Profoundly moving

I'm weeping like a blubbering idiot! I just finished reading Mac Nelson's Memoirs of a Hollywood Adventure. The last time I wept this hard while reading something it was when I read the same conclusion to Mac's manuscript before it went to press. That was when I invited him to be a master class instructor at the MasterWorks Festival this summer.

I met Mac when I first moved to New York City. The stories in his book are the ones that inspired me as I was first starting out as a professional actor. Mac's the best story teller I've ever heard, and every time I introduce someone to Mac I beg him to tell one story after the next. Now they're all (well most of them are) in this fabulous book, and Mac's writing is even better than his story-telling! I found myself laughing or crying on almost every page.

For those of you who are coming to MasterWorks this summer, I urge you to read Mac's book before you arrive on campus, so that the time he spends with you will be more meaningful. Also, the book has many more insights into the craft, business and pitfalls of surviving as a professional actor than Mac will have time to share with us at the Festival.

By the way, MasterWits '09, you're mentioned on page 9.

Dr. Kavanaugh: eye surgery tomorrow

Last night Dr. Kavanaugh, director of the MasterWorks Festival, mentioned to his wife, Barbara, that he was losing peripheral vision in one of his eyes. Though it was late in the evening they felt they should call a friend, who had been an eye specialist. The retired doctor said it was quite serious, and he called his son, who is an eye surgeon. His son was able to work in an appointment this morning, and surgery to repair Dr. Kavanaugh's torn retina is scheduled for tomorrow (4/30) at 1pm EST. Dr. Kavanaugh was told that if he had boarded the plane tomorrow, as he had planned, or put off surgery another week, he would have lost all vision in that eye.

Praise the Lord for his intervention, and pray for all medical staff involved in the surgery tomorrow.

In Christ alone,
Rich

Rich Swingle
@ the Helen Hayes Theatre
240 W 44th St, Ste 7
New York, NY
10036
http://RichDrama.com

Hidden Truths

Mark Chang, who was one of the creators of Olympic Hero in China, our documentary on Eric Liddell, has created a seven minute film, which has been selected for competition.

It's a charming little film, which is a tribute to growing religious freedom in China.

To vote for it, visit TheDoorPost.com, sign up, search for "Hidden Truths", and before you watch it, click on "Vote Now" in the left column. You'll also need to vote for four other films for it to count.

Choices

Retta Blaney, author of Working on the Inside: The Spiritual Life Through the Eyes of Actors posted a profoundly moving story by Marcia Gay Harden from Guidepost Magazine. Click here for the article.