Designs, and Festivals, and Free Hugs oh my!!!!!!

So I was inspired to finally write tonight, after returning home from a community concert of the old MGM movie and Golden Age of Musical HIGHLIGHTS titled “A Grand Night For Singing.” We took our kiddos (the 20 that showed up today) and bussed over to the St. Vincent’s High School where we brought the mean age of the room down a few generations. But I felt right at home tapping along as the Chamber Choir sang HELLO DOLLY, BEGIN THE BEGUINE, and TEA FOR TWO. It was a great procedure in patience, compassion, and more patience for the students.  We debriefed afterwards on the bus, where some admitted being bored (some asked to leave mid concert), about decorum, how we perform, etc…This was the first exposure most of them had ever had to a formal concert. And having sat on the floor right in front of the risers, there was nothing we missed.

My favorite was the little old lady in front of the choir that was blind as a bat and had to be helped on stage. But, she sang with the fully memorized fervor of Pavarotti! With her coke bottle glasses and little bob haircut, her marble colored music folder never even opened. And upon their 4^th encore, which was a cool instrumental number that sounded akin to the 70’s lounge suite arrangements from the rest of the evening, she asked “We’re doing another? Pffffff..” Before that, my highlight had been explaining what PARIS is and what J’DORE means to the 9 year-old next to me whom I have nick named Tiny. In May she only wore golden elaborate frocks and barely spoke, but now she is a fiery tomboy that will answer any question you ask. What a difference a few months make….

Lets back this up though…So the last month has been an epic odyssey, and I feel like I am finally finding a rhythm. Part of that is intentionally finding a life outside the 12 hour days: I saw some stand up comics last week who I then improved with afterward, went to a HUGE multi-stage music festival called NH7, and I started going to the weekly jazz night at my favorite little bungalow restaurant. My lady volunteer army of ASTEPers arrived, and half have already left again. We have successfully integrated the ARTS into the curriculum in schools, though we are dealing with some serious cultural issues as far as our CHILD PROTECTION policy goes. I now have a SECOND phone, thanks to forgetting mine in a rickshaw between meetings (cue grandma laughing). And, there is a good chance that I will get wireless internet in my apartment soon. (cue me praying to any god of any faith that will listen on this front)

I have talked to my parents once, my brother once on a much needed 2 hour , more or less disappeared from all social media (spare some random political postings that I am torn about), and have days where I feel COMPLETELY like I live on the other side of the world from most of what my life has been thus far. And as my brother put it “That’s because you HAVE!!” The bright side is that I am surrounded by HOLIDAYS!

The fall in India is pretty much 

a nonstop party of Holidays set to a 4/4 Anthem. Literally. Sometimes multiple occur within the same week. Indian children get some crazy 80 days off of school a year due to holidays, the majority of which are in the fall. The only one I have really celebrated thus far was Ganpati. This festival celebrates the end of the monsoon season and the god GANESH. That is the one with an elephant head for those of you wondering. It ends up with a HUGE parade to the river with EVERYONE (literally) parading floats from their neighborhood (or what they call “society”). This then spurns a lot of loud music, some awesome costumes, and odd overly homo-erotic dancing in the streets. (Mauricio and I attempted to partake and where pulled into the throngs of dancing young men and then flung like ragdolls from gent to gent. There was flailing, some grinding, and awkward eye contact. Needless to say, there were many cultural questions to be had after.) But Dawali, THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, starts this week. I have no idea what I am about to experience, but I know there are a lot lanterns, fireworks, and I got a little dish that I get to burn things in oil. (cue the childhood pyro in my smiling from ear to ear.)

