New Prescription

I believe you’ve got to experience pain in order to truly know and understand what goodness feels like.  There was a time when I didn’t believe that to be the case, but I am definitely a believer now.  And if you stop to think about it, it makes so much sense.  It’s impossible to be 100% appreciative of something great if you haven’t experienced an equally painful setback.  I walk everyday, and even manage to jog most days, but it’s not something I do with a smile on my face – because I’ve always had the use of my legs.  Walking is a given for me.  Something totally taken for granted.  Other than a few bouts of crutches in middle school, I’ve always had the ability to walk on my own two feet.  Now you give that same ability to someone just coming out of a coma, or someone that’s lost a leg, or even someone that has experienced a bad stroke.  The ability to walk for them is monumental.  It’s HUGE!  They had experienced that painful setback that I was speaking of.  See what I mean?  Without that kind of pain, most of us will continue using our legs with little gratitude.  And that’s the only point I’m making.  But please understand I’m not saying we need to all have strokes, nor am I saying you need skip down the streets with a smile, thankful to have full use of your lower limbs (although that could be fun).  All I’m saying is when the pain comes…when it hits hard – instead of being pissed, get excited (easier said than done, I know).  Because I believe you’re just being prepared for a healthy (pun intended) dose of goodness.  And that’s the kind of prescription that no pharmacy can fill. 

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

Making Lemonade

Move.  Movement.  Change.  Interruption.  These are all things I’m experiencing right now, and they aren’t the most comfortable pair of shoes I’ve ever worn.  I’m admittedly still breaking them in, but I’m not spending any more money on shoes.  I’m committed to making these work.  I’m committed to making the best out of these circumstances that I’ve been thrust into.  And as I reflect on:  move, movement, change and interruption, I’m reminded of The Alchemist.  The book said that once you declare to yourself and the world your master plan for your life, the universe conspires to help you reach those goals.  Then I think specifically about “interruption.”  I HATE for someone to interrupt me when I’m speaking.  Makes me feel insignificant, like they aren’t listening.  Like the comment they’re about to make if far more important than what I have to say.  I absolutely hate being interrupted.  And if I’m walking from Point A to Point B, I’d rather make it to Point B before changing course.  Then I can at least say that I completed a task – but changing course (or being interrupted) mid-step isn’t quite so easy for me to do.  I’m so task oriented that I only focus on completing tasks.  Checking things off my list (because I always have a list).  So this interruption that I’m experiencing doesn’t feel good, but I’m wondering if the universe has another plan.  Is there something else I’m to be focused on?  Am I being forced to change course so that my ultimate goals can be reached?  I’ll be honest, that’s the only way I’m able to look at it right now.  Looking at it any other way is depressing and unmotivating.  I’ve already spoken about movement being a necessary part of life, so maybe interruption is as well.  Hmmmmm…the jury is still out on that one.

But in the meantime I’m adjusting.  I’m remaining focused on my ultimate goals, looking at the new roads I’m being forced to tread, and I’m mapping a new course.  Oooooo!  Can I stop right here for a moment?  This is key for some folks.  Did you hear what I just said?  “Mapping a new course” = revising my plans = making a new plan.  Did you get that?  Now for some, when things don’t work out according to plan they throw their hands up, curse the heavens, and shout, “What’s the point of making a plan!?!?”  I say the point is to get you on the road.  In order to travel anywhere you must first get on the damn road.  Outside of video games, I don’t know of anyone that has traveled anywhere without having been on a road.  Some walk to their destination, others bike it, some may run, and others may choose to drive.  Then there are many that do a combination of things:  drive or walk to the closest train station… drive to the airport and fly to there… But I promise you, the soul that sits on the sofa all day everyday is going nowhere, and they’ve got no plans to travel.  No plans on getting anything done.  No plans to go anywhere. 

So I guess what I’m saying is: it’s imperative to plan.  This is a must, and there’s no getting around it.  That’s a promise.  But the second thing is you’ve got to be willing to revise your plans whenever they are interrupted, because I can almost guarantee that life will throw you a lemon or two along the way.  Be prepared to make lemonade or be prepared to be stuck.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

In a Heartbeat

Well Saturday’s show was, indeed, a success.  I had no idea how it would turn out as I’d been unable to completely ‘center’ myself all week, and as of Friday night’s rehearsal I wasn’t at the top of my game. 

I’ve been told that my show is fairly ‘tech-heavy,’ and I was a bit saddened to know that I’d be doing the show without the use of any of our designed lighting ques.  The event was held at 12N and though we closed the blinds as best we could, the space remained pretty bright making the use of lights insignificant. 

But the biggest challenge of all didn’t hit me until I got on stage…the audience.  Wow.  Crying babies, fidgeting children, sleeping adults, running in the hallway, laughter in the restroom, and noisy cell phones (even though we expressly asked that they be turned off).  Oh boy.  All I could think was, “What have I signed up for?  What have I gotten myself into?”  But my biggest question was, “Can I do this?”  As I took the stage and I got through my first paragraph of dialogue all I wondered was if I’d make it to the end of the show.  There were so many distractions I felt as though I was a single act in a three-ring circus.  “They’re not even listening.  Why am I here?”  As I went from page to page of my memorized script, my focus went to just getting through it.  “If I can just make it to the end, and not stop, and not complain, and not yell at anyone.  All I have to do is finish – make it to the end.”

