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The Top Three Reasons Summer Youth Theater Camp is Awesome

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Summer is coming to an end.  Darn. It has been lots of fun, relaxing, invigorating and fulfilling.  My husband and I spent most of our summer away from home–our daughter was married, we took a trip to Glacier National Park and ran two drama camps in Mexico, Missouri.  Every one of these experience was great!

If you are looking for an outstanding drama camp for your son or daughter then Presser Performing Arts Center in Mexico, Missouri is the place for you!  The camp was created eight years ago by  Lois Brace, the Artistic Director of Presser.  I am the camp production director.

We offer two camps.  They are tuition based (several scholarships are available) and perform their productions for the public.  The number of campers each summer runs from thirty-five to fifty students.  Every student who enrolls in camp is very involved in the production (some students playing multiple roles).  We like to keep our kids busy, not waiting around backstage for their one scene.  In addition to the musicals, we teach drama games, acting exercises and what it means to be a cast member and young artist.

One week camp

First, we have a one week camp (which runs in June) for those students who are beginning theater students entering grades fourth through ninth. The camp runs each weekday from 9:00 am. to 4:00 p.m. In the one week camp, we present a Music Theater International musical, usually one of the kids versions.  These shows were specifically developed for this purpose–they introduce musicals to the students,  run around forty-five minutes in length, simple costumes, sets and props.

To date we have produced Kids versions of Annie, 101 Dalmations, Jungle Book and Aristocats.  Students are expected to audition (which includes singing a song and reading from the script), but generally all those who audition are accepted into the camp.  This camp is more processed based. We want the students to leave camp having learned some basic knowledge about theater, the process of presenting a musical, making new friends and fun!  Tuition is $175 which includes thirty-five hours of instruction, a cast tee shirt and cast party.

Two Week Camp

Secondly, we have a two week camp  (which runs late June and into early July) for those students with experience in theater entering grades fourth through college. As with the one week camp, it runs jfrom 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each weekday with a Saturday morning dress rehearsal the day of the performance. We perform the show twice–once on Saturday evening and once on Sunday afternoon.  Again, we produce a MTI musical, but they are the junior musicals that are longer (around 90 minutes), more complicated singing (many songs in three part harmony), dancing, detailed costumes, sets and props.

Students in the two week camp are held to a much higher standard than the one week campers for obvious reasons.  It is not uncommon for our campers to have spent their school year prior to camp taking voice and dance lessons and to have been very involved in their school or community theater productions.  This camp is also audition based, but we are a bit more choosy in our casting.  Sometimes we accept students who enroll in both camps, but usually most students are involved in one camp or the other. Tuition is $300 which includes seventy hours of instruction, a cast tee shirt and cast party.

Technical Track


Both camps have a technical track class as well.  These students are under my husband’s tutelate.  Tim has designed sets, lights and sound for over thirty years.  His campers build and paint the production’s set, learn to and run the light and sound equipment and serve as the crew for the productions.  Only students entering grade six through college are accepted into the class.  For those students interested in theater but don’t want to perform, this is the class for you!  Tuition is $175 which includes the same amount of instruction, cast tee shirt, etc.

If you would like more information (you are from out of town and your child would need lodging, enrolling several siblings, etc.) about the Presser Performing Arts Camp, please see their website at presserpac.com.   Or you can just ask me through my blog.

We hope that you or your young theater lover will join us!

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Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

I’d love to hear from you.

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What I Learned From Making My Own Book Video

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Here is what I learned from making my own book video.

I hadn’t really given it much thought until I started writing this post.

For four years, I tried making my own video and it just wasn’t working.  Either it looked corny or ammateur.  So, I tabled it.

Every year I’d put myself through this ordeal, over and over.

 

Bumbling Bea

I saw indie author friends proudly sharing their book videos and I was tempted… but still too nervous to try.

I felt like the little girl too scared to jump in the swimming pool even though she could swim well. Duh.

I even stuck a toe in and looked into having someone create the video for me but the price was too much for my wallet.

So, to the back burner the video project would go again.

I had several struggles I wasn’t grappling with too well.

First, I knew I needed to make a video, but to be frank I didn’t think I had enough knowledge of marketing to know what would work and what wouldn’t.  Another challenge is Bumbling Bea was written for middle grade students, but many adults read it as well.  Do I try to market this to both groups?

So what did I learn about making my own book video?

Don’t do it. Let someone else.

Oh, that sounds so curt and cynical and honestly I’m not.

