My Projects: What I do
Improv Actress
As noted above, I am an improve
actress with Shands’ Arts-in-Medicine program. Our troupe does Playback Theatre
for patients, at bedside and in a community space. Playback is a form in which
a person, in this case, a patient, tells a story and the acting troupe performs
a mini-drama back to the teller – Playback. The form was invented by Jonathan
Fox in 1974 and is known and performed world -wide.
I have taken a workshop with
Jonathan Fox. I have also done workshops with BATS, Bay Area Theater Sports,
where I worked with its inventor, Keith Johnstone, and with William Hall
doing mask work. I have participated in local Improv festivals and
performed with local troupes.
My goal is to expand my acting
opportunities here in Gainesville.
Work with Veterans/ Veteran Groups
I want to expand my Playback work to
local veteran groups – this is a goal for the coming year.
Last summer I directed a Readers
Theater performance at AcrossTown Repertory Theater as a local presentation of
the national Theater of War project. This project, created and directed by
Bryan Doerries, stages scenes from Sophocles’ Ajax and Philoctetes for veterans
and current military persons. At each performance there is a post-show
discussion led by men and women involved with Veteran groups.
Our performance was very well
received. If there is an opportunity to stage it again, I and most of the cast
still in town would be happy to do it.
Volunteer at Haven Hospice of
Gainesville.
I believe fully in the goals of Hospice: palliative care for those who are facing the last days of their lives. I initiated the Pet Therapy program at the Gainesville Care Center, and every week Maia visits patients there. I also am a member of the Speakers Bureau and participate in volunteer training. I will be serving in the 11th Hour program, making sure that a patient has someone there if no family member is present.
Here is Maia with a patient at Haven Hospice.
Cruise Ship Lecturer
Since 1995 I have worked, with my husband Kevin McCarthy, as a Destination and Special Interest Lecturer for several cruise lines. At the request of our agent, Sixth Star Entertainment and Marketing, we join ships going to ports in Europe, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. This is certainly a fun way to see the world!
Here is a picture of Kevin at me at Acapulco Bay.
