Denise Pence – Page 2

Articles posted by Denise Pence (Page 2)

Summer Lovin . . .

Why does this summer seem like the calm before the storm? Tomorrow is supposed to be complete chaos in the City with the Gay Pride Parade — which we plan to attend. Gotta do it. Gotta show up for equal rights. Gotta keep the faith that America is still the land of the free. Do you ever get Letters From the Universe? And keep them to remind you anything is still possible? I do. Here’s one: Having a dream . . . Courage Visualizing your dream . . . Persistence Physically moving towards your dream . . . Guts Letting …

Becoming History

With everyone glued to the daily soap opera that is Trump’s Washington these days, I wonder what our history books will write about this marker time in America’s history. The conflicting views coming from Fox Networks vs MSNBC is enough to make me put on my rose-colored glasses, focus on what I can control in my own life and pray the chaos will come under control one day soon. However, as with the Holocaust, some actually want to believe the horror that was Hitler never happened! Many history books are being re-written to the extent future generations of children are …

Finding Our Purpose

Did you know it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in any field? Uh huh. Full time focus for 5 years. Proven fact. Researched by Professor K. Anders Erickson, Florida State University. He apparently studied athletes, musicians and chess grand-masters. I would probably have to put Broadway dancers and members of any dance company into that category, also. Those of us known as “dancers” (not hoofers) trained since the age of 10 or earlier — as any athlete does — to build strength, stretch and technique in our bodies to perfect our chosen craft. The original Pippin, I’m proud …

Nobody to Noticed

Photo taken, December, 2017, by Rehearsal Club alum, Francine Mancini, during ON AIR/On Stage, Articulate Theatre’s 1st annual holiday-themed radio play production at TADA Theater, NYC. As we move into the new year, the wave of holiday energy pushes all of us to assess where we’ve been, what we’ve accomplished — or not — and set our intentions for the changes we might want to make in 2018. Actors on the verge of throwing in the towel are constantly encouraged by experts to “stay the course.” As Paul Davis, Casting Director at Calleri Casting said back in 2015, “slow and …

2017 Year of Abundance

It’s been quite awhile since my last post when the nation — at least those of us on both coasts — were anticipating Hillary in the White House. Now almost 100 days into Trump’s presidency, we’re all reeling from the forked tongue that has become our democracy. I, for one, am having a hard time hanging on to the belief that all is well. SOMETIMES I see our government supporting “right,” but more often than not, it does not. For instance, HOW in Heaven’s name is our government too dense to see the “right” in background checks on lunatics buying …

Sweet (20)16 Coming Out Party!

Did you ever have a Sweet Sixteen “Coming Out” Party? I never did. Both my daughters were Bas Mitzvah’d — which entailed huge parties for families and friends. In the Jewish tradition, the event signifies the transition of a child becoming an adult at age thirteen. I remember also attending a Christian friend’s Sweet Sixteen party for their daughter. The family made a similarly mammoth gathering, presenting a pair of high heels ceremoniously to their daughter who had now become a full-fledged woman upon reaching the age of sixteen. So why would I be viewing this year of 2016 at …

Creative Synergy

What we do for love . . . (A Chorus Line, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban). I cry every time I hear that song — and I never even did the show! My husband and I lived the show (“Al” and “Kristine”). We continue, 30+ years later, to live for the high that comes when the passionate creativity of artists — writers, directors, actors, scenic designers, lighting designers, visionary producers — come together to create an evening of theater. Sprinkle in a receptive audience and everyone experiences magic. That happened last night. My girlfriend, Joanne Dorian, was …

Finding Your Ikigai

Ikigai: Something one lives for; purpose in life Dharma: Duty Over the past seven years, I’ve been teaching a weekly “Mind/Body/Spirit” class at the Jewish Guild for the Blind. This is the organization I was originally introduced to by our theatrical union, AFTRA (prior to SAG-AFTRA merger), which gave their membership the ability to learn broadcasting skills as a volunteer reader for the visually-impaired at InTouch Networks supported and housed for 30 years at The Guild. Shortly after I came on board in 2008, however, the Guild stopped funding, closing down the 5 soundproof studios used daily by a rotating …

Balance, Rhythm, Power

“First comes thought; then organization of that thought into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.” Napoleon Hill “They are all discoverers that think there is no land when they can see nothing but sea.” Francis Bacon “The Possible’s slow fuse is lit by the imagination.” Emily Dickinson Why can’t we imagine having it all? We can. Just not all at the same time. How does Meryl Streep do it? Well, I did notice she chose to make some really …

Dancer Discipline

The 2015 Stars & Strikes for Autism bowling event raised $14,000 and I surprisingly got my groove back! Each strike elicited squeals from not only me, but from the fans who actually still remember all of us and were lined up watching. The event, spearheaded by Jerry VerDorn and Liz Keifer, also served as a reunion for my Guiding Light peers, many of whom I didn’t even have story with, however, because we shared the same studio, the same “stardust,” they are and will forever be, my friends for life. Amazing the power of television. Real life vs reel life. Focus …