My involvement in the performing arts spans from the 1960s to the present. Major influences have been the magic of Disney animation and the brutal social realism of Brecht. Nice combo. I endeavor to use the mediums of film and theater to entertain as well as educate. Because of my emphasis on social responsibility, I consider myself to be a cultural worker.

My doctoral thesis was based on leading 130 theater workshops, as well as producing and touring a play that grew out of the workshops. The workshops utilized physical and trust exercises, as well as improvisational skill-building. The workshop-developed play focused on themes of sexism.

Besides directing and producing my own original scripts, I have also directed showcases for other writers as well as children’s summer camp shows such as “Oliver” and “South Pacific.” Since the 1970s, I have directed primarily for my company, Sweet Corn Productions. Shows have ranged from marionette opera for children, to productions on liberation issues.

Besides directing theater, radio, film and video projects, I am a highly skilled video editor. I also script doctor for others.

Sweet Corn Productions - Writer, Director, Videographer, Editor:

Director’s Commentary
      The director speaks, and won’t shut up.
The Fight Before Christmas
      A musical about a male couple saved by angels
      Steve Bryant, music direction
      Scott Henderson, music; Debbie Greig, lyrics
The Right to Marry
      Civil rights documentary
Gertie Takes a Trip to the Moon and a Man Recycles
      Animation

Educational - Videographer, Editor:

Project W.E.E.
      Documentary on an ecology field study with fifth graders
Timeless Wisdom: Being the Knowing
      Dharma teachings
      with Ven. Thubten Chodron and Ven. Ajahn Amaro
Timeless Wisdom:
Bringing Compassion to Living and Dying
      Discussion with Ven. Thubten Chodron and
      Lee Paton, hospice counselor
Lectures on Buddhist Meditation and Philosophy
      Four discussions with Ven. Thubten Chodron

Promotions - Videographer, Editor:

Jilly Eddy - Lipsologist
Bill Robinson and Beverly Schuster - Mimes
Linda Severt - Juggletunes

Corporate Clients - Videographer, Editor:

AmKor Pharma - VNR on phase 1 trials
Group Health - Lecture documentation
PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology and Health)
      In-house greetings to new employees
Publicis Dialogue - Client pitches

Sweet Corn Productions -
Writer, Director, Cinematographer, Producer, Editor
Produced numerous shorts, experimental and animated films in 16mm and 8mm including:

Leggo
      Animated flight of fancy
Fog (formerly titled Didi)
T’ai Chi Chuan
      Demonstration by - and interview of - Master T.T. Liang

Sweet Corn Productions - Director, Producer

Orphée (Jean Cocteau)
UBU (Alfred Jarry)
      First U.S. puppet production; toured Massachusetts Scaredy-Kate and the Monsters - or -
How to Pay the Rent (Demian)
      Marionette opera set to Haydn’s music
      Played at the Bumbershoot Festival in 1982
The Voice of an Angel:
A Castrato Remembers (Demian)
      Music of Glück, Haydn, Mozart
      Voted “Best of the Week” at the
      1986 New City Theater Director’s Festival
Ondine! - Theda! (Yarók aka John Green)
Our Old Gang Grows Up (Demian)
      Commissioned by the Gay Theater Festival, 1985
Assorted Shelters — or — Do You Have Nightmares When You Sleep on Your Back? (Demian edit)
      Developed through improvisational group process
Inseparable Pieces: A Sequence of Power Plays (Demian edit)
      Developed through improvisational group process

Sweet Corn Productions - Director, Producer
      Radio plays aired on
      WFCR, WMUA, WYEP, WBUR, WCAS, KPFA and KPFK:

Wedding on the Eiffel Tower (Jean Cocteau)
One Way For Another (Jean Tardeau)
7 Meditations on Political Sado-Masochism (Living Theater)
Suet (Dave Smilo, Demian)
Queer Hour (Demian, ensemble)
Return of Queer Hour (Demian, ensemble)

Host and Producer for 130 public affairs programs (WMUA, WBUR)

Directed children in many summer camp variety shows, as well as standards such as Oliver (Lionel Bart) and South Pacific (Rogers and Hammerstein).

Lead 130 workshops aimed at developing improvisational skills and interpersonal relationships in a safe environment.

Sweet Corn Productions

Karmen:
a futuristic, comedic opera on serious themes
      Music by Bizet, lyrics and story by Demian
Hey, Citizen
      Street theater against the war

Broadcast Television

Perspectives on the Martial Arts on “NightShift,” Boston
      T’ai Chi demonstration and narration

Script consultant:

Jimmy Rosenfield - Jimmy Rosenfield
Graphic Cypher Productions - Ray Woodall
Bursting Universe Productions - Kelly Abbott
PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology & Health) - Chris Ellias
AmKor Pharma - Robert Abbott

Promotional:

The Silent One (Ray Woodall)
A sword and sorcery/noir fantasy trailer

I have also managed personnel and supplies for a food coop, vegan restaurants, a cold storage operation, and arts departments for summer camps.