Play Festival Fall 2012

Play submission guidelines


Plays must be no longer than 20 pages, consist of 2-5 characters only, and require minimal set. All genres and styles of plays are welcomed by all. Submission deadline is April 30, 2012. Email plays in doc or adobe format to cbrock@freeflowpoetry.com.

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Casting Notice

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Casting Notice: Casting the following parts for M.I.A, the play: Old Man, White, 50-60 years of age. Young Man, White or Asian (non-african american)20-...

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Acting tip of the Day

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Acting tip of the Day: It's a Job I have always treated acting like a career, a job. Studying, finding out about auditions by word of mouth or from popular publ...

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Newsletter Highlight

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Newsletter Highlight: Poetry Blossomed from a Rose Core by Rosemarie "Single Rose" Wilson Rosemarie Wilson is definitely a Detroit, MI poet. She writes from th...

Newsletter Highlight

Poetry Blossomed from a Rose Core by Rosemarie "Single Rose" Wilson

Rosemarie Wilson is definitely a Detroit, MI poet. She writes from the soul and from knowledge taught by her Mother and life. Her poetry isn’t just mere rhymes but has a message for all to read. She hints on men treating women as queens, and in order to be treated that way one must carry themselves in such a manner. It’s old school wisdom structured new.

It’s not all peaches and cream the poetry although eloquently stated. She touches on women who stand by their men no matter what the circumstance, including jail time.
To learn more about Rosemarie visit http://www.onesinglerose.com/.

For full newsletter submit request to cbrock@freeflowpoetry.com.  Write "newsletter" in subject line.

Karen E Dabney author of The Magic Pencil at Family and Friends day at Pure Word Church. Visit dabsandcompany.com to learn more about The Magic Pencil and Karen.

Jewels Galore

Jewels Galore, owner Mikyia at Family and Friends day at Pure Word Church.

Food for the soul 3

...the to be continued.  When we left off we were on the subject of attitude.  Tonight has proven to me how important attitude can be. We talked about how nasty attitudes can make the person with them just unbearable. What if your attitude is pleasant, and show signs of grace? Will others notice? I think yes, and tonight I was feeling good, and happy. To my surprise someone noticed, and decided to speak to me. I wasn't trying to be noticed, I had on no makeup, wearing work clothes, I was simply me, and someone liked it. What if everyone carried themselves as kings and queens? What would happen? I think a whole new respect for the human race...to be continued.

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Weekly Poem

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Weekly Poem: Free write Whispers, whispers through the day haunt at night. Wondering whispers whistle through the air lingering like the smell of fre...

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Is this possible?

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Is this possible?: At the last event I hosted I asked a question about change. It was inspired by a song the DJ played the line was something about coming toge...

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Is this possible?

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Is this possible?: At the last event I hosted I asked a question about change. It was inspired by a song the DJ played the line was something about coming toge...

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Food for the soul 2

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Food for the soul 2: Lately I have been thinking about the soul. Not if we have one, and not if it continues on after we are dead. I have been thinking of do u...

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: The song lyrics "Pieces of me" by Ledisi has becom...

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: The song lyrics "Pieces of me" by Ledisi has becom...: The song lyrics "Pieces of me" by Ledisi has become somewhat of an anthem or motto for me, and I'm sure for many other women as well. The ly...

The song lyrics "Pieces of me" by Ledisi has become somewhat of an anthem or motto for me, and I'm sure for many other women as well. The lyrics touch on the fact that although women are seen as strong and sometimes unbreakable, we are also human. That fact seems to be forgotten by men, and sometimes by us as well. It seems that black women's feelings are disregarded more, but I will not and do not want to separate. Due to feeling that is part of the problem, but that is another discussion meant for another time.

How does any of the above relate to dating?

Many men say they want a strong woman who know who she is, but when they are lucky enough to find this type of woman they mistreat her. Trying to make her lower herself from who she truly is. Her goals aren't strictly to get married, but include being successful in her career, maybe even continuing education or running a business. For many men that seems strange and hard to understand that a woman would put a career first instead of a man and raising kids.

To me it doesn't seem strange at all, and why shouldn't that woman be just as loved and cherished as the one who decides to do the opposite. If I must quote the lyrics "can run the business, and play the fantasy too."

Funny I was listening to a radio show where a female listener sent a email explaining about how her mother hates the man she is dating due to her education and income exceeding his. She then goes on to say how it is hard to meet a man that is on the same level she is. The man has served time, she feels he has paid his dues to society, the most important thing to her is that he appreciates and respects her.

I'm thinking "wow this woman shouldn't have this problem" for many reasons. Her mother should be happy that her daughter is happy and why were other men turned off? The old excuses of too smart, I want someone who is independent but not that independent, or my favorite...intimidating. Wow! A beautiful, smart, independent woman is attracted to you, but you are intimidated or she is intimidating. What? In this day and age that type of thinking should be put to death. What do you think?

