Sedona AZ (January 14, 2013) – Almost everyone in Sedona has an amazing story about how they got here. At 7:00PM on January 30th in the Si Birch room of the Sedona Library, some of these stories will be enacted using improvisational theater.
Last year, Sedona editor and publisher Richard Carmen created the Mystical Sedona Stories Writing Contest. He put out a Sedona-wide query for submissions of true stories about how residents came to live in Sedona, and offered cad awards of $1000, $500, and $250 for the top three stories. His mailbox was filled with responses. Dr. Carmen included the stories of the three top prize winning authors (Pash Galbavy, Cheryl Sinn and Janet Feeney, respectively) along with 18 other stories into the book “Sedona Awakenings: Amazing True Stories!” The book is currently available at local bookstores and other venues, as well as online at http://www.booksforhealingbodymindandspirit.com/index.htm
When award-winning actor, director, writer, theater producer, and former Sedona resident Marjorie Timms learned of the book, she thought the stories would be perfect to bring to life using her improvisational theater method called “Mindful Improvisation.” Timms will be in Sedona in January to offer resident sessions in Mindful Improvisation and Conscious Communication. Participants who work with her will have the opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned by enacting some of the “Sedona Awakenings” stories. If you are interested in working with Timms, please call (828) 707-1113 or request a schedule of available workshops and sessions at innerconnections@earthlink.net.
Public Relations Consultant, Fay Richards said of working with Timms: Marjorie’s imaginative sensitivity ignites the innate creativity and a new self-assurance. We are all energized to perform beyond our expectations by her belief in possibilities.”
Consultant, coach, and writer, Lorna McCloud commented on Timms’ past shows: “Performances were beautiful, funny, lively and at times brought me to tears.”
Timms received a Masters in Acting/Directing at West Virginia University. This was followed by years of directing and teaching improvisational story theatre, creative drama and traditional forms of theatre throughout the United States. Sedona artists and audiences may recall Marjorie’s groundbreaking work with Southwest Arts in Action, a Playhouse of Possibilities Academy for children and teens, Arizona Access Theatre, SummerARTSedona camp for Deaf and Hearing children, Phoenix Theatre, or Sedona Playback Theatre. They may also remember Timms as a facilitator of Compassionate/Nonviolent Communication training, Chair of the Arts and Culture Commission for the City of Sedona, or her involvement in other Sedona community projects.
For the show, many of the “Sedona Awakenings” authors will be present and will tell brief versions of their published stories. Through the artful re-interpretation that comprises Mindful Improvisation, the stories will then be performed in a beautiful mosaic by participants of Timms’ January resident sessions. Copies of “Sedona Awakenings” will be available for a 25% discount and they may be signed by authors at the show.
Come see “Sedona Awakening: Amazing True Stories!” performed using improvisational theater at the Sedona Library, January 30th at 7PM. Cost, $10-$20 sliding scale. Be inspired and get the book discount while you’re there. For more information, call 284-4021.