I thought I could create one myself.  Well, you know how that goes, right?

These are questions I needed to ask myself, but I was too overwhelemed to do so:

  • What did I want to say?
  • How long should the video be?
  • What mood of music?
  • What colors?
  • Which photos? (That was a toughie because finding two royalty free photos of young girls  who express the essence of the characters was nearly impossible.  Plus, one girl must be Japanese or at least look like she is of Asian heritage.)
  • Should I include any of the artwork from the book itself?
  • Who am I trying to reach?
  • Should I include quotes from reviews?
  • Should I mention awards Bumbling Bea has won?
  •  What do I do with it once it is created?  (This question nearly stopped me in my tracks.  I don’t like to waste time.  I think time is too valuable.  What if I go to all this work and nothing comes of it?)
  • Do I put it on Youtube?   Yikes.

You can see how all of these questions rumbling around in my brain in the early hours of the morning (usually around 4:00 a.m.) were bothering me.  Ha, not bothering me enough to do anything about it though, right?

If you aren’t familiar with Bumbling Bea, here is a little synopsis for you:

Beatrice thinks she has no talent, but that doesn’t stop her from entering the annual middle school play.  Easy.  Except a new girl from Japan comes along and ruins everything!  So begins Beatrice’s humorous and diabolical journey to scare away the visitor.  Except Michiko has goals of her own with no plans to leave soon.  What’s a girl to do?  Plenty.

If you’re interested in purchasing a copy of Bumbling Bea, go to: Bumbling Bea on Amazon.com

Do things occur  in your life which point you in the right direction, even though you weren’t even looking for them?

In May out of the blue, a guy contacted me about creating the video.  I won’t give you his name, because after he made it he wouldn’t communicate with me any more.  I guess he’s a one shot deal with no changes.  I wish he’d told me that.  On the other hand, I didn’t sign a contract or anything.

It was a great deal, really.

What did I learn from making my own book video?

Don’t do it.  Let someone else. (I sigh with relief just admitting that to you.)

See what you think.

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Have you had a similar experience?  Do certain things of your interest or business absolutely pretrify you like they do me?  Let’s talk.

I’d love to hear from you.  Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

 

 

Maya Angelou’s Thoughts on Creativity

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I have to agree with Ms.  Angelou. You can’t use up your creativity.

It seems the more I imagine, the more I scoop from the creativity pool. It is never ending.

Are you a person who has to make yourself sit down to create?  Sometimes I am the way.  In fact, I can easily distract myself.  Of course, I can always blame it on the ease of using the internet and “researching” for my next book. Usually, I end up on social media sites reading about kittens being saved from flood waters or something like that….

Honestly, I think my procrastination has to do with fear or failure.

I can’t really measure the value of something I’ve created.  I’m too close to it, or from my standpoint my work isn’t as good as someone else’s.

Nothing will stifle your creativity faster than comparing yourself to someone else.

I’ve been reading “The Big Magic” and let me tell you, Elizabeth Gilbert’s book is helping me in ways I didn’t expect.  It is very comforting to read a popular author admitting they don’t think they have much talent and are in a quandary why someone would want to read her books.

These are things I know about myself if I want to create:

  1. I have to have brain space.  If there are too many variables in my day (being grandma to our darling granddaughter, teaching and lesson plans, creating Teacherpayteachers products, daily goings on like the laundry needs to be done or we need to run errands,) I simply can’t create.
  2. I have to be rested.  If I’m tired or stressed, forget it. I simply can’t imagine.
  3. I need classical music or sound tracks playing in the background.
  4. My ideas arrive most fluidly between 9:00 and 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
  5. I do my best creating on a rainy day.
  6. I have to have some plan before I begin whether it’s a synopsis or an outline.
  7. I like my life to be balanced.  If I spend too much time creating lesson plan products or grading papers, then I need to do something such as cook a new recipe, or color in a coloring book or maybe write.

I used to think I was an “emotional perfectionist”.  That’s a person who needs to feel emotionally balanced in order to function well in life.  In some respects, I am one.  It is difficult for me to create anything of quality if I am stressed or worried.  (I can write really good poetry then, though. Ha!)

I think I will always have problems with self confidence and I have to be on guard to the little voices in my brain which like to distract me.  Those little boogers never seem to go away.

What do you do when you want to create?  Do you have certain steps you take to nurture your creativity?  I’d love to hear from you.

Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

If you’d like to read more about my journey as an author, read here:

https://dramamommaspeaks.com/2014/08/07/a-writers-journey-a-really-really-long-one-but-worth-it/

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Three Times a Charm: An Author Interview 

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Here is my author Interview from Three Times a Charm

Welcome to Three Times A Charm. I love to introduce readers to the people involved in children’s publishing.

 Today we welcome middle grade author, Deborah Baldwin. Deborah, we’d love for you to tell us a little about you.

I am an award winning drama teacher and director, professional actress and youth theatre administrator. I graduated from Stephens College with a BFA in theatre performance and a MED from Lesley College certified to teach drama, speech and English/language arts in Colorado and Missouri. I  created seven youth theatre programs and have served as a consultant to several theatre companies in the mid-west.

Many years ago I co-developed a national playwriting contest for youth theatre plays which is still in existence today. I have directed over 250 full length productions, plays and musicals alike and have inspired many of my students to become professional actors, dancers, directors, playwrights and teachers. My husband and I recently retired from our teaching positions and reside in Kansas to be nearer to our family. I have two daughters who are the best of friends, a wonderful step son and two quirky cats, Spats and Lala.

Let’s hear more about Bumbling Bea.  

Purple Dragonfly Award Winner for Excellence in Writing and Publishing:

Beatrice thinks she has no acting talent but that doesn’t stop her from auditioning for the annual middle school play. Easy! Except Michiko, a new girl from Japan, shows up and ruins everything. So begins Beatrice’s diabolical plan to scare away Michiko. But Michiko has goals of her own with no plans to leave soon. And then there’s that “other” girl—what a blabbermouth. What’s a girl to do? Plenty.

“Hilarious! Entertaining! Extremely true! A great read for anyone who enjoys theater!” RM Amazon reviewer

“In addition to being a fun read, this book does what so much fine literature does— helps us to see we are not alone.” MM Amazon reviewer

“Bumbling Bea by Deborah Baldwin cannot fail to become a favorite with pre-teen readers, and very likely teenagers too, because the mixture of pathos and humor is so realistic.” SS Readers Favorite reviewer

I recommend my book to readers who like:

5,6,7, Nate by Tim Federle

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Now let’s move on to the threes. Give us your top 3 responses to the following to help us get to know you better.

· Top 3 books you recommend reading and why you recommend them.  



To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee I have beloved this book for many years as have many other readers. The plot is terrific and I enjoy that the story is told from a girl’s point of view.
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrick Backman I picked up Backman’s book earlier this year and appreciated every part of it. If you haven’t read any of Backman’s books, I’d suggest you do so. I enjoy stories that are heavy on characterization, because my background is in theatre and when I direct plays, I help actors create characters all the time.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Hmmm. I’m seeing a trend here—I’ve chosen all books about girls told from their point of view. Ha! This book writing is poetic and it’s a wonderful story. It’s an interesting perspective to read a story about the average German citizen living through WWII.

· Top 3 tools of the trade you couldn’t live without.  

I think indie publishing is a fabulous tool for any writer and it suits me perfectly. It isn’t necessary to have a publisher in order to be successful in this business. One can publish her book herself! I’ve always been a trail blazer—the kind of person that takes matters in her own hands when she sees a need or problem.

I noticed that we have a dearth of books on whatever subject is popular the time, but stories about the arts (especially theatre) are very few in number. When I share my story’s plot with readers of various ages, they were so appreciative. “Oh good. Not another book about Zombies or wizards. Bumbling Bea is something unique!” they say.

There are countless sources writers can utilize to attract readers. I particularly like Litpick.com which is a student book review website. They give student readers an opportunity to learn how to review under the tutelage of an adult. And the books are free to any student who would like to learn to review. What a deal!
Bookworks.com is an excellent, and very useful website for indie publishers. They have a monthly newsletter with many helpful articles concerning self publishing, lists of book reviewers who are seeking books to peruse, etc. If you complete your personal page and profile with Bookworks, you have the opportunity to be featured by them which is great exposure for you and your book.

·Top 3 professions you wanted to be when you grew up.

My aunts, mother and sister were teachers so becoming a teacher was a natural choice for me as well. It’s one of my greatest gifts. Kids energize me and fulfill my need to share my knowledge of the dramatic arts. Even after thirty-eight years of teaching, my students continue to teach me something about myself that I didn’t know. It’s very humbling.
Early on in my life, I wanted to become a professional actress. I didn’t really know what that meant at the time. When I graduated from college in the seventies, there weren’t as many opportunities for young actors to be employed as there are now. My choices were pretty much limited to moving to New York or Los Angeles. I wasn’t ready for that jump. Over time, I found that I wasn’t willing to struggle as much as the occupation required. I was just as happy acting or directing in community theatre, occasionally working as a voice over actress, etc.

