On Top of Duane's Mountain
Indy’s at the top of Duane’s Mountain. I don’t know if that the official name of this mountain in Potter County, PA—but that’s what I’ll call it. He’s sitting on the handle of a 4 wheeler. (Good lord, if you’ve never ridden one of these you should!) For the sake of me maintaining my urbane, sophisticated, artist’s sensibilities, I must point out I only do this once a year—but what a rush.
This was a weekend away with high school friends, Duane Weaver, Eric Bishop—that would be Dr J. Eric to you (a fourth, Bruce Heavener, couldn’t make it this year). Usually we discuss all manner of issues surrounding religion, family systems, women, missing parents. We stay up late, get up early, whine about our 5o+ year-old bodies, take an occasional 10-mile hike, wonder what we might do over the next 30 years, fret about security, grieve losses, eat poorly, dispute microbrews vs inferior products, celebrate children, wonder at the amazing vistas, and marvel at the ability of nature to heal itself even as we ourselves heal . This area of PA has been mined, logged and drilled—it has given up its lumber, coal, oil, and gas—and still it grows back. There’s a metaphor there, I think.
High school classmates are interesting to contemplate 35 years later. There are those we never saw after graduation; 12 of us married each other—just one at a time—I mean—married just one of our classmates—when I say we, I don’t mean all of us married the same classmate—ok, let’s forget that. Where was I? Ah, classmates. There are those I’ve known since birth (Duane), those who dropped out of my life for 15 years and came back in (Bruce), those whose importance grows stronger each year… and the one I sleep with on a regular basis. So thanks to everyone in the Christopher Dock class of '74 who helped me along the way.
Goin back to Talmage...with Indy
Over looking an Amish cornfield—ok, the field’s not Amish, the farmer’s Amish… Anyway, Jeff and Cindy Raught live in Talmage, PA—a town (I don’t think you can even call it a town) in Lancaster County, PA. That’s Lancaster—emphasis on first syllable—swallowed quickly—“langkister.” Talmage does have a post office but with very limited hours—don’t even think about picking up your mail after 4:00. Lois is apt to be cross. (Cross—that’s Pennsylvania Dutch for P.O.’ed.) The area is amazing for bike riding—the rolling hills, lack of traffic, local smells, and calmness that is evoked by a slower paced life in the Amish community is intoxicating. It’s almost a cliché to talk about it, but it just seems different to ride there.
Indy at Jeff & Cindy'sI’ve spent many days at Jeff’s house writing and rehearsing. Years ago they turned their garage into a recording studio and rehearsal space—with Jeff ‘s grand piano as a centerpiece. Much of the finish work for Tattered and Worn was done in that space, as well as Just Give ‘Em the News. In the summer of ‘08 I spent a week there. Ed, their youngest son, was home from college and working evenings, so he slept in longer than Jeff and me. When he did get up, I would shout to Jeff—“Look Father, young Ed has arisen!” It seemed funny to us, and so he will always be to me “Young Ed.” He calls me Uncle Ted.
I met Jeff in winter of ’05, but I knew his street well. I hadn’t been there in over 20 years, though. My grandparents, Titus and Florence Wert, lived in the house three doors down from where Jeff lives now. We visited that street many times as a kid. Sunday afternoons: my dad asleep in the rocker, Mom talking to my grandmother, shouting at my grandfather (hearing aids back then weren't what they are now!), my brother and I in the basement looking at every National Geographic magazine ever published—all in neat rows on shelves. No TV, no sports, not a lot of room to throw baseball…and now I get to go back to Talmage…pretty cool.
God's Judgment
Many of you who knew Ted & Lee also knew that Lee was a sketch artist. I loved his style; it was quick and quirky. Sometimes he would surprise me with a sketch. Here I think we had just seen a dreadful performance of something or someone...I have blocked that part out of my mind but wanted to share this:
God's Judgment by Lee Eshleman
A Message from "Mary"
The last 2 performances of DoveTale, the Christmas play Lee Eshleman, Ingrid De Sanctis, and I wrote in 1997, were performed on December 22 and 23 in Harrisonburg, VA. The shows were emotional, fun, and tinged with a little sadness. Ingrid wrote the following piece for the program. Thanks to all who made DoveTale a part of your Christmas over the last 13 years. ~Ted
“One of the things I love best about acting is crawling inside a character; her thoughts, feelings, point of view. Every character has taught me something about life, myself, others. I love that. For 11 years I have crawled inside Mary playing her in DoveTale. Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The first year, well, I was terrified to play Mary. Absolutely terrified. I was certain no one would believe me as Mary. They would see Ingrid and I would never be the one God would choose. And this is where I have started with Mary every single season for 11 years. But I had to find a way to understand her and play her and I did.
