“The first draft really ought to be quite horrible.” A passionate masterclass in playwriting with Ian Finley, playwright and arts educator. Dramatic structure, writer’s block, revision, adapting historical events, the value of arts education, working with what you have, and the importance of “Just Finish it!” Ian Finley holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from …
Greetings, Soapboxers! Earlier this month, several friends and collaborators gathered to read and hear the latest draft of my upcoming play, YEAR OF THE MONKEY. If you’ve ever put your work-in-progress up for critique, you know it is a singularly excruciating, insecurity-stoking and necessary experience. I clawed my way to that draft and now, armed …
Writing the perfect MONKEY (Mara Thomas, ASBX blog post 012) Read More »
Curious about a Creative Accountability Group? A few of our participants share their takeaways from the 1st ASBX Creative Accountability Group at the opening of this episode! Mara and Tamara reflect on the 5 weeks of topics covered, why a group setting can support the individual creative process, the balance of practical and woo, and …
We are having such a tremendous experience with the first group, that we’ve scheduled another! Announcing the summer Artist Soapbox Creative Accountability Group Facilitated by Mara Thomas and Tamara Kissane Join a small group of highly-motivated artist/creators in a supportive environment and take regular action in your creative work. Set achievable goals, participate in a private …
Join us for the summer Creative Accountability Group! Read More »
WHAT I LEARNED FROM 40 YEARS OF NOT BEING FAMOUS: PART ONE. This is the first installment of a multi-part series planned for the Artist Soapbox podcast in which Tamara considers how we might love the artists we are and support the artists we love even when….especially when….we feel like we’re falling short. In PART …
Greetings, Soapboxers! Next week, Tamara and I are launching our first Creative Accountability Group. I can’t wait! I’m already inspired by the statement these artists have made by signing up for this group: they have put Creative Resistance on notice. In his book The War of Art, Steven Pressfield posits that every artist is engaged …
Take your work seriously (Mara Thomas, ASBX blog post 010) Read More »
Hear this podcaster speak live on April 13 at 9:00 pm, after HONEST PINT’S performance of THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY! Tamara Kissane is presenting for HOME BREW, “a series featuring NC artists, writers, musicians, and actors sharing stories and works in an intimate, social atmosphere. The goal is to showcase the incredible local …
**Last post of 2017!** Happy New Year, Soapboxers! How does that salutation sit with you? How does it feel to be looking ahead to a fresh calendar? Hopeful? Scary? Exciting? Full of dread? Are you taking stock of 2017 or lighting a match and throwing it over your shoulder as you Auld Lang Syne your …
It’s a rainy, shit day in Durham and I want to talk about perfectionism. I was one of those insufferable kids for whom school came easily. Worksheets, spelling tests, you name it – my goal was get everything right and be the first kid who finished. While that allowed me to skate through 3rd grade, …
Make more pots (Mara Thomas, ASBX blog post 002) Read More »