Two weeks ago I had a great trip to Mumbai, where I got to take part in our first Production Meeting. Pretty much: this is where all the creatives and producing entities get together to discuss how EVERYTHING is going to get done with the musical. There have been a lot of debates back and forth, but I think we are getting a handle on how we will actually travel the show. I have been in cahoots with Julian Crouch (google his name because he is just awesome) talking about Sets and Puppets—because it has to look grand, for relatively cheap, but needs to be made of found objects that we can pack in a bag. AND, I spent 6 hours collaborating on costume designs with my new friend Simi Nallaseth, a designer on the movie ICE AGE. Yep, that Ice Age. I feel like a kid in a candy store of creative awesomeness! Anywho, we are trying to make the difference between the Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Dark in our musical very natural shapes and colors vs. industrial stark materials. (GOOD VS BAD with a mix of postapocalypse thrown in). For example, here are the first renderings for the King of Light and the King of Dark.
Notice how EKRAJ’s head looks like prayer hands and is based on a Parssi priest?

And notice how GARV’s body is made of recycled industrial objects? My favorite bit may be GARV’s gown made of all old leg XRAYS.

And then last week, I had the honor of attending and teaching a workshop at the “inspirED” conference here in Pune. I met a great man who has saved over 100,000 kids from child slavery, a woman experimenting with pilot program of Health Education in Mumbai, and a lady who is tackling the topic of universal INCLUSIVITY for women in Indian culture. What awesome people!  In the next couple months, I will also travel to 4 other conferences around the country defending why Music Integration is crucial to the academic success of all Indian children.

Its interesting because recently I have been reading a book about the death of Goddess worship called “The Chalice and The Blade.” Its disappearance and my fellow Man are the reason why our society is so violent and war driven. (I had started it originally as a means to elaborate an idea I have for a show I want to write). But in the workshop I co taught with my new ASTEP friend Andrea, I state that art is love. But more importantly MUSIC IS LOVE. The first sense you use in life is the sense of hearing. We hear the sound of our parent’s voice, whatever music they may play us in the womb, and the sound of our mother’s heartbeat. Our sense of hearing is so crucial that babies born with irregular heartbeats have 4/4 music placed in their incubators to resync their heart. Crazy right? It is literally the RHYTHM OF LIFE. And for me, music is the most peaceful and equalizing thing in the world. It knows no religion, no race, no sexual orientation, no social status, and is truly the great I AM. Therefore, MUSIC is the most powerful weapon in the world. And as Moises Kaufman (The Laramie Project) said in a workshop I attended at The Kennedy Center in April, “All Art is Political.” The fact that Justin Bieber could be political makes my blood boil but think about it: our societies have only ever changed for the better when music (art) has intervened and led the people to want to change. No wonder those in charge (and those who want to remain) don’t want the arts to be open to more walks of life. They then dream of a better life and fight for it. The Arts=oppression gone. And, in the US at least, being artsy is considering something for ladies and girl boys. But guess what, it is pure love. It is the only place I ever felt I could be who I wanted to be and not who others thoughts I should be, this was for my smarts or my artistry or simply just me. And, it is a trickle down from the generations of Goddess worship that came long before the Greeks.  (cue me pulling out the Pagan Goddess statue made of lava I bought at a garage sale in 6^th grade that is still in my possession). No wonder I haven’t really been able to relate to most modern men in my life…I love the ladies. And I love peace. And I love equality. And I can’t imagine a life without music. Wild how life connects itself that way right!!! (I feel like I just entered a tangent equivalent to that of my father and have no idea how to get out so cue the nonsequeter).

Two weeks ago, on Gandhiji’s bday (that is how Gandhi is referred to—the “ji” is in respect to his ideals), the kids decided to experiment with their Design For Change project by bringing joy to the most trafficked thoroughfare in all of Pune. So on MG Road, we spent 3 hours walking up and down the street doing theatre, music presentations, miming , and giving out what I was shouting were “JA DOO KEE JAPEE!” FREE HUGS. But really, the translation is THE MAGIC OF HUGS. Needless to say, I excited some and scared others. But, the hugs my mom has passed on to me for years finally got passed on to the people of Pune. And let me tell you, we made a lot of smiles happen. I even unintentionally stopped traffic for a while and took some photos with some pedestrians. But then again, that could just be because everyone here thinks I look like a WWE wrestler. (perhaps the cardboard cutout I sent to my cousin Lindsay’s wedding as my stand-in was more insightful than anyone had thought). Wham. Bam. Good night Maam!