I’m a doer—I like to “do” and not sit around waiting for life to happen to me. Because of this particular gift, I have had opportunities to create many projects I don’t think I would have been able to otherwise. I’ve formed youth theatre programs, co-developed a national playwriting contest, presided over the construction of a theater, written winning grants, introduced companies to radio theatre, directed just about any play or musical I wanted and guided two programs concerning diversity for Martin Luther King celebrations. And, I’m not even finished yet!

I was created to be a theatre artist, period. I knew it as a young girl when I’d play dress up on our east front porch of our home. It took about ten years for me to admit my interest to my parents. My father understood immediately. Although he chose to be a physician, he acted in plays in college and loved it. I think my mother and siblings thought I was crazy or at least “unusual”, but they tried their best to understand or merely tolerated me. However, my immediate family is heavily involved in the arts and appreciate my creativity.

 Top 3 personal mantras or inspirational phrases.   

“People of integrity expect to be believed. When they are not, time proves them right.” –Unknown

“Never give in–never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” ― Winston Churchill

“Eighty percent of all choices are based on fear. Most people don’t choose what they want; they choose what they think is safe.” –Phil McGraw

Wow – that last one! Finally, please share with us where our tech savvy readers can find out more about you and your book.    

Dramamommaspeaks.com

https://www.facebook.com/BumblingBea

https://twitter.com/dhcbaldwin  and/or Deborah@DeborahHBaldwin

https://www.instagram.com/bumblingbeabook

Thanks for joining us today, Deborah. It was great to get to know more about you and Bumbling Bea.
Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmal.com  or DeborahBaldwin.net


Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or Bumblingbea.com

I’d love to help and hear from you!

I am Featured on TypewriterSociety

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I’m very flattered to have been interviewed about my writing process and Bumbling Bea  by TypewriterSociety.com

Author Interview, Deborah Baldwin, Bumbling Bea

January 5, 2017

With over 40 years of teaching and 250 plays and musicals under her belt, Deborah Baldwin was more than qualified to write a children’s book about putting on a middle school play. Not that putting pen to paper is an easy process. But as Deborah says, writing is a fluid process. If you stick with it, things happen, and pieces develop as they need to. “Characters have a way of showing up just when you need them,” she said, “or they come forward on their own expecting to be heard.”

1. How many books have you published and when (month/year)?

I published Bumbling Bea in October 2014.

2. When did you start writing your first book? Where did the idea come from?

I began writing Bumbling Bea in 2012, however the springboard for the story came from a trip to Japan when I was sixteen years old.  Forty years later, I finally wrote the story in its entirety.  Many of the original ideas for the plot originated in the first chapter I penned nearly thirty-two years ago when I took my first writing class.  I’d say about ninety percent of the story was developed while I was writing the book.  I developed an outline, writing a chapter at a time.  Characters have a way of showing up just when you need them or they come forward on their own expecting to be heard.  Bumbling Bea is much better story now than all those years ago.  I’m glad I waited to write it.

3. What was the hardest part about writing your first book? What hurdles did you have to overcome?

My fear was the greatest challenge.  I have a mindset that thinks I must be very well versed in something before I can act upon it.  Consequently, I needed a few classes in writing for children to ease my worries.  Once I took them, my fears slowly vanished.

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4. Once your manuscript was finished, what did you do?

I knew that if I took eighteen months to write the story (and how many hours?) I needed to continue the process all the way through to publishing.

5. What did you expect from the editing process? How was the experience?

I am very familiar with the process of creating and it didn’t bother me to edit.  The toughest part was making sure everything was clear to a reader.  Even now I find certain parts of my story that need a tweak here and there.  But since I’m an indie author, it is very easy (though a bit costly) to edit and republish.

6. Describe what re-writing involves and how it makes you feel. How is it different than the initial writing?

Re-writing is a lot like directing a play, so when I shared I am comfortable with the process of creating it is because of directing.  I don’t take it too personally if something needs to be changed or edited.  I know that it takes many eyes to see everything in a story just as it does in theatre.  But as I am the gatekeeper of a play and I make the final decision, so too am I the gatekeeper on my book.

