Everything that's fit to print.

Hi there. You may have already gotten the attached newsletter announcing the new class I will be teaching at The Gorilla Theatre, but, just in case you haven't heard, go here.. Please pass it along to any teens in the Tampa Bay area whom you think would benefit from a program like this. It is a non-musical performance experience for teen actors.

No to the good part. The part where I update you on all the fantastically artistic and rewarding things I have been up to lately and encourage you to add some events to your "support local art" dance card.

1st item on the table is Embedded produced by The Jobsite Theater. This is the third and final weekend. No room for an extension. This is absolutely your last chance to see this incredibly vivid representation of reporters embedded in combat zones. I saw last Saturday night's sold out performance. It was amazing. So visceral, so raw. I highly recommend. But don't take my word, see what others are saying here.

Also on the Jobsite stage (The Shimberg Playhouse at TBPAC) late nights on Friday and Saturday of this weekend is LOL: An Evening with Mr. Funny Black Man himself, ranney. I also saw this last Saturday. Ranney is working through some material for his next stand-up show over 4 nights, 2 last weekend and 2 this weekend. If you attend Friday or Saturday night, stick around after the show. Or you can join us at 10:30 just for LOL. Tickets are free to Jobsite Season Subscribers and $5 for all others.

Next weekend The Gorilla Theatre opens Tim Cruch's An Oak Tree. I have had the magnificent privilege to direct this beautiful experiment which delivers a new actor every night who has NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPT! That's right, every performance we toss a bay area actor out onto the stage for a full length play and they have no preparation. Steve Mountain is the only other actor and their sole rsource for making it through to the end. You cannot miss this fascinating look at open and honest act of being and the power of suggestion.

We have started a An Oak Tree Blog, which documents each of our guest rehearsal actors (or, as we call them all, Bob). Each night of rehearsal, since the second rehearsal, we have had a full run through with a different local actor who has volunteered to be a guinea pig for the process. See what they have to say. NOTE: SPOILER ALERT. If you go to the blog, please pay close attention to the spoiler alerts I have listed so that when you see the performance you will be able to enjoy the whole process right along side that evening's "Bob".

That's it for today. Look for more from me in the near future and, as always, no matter where you may be located, there is always an opportunity to support local art. From the millions of local artists like my self, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Recently I have been exploding into the world of electronic journaling. Overwhelming, to say the least. More importantly, it has been disjointed and inconsistent. A post on Myspace here, a tweet on twitter there, a mass e-mail today, a facebook event tomorrow. I want one place that is mine, that can be shared and that can accommodate all those other places as well. So here goes.

I am Ami Sallee Corley. I am a freelance Actor/Director/Sound Designer, arts administrator/producer and theater educator. I have worked with some of the best companies in the Tampa Bay Area and a few others across the country. I recently left a very comfortable full-time affiliation with a very large company in order to spread my experience in many directions. I have so many ideas that I was not able to get them all out in one company. Since the transition, I have become affiliated with multiple theater companies, expanded my teaching to other organizations as well, and added a few organizations that produce events to my "list". In short, I have my hand in many pots nowadays and I love it. It is exactly what I was hoping for.

Part of my strengths is that I am a great facilitator - of projects, of produced events and of relationships. I enjoy being in the middle of a meeting, hearing a voiced need and having that light bulb. "I know exactly who you need!" is my favorite feeling. Most often, it is not only a beneficial solution to the voiced need but to the recommended colleague as well. For example, introducing Erica Porch to Gorilla Theatre was a glorious moment for both parties
involved and tickled my spirit. I thought, "this is why I do what I do."

Hopefully this place will be a vehicle for more of these introductions.

Here's to supporting local art and local artists!