Show History

Developed during the five month period from February to June of 2005, Private Thoughts and Other Lies is the result of a collaboration with the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington, VT.

Generously supporting my work through a grant program, the Flynn continuously encouraged me to explore radically new territory, take many risks and push the process of creation beyond my normal comfort zone.

Eager to incorporate the powerful influences in my life into a highly personal and potentially controversial presentation, I threw myself headlong into the process of creation, let go of my need to follow the tried and true rules of performance that I’d become so comfortable with and forge my way forward into unknown territory.

Though working from my foundation in the performing arts and expertise in the fields of magical artistry, psychological illusion, mentalism and sword swallowing, I aimed to synthesize my skill base with my private though surprisingly universal thoughts, feelings and reflections. The resulting performance calls upon my love of literature, music and movement as well as my previous stage experience and places me squarely, in each and every performance, face-to-face with some of my most intense and personal passions, fears, hopes and dreams.

The first work-in-progress viewing of the show - at the time appropriately entitled Experimental - took place in June of 2005 at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts and exceeded everyone’s expectations. The question and answer session that followed revealed that the audience was deeply moved on many levels and their response gave me renewed vigor and desire to present challenging and provocative theater.

Immediately following the performance I went directly back to work reviewing the material, tightening the script, adding routines and developing a new lighting plot, sound cues and staging.

I am pleased to now be in a position to offer my newest work to those presenters who desire what author Robert E. Neale calls striking and powerful entertainment.