7. Did you have non-editors read your book for feedback (Alpha Readers)? What did you get out of that?

Yes, a few friends and family read Bumbling Bea.  Each had their own strengths and perspective on it.  My youngest daughter, a writer too though not actively pursuing writing, is a terrific editor.  Her suggestions really helped me and continue to do so.

8. Who designed your cover? How much input did you have? How important is the cover design?

A graphic artist, H. Russ Brown was my illustrator.  He illustrated the cover and each chapter’s first page art.  You can tell we are in 2016, because we communicated nearly all of our ideas through instant messaging. Currently, he is working on a new cover for our second printing.

9. How did you go forward with publishing? Why? How was that experience?

I chose Createspace because of its high approval rates. The book has won high marks for the quality of writing and publishing, so it paid off to use Createspace.

10. How have you marketed your first book?

Yes and I continue to market.

11. How was the initial feedback from readers?

I received terrific feedback and it was quite surprising. Bumbling Bea isn’t for everyone.  People who are acquainted with performing in a play or making friends with someone from another country will relate to the book the most.  However, children as young as seven and octogenarians have read Bumbling Bea have enjoyed its message, too.

12. How have sales been on your first book? Did they go as expected? What helps you the most to sell books?

I didn’t set my sites on huge sales because I have never authored a book before, but I am well known for my teaching of drama and directing in youth and community theatre.  Those are the circles that have supported me the best.  It’s still all a crap shoot, frankly.  Out of nowhere someone will review the book on Amazon and Goodreads.  Such a gift!  I am a member of several Facebook groups and use my blog and a new Twitter presence to get the word out. I am not a member of any creative writing groups because a very trusted friend of mine thought I would be happier on my own.  I think he’s right! It takes every kind of marketing and publicizing I have money and time to use.

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13. Talk about print vs ebook. Do you get more sales with one than the other?

I’ve had more sales with my print version unless we count free downloads days and then lots of people download it.  Many don’t write reviews, however.

14. Did you set the prices of your print and ebooks? How do you decide how to price them?

My prices aren’t set in stone.  I offer discounts on both and free ebook downloads occasionally.  I research other books of the same length and genre and priced mine according to theirs.

15. What made you decide to write more books? How were those experiences (writing/editing) compared with your first book? Did you do anything differently?

I am readying to begin a new book in January.  I plan to do pre-launch publicizing for it once it’s finished.

16. Anything different in the publishing process for your other books?

I may try a different company than Createspace and an editor if I can afford one.

17. When did you consider yourself a “writer”?

Oh am I?  I think once I penned 50 blog posts about drama education, youth theatre and directing I finally felt like an author. Then I see the reviews about Bumbling Bea and I’m overwhelmed with a sense of pride in what I have given people through the written word.  I guess that makes me a writer, yes?

18. When do you write? What motivates you to write?

I like to write in the morning and late afternoon with a break in the middle of the day.  Generally, I write something for someone each day—whether it’s a blog post, an article for another website or a host of other writing sources.  I am motivated by the goal to help someone else.  If I can help someone else, then I am fulfilled.

19. What do aspiring authors ask you?

How long did it take to write your book?  Answer:  18 months and four months of revisions.  How did I know how to write the way kids speak? Answer: I have taught students of all ages for nearly forty years.  You teach any length of time and you can quote them by heart! Where did the plot come from? Answer:  Parts of the plot come from my personal experiences as a director and teacher glitzed-and-glamoured with my imagination and off beat style of humor.

20. What advice can you offer for aspiring authors about writing, editing, publishing, and marketing?

My advice is pretty simple—ignore the negative comments people may say and don’t give your own fears much credence.  You are on a long, interesting journey and treat it as such. Believe in yourself and figure out the reason you like to write and keep it in your mind at all times.  Learn to distance yourself from your work and accept criticism of people who you trust.  Remember, it’s YOUR thoughts and feelings and you have the right to share them.

Many thanks to Typewriter Society for the opportunity to share about Bumbling Bea.

To learn more about Typewriter Society, go to 

Check it out here:http://www.typewritersociety.com/single-post/2017/01/05/Author-Interview-Deborah-Baldwin-Bumbling-Bea

Contact me at dhcbaldwin or check out my website at DeborahBaldwin.net

What No One Tells You About Full Circle Moments–Part One

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I am excited!  This weekend I’m going to enjoy a full circle moment. I should call it a full circle moments, because I’ have experienced several in my life. 

Have you ever experienced one?  You know, a “pay it forward” kind  of thing? They’re deeply fulfilling.

