Deni Scofield Interview

True Story returns this week after a two week hiatus. We loved having The Alternative Arts Collective in the space, and we're thrilled to be back!

Who is the storyteller for this weeks True Story? Actress and Mesa Verde High School drama teacher Deni Scofield! She has developed an incredible program over at Mesa Verde and has nurtured a stronger arts program throughout the San Juan Unified School District. When she's not teaching, and directing she's onstage, having just performed this summer in MacBeth, at Chautauqua Theater.

We have a chance to ask her a few questions!

Who inspires you, who is your role model?
Hmm…that’s quite a list, so I’ll try to narrow it down to just a few.  First one!  My 100 yr old grandma.  She lived on her own until she was 96 and could beat me in a mean game of pinnacle untilshe was 100.  She died today and that sassy, spit and vinegar lady will be dearly missed.  

My second person is Walt Disney… a creative genius who didn’t know the meaning of the word “box”.  He had the heart and soul of a dreamer and knew how to dig in and immerse himself in the love and joy and laughter and life.  

My third is Robert Redford….just because he’s freakin’ sexy and…nope, enough said!                                                                                                                                

What do you enjoy most about your job?
As a teacher, I find an incredible amount of joy and satisfaction in knowing that I’m making a difference in the lives of my students…and I get to do it with teaching something that I love, THEATRE!  I get to have an impact on their lives and watch my students develop and grow as human beings.  I get to be creative and inventive and sensitive…even when I don’t feel like it.  It’s a challenge at times, but the fun and delight outweighs any of that yucky stuff!

Do you ever get starstruck?
See above comment (think Sundance) oh, and the Duke aka John Wayne.  Loved that guy…once tried to win a free lunch with John.  Cried when I didn’t win!

What do you do when you’re not working?
Reading plays (and sometimes writing them), walking my dogs, and celebrating life with friends!

What work are you most proud of?
Well, as a writer I am most proud of Clippings, my first published play.  As a director, the sheer number of plays I’ve put on with my students over a 24 year period, and as an actor, I would have to say this summer’s TAAC production of MACBETH…the role of HECATE was immensely AWESOME!

Craig Perra Interview

D'oh! Technology! Sometimes you fail us! Things don't work, and you end up not posting a great interview with local Placer and Sacramento actor Craig Perra. A couple weeks ago Craig Perra was our storyteller for a very fun True Story. He's an experienced stage, and tv star, appearing on Lifetime, Katie (talk show), and locally at Stand Out Talent in Roseville, and now Blacktop Comedy! He shared everything from his time on the TV show Living With the Enemy, and being stabbed in Canada! None of us were expecting that level of honesty, but we sure appreciated it.

I had a chance to interview Craig after the show. He's a really great guy, who is trying to make the world a better place, and help people end their porn addiction. His website, and program, The Mindful Habit is a really valuable resource if you're struggling with porn addiction. If you know someone who is dealing with porn addiction, I would strongly recommend contacting Craig. We're not turning this post into a commercial, but his struggles have highlighted the challenges of dealing with porn addiction alone. 

Meet Craig Perra:

If you were a super hero what powers would you have? Why? Iron Man. His strength lies inside.

What's your lucky number? 10

What was your last dream about? Getting stabbed in the neck.

Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets? Why? Sunsets - they are way pretty and I've never been a morning person.

If you could breed two animals together to defy the laws of nature what new animal would you create? A dolphin and a human . . . think how cool that would be.

Do you prefer liquid soap or bars of soap? Why? Bar soap. I kick it old school.

Whats your favorite type of tree? Why? Palm Trees. They always make me feel like I'm on vacation.

Dinosaurs or Dragons? Why? Dragons. They spit fire.  

Who was your first best friend? My cousin Chris.

Which fictional character do you wish was real? Hulk.

What makes you nervous? Deadlines.

Have you ever given someone a handmade present? What was it? My wife says I can't say "yes, a cock sandwich." So, no. I've never given someone a handmade present.

What was your favorite school subject? Why? Psychology - I'm nuts.

What is your favorite book? Why?  The Autobiography of Malcolm X. I admire those that fight for those less fortunate and challenge the system.

Whats your preferred playing piece in monopoly? Top hat

Do you have any superstitions? We are all energy

Whats your favorite animated or cartoon program? Attack on Titan

Whats the last thing you took a picture of? A foam roller that I like at cryotherapy. It's bumpy.

Adrien Brody in 'The Library Book'

Have you seen this Adrian Brody commercial for Jameson whiskey? Thank god I'm lazy! I was working on one Google Chrome tab, having forgotten to close another. Suddenly, I'm hearing Adrian share his thoughts with a librarian. I realized it was on the other tab, and clicked over, ready to close the page, but heard the conversation, and I was hooked.

Of course, I know it's just a script, but I loved the simplicity of the story. The simplicity felt real, which is what kept me watching. It was a small moment, which made it feel more powerful. Both characters listening to each other, and talking, thinking, contemplating, laughing, and flirting. They behaved honestly, and normally. And, I loved it! Just watching a couple people, was entertaining. There was a tension. Their was an attraction that kept me hooked too (I'm also a sucker for Before Sunrise and Before Sunset because of the romance and attraction. I could watch those movies every day. In fact, maybe I will watch Before Sunrise again).

I felt like I was watching an improv scene and the improvisers realized they didn't have to race to another location, or plant a bomb that would go off in 3 minutes. That would be some really manufactured tension. Instead, "what are these two characters going to do with their lives," was enough tension. Everything they needed for the scene was between the two of them.

I always hope to skip over Youtube commercials. As soon as those five seconds of pre-roll are over I'm skipping the Budweiser ad (I'll watch the Geico ads), but I stuck around and watched a 8 minute commercial. Bravo Jameson. You got me.

I was lucky to have forgotten to close my Youtube tab. Otherwise, I doubt I would have seen it. That reminds me of improv too. Improv is such an intimate, and impermanent art. Each scene is for small audience. You can record improv, but everyone agrees, "there's something missing," in the video. It's not the same. There's something special about being in the moment as improv happens. I felt like I was in the moment watching the Jameson commercial, feeling I was special that I didn't miss this film among all the other produced works. A rehearsed work that made me feel in the moment? That might sound ridiculous, but that's what happened in my head.

Enjoy!