Funny thing about Mary all these years—she always stayed the same age. I didn’t. I played Mary from my thirties now into my forties! Is that possible? I played Mary when I was happy, teaching at Clemson, teaching at EMU, working at Willow Creek. I played Mary when I was in the best and the worst times in my life. I played Mary when my heart was broken, my heart was full. I played Mary when I was full of questions, full of answers, frustrated, lonely, alone.
I played Mary with two of my favorite guys Ted and Lee and then, again, with two of my favorite guys, Trent and Ted. I played Mary when I missed Lee so much I thought my heart would break in the middle of the performance. I played Mary when I wondered if I ever would hold a baby of my own, when I wondered what was next. I played Mary when I felt God holding me and other times when I couldn’t find God at all.
The line that always gets me is in the first scene when Mary says to Gabriel, “You’ve made a mistake. I’m not the one. “ And I think of Mary. This young, simple woman. This impossible moment in her life. An angel shows up and announces the most impossible miracle. A baby. God’s baby boy. For her to raise. Wow. And then Gabriel’s response. “You are not alone. God is on your side of the street.” I have learned so much from playing Mary. Especially about this God who picks us humans when we are SO silly, so undependable, so vulnerable.
I will miss Mary. Crawling inside her. Saying those lines. I’ll miss Ted’s first line when he sees Mary: “You look great.” (We all need to hear that at least once a year). I’ll miss Gabriel’s line: “You’re not alone.” I’ll miss the very end when I look at Gabriel and say; “Thank you.” Thank you. Ted. Lee. Trent. Thank you every single audience who sang Silent Night to us. You.
Thank you. For sharing this very special performance with us. As we say goodbye to this precious journey of DoveTale I feel so grateful. I knew one day I would get too old to be Mary. I do believe something—there is a Mary in all of us. Male. Female. 29 years old. 60 years old. 15 years old. A Mary in all of us. A miracle possibility exists in our lifetimes, I believe. If it is only to know that God is really on our side of the street.
If you are reading this I hope you have felt a moment of being tapped. On the shoulder. For something miraculous. Maybe not to bring the son of God into the world but there must be something.….....Ingrid, aka Mary
(If you missed DoveTale, you can still check it out on DVD, including interviews with Ted, Ingrid, and Lee.)
Star Wars Indy and The Farm
On June 6th I revisited a sacred place, Pennyroyal farm in Verona, Va. An old friend Paul Hildebrand, was in town and I joined a party in his honor. Pennyroyal had been the home base for Shenanarts Theater Company and Shenandoah International Playwrights Retreat. Bob Small, Kathleen Tosco and Paul were partners in the company, lived at the farm, and beginning in 1992 they became friends to Lee and me.
Bob directed the first comedy show Lee and I wrote and performed, Ted and Lee Live: The Armadillo Tour in '92, and Shenanarts hosted us for a dozen performances over the years. I was also a writer and performer at the Playwrights Retreat numerous times. We called it summer camp for actors. Week one the writers, directors, and dramaturges met to discuss the new plays being workshopped. Some were close to being done, others just being built. Week 2 the actors came in—from all over the country—some of the best actors I’ve ever been around. Week three the plays went up, as readings. A number of the actors were cast in 6 plays that week.
It was exhausting, exhilarating, and some of the most fun I’ve ever had. The plays workshopped there have won awards, been performed on Broadway and all over the country and world. For most of the actors it was a pure sense of simply serving the work in progress, without (too much) ego involved. Participating in the magic of creating art is a holy experience. Over the years an actor may hear a line delivered in an improv session, now on a Broadway stage. Alas, the retreat is now longer held in at Pennyroyal, and friends have scattered. Paul is now on staff at Hanover College in Hanover, Ind. and Bob and Kathleen are in Kalamazoo, Mich. That is where I know go to write and commune with great friends.