As a teacher and director, I’ve had many.  It seems to go with the territory. I would imagine everyone experiences full circle moments several times in their lifetime. If they are happy ones, we are joyful. If they are sad, I’m not certain we recognize them as full circle moments, but some sort of lesson we still need to learn.

Has anyone advised you how to handle them? Me neither.

No one tells you the brevity of them– they are magical and surprising.

Full circle moments, in general, are random.

An example:  My Ukrainian pen pal ended up on a  train  in Romania with a professor from my small midwestern hometown who knew my family.  That’s one chance in at least a million chances of occurring.

Another:  My daughter grows up to perform in a show with one of her babysitters who grew up and became an actress at my encouraging. They perform together in a different city one hundred miles away. Ten years later.

You have to admit full circle moments make you take a pause. Sometimes they are baffling. You are afraid to share them with anyone for fear they’ll think you are crazy–you are fantasizing and dillusional.

We can’t prophesy when full circle moments will occur or even if we’ll have one. That’s what makes them special.

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This particular full circle moment began very innocently.

Forty years ago next month, in 1977 I  student taught drama at West Junior High School in Columbia, MO. Some of the students were the best students I’ve taught, even if I was still in the learning phase of my career.  I am still friends with many of them today.

A young man, Randall Kenneth Jones, is a student of mine during that semester.  He is smart, witty and clever.

In 1978, we work together in an outdoor community theater.  Randy performs Dauntless in Once Upon a Mattress while I serve as the stage properties mistress.  We perform as brother and sister in 110 in the Shade.  He is in the chorus while I portray Mrs. Bumble in Oliver!

Two years later, my former husband and I create a community theater– Columbia Entertainment Company.  Randy performs in several of the shows–Two by Two and Damn Yankees.  I perform with him in Damn Yankees.

Get this: My cooperating teacher when I student taught, Jackie Petit White, performs in the production as well!

Randy attends the University of Missouri-Columbia in journalism.  Afgter graduating, he moves to Washington, DC. He works in marketing, advertising and public relations with a focus on creative development. He develops a terrific resume which includes PR and marketing for Walgreens, JCPenney, The Washingon Post and more.

I stay in Missouri, divorce, remarry, have children, preside over CEC for several years, run a theatre school, teach drama to middle schoolers and create several youth theater programs.  I direct several hundreds plays and musicals with adults and children alike. My resume is different from Randy’s, but equally successful.

In essence, we are equally busy.

Bumbling Bea

Time passes….

Thirty-nine years later in 2016, we meet again. I read on Facebook Randy has authored a really cool book, Show Me.  Show Me is filled with over one hundred interviews Randy collected with very successful people–Pat Benatar, Barbara Cochran, Jent Evanovich, Tyler Mathiesen, Suze Orman, just to name a few.

He’s about to release Show Me.  I write him, congratulating him.  We rekindle our friendship.  We promise to do a better job of keeping up with each other.

It’s fun to know again this great student, now a grown man. He’s just as witty, clever and smart.

Now the full circle moment–

Two months go by and Randy contacts me.  He’s traveling to  Columbia to do a fundraiser for CEC which was built twenty-nine years ago. (Isn’t that crazy?) For the fundraiser,  he’ll be performing a stand up routine, selling and autographing his book, too.

His routine includes memories of the teachers who inspired him, one of which was my cooperating teacher, Jackie Petit White.   He wants to speak about me as well, because I was very instrumental in keeping the community theatre afloat for years.

Would I be interested in participating as well?

Heck, yes!

I’m not taking center stage.  This event isn’t about me, but I will benefit from it.  I’ll be signing and selling Bumbling Bea (2.0) books before and after the show.

A portion of the proceeds go to Columbia Entertainment Company.  Tickets may be reserved in advance at cectheatre.org

In some respects, full circle moments are snippets of time in our lives. 

They prove, “I am here on earth.  I matter.  I helped someone to find themselves.”  My inner self and actual self meet in congruence. Wow!

We have amazing lives whether we notice them occurring or not. Could I have foreseen this upcoming moment? Never.

What full circle moments have you experienced?

Read part two of this full circle moment here: https://dramamommaspeaks.com/2017/03/28/what-no-one-tells-you-about-full-circle-moments-part-two/

Randy and I would love to see you and say hello.  You’ll find our books on Amazon.com

See you soon!

full circle moments

I’d love to hear about your full circle moments.  Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or my website at DeborahBaldwin.net

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