This newsletter was held up for finalization of a major event. Now, here it is. On September 11, 2009, the Marin Actors' Workshop will open the production of its first full play, "Death and the Maiden" by Ariel Dorfman, featuring Heather Shapardson, Greg Land, Terry McGovern and directed by Liz O'Neill. Cathlin Torrence will also make an appearance via video.

This play makes a powerful statement about a country's use of torture on its own citizens. You can read the details on the website, but suffice it to say this is a play you do not want to miss. Guaranteed, you will see nothing like it in community theater here...or anywhere.

Please get your tickets now. Go to our home page, then click on "Death and the Maiden." Rick Banghart’s been up to some great “Flash” magic. Check it out: www.marinactorsworkshop.com

Cool, huh? You’ll also notice that we have a KMAW button. Press it and you’ll hear our first attempt at a “live” broadcast. And Rick’s put some stills from the recording on the page as you listen. Click on “Terry’s kitchen interview with MAW actor Miyoko Shinner” and you’ll hear just that. We had great fun watching our world-famous vegan chef cook a totally non-meat, non-dairy “bacon, lettuce and tomato” sandwich. Miyoko’s amazing!

Right now, effort is being focused on Death and the Maiden, opening September 11, in our rehearsal space, the West End Studio Theater. If ever there was a dream team assembled for a theatrical project, this is it. Ken Bacon is running the show as Executive Producer. Liz O’Neill is directing. In addition to the central characters, played by Heather Shepardson, Greg Land and myself, there will be brief appearances by Cathlin Torrence and the director. Annalisa Sullivan just signed on as property mistress. Rennee Mandel-Sher is our stage manager and Carolyn Grenier will run the house. Sandi Rubay is also a member of the Death and the Maiden team, serving as advertising director. She’ll be asking you if you might want to take out an ad in the program. Got to pay for this thing! 

Speaking of Carolyn, she, Shelley Richardson and Jim Fazackerley will be appearing at the Dominican Fringe festival this November in Diner Memories. Jimmy Faz also wrote the one-act about a family confronting a mother's deterioration with dementia. It’s a wonderfully moving piece. We wish them great success!

Erik Braa has been busy working on a very small movie role in "The Violent Kind", a horror movie, releasing in 2010. He is also continuing his work in Voice Acting with parts in Assassin's Creed for the Nintendo DS, an un-announced World War II video game and is now the voice in a series of Earl Sheib commercials that are coming soon. In addition, Erik also performed the wedding of some dear friends recently. Can you say Reverend E-Rock? 

Attention please: the August 23 Character Voice Boot Camp has been moved to Sunday, September 27, same time, same location. For details, CLICK HERE.

Reliable sources tell me that we should be getting two male additions to our Thursday night class. Top-secret until it’s official. In the meantime, we’ve got three new Thursday members, who joined us in mid-month. Welcome Jai Conley, Joanne Weiss and Jared Grove.

Last newsletter, Bonnie Jean Shelton shared her audition experience for “Sylvia” at the Raven Performing Arts Theater in Healdsburg. Now, she’s ready to open in the title role. Bonnie will make a beautiful dog. Get up there and see her. Show information is HERE. In the meantime, Georgia Thunes does an impressive job in the same role with Jim Fazackerley and Laurie Kalter rounding out the cast on Tuesday night.

Tuesday’s Glenn Bell is involved in a great project with some friends in Oakland. Watch the video—shot by Glenn—and you’ll see the inspiring story of how one group is trying to bridge the gap between agriculture, economics, technology and urban culture in the Bay Area.

Please take a look.

Clara Lamers reports that her big TV appearance is upcoming. “I checked the Food Network Site and the “Brian and the Bachelor” episode on 'What Would Brian Boitano is on  August 23 at 1:00 pm and again on September 19 at 6:30 pm.  I am going to have to figure out once again how to use my VCR recorder.” Good for you, Clara.

Finally, I’ll leave you with an idea I’m toying for KMAW. A joke show. A collection of jokes told by you and your fellow actors. Everyone’s got a couple good ones that you drag out at parties. So, I’m thinking we could have a joke segment segment on the air. You know, to show what a cultured, high-brow group we are.

Click to listen.