Support Theater Ensemble Arts

I have been very fortunate to find local theater. While I am by no means an actress, I have fallen in love with working behind the scenes. My first experience with Theater Ensemble Arts was stage managing a production of An Evening of Culture. It was followed a few years later with stage managing (and last minute acting in) Drinking Habits. When the group put on Drinking Habits 2, I reprised my role as Mother Superior. This solidified knowing that I do not enjoy the acting process. But I have since stage managed another production and currently directing my first play. I thoroughly enjoy all of the extra work that needs to be done to put on a production. I have helped with sets, props, and done some light and sound execution. It's amazing to see all the moving parts and just how much time and effort it takes to put on a show. It's so gratifying to be a part of the process. 

While I have been excited for every show I have been a part of, I am even more excited for this season. I am directing the first show, a comedy called Four Weddings and an Elvis. The script is hilarious and the cast has been nothing short of fantastic. The second show Sherlock Holmes and the Sinister Trio is also phenomenal (I say this with some bias, because my boyfriend wrote it. How cool is that? My boyfriend wrote a play and it is going to be performed!?). We will finish off the season with A Midsummer Night's Dream which will be performed at an outdoor theater. Overall, it is going to be an amazing season. 

The  members of the board have been hard at work fundraising, so I am throwing the information out there in case any of my wonderful followers are in position to help us out. Below is the information about being a sponsor and we also take donations. And if you are in the area, come check out the shows (season tickets can be purchased online. Thanks everyone! 

Support Local Theater!

-Melly

Keep Tales of Tomorrow/Cosmic Cafe Open Downtown!

I am lucky to live in a place with a great downtown. There is lots to see and do, plenty of restaurants, and some interesting shops. Unfortunately there is some necessary construction taking place and some of the businesses are suffering. Once the construction is complete, downtown will be even better, we just have to get through it. My absolute favorite place downtown is the local comic book shop/cafe. I am hoping that with the support of our wonderful community, they will be able to keep their doors open. Even though comics aren't quite my forte, Tales of Tomorrow also has a wonderful selection of reading material for kids, a variety of games (such as Warhammer), an assortment of cosplay materials and so much more. On top of that, the customer service is phenomenal. The Cosmic Cafe offers coffee, teas, Italian sodas and baked goods, all prepared on site. I always feel very welcome here, whether I am just stopping in for a quick treat, or staying to write- our theater group has even read plays here. The atmosphere is wonderful and the staff are amazing. It seems that my town isn't always the best at keeping local establishments open, so I am hoping that this will change for Tales of Tomorrow and The Cosmic Cafe. My town is so lucky to have these wonderful businesses and their staff. If you live in the area and haven't paid them a visit you are missing out. And if you are in the position to donate to them and help them keep their doors open, you will have my undying gratitude.

Cherry Italian Soda prepared by the Cosmic Cafe

Happy Reading (and coffee drinking)!

-Melly

From the Go Fund Me:

Friends and Family: Tales of Tomorrow is the only independently owned comic bookstore in the Four Corners.

We put down stakes here, Downtown, in the heart of Farmington New Mexico. We believed that the Four Corners community would benefit from our location, products, and services we provide.

For two years, we have watched as a community grew within and around Tales of Tomorrow.

Despite our best efforts, our ship of glossy paper dreams is taking on water, and we need you to bail us out.

The very best way to support us is to visit the store or the café. Providing you with comics and coffee fulfills our mission.

If you would like to assist us from afar, please consider giving us a donation.

In return for your faith and funds, we are restructuring the business. Hopefully, this will see us through the next phases of construction.

We value your inclusion in our lives and thank you for allowing us to be a part of yours.

Love,

- Steve, Derek, Joy, Nate, Kim, Heather, and Dakota

Tales of Tomorrow & the Cosmic Café

Local Author Signing!

Wonderful local author, Rhonda Gibson will be doing a book signing at a local used book story, Amy's Books case in May. Can't wait!

Happy Reading!

-Melly

2013 Cancer Walk-A-Thon

Once again I participated in my town's annual Cancer Walk-a-Thon.  This year it was me, my boyfriend and his awesome family.  It is a such a great experience and so great to see how many members of the community come out to support this cause.  If you can do such an event in your area- do it! Even if you can't contribute financially, see if you can volunteer your time or some other resource. Trust me, you won't be sorry!

Very cool dog, supporting the cause!

So many walkers!

Even more walkers!

The front of the line!

Two ponies walked too!

Supers!

This is us!

This is us + me (and minus the bf who took the photo)

Our shirts were awesome!

