My first Social Security check arrived the other day and my Actors’ Equity pension will start as soon as I get the forms notarized. A huge thanks to former Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins, America’s first female cabinet member and the driving force behind the Social Security act, and Francis Wilson, the first president of Actors’ Equity.
Because of the good work of Frances, Francis, and thousands of other progressive activists, I am now officially retired!
I started working fifty-four years ago as a leather craftsman and a juggler, then an acrobat, actor, administrator, clown, director, teacher, writer and consultant. A decade ago, I decided to call myself “semi-retired,” which I defined as still working 50+ hours/week…but only working with people I like. Now that I’m “retired,” I’m still on the “only people I like” plan, with the addition of “only doing work I love,” and a little less of it.
The work that’s lighting me up these days is directing, teaching, and exploring the intersection of art, politics and joy with friends around the world. If you’re reading this, you’re someone I’d like to work with so here’s info on Citizen Joy and my upcoming workshops and shows.
Citizen Joy
Come to our monthly Zoom meetings (first Wednesday of every month at 9am Pacific/12 noon Eastern) – join the mailing list on the website (link above) or just send me your full name + email address and I’ll sign you up.
And come see “O Say Can You See: the Soul of Our Nation,” a Citizen Joy art exhibit that I juried with curator Barbara Kibbe:
- Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica – Opens May 29 with Workshops and a Gallery Walk on June 14
- Rhythmix Cultural Works’ K Gallery in Alameda – Opens July 10
- Center for Creativity in Redwood City – Opens July 2
- Catalog available now – full color in a PDF (free) or hard copy ($19)
Workshops
“The Art and Joy of Clowning” at Frontier Tower in Downtown S.F. – June 6 & 7
“Full Body Improv” at Improv Central in Alameda – June 13
“Healthcare Clowning” at Dell’Arte International in Blue Lake – June 21 – 27 (with Michelle Matlock and Julie Douglas)
Shows
Under Friedl’s Wing performances
- Sunday, July 19 at 2pm at The Mabuhay Gardens in North Beach
- Saturday, July 25 at Manny’s in the Mission