Coincidences??? I don't think so!

Since filling out the MAP Fund Letter of Intention and stating once again that the specifics of the show would be created as an ensemble, I have been seriously considering the implications of this especially in light of potentially seeking grant monies.  I really started meditating on what the best scenario would be and felt like I needed to go back to my original plan of the having The Pacha Mamas (Marquetta Dupree, Vivian Slade and myself), a performance group that I started and performed with on and off for about 5 years, as the core ensemble along with Soyinka and Anahata.   But I had some misgivings as to the other Pacha Mama members level of willingness and commitment especially given that we basically broke up almost three years ago for the third time! Although we have remained friends, we rarely perform together anymore.  Despite my misgivings, one particular day I came to this deep knowing around the "rightness" of getting together to work on this project in particular.  The VERY next day I got a text from a friend in the Bay Area who has our CD who obviously didn't know we were no longer officially a group.  She was wondering when we were going to put out another CD because her clients who she plays our music for are always asking for more AND also wanted to know when we were going to come out and perform in the Bay Area again!    I "casually" forwarded the message to Marquetta and Vivian . . .Marquetta replied with enthusiasm at the idea of getting together  but no word from Vivian - at least right away. .  and I wasn't going to initiate that conversation.  BUT to my surprise, Marquetta prompted her to call and she did saying she was on board.  So there it is.  . . and here we are  . . .AGAIN!  This time bigger (with the addition of Anahata and Soyinka whenever possible) AND better- just watch us fly!!!

Now, when it comes to possible grants. . .well. . .that's another story.  Early this spring, I interviewed Heidi of 7 Stages (and wrote a blog about it) and got some ideas and feedback around the development/funding of "Goddesspell".  She mentioned the National Performance Network's Creation Fund.. . hitch is that you have to have at least 2 NPN presenting partners that "sponsor" your project (agree to contribute $2000 each and present your work within 3 years of getting the grant).  She let me know that 7 Stages would be willing to consider doing this and she suggested establishing a relationship with JuneBug Productions out of New Orleans as a possible 2nd "sponsor".   I didn't really know a thing about this company so it seemed at the time like somewhat of a shot in the dark.  BUT when I attended the Annual Alternate Roots retreat in August, lo and behold I ended up rooming with Stephanie- the artistic director of . . .. ta da!!!  JuneBug Productions.

I actually didn't get much time to talk to her then then (she came late and I left early) and once I got home, I considered emailing her to begin a dialogue about the possibilities.   Before, I had taken the time to do that . . on October 9th, I attended a performance that was part of the Imagining America conference in Atlanta and guess who was there?  Yup. . .Stephanie!  And this time I point blank told her my intention and that I wanted to make sure she saw the Goddesspell promo concert: "A Touch of the Goddess" when it's ready and out and about after the New Year.  She was super friendly, positive and open to the possibilities. GO TEAM!

You can help by "liking" the Goddesspell page on Facebook- 

potential presenters/producers like to see the interest. 

THANKS!!! and LOVE!!! Angela

Interview #3- Artistic Director, Heidi Howard

So my first interview was centered around process, my second around getting feedback from a potential audience member and my third with potential producer/presenter, Heidi Howard.  Heidi and I have been in conversation on and off over the last 2-3 years for different reasons and most of this time she was the manager of the Atlanta theatre 7 Stages.  About 1 1/2 years ago, I first approached 7 Stages current artistic and executive directors (I'm not sure I'm getting the titles correct), Del Hamilton and Faye Allen (Heidi was part of the conversation as well) about my ideas for Goddesspell.  I knew they were involved in the development of new works- especially ones that elicited social/political activism.  I have always thought 7 Stages would be the perfect producer/presenter but back then I really wasn't ready to take the actual creation steps.  Now I am.

So, Heidi, who is now the Artistic Director agreed to spend an hour with me - even with her busy schedule - to give me feedback on some of my ideas for the show and also on the process of getting it mounted/produced/presented!  I asked her about my idea of putting together sort of a mini-me "Goddesspell" or "A Touch of Goddesspell" presentation that we could perform in all kinds of places for all kinds of situations- as a way of promoting the show, gathering interest etc.  She thought it was a great idea and suggested that I submit this idea for their works in progress program which they call the "Home Grown Series".  Basically, if we get approved for this series we would be given a space to produce a very scaled down, sampling of our Goddesspell creations for the 7 Stage audience sometime during the next year.  If things, go well with that . . then the next step is to raise the money for a workshop performance which they would collaborate with us on in terms of trying to land certain grants for this specific purpose.  Heidi gave me some specific ideas around grants and approaching other presenters for support etc.  It was all very helpful information and  I REALLY appreciated her time and her general enthusiasm.

So, next step: submit a request to be part of 7 Stages "Home Grown Series", which I will do this week and hopefully, one of these next posts I'll be announcing our acceptance!!!  But regardless, I'm very thankful for Heidi's time and thoughts- the information I gathered was very helpful whichever direction we end up going in!

You can help by "liking" the Goddesspell page on Facebook. 

(It helps potential producers/investors to see interest!)

THANKS!!! and LOVE!!!

Angela