Why Bohemia

The original working title of this endeavor was Eastside Actors Project. However, it seems like everything is coined “project” these days and Eastside is also a popular descriptor. While seated at a production of Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” at Loyola Marymount University, my mind began to wander (as it often does during Shakespeare plays):

This is one of the bard’s later works, written at age 46. This new theater project is starting up as I enter the AARP eligibility years. The wacky rustics in “The Winter’s Tale” are from Bohemia. There are certainly a lot of wacky rustics on the Eastside. I was there watching a performance of a close friend’s son, and was seated next to the head of LMU’s playwriting department. I started networking, and asked if he had talented students who might want to submit a play for a new free theater in Mammoth. It was the first time I had pitched the project.

Back in the mountains, I started doing a little research on the Bohemian artists movement. The whole “starving artist” premise and the idea that creativity thrives in a non-commercial environment completely dovetailed with the impetus behind this new drama club. Courtesy of Wikipedia, I stumbled upon this quote by Gelett Burgess:

To take the world as one finds it, the bad with the good, making the best of the present moment—to laugh at Fortune alike whether she be generous or unkind—to spend freely when one has money, and to hope gaily when one has none—to fleet the time carelessly, living for love and art—this is the temper and spirit of the modern Bohemian in his outward and visible aspect. It is a light and graceful philosophy, but it is the Gospel of the Moment, this exoteric phase of the Bohemian religion; and if, in some noble natures, it rises to a bold simplicity and naturalness, it may also lend its butterfly precepts to some very pretty vices and lovable faults, for in Bohemia one may find almost every sin save that of Hypocrisy. ... His faults are more commonly those of self-indulgence, thoughtlessness, vanity and procrastination, and these usually go hand-in-hand with generosity, love and charity; for it is not enough to be one’s self in Bohemia, one must allow others to be themselves, as well. ... What, then, is it that makes this mystical empire of Bohemia unique, and what is the charm of its mental fairyland? It is this: there are no roads in all Bohemia! One must choose and find one’s own path, be one’s own self, live one’s own life.

How’s that for a mission statement?

The story begins .. .

After eight years at Sierra Classic Theatre in Mammoth Lakes, California, Lesley Bruns had lost the muse. The stress of running a non-profit organization in her spare time was taking its toll on her health, attitude and inspiration. The once close-knit company was encountering growing pains and the fun was gone. While it was difficult to leave a company she helped create, after extensive soul searching Lesley decided to walk away and take a much needed break.

It took less than a year for Lesley to start missing the stage. What she didn’t miss was balancing accounts, reviewing insurance, filing permits, and handling box office. If only there was a way to just do the “art” part of theater without doing the “business” part. After all, SCT was an all volunteer effort, so it’s not like anyone was making any money for their efforts.

A light bulb went on. As long as you removed money from the equation, you could rehearse a play and perform without administrative hassles and just focus on the creative aspect of the project. To begin, you’d need to start a drama club, where everyone participated because of their love for live theater. Performances would be free, a gift to the local community who have been “fundraised” to death. In order for this to work, the group would have to perform a play that did not require royalties in a venue that did not ask for rent or insurance. Not an easy feat.

The first hurdle was crossed when Jeff Chamberlin, a former SCT member who is now involved with Reno Little Theater, introduced Lesley to playwright Kristen Davis-Coelho. Kristen authored a new play, “Lauren Leaping,” which had been presented as a staged reading at the Bruka Theatre but never had a full production. She offered her “dramedy” free of charge to the fledgling group.

Next, Lesley contacted Ana Danielson-Wells at the Mammoth Lakes Library. The library was eager to have performances in their beautiful new facility and offered up a spacious meeting room for this world premiere. Now, all that was needed was actors. Lesley’s favorite performers agreed to be part of the project. Kim Stoiber (another SCT co-founder) accepted the title role of Lauren, Jeff Chamberlin agreed to drive down from Reno to take on the part of Andrew, Jim Harnagel (an LA actor recently seen in “House of Blue Leaves” at the Mark Taper Forum) signed on as Tom and Lesley cast herself in the role of Eleanor, while also assuming directorial duties.

With everything in place, it became time to spread the word about this exciting new project. Let the rehearsals begin!

Welcome to the new Bohemia Players blog! We'll keep you updated with all the latest information on Mammoth's first free theater project. Rehearsals have just begin for our inaugural production - the world premiere of "Lauren Leaping" written by Kristen Davis-Coelho.
Check back here for more details.