RABBIT TRAILS: DISPATCHES FROM THE SHED

Over looking an Amish cornfield—ok, the field’s not Amish, the farmer’s Amish… Anyway, Jeff and Cindy Raught live in Talmage, PA—a town (I don’t think you can even call it a town) in Lancaster County, PA. That’s Lancaster—emphasis on first syllable—swallowed quickly—“langkister.” Talmage does have a post office but with very limited hours—don’t even think about picking up your mail after 4:00. Lois is apt to be cross. (Cross—that’s Pennsylvania Dutch for P.O.’ed.) The area is amazing for bike riding—the rolling hills, lack of traffic, local smells, and calmness that is evoked by a slower paced life in the Amish community is intoxicating. It’s almost a cliché to talk about it, but it just seems different to ride there. I’ve spent many days at Jeff’s house writing and rehearsing. Years ago they turned their garage into a recording studio and rehearsal space—with Jeff ‘s grand piano as a centerpiece. Much…

Many of you who knew Ted & Lee also knew that Lee was a sketch artist. I loved his style; it was quick and quirky. Sometimes he would surprise me with a sketch. Here I think we had just seen a dreadful performance of something or someone…I have blocked that part out of my mind but wanted to share this:

On June 6th I revisited a sacred place, Pennyroyal farm in Verona, Va. An old friend Paul Hildebrand, was in town and I joined a party in his honor. Pennyroyal had been the home base for Shenanarts Theater Company and Shenandoah International Playwrights Retreat. Bob Small, Kathleen Tosco and Paul were partners in the company, lived at the farm, and beginning in 1992 they became friends to Lee and me. Bob directed the first comedy show Lee and I wrote and performed, Ted and Lee Live: The Armadillo Tour in ’92, and Shenanarts hosted us for a dozen performances over the years. I was also a writer and performer at the Playwrights Retreat numerous times. We called it summer camp for actors. Week one the writers, directors, and dramaturges met to discuss the new plays being workshopped. Some were close to being done, others just being built. Week 2 the actors…

The last 2 performances of DoveTale, the Christmas play Lee Eshleman, Ingrid De Sanctis, and I wrote in 1997, were performed on December 22 and 23 in Harrisonburg, VA. The shows were emotional, fun, and tinged with a little sadness. Ingrid wrote the following piece for the program. Thanks to all who made DoveTale a part of your Christmas over the last 13 years. ~Ted “One of the things I love best about acting is crawling inside a character; her thoughts, feelings, point of view. Every character has taught me something about life, myself, others. I love that. For 11 years I have crawled inside Mary playing her in DoveTale. Mary, the mother of Jesus. The first year, well, I was terrified to play Mary. Absolutely terrified. I was certain no one would believe me as Mary. They would see Ingrid and I would never be the one God would…

We are beyond excited about launching the new (and beautiful) Ted & Company website! It’s been a long journey to get it just right, and we still have a few more things we’re working on to make it even better… But we’re thrilled to have a site where you can easily find out about all the live shows we’re offering, as well as the DVDs, video downloads, and scripts you can use in your own church or ministry setting. You can also find out all about the Company–the wonderful team of actors that Ted is working with these days. And take a look at our Calendar to see when Ted & Company will be in a town near you (or see if there’s a date that you can bring them into your town!). Oh, and make sure you subscribe to the blog so you can get the latest news from…

On April 14, Ted and I left Harrisonburg, VA and headed west. We have enjoyed spring in Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan while traveling approximately 2,350 miles in a month’s time. In our almost 33 years of marriage, I don’t think we have ever spent so much time together (literally 24/7). Ted recently asked, “Can you do this sabbatical thing every year?” Eastern Mennonite High School graciously granted me a sabbatical for second semester. I proposed that spending time in an urban setting would enhance my teaching in both English and Bible classes (by experiencing faith “on my shoes,” reading young adult literature, going to plays, etc.). Our home base has been Community Mennonite Church in Markham, Illinois. We have enjoyed being involved in church life on a daily basis as we are living in the building. Although we offered our gifts to the congregation and conference, we have…