Tag Archives: acting

Why can’t we do this more often?

Posted on February 23, 2016 by jyourist

Since the beginning of the school year last fall, every other week, on Tuesdays, my advisory teams up with a class of kindergarteners. The 8th graders become older mentors to the little kids, become their “buddies.” We have gone for … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, story, students | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Michalek’s slow portraiture

Posted on May 29, 2012 by jyourist

David Michalek, a former commercial photographer, focuses on portraiture as inspiration for his art. The series, Portraits in Dramatic Time, feature actors in a dramatic sequence which lasts between 10 to 15 seconds. This 10 seconds is then slowed way … Continue reading →

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Porgy and Bess

Posted on June 23, 2011 by jyourist

This fresh production of Porgy and Bess at Court Theater moves beyond the stereotypes of its original production almost 80 years ago. The set is very simple, the cast small, the orchestra only 6 people and several of the musicians … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, music, opera, theater | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Weekly Salon in a Saloon

Posted on June 20, 2011 by jyourist

Saturday we went to The Horseshoe on Lincoln Avenue to experience Paper Machete: A Live Magazine. We originally went to support a family friend, Emily Rose, who was performing, but I believe we’re hooked. Every Saturday at 3pm for free, … Continue reading →

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Lunch with Soupy

Posted on April 2, 2011 by jyourist

In commemoration of my birthday I am looking back on one of the major influences in my life—Soupy Sales. Every day from first grade to sixth, I would walk home at lunchtime (almost a mile), sit in front of the … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, growing up, humor, television | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Elizabeth Taylor

Posted on March 23, 2011 by jyourist

Elizabeth Taylor died today. She was a cultural icon, Hollywood legend, and full-fledged, lifelong, American celebrity. I actually met her once. I used to teach at the Chicago Academy for the Arts, first as an art teacher and then as … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, aging, theater | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Lillian Gish and Lady Gaga

Posted on February 17, 2011 by jyourist

We’re halfway through watching D.W. Griffith’s 1915 Birth of a Nation. Not an easy movie to watch—filled with racism and revisionist history. We have been immersed in the intricacies of Reconstruction and it seemed a perfect way to discuss how the … Continue reading →

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Utterly human

Posted on February 11, 2011 by jyourist

Last night we saw Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women (his third Pullitzer) at Court Theater. It is a powerful and poignant play, with three riveting actresses (Mary Beth Fisher, Lois Markle, and Maura Kidwell), simply and creatively directed by Charlie … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, aging, death, theater, transformation, truth, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Thank you, Lynda. Thank you, Emily.

Posted on January 11, 2011 by jyourist

I shared this video with my students some time ago as a way to think about poetry in a more user friendly way. Lynda Barry, of course, is a wonderfully inspiring and creative soul. Her discussion about Emily Dickinson encouraged … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, creativity, poetry, school, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Five for Halloween

Posted on October 29, 2010 by jyourist

Twilight Zone was one of the most creative and clever television shows ever produced. Rod Serling was a genius. Its theme song has become part of our every day parlance. (My favorite shows were “In the Eye of the Beholder” … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, music, opera, television | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments