RABBIT TRAILS: DISPATCHES FROM THE SHED

We’re excited that on Monday, March 22, I’d Like to Buy an Enemy will be presented in Harrisonburg, VA. This is a hilarious and poignant satire that explores peace, justice, and the American way.  It’s a thought-provoking show which 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. If you would like to know more about the performance, check out the event on our FaceBook page (and while you’re there, make sure you become a fan!). If you’re in the area on Monday, be sure to join us. And if you’re not in the area, but you’d like to know more about how you can bring I’d Like to Buy an…

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. I’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…

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:

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…

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…

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…