On the other hand, if you don't share your creations, there is 100% certainty that you'll never know the impact you may have. Don't we all want to share our stories in some way?
I've written many plays, and I recognize how fortunate I've been to have seen them produced. These experiences of collaboration have taught me so much. What works, what doesn't, what could have, and what should have. I've learned to trust my gut in ways I didn't used to, and that's empowering.
Sometimes the audiences are very vocal. In my case, it's mostly families and children. And believe me, children will let you know what they think! You can see it before you hear it. The restless movement in their seats, or the stillness and huge eyes. Then the voices. I've heard everything from "Is this EVER going to be over?" literally shouted from a poor little guy who couldn't handle anymore dancing fairies, to "This is the BEST show I've ever seen! How did you make it?" from a little girl was enchanted with the very same musical.
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| 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Stages Theatre Company Photo by Bruce Challgren Photo.Pixels.com |
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| The Mitten by Jan Brett Stages Theatre Company Photo by Bruce Challgren Photo.Pixels.com |
So, just write it. There are eyes and ears just waiting to read and listen to what you are working on! Here's the blog :
https://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2015/07/31/free-fall-friday-results-alex-slater/
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Jennifer Kirkeby / THE PHOENIX THEATER / Middle Grade
Tears of happiness welled in Annabelle’s
eyes as she beamed at the standing audience, still clapping enthusiastically
during the fourth curtain call. She squeezed her parent’s hands as they took
another bow. The audience roared. She squealed, and her parents laughed.
Annabelle
had never felt so proud in her ten years of life. Not only had she just played
her first leading role as the streetwise Ginny in the 1920’s production
alongside her parents, but her father had also written and directed it. And if
tonight’s audience reaction was any indication, Always was destined to be a huge hit.
She searched the fourth row and found her
nanny, Marion
The photographers began their flashing frenzy,
shooting blinding white light with every click. Each one hoped to capture the
photo chosen for tomorrow’s paper. Her father thanked the audience and invited
them all to the opening night party.
Annabelle would wonder about the following
moment for years to come. How it began, why it happened, and if there was
anything she or anyone else could have done to prevent it.
She smelled the smoke before she saw it. At
first, Annabelle assumed it was the obnoxious stage manager, Thomas, who was
forever puffing on one of his stinky cigars. But when she looked offstage left,
ready to give him a death glare, she knew instantly that no cigar could create
the black billowing smoke that was rolling in from under the door.
Here’s what Alex had to say:
THE PHOENIX THEATER by Jennifer Kirkeby
This
is an excellent opening page. The writing is clear and concise, the action is
captivating and inviting, and the tension demands the reader read on. I liked
the way the play’s name is revealed in a stylistic and natural way. I like the
expressive language: “flashing frenzy,” “blinding white light,” “black
billowing smoke.” Most of all, I like the way the author sets-up the tragedy
that unfolds. It’s a useful device that is employed well here: introduce the
moment from the future, as a point in history, thereby captivating the reader
with curiosity: what event could stand so tall in a character’s memory? Then,
introduce the moment in all its horribleness. Therefore, the reader sees the
moment as the character sees it: epic, irrevocable, and in the past. This is a
great example of how to tease the reader in the opening pages, which is an
effective technique.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is more info about Alex:
He is looking to build his list. When asked how he became an
agent at Trident, concentrating in the expanding children’s, middle grade and
young adult businesses, Alex simply replies, “It was only natural.” While karma
is not an established business concept, it is clear that Alex’s career arc led
him in this happy direction.
Start with Alex’s love of fiction, and in
particular the stories that captivate the minds and imaginations of young
people, from those so young that books are read to them, to young adults who
get captivated by creative fiction. “I love to let myself go, and become the
reader, whether the story is directed at a ten-year-old or a teenager,” says
Alex.
Next is Alex’s experience at Trident, where
he has been since 2010. He became a very successful agent representing the
company’s children, middle grade and young adult authors in many licensing
arrangements in the global marketplace for translation and in the English
language in the U.K. Italy , as well as the broader-based London and Frankfurt book
fairs. His experience in representing fiction in these areas showed him what
elements in stories work well, and how to maximize the value of what an author
has created.
He is now building his list domestically at Trident, while
keeping his focus on these areas.
Alex’s plan is to, “Look for stories that
will rise above the rest with characters that will be remembered well past
childhood, with the potential to cross over to other media and formats,” such
as programming, games, motion pictures and merchandise. “Trident is the leader
on taking advantage of the latest opportunities presented by changing
technology,” says Alex, and, “I will be there to help make the latest
innovations happen for my authors.”
“I believe that the most successful writers
have a bit of the dreamer in them.” And Alex passionately believes that he can
help turn their dreams into reality.
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| Twelve Dancing Princesses
Stages Theatre Company
Photo by Bruce Challgren Photo.Pixels.com
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I'd love to hear from you. What have you done recently that took you out of your comfort zone, and are you glad that you did?
Also, please visit my new website: http://www.jenniferkirkeby.com/