(I promise more pictures ARE coming soon. But, internet in these parts is hard to come by. So, I upload as quick as I can. Thanks for your patience on this journey.)

Post Numero Uno since returning to INDIA

(DISCLAIMER: There are no pictures because the internet here is frighteningly slow. Hey it could be worse, there could be brown outs.)

I can’t believe its October already! How have I been in India almost a month AND this is the first time simply sitting down to write? Perhaps its the back to back 12-14 hours days of creative bliss...Well, I type this on the eve before I move into my own apartmentat the end of my 3^rd-ish day off  since leaving the US on Sept. 10^{th  right} after the beautiful wedding of my dear friends Sara Andreas & Michael Mahany.  

So…3 weeks ago I arrived in Bombay with my cohort Mauricio Salgado, one of the founding members of ASTEP (www.asteponline.org) and our Co-Program Director. He came along as concilliary to aid in forming the foundation for what will be my next year of both MAYA The Musical rehearsals as well as leading a cracker jack team of 6 amazingly talented American Lady Volunteers who will be co-teaching with TFI Fellows as a means of establishing an Arts Integrated Curriculum. The  classes vary from 80 2^nd Graders, to 30 7^th Graders, to 80 Kindergarteners…the work to be done is MASSIVE!!!

A lot of people asked me why I wouldn’t stay in the US and work.

And here are the cold hard facts:

there are 320 million children in India.

4% never make it into school.

50% never make it past 5^th Grade.

90% never make it past 10^th grade. 90%!!!!

Compare that with…say…Japan’s rate of 95% of all students going to college and its daunting. Add the fact that India will be the most populated country in the world as of 2020 and it becomes even more daunting! So the work we are doing, exponentially, will change the world. Bottom line. They always taught me in acting class to raise the stakes, but I think they are currently pretty peak. In the words of one of my great mentors and friends Jerry Mitchell- “FULL OUT!!!” And there are times I am swept away with emotions, but I know my life up to now has led to this quest and that there is no better place I could be and no better work I could be doing. This is what life is about. And I have never worked harder in my life. Period. And I couldn’t be happier!

So back to the beginning (this is where my brevity should kick in)…

My first weekend was spent in the city of Bombay. And, there was no better way to introduce Mauricio (henceforth referred to as MO) to my kiddos and co-teachers or for me to simply reconnect than this total immersion. Though, my beard did momentarily throw them for a loop as to who I was.

It started with the kids recording a special version of “THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE” at a recording studio in a Brand Spanking New One of a Kind Music School called   . (cue picture)There is housing on site  for the teachers, who mostly come via an exchange program with the Manhattan School of Music, and there is even a DJ certificate program. WHAT! There is a room full of turntables…

That night we did a flashmob with the kids on the Worli Seaface. This is a huge promenade on the ocean's shore. It was in the middle of Ganapati Festival. This is a celebration at the end of Monsoon Season celebrating Ganesha. It involves every neighborhood/family making huge ornate statues of Ganesha out of Plaster of Paris and submerging them in the ocean. That is when we sang songs, played theatre games, and tried to spread love to anyone walking by. And what a delight it was!!!!!

That night, we all crashed at the home of TFI’s CEO Shaheen Mistri. That’s right—28 kids and 6 adults sleeping everywhere. (cue picture) It was the slumber party of all slumber parties!!

The next day we took part in a Mime Workshop with ACE Entertainment. (These are the only professional theatre cats in town. And, we had a meeting with them amid their National Theatre Complex (4 different theatres) to discuss logistics in how to tour a show in India. During a tour, Mo and I had to take a photo. (cue picture). ) The kids were amazing, and my groups “PAY TOILET” scene went over like gangbusters! Afterwards we got to tour the equivalent of their HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS. It is called Film City and is built into the jungles surrounding Bombay with cheetahs walking between sets. We visited the set of a new miniseries called “CONSTITUTION” directed by infamous Indian Film Director….It chronicles the making of the Indian Constitution and all the balarky surrounding it. (cue photo) Its very topical considering the new article going through the Indian Congress titled the Right To Education act. It secures equal education for all making sure that 10% of private schools are free of charge to low income students. Awesome concept right?

