Daily Archives: 04/22/2013

(Community Matters) LIVESTRONG and Partners in Health deliver Hope around the world.

(Community Matters) Great to see Dr. Paul Farmer again and hear, “An Update from the Field.” LIVESTRONG and Partners in Health are partners in the delivery of cancer treatment abroad. I  consider Paul a hero, a man who thinks expansively & constructively, is committed to others, and who everyday makes this world a better place to live   – notes from a August 2011 visit.

A few of my notes:

Catastrophic illness is often the tipping point from poverty to destitution.

Stigma is a barrier related to barriers preventing access to treatment.

NGOs should be working w/ public health authorities, not against them.

Soon it will be possible to cure people of chronic Hepatitis C.

He cited Treatment Action Group (TAG) as a model of organization and advocacy – citing them as more knowledgeable about AIDS/HIV than most infectious disease experts.

Urged other advocates to not argue against any existing levels of funding but for more.

“Vertical enthusiams”

Appreciate Andy Miller, Doug Ulman, & Morgan Binswanger inviting me to join the presentation. Pleased to see so many LIVESTRONG friends as well as Lynn Meredith, Bob Wynn, Spencer Hayes and my godson, Austin Knaplund.

(Community Matters) Steven and I joined JoLynn Free, Sharon Watkins and friends for a light supper and drinks with playwright Andrew Hinderaker (pictured) and director Sarah Rasmussen before heading up to UT’s Lab Theatre to see The Kingdom.

It was a staged reading within UT’s annual showcase (UT New Works) presenting new plays from the M.F.A. Playwriting Program. Michael Mitchell, Gable & Dio Cramer & I had recently seen Colossal, which blew me away – tight script, compelling story, great directing & choreography, spectacular staging. Last night, Steven and I were equally compelled by the staged reading of Andrew’s The Kingdom.

Obviously in a rough state, it’s already compelling and the characters are living. I can’t wait to see what this play becomes.  (Colossal photo ©2013 David Bjurstrom)

Andrew Hinderaker’s other recent work include the New York premiere of Suicide, Incorporated (Roundabout Theatre) and the world premieres of Dirty (Gift Theatre) and I Am Going to Change the World (Chicago Dramatists). His plays have been produced/developed by the Kennedy Center, Steppenwolf, Manhattan Theatre Club, Rattlestick, Mixed Blood, and numerous others.


Sarah Rasmussen is a recent transplant to Austin, joining UT as the MFA directing professor and Zach Scott as Associate Artistic Director. She’s got an impressive resume of directing, teaching and fellowship credits. It’s a real coup that UT has recruited her here. Brant Pope, Steven Dietz, Suzan Zedder, Kirk Lynn, now joined by Sarah, are rebuilding UT’s Theater & Dance Department in a huge way. Steven and I are thrilled to participate.