I had not been at the farm since Bob and Kathleen moved 5 years ago, and the current renters, Erin and Gregg had worked hard to restore the farm to what I had remembered. It was wonderfully emotional to walk the paths where I was given credibility has a writer and actor. The deck, the loft, the barn, the playhouse, eating outside---I even walked to the edge of the property and used the vast men’s room overlooking the hills, as a memorial to 20 years of no indoor plumbing. All of those spaces, with the exception of the "men's room", were acting spaces. It was a truly magical place those three weeks in the summer.
Christopher
At the end of the evening Christopher, Erin and Gregg’s 6 year old—a huge Indiana Jones, Star Wars and Lego fan gave me a lego plane with Indy riding on top. So in honor of the location and continuing friendships--I will be taking Stars Wars Indy with me, taking a photo in that location and writing about the time…hope you enjoy where you find Indy.
Indy
PS. The gun is for snakes.
~Ted
Welcome to the NEW Ted & Company Website!
We are beyond excited about launching the new (and beautiful) Ted & Company website! It's been a long journey to get it just right, and we still have a few more things we're working on to make it even better... But we're thrilled to have a site where you can easily find out about all the live shows we're offering, as well as the DVDs, video downloads, and scripts you can use in your own church or ministry setting.
You can also find out all about the Company--the wonderful team of actors that Ted is working with these days. And take a look at our Calendar to see when Ted & Company will be in a town near you (or see if there's a date that you can bring them into your town!). Oh, and make sure you subscribe to the blog so you can get the latest news from Ted & Company when we post it here.
After you've spent some time exploring the site, don't forget to stop by and say hi to us on Facebook. You can become a fan and let us know what you think of the new site.
Watch for more fun additions to the site in the coming months...and stay tuned for some blogs from Ted. He's got a new friend who he's planning to show off in the blog...
Thanks for all your encouragement, support, and patience as we've been growing and morphing over the last few years. We hope you enjoy this new site as much as we do!
~Your friends at Ted & Company
On the Road with Sue and Ted
On April 14, Ted and I left Harrisonburg, VA and headed west. We have enjoyed spring in Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan while traveling approximately 2,350 miles in a month’s time. In our almost 33 years of marriage, I don’t think we have ever spent so much time together (literally 24/7). Ted recently asked, “Can you do this sabbatical thing every year?”
Eastern Mennonite High School graciously granted me a sabbatical for second semester. I proposed that spending time in an urban setting would enhance my teaching in both English and Bible classes (by experiencing faith “on my shoes,” reading young adult literature, going to plays, etc.). Our home base has been Community Mennonite Church in Markham, Illinois. We have enjoyed being involved in church life on a daily basis as we are living in the building. Although we offered our gifts to the congregation and conference, we have been the recipients of countless blessings, generous hospitality and open arms.
Living away from home and routine has truly been restful and refreshing. I love not setting an alarm clock. I love learning the city of Chicago and doing touristy things. I love finding local foods to eat. I love that you can get discount tickets in Chicago theaters if you call the day of the play and they have unsold seats. I love digesting books. I love that we are only two hours from Goshen, Indiana (where we headed three weeks in a row to attend college graduation, spend time with extended family, friends and our youngest son, Derek, before he left for Peru and to attend a wedding). I love viewing Lake Michigan from both sides. And I love being with Ted.
We just spent six days in Canton, Michigan, where Ted performed Tattered and Worn with Jeff Raught six times for St. John Neumann Parish. The shows went very well, and it was nice to have a run of this fairly new play (I even suggested a few things to try in the show). I rarely get to travel with Ted during the school year, so it was a treat to see him in “his world” for almost a week. The congregation treated us royally. The staff recommended local points of interest to explore during the day and took us out after many of the performances. We soon made many new and wonderful friends in God’s family. Cindy, Jeff’s wife, was able to come with him, so the experience was even more special (Cindy and I were the “merch” ladies after the shows). The four of us have fun whenever are together. One morning we toured the Henry Ford Museum and saw an assortment of modes of transportation (including Charles Kuralt’s On the Road bus and the history making bus ridden by Rosa Parks).