The next day end capped with a true lesson in gratitude and humility. The kids performed and visited at an Old Aged Home. Though, this one in Hindi was titled  akin to “A Home for the Forgotten and Discarded.” It was home to multiple amputees, those rejected by families (both young and old), mentally ill….you name it and the Sister took them in. Having performed in many a home back in the states with my folks I thought I knew what was. But, it was a bit much for us all. The joy we brought them was unfathomable…but the lessons in perspective reality and the frailties of life consumed both student and teacher. And I am so proud of my kiddos for trying any way they could to connect with the patients: either with rhythm games, singing, drawing, playing checkers, doing drama games, or simply attempting to talk. They were more brave and compassionate than many adults I know. One harrowing story was a 70 year old dancer that just had her 3^rd major surgery. She couldn’t speak, she couldn’t walk (due to her amputations), and she could not get above laying down. But when we sang to her, she danced with the only body part she could wiggle. Her arms came springing up and jiving for close to 30 minutes! There was also the woman whose family had all died and she was alone in the world, after having been a housekeeper for a rich family for 50 years. She had learned 17 languages fluently without being able to write a one.  What a great moment that morning was…

The kids then packed on a bus and rode back to Pune without Mo or Myself. I had to stay an extra day to deal with immigration. But that night, while running ocean side, I got caught in a Monsoon. Man it snuck up on me good! On my way home in the downspout I got caught up in a Ganapati parade and danced in the pouring rain for close to 30 minutes. It just felt right.  As has this journey at every leg.

Since arriving in Pune, I and my cohort Mauricio (while he was here)((wait for his back to America story involving a trip to the hospital)) have been crashing in the extra room of a friend named Sandeep in Koregoan Park in Pune.

I met Sandeep at TFI Institute back in May. His parents are Indian and immigrated to the US in the 70s. He grew up in Mississippi, went to Tulane, then worked for Teach For America (after a job interview with a principal who showed up in nothing but umbro soccer shorts and a wife beater asking “Do you have tough skin.”)  for two years at what was called the worst school in America, as noted by the film WAITING FOR SUPERMAN. Now he trains teachers all over the country for Teach For India. He is one of the many angels I am honored to now call my friends.

There is more to write about my time here in Pune thus far, but sleep calls. Tomorrow is the birthday of Gandhi G. And though the kids have school off, we are taking them to the main thoroughfare of MG Road to spread art and love to the masses for 3 hours. I believe I shall be with the kids sharing FREE HUGS (of which I have been told already, after hugging a complete stranger of an older woman, that I give too freely. Thank you cultural taboos.). It is all part of a national DFC project that the kids want to apply for on their own. It emphasizes how the arts can make us happy and change our society for the better. Mom—the smiling skills I learned from you will be in full effect!

With my goodnight, I shall close on quotes of love by Gandhi. I do this because I think that actions can be broken down simply into two different groups: acts of love and acts of fear. Whether it is towards self, towards others, towards a group, towards an animal, towards the TV....it doesn't matter. But the moment that we simply act out of love, we have eradicated Violence (everything contained within).

Gandhi---------

1. A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave.

2. Where there is love there is life.

3. Love is the strongest force the world possesses, and yet it is the humblest imaginable.

4. Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.

5. Love never claims it ever gives.

6. When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it – always.

BEING KIND - NIMO PATEL

I am proud to call this man NIMO PATEL my friend. I have been invited to spend a weekend alongside he and 39 other invited guests at the National Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad, India come November. Gandhi lived there for over 20 years of his life and I could not be more excited!!
Spread the KINDNESS AND LOVE!!!