How did you come up with the 12to28 idea?
Long story short: 12to28 was born on a Saturday in February 2008, a particularly introspective period of my life… Exhausted, broke, and dispirited I escaped to the local bookstore to browse, read, and lolligag. 11 hours, dozens of books and magazines sifted through, several pages of idea sketches, and one long journal entry later I had created 12to28……A project born out of my need to take care of myself and spend some time getting to know me.
Where will you stay?
Friends, Families of Friends, & Hostels.
How are you paying for this?
Good old fashion hard work and strict budgeting; hopefully, with generous donations from readers like you. (i.e. slang for I have no idea, yet)
What exactly will you be doing while traveling around-the-world?
My goal in each country I visit is to explore and spend time learning more about the arts of Poetry, Dance and Theatre. For example, while in Japan, I plan to seek out Kabuki (a form of Japanese theatre) actors and learn how to apply kumadori (kabuki makeup) and pick up some acting lessons; In NYC, I’d love to go behind the scenes of a broadway (or off-broadway) play and shadow an actress, spend a day dancing at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in their open classes and hit the stage during open mic nite at the Nuyorican Poet’s Cafe; In Brazil, I plan to Samba!, Samba!, Samba!
In addition, I will be writing to document 12to28 and developing a script for the 12to28 performance.
Do you have connections in all of these countries? How do you plan to pull off meeting a Japanese Kabuki actor or getting behind the scenes on Broadway?
No, I don’t have any connections but I believe in the possibilities! While I will be making attempts to contact organizations and people I’d like to meet before landing in a country, I will leave plenty of room for this experience to shape itself.
12to28 is about living outside of boundaries and so whether I meet with a Tony Award winning broadway star or Tony who lives in Harlem and has seen over 100 broadway shows, I am ready to embrace the adventure.
How long is 12to28?
1 year, 365 days, 12 months
12to28 begins on Friday 9/19/08 (my 27th B’day) in NYC and ends on Saturday 9/19/09 (my 28th B’day) in Seattle, WA with my one woman show. Aptly titled 12to28, because it is ‘12′ months to my ‘28′th B’day.
Are you a poet, dancer or thespian?
No, No, and No….well at least not professionally.
Why poetry, dance and theatre?
I love the arts and I want to challenge myself in ways that I have traditionally not had much opportunity, access, time etc. to explore. I feel that I am strongest in poetry and written forms, followed by theatre and then dreadfully last, dance. I am committed to nurturing the other side of me; the side that has been supressed but is fighting to be free!
Have you ever performed on stage before?
Yes! On various occasions: including the 4th grade winter play at Jonesboro elementary school and a 5 minute impromptu monologue, titled ‘I’m a Nerd’, I wrote and performed for my high school ‘Miss’ pageant.
What will 12to28: The One Woman show be about?
I am writing 12to28: The Show as I travel around the world. I have no idea what it will be about at this time as it will truly be a reflection of and inspired by my experiences during the 12to28 journey around the world.
Will there be a cost to attend 12to28: The Show?
I haven’t quite worked out the details yet for the performance. However, one of my goals/outcomes for the show is to ‘Pay it Forward’ by raising money to fund an imagination grant for another young person to create and pursue their own ‘outside the box’ idea. Details will be posted on this website at a later date! Stay tuned..,
Why did you choose your birthday as 12to28’s beginning and end date?
I thought my B’day was a good way (and reason) to kick of this dynamic chapter of my life!
This is a cool idea! I work with young people and would like to invite you to speak to my students.
I am open to all opportunities to engage with youth and am particularly interested in volunteering and visiting schools/youth programs during 12to28! If you are not located in one of the countries I’ll be visiting during 12to28 consider proposing a special web-based interactive activity. Please visit the contact page for details on how to reach me. If you are located in one of the 12to28 countries please invite me for a visit!
This is a cool idea! I’m a Poet, Dancer, and/or Thespian and would like to work with you.
Great! I’m looking for artists willing to spend an hour, a day, a month (or anytime in between) with me. Please visit the contact page for details on how to reach me.
