Courageous love and joy
Reading through some writing and class notes from last year, I found this: “Liberation is food for the bellies and hearts of all; tender care of our miraculous planet and all living things on it, a collective sigh of love and gratitude; a tender bend into the cycle of life.” Yesterday I was reminiscing and dreaming with friends, and my overarching theme that emerged for 2026, was courage in love and joy. This writing from last year, from my notes (it might be a quote from a DisRep offering) underscores my belief in the power of love. I’m finding it difficult, if not impossible, to love certain things that are occurring in this grain of time-sand and will continue to look for the light in what I am perceiving of as dark. The powers of a greater good are at work in the shadows.
Think about the sun
One of my shards of light is being back in a rehearsal room for Pippin at Stumptown Theater, which opens on January 23, under the directorship of Jeff George. My character Berthe, in 772 was Bertrada, the Queen Mother of Francia, also known as Bertha Broadfoot, and the mother of Charlemagne, Pippin’s grandmother. That name, Berthe Broadfoot, may have come about because of her having a club foot, but we don’t know. Her stunning statue in the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris, by Eugène Oudiné, above, does not show any sign of it. I am spurred on in rehearsal by historical information if there is any to be had. While the musical Pippin strays from historical fact, Charlemagne’s reign is fascinating, and historians believe that Berthe had an important part in Charlemagne’s ascension to the throne and success. She was a diplomat, a “working” royal, and is buried at the Basilica of St. Denis.
We’ve still got magic to do
Our cast of Pippin is stunning! I’ve always loved watching dancers, and ours are spectacular, led by our director Jeff George, who is a glorious dancer and choreographer. Seeing Artistic Director Kirk Mouser in Oliver this season brought me back to The Winningstad Theater, where Pippin will run, and oh my gosh, I love that space! It lives in The Portland 5, which was first named The Portland Center for the Performing Arts and was the home to The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Portland — now Portland Center Stage — at The Newmark. The Winnie, as we called it then — was home to Tygres Heart, where I scaled the balconies in full climbing gear in Henry IV Part II as Westmoreland. Seeing a musical at the Winnie is a thrill, it’s an intimate and gorgeous space. Stephen Schwartz invites, “Join us, leave your fields to flower.” And as Berthe sings, “Oh, it’s time to start livin’ time to take a little from the world we’re given. Time to take time for Spring will turn to Fall, in just no time at all.” That is a true statement.
Love song
I’m working on a vision board for 2026. A friend shared a mentor with me for putting this together, and a takeaway I want to share is the idea of space. Leaving room for spirit to come into the dance of life. Do you make a vision board? Thinking of you, dear reader, with love.