Howdies?

I just had a thought. For those of you who may not make it to Long Beach on 1/24, you can easily leave messages for Ken here by making a comment. He won't know about this blog until after the gathering. So.. here you go.

Final plans for Rugg's celebration are in full swing.

Guests are asked to arrive at the Studio Theatre on the Long Beach campus at 4PM on Saturday, January 24th. Everyone is asked to bring something to share to eat.. pot luck finger type food as well as a beverage.. wine, six pack of beer or soda. Shelley will arrive with Ken at 4:30. Please be on time. We'll figure out the format for the program as we go along. I think that Shelley's evite asks guests to sign up for a brief memory or anecdote that relates to Ken.

I'm not sure about parking in the parking lot on Saturdays. Check back here for more information about that. Not sure how long things will go on. Guess it all depends on how many show up.

Several years ago Ken, The Hawk and I went to Medieval Times (or was it that Western Show next door in Buena Park??) for someone's birthday. This image somehow got Photoshopped.

Old Friends

This is one of Rugg's photos of our production of Pierre Patelin. The woman playing my wife.. Lou... gosh.. what's her last name? We had a great time doing this in parks. Michael Lyman was in this one, too, playing a judge.

Over the past couple of days I've learned again what an amazng resource the internet is. Through an art gallery in New York City I was able to contact Iris Rose, an artist I met in the summer session at Long Beach in about 1970. She lives in Manhattan, but was in Oregon when she got my message. A couple of days later I got a note from her saying that she was visiting with Jeanne Gallo in San Francisco, another friend from those days in Long Beach.

Today, in Sun City, Arizona, I contacted Madelyn Rusthoven who was also a student then. Jaye Johnson should be able to round up Richard Gray, who may be in touch with others from the sixties/seventies at Long Beach State.

I've also contacted a former student of mine, Linda Tyler (now Valenti) who was part of the original Merrie Masquers group.

I've no idea how many others may be following this blog. Hope it's fun for Rugg to read after the party!

Michael

The Birthday Boy!

I thought that I'd share this video image that Rugg sent to me the other day. What a smile! His computer faces out towards the living room. That drawing on the wall is one of a series that Shelley did for her Masters Degree. The drawing is of her grandmother, Margaret Rugg.

Moving Right Along...

Grace has found an actor who has, in turn, sent a list of former students/actors. She says that responses are now coming in! We've set a deadline for responses by about the middle of December, but if we do this pot luck idea, then it seems to me that it'll be a wonderful free for all.

I like the idea of brainstorming what to do for the evening with all who are into making suggestions. We discussed the idea of having Ken sit on a 'throne' center stage or in the middle of the space and just have him sit and listen as we all tell favorite anecdotes about our experiences with him.

Please forward ideas and additional email addresses to Grace and/or Shelly. I won't publish anyone's address here. If you send info to me at laotzu (then 41) and then A T yahooooooo daught calm, I can forward the information to the ladies if you don't have their addresses. Remember when doing an email address there are no spaces. Hope this code isn't too confusing. I've heard there are auto systems that cruise the net looking for email addresses to spam.

News about the scholarship fund as it rolls in. Questions? Please post questions and comments here.


Michael

BIG BIRTHDAY!

Shelley Rugg has an idea. She wants us all to help celebrate her dad's Diamond Jubilee.

Yep, Ken Rugg is turning 75 and if all goes well, lots of old theatre friends and others will assemble for a big surprise party on the CSULB campus. It's a surprise, so as you connect with us here and in email, please make sure you don't cc to Ken.

Shelley has begun a Kenneth Rugg Scholarship Fund that will aid theatre students at CSULB. Donations to the Fund are welcome. How to do that will be known soon.

If you've studied with Ken, been on faculty with him, worked in theatre with him, gone to school with him or in anyway have an association, please leave a note here.

Also, all ideas for the celebration starting the afternoon of Saturday, January 24, 2009, are solicited and most welcome. Currently, we hope to surprise Ken in the Studio Theatre and either have folks come together with performances or presentations. Another idea is to just have folks recount memories of our associations with Ken.

Check this site for updates. We hope to have confirmed guests by about December 15th to plan for food and drink.

Please, pass the word. Which, of course.. is "Mummmm!"..

Michael Sheehan