, but it's easier on a message board to include others. I hope this topic develops over the next several weeks -- everyone can jot their thoughts and ask questions. What an inspired, engaging and ambitious project!
Just to expand on her initial post, I'll quote Jeanne from one of those e-mails:
I was thinking of having us spaced far enough apart at "stations" so that people could move from one to the other and hear one of us at a time. We would repeat our part several times. We would at least be in costume but sets and props would be better.
I suggested glomming onto that art fair in Montrose next June or July to take advantage of the crowds and street closure, and Jeanne said she'd see when that was and whether it conflicted with her pottery sale.
I also wrote about sending out press releases beforehand and Jeanne about videotaping the presentations for You Tube afterwards.
My question for tonight: Is it important that the actors all be Montrose Peace Vigil participants? I'm wondering if actual thespians would be interested in portraying pacifists. We know a few -- and there are a couple of folks who might have the ears of the drama teachers at Verdugo Hills and Crescenta Valley high schools.
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Post by Jeanne on Apr 7, 2009 7:58:51 GMT -8
The more, the merrier, Brian. Sure bring in interested actor friends as long as they are with us on the concept of nurturing knowledge of peacemakers in our past. It will add to our presence and give them a way to participate. Jeanne
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Post by Paige on Apr 9, 2009 6:49:28 GMT -8
I'm wondering, too, if a couple of the Billionaires for Bush would be interested in shifting their street theatre focus. The lead guy is a composer and lyricist and made up all kinds of hilarious songs for the billionaires. When we get a date, I can contact him and see if he's interested.
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Post by Jeanne on Aug 3, 2009 21:27:44 GMT -8
Okay, we are getting in gear for this Peace Examples Presentation (PEP)
We are aiming for the craft fair in Montrose that will be on Labor Day Weekend.
Here is the main idea: We choose a person from history who said or did something to further the cause of peace. We find a costume that is in the neighborhood of historically correct. We research the person, choose some material to read or memorize. We prepare a half sheet biographical blurb to hand out. We present our person and hand out half sheets in Montrose.
Our culture focuses on the generals and battles. We would like to tip the scales a little bit towards brave peacemakers.
YES, ringers, friends, hams are very welcome.
So far, we have the following cast:
anni - Sister Corita Roberta - Jeannette Rankin Paige- Lydia Maria Child Jeanne - Julia Ward Howe Cynthia- looking for someone from France. may I suggest Magda Trocme? Nancy- Dorothy Day? Men?
Here are some names to throw out, in case you're catching: Desmond Tutu David Dellinger David Low Dodge Gandhi Victor Hugo MLK A. J. Muste William Penn Thoreau Tolstoy Mark Twain and many more.
Let's expose, inform, celebrate people who have stuck their necks out, spoken up, in spite of prevailing culture that prefers to celebrate war. Let me know your thoughts and questions. They will be helpful since I have never done this before.
Google beckons.
Peace,
Jeanne
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anni
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Post by anni on Aug 4, 2009 19:09:40 GMT -8
"Takin' it to the streets..." YES, dear Jeanne, this is goin' to be a heap good time. Hope we can drum up some other would be Thespians...an expansion of our peace filled family...maybe someone would want to be Roberta, the famous revolutionary, and the first one on our corner.
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Post by Jeanne on Aug 7, 2009 21:26:19 GMT -8
The PEP rally is shaping up. We got some new ideas on the corner tonight. Linda would like to portray Joan Baez. She read my mind. I was thinking that we need Joan there. Bruce seemed open to being one of the Berrigan brothers. (Rest assured that I will be monitoring the Berrigans and Sister Corita to make sure that everything is kosher.) And stretching all kinds of assumptions, Sigrid feels strongly about being Martin Luther King. I'm loving this. Our new visitor, Pam, is thinking about it. I have also invited my professor from CSUN who did performance art before she got into art education. anni, do you think Sue Ellen would join us?
Once we choose our characters, I think it would be good to attain costumes and to practice in each other's presence for kind coaching and critiques.
And anyone who's ever been to the craft fair and has suggestions for where and how to do this, please speak up.
Courage, shy ones. Let's do something sane.
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