In the 1920s, my Great Grandma Katie ran off to Hollywood to try her hand at modeling.
It didn’t last long and she soon returned home, back to the Bay Area. The first time I saw this picture, I thought, “it must be in our blood!” The second time I saw it, I was cleaning out my apartment in 2020 and rediscovered the photo album. Not only did this photo album have pictures, but it had letters – written by my Great Grandma Katie about what life was like in the San Francisco Bay Area at the Turn of the Century. I knew I had to write a show about it.
I have been memorizing “Part Two” of my current solo show, “All the Great New Things to Come”. I get up in the morning, go for a walk, and recite the lines to myself -wandering up and down the neighborhood trying to not look too crazy, but such is the life of an actor. It reminds me of when I used to work in film and television casting, and actors would come into our office to audition. They would pace back and forth in a narrow hallway or wherever they could find space, and mumble to themselves, with script in hand, trying to get off book.
Speaking of the art of acting, I watched the Season 3 Premiere of “Only Murders in the Building” last night and Meryl Streep had a guest spot. Watching her work is like taking a master class in acting. I love her choices.
And although I am no Meryl Streep, (according to my college acting teacher) I like to think I hold my own. I have three upcoming performances lined up.
“All the Great New Things to Come- Part 2” – A Story About Being a Fourth Generation SF Bay Area Native
Monday, August 28, 2023 – Berkeley Marsh Theatre – TICKETS Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30pm. I will be one of six performers (20 min each)
Monday, December 4th and 18th – San Francisco Marsh Theatre – TICKETS – Doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm. I will be one of three performers.
So come on out! Great Grandma Katie would want you there. 🙂
Theresa Donahoe 