Crystal Reign Brock
"Considerations of Life poems and expressions"

Food for the soul 3

Food for the soul 3 is in progress.  It hasn't hit me yet, well I haven't noticed it lets say that.  My thoughts have wandered into the zone of attitude.  Yes, attitude can be food for the soul, think about it.  Imagine people who are just nasty for no reason.  People who are so miserable they purposely go out of their way to be rude to others on a minute, hourly, and daily basis.  What is that doing to their spirit, to their soul?  To be continued...

Food for the soul 2

Lately I have been thinking about the soul.  Not if we have one, and not if it continues on after we are dead.  I have been thinking of do us as a people nourish our souls enough or even at all?  I mean we read meaningful books, meditate, do yoga, and some chanting or praying until they are too hoarse to speak.  I have to ask again is that enough.  Mind you they are great stress relievers for the mind and body.  I know, I haven't made time for any of the above and my body is letting me know.

How does any of it help the soul?  All of it seems to help us physically or mentally prepare for something, but how does it help the soul prepare for it's next journey? 

If the soul is forever living and each time it's striving to correct past mistakes in order to achieve it's life purpose to fulfill it's destiny how come it's forever?  The fulfilling of it's purpose would mean a peaceful rest lets say, but if it's continuously striving not reaching it's purpose what is the point of all the prayer, yoga, mediating?  Is it simply to appease the person?  Making them feel good about themselves, and happy with their actions.

Again how do we truly prepare the soul?

Food for the soul

What mood are you in?

Is this possible?

At the last event I hosted I asked a question about change. It was inspired by a song the DJ played the line was something about coming together to change the world. It prompted me to ask the questions, is coming together to change the world possible? Lately I have had my doubts. It takes me back to when I would listen to poets on the mic talking all this jazz about positivity and loving one another, when in actuality they believed just the opposite. They would be the first one to not speak to someone for whatever reason or bad mouth another poets/artists work. So again is this possible, coming together to make a change?

Singers sing about it, painters paint about it, and many march and have marched to for change and to create change. However people complain even more today that not much has changed. So, what is the solution? It seems that people would have to change first and well people are stubborn. People are set in their ways and many don't like change. Those who do want change want to treat it like instant oatmeal and expect immediate results. So, this would mean we are unrealistic. Again I have to ask what is the solution.  How can people come together to change the world?

I agree that people need to work on themselves first in order to bring about any form of change, but the constant focus of self could cause a disconnection from humanity. Become so far removed only the tip of the nose would get attention. I believe by helping others we actually help ourselves. We start seeing more and feeling more our own issues could even become trite. Causing solutions to personal problems that may make you reach out to others.

In my opinion the problem is people focus on themselves so much that they disconnect without even knowing it. People put themselves in little groups and label themselves into categories creating a small world for themselves. The smaller our world the smaller our thoughts.

A variety of Straws

Some people are just grabbing at straws, and any straw will do. What I mean by this is they are reaching out to anyone and everyone with no discretion. Desperate for any kind of affection, and who is to judge? I have been dealing with many emotions mine and others. I try to put myself in their situation. How would I feel? What would I do? I have been going through my own transformation for the better. That is why my mind has just been turning over and over. I'm trying to use all emotions to finish the second poetry book. Sensual, angry, sad, hurt, you name it I am putting myself through it. I feel strong however and I feel that nothing is holding me back. I don't know what is down the road for me and I don't want to know. What I do know is I only want one straw. Write strong!!!


Much love

Cocoon

I haven't had much time to write on the blog/website due to activities and starting a new job. It's been amazing juggling everything. In order to concentrate on training for a new job I had to let go of some things. The main thing was going to open mic's. In order to truly focus not just on the job but on finishing the second book and a play, which didn't get funded on kickstarter, it is what had to be done. In addition to the new job I am directing a show for this years Boxfest (Detroit, Mi.) It's a festival of original play shorts, I picked the longest of course. I couldn't help it I was drawn to it. I have and plan to continue to audition for local productions. So, although I have had to let go of one creative aspect I enjoy several other creative outlets are keeping me busy. I left out that I am also the host for In Harmony Cafe (Pure Word Church) for the next two months (July & August.) All I can say is "what a busy little bee I have been."

 Many people expect you to do nothing but support, they don't come to support you, but yet they expect you to continue to give. Well being felt like I was being pulled in every direction but the one I wanted to go in, I decided to let go. I encourage everyone to do this. Don't fuss, don't moan and complain just let go, and I hate to be cliche but let God go to work. If you believe in something else than do you by all means but for me the lord above steers this ship.

