Got back last night from a quick trip to DC. I was in town to curate my exhibit at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA. I'm really excited about it. Signature is a happenin' regional theatre (in fact Tony-winning), and I worked with the gang there to sketch shows over their 20 years in existence. My art will be hanging on their gallery walls through at least January 17 in the new year.
While in town, I was also able to see a couple sights I had to miss on the last trip. The National Museum of Health and Medicine was tough to get to (on the Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus) but was well worth the visit... even if the visit included breaking out in a cold sweat on a couple occasions. I saw the bullet that killed Lincoln (see photo) and fragments of his skull. I saw severed limbs and a lot of accounts of battlefield medicine. I saw a hairball that was extracted from a 12 year old girl's stomach (after she'd eaten her hair for six years). Altogether ookey! But interesting.
I also visited the amazingly epically beautiful National Cathedral. Huge and full of art... scuplture, mosaics, needlework, masonry, stained glass aplenty. And for being as imposing as it was, it was surprisingly intimate. And the gardens were stunning!
And I just had to return to the National Portrait Gallery. I just love that place... representations of folks over these many years. Of course I was incredibly drawn to the Hirschfelds. I just stare at his work and feel inspired. Wow!
My host(s) during my trip were my friend Garrett/Elise Long's mother Cindy and brother Ash. I'm so grateful to them for opening their home... and for spoiling me with all the food. They live in beautiful Alexandria, VA. I slept just blocks from Robert E. Lee's boyhood home and George Washington's church. That's the front of Cindy's place in the photo. Very cool! Thanks, Longs!!
And now, I've jumped into a maelstrom of auditions (four in the next week) and rehearsals for a workshop reading of a stage musical version of Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion. Our first day was great. The material is really fun and I can't wait to see what the rest of the week holds.
Anyway... so much for "brief." I get chatty on this blog. Oh well. But now I've got to get back to work. Take care, all! Peace and love.
