GOING TO TAHITI PRODUCTIONS
What's In A Name?
Uncle Johnny's bookstore.
The business card for the bookstore.
A sign Uncle Johnny painted and had in the front window of his store.
As you may be aware, over the past ten years I have directed a fair
number of theatrical shows in New York City, but have yet to make a
living as a director. I felt it was time to take my directing career by
the reins so, I've decided to start my own theater company, Going To Tahiti Productions. GTTP officially launched this fall with a performance called IN THE EBB, a trio of female-led one-acts adapted from short stories written by
my sister, Camilla, which explored themes of loss and love and fear.
So. What is Going to Tahiti Productions all about, you ask?
When I was a little girl, my Uncle Johnny, who lived in California most of his life, would come to visit us. He was a funky, cool uncle, an artist who loved books and plays and movies. Uncle Johnny owned a used bookstore in Santa Rosa, CA, and even from 3000 miles away he supported and nurtured my love of the arts. Whenever he would come east for a visit, my sisters and I would stand in line on my grandmother's red, flower-printed, plastic-covered couch, waiting for him to burst through the door, scoop us up one at a time, and fly us through the house in his arms. (We barely let him put down his suitcase).
During these fantastical airplane rides Uncle Johnny would describe for us the sights we were flying past: the cities lit up in the night, or the sunlight glinting off the ocean's whitecaps (time and space did not conform to the laws of physics during these rides, and Uncle Johnny controlled both). And during every ride he would announce, "we're going to Tahiti!" or "here comes Tahiti" - always Tahiti - palm trees and beaches and a world of possibilities around every corner.
Of course I'm older now, and, sadly, I lost my Uncle Johnny in '06. But that feeling is just as strong within me as it was when I was nine years old. And, what I hope to create with Going to Tahiti Productions are experiences that inspire the same excitement and joy that my Uncle Johnny inspired in me. When the curtain opens and the stage lights come up, I want my audience to feel the thrill of a 7, 8, 9 year old girl, soaring through the living room, and believing that anything is around the next turn, that anything is possible. I hope that this company, devoted to free artistic expression - not to mention really good theater - honors his memory.
I hope you can join us on our next flight to Tahiti!
So. What is Going to Tahiti Productions all about, you ask?
When I was a little girl, my Uncle Johnny, who lived in California most of his life, would come to visit us. He was a funky, cool uncle, an artist who loved books and plays and movies. Uncle Johnny owned a used bookstore in Santa Rosa, CA, and even from 3000 miles away he supported and nurtured my love of the arts. Whenever he would come east for a visit, my sisters and I would stand in line on my grandmother's red, flower-printed, plastic-covered couch, waiting for him to burst through the door, scoop us up one at a time, and fly us through the house in his arms. (We barely let him put down his suitcase).
During these fantastical airplane rides Uncle Johnny would describe for us the sights we were flying past: the cities lit up in the night, or the sunlight glinting off the ocean's whitecaps (time and space did not conform to the laws of physics during these rides, and Uncle Johnny controlled both). And during every ride he would announce, "we're going to Tahiti!" or "here comes Tahiti" - always Tahiti - palm trees and beaches and a world of possibilities around every corner.
Of course I'm older now, and, sadly, I lost my Uncle Johnny in '06. But that feeling is just as strong within me as it was when I was nine years old. And, what I hope to create with Going to Tahiti Productions are experiences that inspire the same excitement and joy that my Uncle Johnny inspired in me. When the curtain opens and the stage lights come up, I want my audience to feel the thrill of a 7, 8, 9 year old girl, soaring through the living room, and believing that anything is around the next turn, that anything is possible. I hope that this company, devoted to free artistic expression - not to mention really good theater - honors his memory.
I hope you can join us on our next flight to Tahiti!