Sandstone's Production of "Fiddler on the Roof"

Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a local production of Fiddler on the Roof.  Very early into the show I realized that my only experience from this play is one episode of Gilmore Girls (yes, I realize that's really pathetic) so I was glad to finally be able to say that I now know this wonderful story.

The show is taking place at the Lions Wilderness Park in Farmington, New Mexico.  It's an outdoor theatre and proves to be quite the experience.  For a period, we were worried the show would be rained out thanks to solid downpour that started right before showtime.  Thankfully the storm cleared and the show began.  With the exception of a cricket that refused to chirp in time or in tune the show was wonderful!  I highly encourage that anyone in the area take an evening and check it out.  The show runs Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights through August 4th and start at 8pm.

*Please note this is not my footage, but is instead from the local newspaper. :-)

I find myself pretty lucky to live in a community that offers so many wonderful events.  Too often I hear that there is "nothing to do" here.  I don't know where the people that say this live as there is almost always something going on that I want to attend (and if there isn't, then I'll just read a book).  I am always excited to attend (and take part in) the theatre events in Farmington hope that others feel the same.

Happy Theatre Going!
-Melly

TEA Presents: "An Evening of Culture"

I recently had the honor to be stage manager for a local theatre production of An Evening of Culture.  Up until now my only interaction with the theatre world was as an audience member.  I know that I am not an actress.  I am not at all upset by this.  However, I have had multiple people try to convince me that I have acting ability.  Trust me, I do not.  But this role was awesome!   I am very thankful to Theatre Ensemble Arts and our wonderful director, Thomas LaRue, to give me this opportunity.  I know that it will be awhile before I'll want to be involved in another production (it's A LOT of work), but I am fairly certain I will work with another show or two in the future.

This play is absolutely hilarious!  Even though I was at every rehearsal, I still found myself laughing at it during the actual performance.  I was a great show with wonderful actors.  If you ever get the opportunity to see it- GO!

All Photos by Melanie Leeson ©2012

48 Hour Film Challenge with the Four Corners Film Makers

The past few months have been interesting.  I have had the wonderful opportunity to be involved with several local film products (Calendar Company, Highlander: The Watcher, and I'm Waiting).  It has only been behind the scenes stuff: photo taking, providing baked goodies and a little bit of reflector and boom mic operating.  Since I have no aspirations to be an actress, this sort of thing is perfect for me.   So how did I end up "acting" in my first short film?  Four words: 48 Hour Film Challenge.

Frantically writing...or tweeting... #FilmChallenge

This weekend I worked with the Four Corners Film Makers to create a short film over the course of a weekend (as I am writing this, editing is taking place.  As soon as the film is up on youtube, you can trust that I will be posting it here).  It was a lot of hard work but also a lot of fun.  The FCFM team was assigned: 

Genre: Film de Feme or Coming of Age
Character: Francis Tucker

Occupation: Marathon Runner

Prop: A wine glass
Line: "Let's pretend this never happened"

My minimal note taking and third Mountain
Dew of the night

I don't want to give anything away (I'd rather you get to see it for yourself) but let's just say our film is AWESOME!  We had an amazing cast!  I can't believe how much talent there is in my town.  The crew (many will be featured in the film) also rocked!  It was great to see a rather large group of people come together and create something in such a short amount of time.

Our fearless leader (and director), George Thomas

So many people complain about my town, saying that there are no opportunities here.  My guess is they don't look very far.  Yes, it's unlikely that some major Hollywood exec or music producer will discover anyone in Farmington, but that's not to say that someone from Farmington can't be found.  I am very excited that I have the chance to work with these amazing people and am very thankful that they've allowed me to help them produce such awesomeness!

Our prop!

If you haven't already, check out some of the videos from:

Elsewhen Productions 

Storymark Productions (Facebook)

Double Wide Productions (Facebook, Blogger, Twitter)

Out of the Void Productions (Facebook, Blogger, Twitter)

And of course:

The Four Corners Film Makers (Facebook and Blogger)!

We're dorks! 

My lovely co-stars!

Have a good one!
-Melly

Photos by Melanie Leeson ©2011

Get Pinked Rally, San Juan County

Wow!  What a great event!  Tonight my best friend and I attended the Get Pinked Rally in San Juan County, New Mexico where we did out absolute best to dance the cupid shuffle with hopes of breaking a Guinness World Record!  Sadly, I didn't bring my camera and had to make do with my phone, but I think I captured the energy of the event.  It was wonderful to see my community decked out in pink (pink hair, clothes, pom-poms and even a pair of pink suspenders!) and to see them come together for such a wonderful cause.

You can find out more info here and don't forget to like the facebook page, and to vote for the San Juan Regional Medical Foundation Pink Glove Dance!

Thanks everyone!!

-Melly