Chasing Down Passion

By Linda Loveland Reid

Director of The Ticking Clock Project at 6th Street Playhouse

Born in Hollywood, then to rainy but lush Crescent City where father was a fisherman, and finally family settled in Healdsburg where I picked lots of prunes and eventually married my childhood sweetheart, from which was garnered three lovely children and one divorce.

I set off on a quest to find myself. My life partner is Harry Reid, writer, playwright and architect. Over the years, the muses have sent their blessings and I enjoyed a busy journey that includes oil painting, writing, and directing theater. Albeit a late blooming scholar, in 1999, at age 57, I collected two BAs (cum laude) from SSU in History and Art History. I am currently serving as President of Redwood Writers, the largest branch of California Writers Club in the State.

I was a teen-mom and had three children by age 20. Later, my grown children and I formed a family business, ReidLoveland Insurance, and still work together, 98% of the time with fun and pleasure. Was being a teen mother a good idea? Not recommended. If you do it, plan to change your life that day.

First novel (Touch of Magenta) was released in May 2009. To my surprise, it reflects my own experience, one which at age two stamped a curse or challenge (depending on how you see life) on me. Touch of Magenta explores integrity and morality, never simple issues.

I attribute everything I’ve done, or will do, to hard work. That probably sounds prosaic, but that’s it—a willingness to stay the course and a healthy dose of curiosity and passion. On this wild trek they call life, I’ve tried to live by two mottos: Be careful where you’re going because you’re going to get there. And: Never mistake your wish bone for your back bone. As you might imagine, my kids still love me to preach these grabbers.

So, my question is: What are you passionate about right now? Passion is the fuel for a happy life. Passion, like bliss, must be obeyed.

Thanks and…may you live 'til you tilt!
Website: www.lindalovelandreid.com.
Email: lindalovelandreid@sbcglobal.net

6^th Street Playhouse celebrates Women’s History Month, March 2011 with a production of Jody Gehrman’s The Ticking Clock Project directed by Linda Loveland Reid (runs March 18 thru April 3, 2011 at 6^th Street Playhouse) and with Essays for Women by Women like this one. More Essays for Women by Women will be posted on this blog between now and April 3. For tickets to The Ticking Clock Project call (707) 523-4185 ext. 1 or go to www.6thStreetPlayhouse.com.

What do the San Francisco Opera, Jimmy Buffet and a dead cat have to do with anything?

by Cheryl Itamura

Director of Business Administration, Harmony Festival

I spent 15 years as a Database Systems Implementation Consultant and to this day I do not understand how I got into that line of work.

I once worked on a year-and-a-half long project at the San Francisco Opera, spending my time discussing programming, accruals, reports, taxable benefits, and occasionally some interesting things like the amount of pay union performers receive for appearing on stage wearing nothing but body paint. The best part was that all of the offices were rigged with speakers so that everything that was happening on the stage – rehearsals and performances alike – could be heard in every corner of the building. Every day was full of excitement and surprises. I loved that!

During this same time period I was invited to a Jimmy Buffett concert at an ice hockey arena. My friends apologized for the “lousy” seats behind the stage, but I loved those seats because we could see what was going on behind the scenes during the show. In fact I thought they were the “best” seats. 

Then my Himalayan cat died. I loved that cat. It was a sad day when he was cremated.

What do the San Francisco Opera, Jimmy Buffett and a dead cat have to do with anything? The answer is e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g!

Working at the Opera made me realize there are a lot of people who spend every day doing things they love to do. The Jimmy Buffett concert gave me the realization that I would rather be behind the scenes helping to make productions happen instead of sitting in the audience watching them. The dead cat reminded me that I have one shot at life and there is no coming back from a pile of ashes to give it a second try.

After I finished the project at the Opera, I quit my job and dove into the world of music, events and theater. I’m not wasting away in Margaritaville and I love it.

My question to you is: What changes to your life are you willing to make in order to free yourself to do the things you love to do?

6^th Street Playhouse celebrates Women’s History Month, March 2011 with a production of Jody Gehrman’s The Ticking Clock Project directed by Linda Loveland Reid (runs March 18 thru April 3, 2011 at 6^th Street Playhouse) and with Essays for Women by Women like this one. More Essays for Women by Women will be posted on this blog between now and April 3. For tickets to The Ticking Clock Project call (707) 523-4185 ext. 1 or go to www.6thStreetPlayhouse.com.

FROM PAGE TO STAGE: The 1940's Radio Hour (running through a song)

FROM PAGE TO STAGE: The 1940's Radio Hour (the warm ups)

FROM PAGE TO STAGE: The 1940's Radio Hour (the photoshoot - part 2 of 2)

FROM PAGE TO STAGE: The 1940's Radio Hour (the photo shoot - part 1 of 2)

FROM PAGE TO STAGE: A Full House at the Playhouse (aka Monday 7:45 PM)

IN THIS CLIP taken at 7:45 PM on a Monday night, 6th Street Playhouse is full: the cast and crew of Becoming Walt Whitman has a dress rehearsal in The Studio; the 6th Street Improv group discusses ideas regarding their upcoming Halloween show in the Rehearsal Hall; the cast of The 1940's Radio Hour reads through the script together for the first time in the Studio Lobby; and in the Costume Shop final touches are applied to costumes. At the same time, the Rialto's screening of the National Theatre of London's production of Phedre is happening next door in the GK Hardt Theater. 6th Street Playhouse is alive with activity seven days per week and long into the night.