I wrote a poem which I say in it "I don't feel like a butterfly some days" right now I have to say I do. Well not a butterfly yet but in process of becoming one. I'm in the cocoon stage and I can't wait to see what the final product will be.

Books of the week

101 Great American Poems (Dover Thrift Editions)

A Poetry Handbook

100 Best-Loved Poems (Dover Thrift Editions)

Poetry for Young People: Maya Angelou

The Road Not Taken and Other Poems (Dover Thrift Editions)

Erotic Poetry Collection

Songs for the Open Road: Poems of Travel and Adventure (Dover Thrift Editions)

If You're Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand: Poems About School (Aladdin Poetry)

Poetry for Young People: Robert Frost

Great Short Poems (Dover Thrift Editions)

Video of Artist & Author Vendor 4/30/11

Video of Artist & Author Vendor 4/30/11

Video of Artist & Author Vendor 4/30/11

Video of Artist & Author Vendor 4/30/11

Video of Artist & Author Vendors 4/30/11

Local Plays - Michigan

Books of the week

Here are some great deals on Amazon.com:

When Dream and Day Unite

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf Poster Broadway Theater 11x17

Masterpiece Theatre: Wuthering Heights (2009)

The Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology Volume 1 - Soprano - Book Only

Plays From the Contemporary American Theater (Signet Classics)

Five Women Wearing the Same Dress

Running Back To You - The Play

Contemporary Black and Asian Women Playwrights in Britain

Black Female Playwrights: An Anthology of Plays before 1950 (Blacks in the Diaspora)

New Black playwrights (Bard books/YD13)

Books of the week

Here are some great deals on Amazon.

100 Best-Loved Poems (Dover Thrift Editions)

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Poems by Emily Dickinson, Three Series, Complete

Black Pearls: The Poetry Of Maya Angelou

Songs for the Open Road: Poems of Travel and Adventure (Dover Thrift Editions)

Busy Bee

Is it possible to be too busy? I would love to say yes but if I weren't busy I don't know what I would do with myself. Free Flow has quite a few events to plan in the coming days and months. I've been so busy I haven't had time to work on the new play that I am writing. It is exciting I must admit doing all this. I just hope people appreciate it and enjoy it. Oh, the play will get finished!

Much love,
Crystal Reign

Detroit Skyline

Crystal Reign

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Events

Free Flow Poetry Theatre Co.: Events: "Brook Blander http://www.brookblander.com/
Free Flow Poetry & Theatre Co. in collaboration with Detroit Association of Women's C..."

Preparation

I am preparing for my acting class tomorrow and there is so much I want to share in this little time. It almost feels like an hour isn't enough. So I am going to go with the saying "less is more." It's funny people think they have to overwhelm in order to make an impact. When usually all that ends up happening is confusion. The subject I am teaching I absolutely love, so it's going to be hard to hold back.

I will share my life with you
Do not laugh or mock my love
For I will share with you my true desire

Crystal Reign

http://theexpatriate.deviantart.com/art/Theatre-Masks-15479012

Feature Review

The feature tonight, March 13th Sunday, with Emily Rose, Deonte Osayande, and Crystal Reign was absolutely fabulous. I am not writing this because I was in it, I'm merely stating facts. The dynamic between the artist and the audience was pure perfection. An artist couldn't have asked for a better audience they were attentive and gave positive energy back. Exactly what performers want. It's not an ego trip either, it's give and take. We give the best of us and we just ask that a little joy gets returned.

Emily Rose was perfection, her singing was heavenly. She is surely blessed with the ability to calm, inspire, and entertain simply by using her voice and guitar.

Deonte Osayande what can I say about this young, gifted poet. His words were more than entertaining they provided knowledge.

Crystal Reign, well I don't know what to say about myself. If I say anything it will seem like an ego trip. I will simply say I hoped I touched someones heart.

The other performers tonight were great. The open mic list included Lite Shineth, Wardell Montgomery, Wryter L Bush, Timothy Clark, the Drunken Muse host/hostess, and many more. They were all great and deserve to be featured artist.

Acting Classes

For Private acting/audition lessons from Crystal Reign directly contact 313-355-4521 or email, cbrock@freeflowpoetry.com. More info to come later.

Much love,
Crystal Reign

Feature Feelings

On Sunday March 13th I will feature with two other poets at Spirit of Hope Church on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Detroit MI. The other poets names are Deonte Osayande and Emily Rose. Deonte is a poet as well, and Emily is a poet and songwriter. The open mic is titled Spirit Spit and that is exactly what I'm going to do, spit my spirits out. I am excited and nervous because I am going to get very personal with this feature revealing feelings that I have not said to those who are close to me, and who will be there. I ask all to send positive thoughts and prayers to me that night if you are not attending.

Much love
Crystal Reign