And finally the end came.  When I saw it on the horizon, I ran to it with open arms full of glory, passion, and thanks.  I breezed through curtain call, then took my seat for the Q&A session.  And holy smokes!!!!  They WERE listening.  They WERE paying attention.  They DID get it.  I was shocked!  The comments they made post show blew my mind because I seriously thought not a soul (other than Vince) was with me.  I was certain I was up on that stage making a stone cold fool of myself.  But it was just the opposite.  They were affected on a monumental level and I truly believe that lives were definitely changed.  I’m still floored at the response.  Just floored.  The moments I shared with the audience after the show were worth all the headache of the performance.  It was worth it.  And under the exact same circumstances (stress and all) I’d do it again.  I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Thank you to Rare Woman for giving me the opportunity.  Thank you to Jackie Wilson for joining me on stage once again.  You and your song continue to be a blessing to me.  Thank you to Jaimyon Parker for never leaving my side.  I love you more than Snickers.  And for those that missed it this time around…well shame on you (but I love you anyway).

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

See For Yourself

Today is the day before my show and I don’t have a lot to say, nor do I really have the time.  I’ll leave you with this, and I hope to see you at the show!  Seriously…you just need to see it for yourself…

::::  ABOUT THE SHOW  ::::

STEPPING ON A FEW TOES is an autobiographical one-person show written and performed by Jasmynne Shaye.  It is an honest story of survival that follows the journey of a young child desperately searching for love and acceptance.  This journey leads her to many dead ends forcing her to constantly retrace her steps and in many cases begin at square one all over again.  Treading with much frustration and hopelessness, she somehow manages to cut a clear path. She finds delivery from the rainy days to which she’d grown accustomed and her new path leads her to the warmth and sunshine she’d always longed for.  During the show Jasmynne shares with us her struggles on the often times rocky road to self-acceptance as she finally learns the real meaning of loving herself for herself.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

Rare Woman Presents...

Behind the Scenes

Behind the scenes of a one-person show…  So you really want to know what’s going through my head and what I’m doing four days before the show?  Ok, here goes…

• unpacking all of my show props and costumes
• going through all show props and costumes to make certain everything is accounted for
• taking a car load of props/costumes/décor over to the venue tomorrow so that I’m not fighting to get it all in my car on Friday
• running my lines
• running my lines and forcing myself to strike all profanity as per the venue’s request
• studying each of the 12 characters in the show; making certain I not only remember who they are, but that I also remember their motivations
• getting in the right head-space/mood to do the show; this means alone time, certain movies, certain music – things that I’ve found prepare me for the emotional marathon of STEPPING ON A FEW TOES
• writing a new message for the show’s guestbook
• making the lobby collage
• making certain I get some cardio in 3-4 times this week to make certain I don’t get physically tired during the performance
• doing an inventory of all of the show tokens to be sold
• doing an inventory of all of the lobby posters, reviews and show ads
• rehearsing, setting tech, and decorating the lobby Friday night
• resting
• thanking God for another opportunity to share my story

In a nutshell, that’s what I’ll be up to from now until Saturday’s show.  Saturday’s show?  Ohhhhhh…well in case you didn’t know I’ve got a show this Saturday.  Yep – this one coming up.  Here are the details…

WHEN

Saturday, May 12^th @ 12N

WHAT

A special tribute to parents presented by Rare Woman

WHERE

Westchester Christian Church

8740 La Tijera Blvd.

Westchester, CA 90045

FESTIVITIES

Featuring special musical guests, lunch will be served

TICKETS

$20 -- contact Deborah Talley for reservations ph:  323.521.4544

Signing out until Friday…

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

No time to say "Hello, Goodbye"

Today is May 4^th and no one has asked me what new thing(s) I accomplished in April.  I can only assume that you wanted to ask, but you didn’t want to make me feel bad had I accomplished nothing.  Well I thank you for your concern, and I am happy to report April’s news to you today…

Just to recap:

JANUARY
STEPPING ON A FEW TOES successfully completed another run by participating in Whitefire Theatre’s Solofest 2012.

FEBRUARY
I participated in another installment of URBAN LEGENDS, a poetry showcase held several times a year in Hollywood, CA.

I co-directed the short play THE BLACK HISTORY OF POLITICS written by Justin Key.

MARCH
I was a featured guest on the Rare Woman show, and the interview can be heard here: http://gvbradio.com/archives/rarewoman-031612.mp3

APRIL

I worked at this year’s Milk and Bookies (http://www.milkandbookies.org/), which is a celebrity charity event that focuses on literacy and giving books to children that don’t have access to books of their own.  It was a wildly fun event and I was part of a host of character actors brought in to entertain the kids in attendance.  The character I played?  The White Rabbit from Alice Iin Wonderland, and yes – Alice was there with me.  We had a blast.

In addition, I had the great fortune of being the guest on the Rare Woman radio show again last Friday.  Feel free to listen here:  http://gvbradio.com/archives/rarewoman-042712.mp3.

And by the way…I just want to say congrats to me for keeping my promise of “one new accomplishment per month.”  I’d say so far-so good.  We’re in the middle of the second quarter of the year, and I’m still trudging along.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you are too!

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.