Ted and I will be apart one week while I do a four-day silent retreat. He will concentrate on writing projects during that time. Our final days away from home will be spent in a variety of ways. In addition to catching up and saying good-bye to friends, Ted will do a show with Chuck Neufeld, we will see a Cubs game and hopefully do an architectural cruise on the lake, and we will lead a discussion on nonviolence at CMC. We plan to head back to Virginia on June 1. Sabbaticals are rich--I highly recommend them. Even if you aren’t in a job that offers the option of a sabbatical, hit the road (even if just for a weekend) with your spouse or someone you love deeply, and enjoy the ride.
Sue Swartz
writing for Ted & Co.
Officially "Launched"
Ted & Company TheaterWorks has been launched! The new logo has been designed and the first shows under the “new” company have been given.
The official “launch weekend” took place March 27-28 in Harrisonburg, where audiences of 550 over the two nights laughed and cried together as they watched Ted and some of the Company perform What Would Lloyd Do? and Tattered & Worn.
The next two months are primarily designated as writing months, with Ted and his wife Sue, spending 6 weeks of this time in Chicago. Ted & Jeff Raught are performing Tattered & Worn at St. John Neumann’s in Canton, Michigan from May 8-13.
Ted has been commissioned to write a play about missions for the Mennonite Church Convention in Columbus June 30-July 5. Titled “Speak Up: I Can’t Hear Your Life", Ted is asking questions such as: “Why service? Why church? Should you consider a term in service? A life in service?” Ted is joined by Trent Wagler and Pete Nelson in this fast and funny look at what we believe, why we believe what we believe and how the way you answer those questions could make a difference. All tied together with a Chinese gong.
Also scheduled for a premier in Columbus is a new show on peace. I’d Like to Buy an Enemy allows us to laugh at ourselves, while raising important questions about the place of the U.S. in the world, why fear is such a large part of our culture and how we can honestly work for peace and justice in this country and just maybe in the world. Starring Ted and Trent Wagler.
And last – also for the Columbus Convention, Ted is writing scripture-based drama for the adult and youth worship services, all of which will add to the wealth of dramatic possibilities for Ted to present in your congregation. One of the newer aspects of this company is the availability of Ted to present solo performances, workshops, sermons, or spiritual life weeks.
Call Sheri to find out more about Ted’s availability alone or in any of the shows described above and be the first to book them in your area! Or schedule one of the other “new” shows: Excellent Trouble, What Would Lloyd Do? or Tattered & Worn.
We’re off to a good start in this new company - thanks to all those who helped get us “launched”! We’re still working on a new website but we’ll keep you informed.
Ted & Company TheaterWorks
The next two months are primarily designated as writing months, with Ted and his wife Sue, spending 6 weeks of this time in Chicago. Ted & Jeff Raught are performing Tattered & Worn at St. John Neumann’s in Canton, Michigan from May 8-13.
Ted has been commissioned to write a play about missions for the Mennonite Church Convention in Columbus June 30-July 5. Titled “Speak Up: I Can’t Hear Your Life", Ted is asking questions such as: “Why service? Why church? Should you consider a term in service? A life in service?” Ted is joined by Trent Wagler and Pete Nelson in this fast and funny look at what we believe, why we believe what we believe and how the way you answer those questions could make a difference. All tied together with a Chinese gong.
Also scheduled for a premier in Columbus is a new show on peace. I’d Like to Buy an Enemy allows us to laugh at ourselves, while raising important questions about the place of the U.S. in the world, why fear is such a large part of our culture and how we can honestly work for peace and justice in this country and just maybe in the world. Starring Ted and Trent Wagler.
And last – also for the Columbus Convention, Ted is writing scripture-based drama for the adult and youth worship services, all of which will add to the wealth of dramatic possibilities for Ted to present in your congregation. One of the newer aspects of this company is the availability of Ted to present solo performances, workshops, sermons, or spiritual life weeks.
Call Sheri to find out more about Ted’s availability alone or in any of the shows described above and be the first to book them in your area! Or schedule one of the other “new” shows: Excellent Trouble, What Would Lloyd Do? or Tattered & Worn.
We’re off to a good start in this new company - thanks to all those who helped get us “launched”! We’re still working on a new website but we’ll keep you informed.
Ted & Company TheaterWorks
Just in Time for Lent!
Our last posting wished you a Happy New Year and here it is Valentine’s Day already, with Lent fast approaching. Just in time for your Lenten services, new downloads have been added to our store. Last Supper/Footwashing, The Arrest and Denial, The Upper Room and Breakfast on the Beach bring to life these days in Jesus’ life – as seen through the eyes of disciples Peter and Andrew.
Video footage was originally shot for the Good God Theater curriculum (see below) and all 32 scenes will eventually be made available as video downloads. Ranging in length from five to ten minutes, the downloads can be used as part of your worship service or in a Sunday school or youth group setting.
Also new is the video download of the favorite clip from Fish-Eyes, Feeding the 5,000. Check out all our video downloads here.
Good God Theater, Act 2: New Testament is hot off the presses as well. This DVD is the second half of the Good God Theater curriculum created by Abingdon Press. The New Testament stories come from the original Fish-Eyes play, with many additional stories. Performed by Ted with a myriad of talented actors, you’ll want to consider using this curriculum with your youth group or in a multi-generational setting. Both Act 1 and Act 2 come with study guides.
And we’ve saved the biggest news for last: Ted has decided to officially call his company Ted & Company TheaterWorks. You’ve been seeing this title for the past year, but it was originally intended to be only an interim name as we explored other company names. But somehow this seemed to encapsulate best what Ted is doing – creating drama with a difference, with humor, and presenting it with a variety of different actors. You’ll soon see a new logo on this Web site along with a new home page.
We’re celebrating this name decision with a “launch” weekend here in Harrisonburg March 27-28 with performances of What Would Lloyd Do? and Tattered & Worn. For more information see the Ted & Company Calendar. Come join us!
Ted & Company
Happy New Year!
We head into 2009 with some apprehension about how a ministry of story and laughter will fit into the economic crunch we are all experiencing. But we feel good about the shows that are available for performances, the new shows that are being written, and the scripts that we continue to work at making available in print and downloadable formats.
If you’re looking for entertainment for your church, your school, or your business in 2009 we hope you’ll consider one of these options:
TED ALONE
Book Ted for a one-day or weekend workshop. Through performance and discussion, Ted will help your group find the unseen characters and dramatic possibilities. If you’re planning a conference, Ted has created a wealth of material around specific scripture passages that can be incorporated into your event presenting the scripture through drama in each session.
TED & TRENT
Trent Wagler joins Ted for this newest show titled What Would Lloyd Do? - a combination of great original music, lots of humor and an exploration of the relevance of church and religion. The setting is a struggling inner city church which is responsible for a weekly radio broadcast. There is opportunity for your local choir to participate as part of the program.
Trent Wagler joins Ted for this newest show titled What Would Lloyd Do? - a combination of great original music, lots of humor and an exploration of the relevance of church and religion. The setting is a struggling inner city church which is responsible for a weekly radio broadcast. There is opportunity for your local choir to participate as part of the program.
TED & INGRID
Ingrid De Sanctis (co-writer of DoveTale) has joined Ted again for a play about biblical relationships, Excellent Trouble. Stories range from Adam and Eve to Samson and Delilah, to Jesus and his mother. From hilarious to poignant, these stories are perfect for Valentine’s month – or any time you want to focus on relationships.
TED & JEFF
Jeff Raught and Ted use monologue, song and sketches to weave together an entertaining look at God interacting with humanity in the play Tattered & Worn. The show opens with Zeus, a homeless man finding a tattered, worn book in the subway. With the help of the piano-playing angel Gabriel, Zeus rediscovers the faith he lost years ago as Gabriel encourages him to enact the great Bible stories he knows, but has forgotten.
Contact Sheri at 866-276-2345 or email agent@tedandcompany.com for prices and availability.
And just in time for your worship planning for the Easter season: the original Fish-Eyes script is now available as a PDF download. If you want to use only one or two scenes they can also be downloaded individually. Don’t forget that the Fish-Eyes scriptbook is also available in a spiral bound book.
The early months of 2009, Ted will be writing two new shows which will premier in Columbus, Ohio in July at the Mennonite Church bi-annual convention. Of course that means they’ll also be available for performances in your hometown, so stay tuned – we’ll let you know all about them.
We wish you a wonderful New Year and hope our paths will cross with many of yours in the coming months.
