Twisting the night away on stage

How it all started, condensed version:

It was the 11th grade at Stevenson High School and I still hadn’t found my footing. Quite shy, difficult to make friends, afraid of everything.
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Two things happened that year to place me on the trajectory of success: I joined debate and took a speech class. Before long, this quiet, introverted kid was in front of people, at first in a classroom, and later on an auditorium stage.

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I began to identify an inner voice. It said I was OK to be different, a little off the wall here and there. It fired my imagination and urged me forward.

Even as I discovered journalism in 12th grade, I continued participating in theatrical competitions and became much more comfortable being goofy. I even did a little stand-up in college (and we are SO HAPPY that all happened before Al Gore invented the internet.)

My point: Fire up a teenager’s imagination, and good things will follow.

I recalled those early days last Saturday night after viewing an extraordinary performance of a production called “The Cursed” at Twistid Arts Initiative.

I’m not a theater reviewer, and I won’t start that now. It’s a Halloween theme, screams and zombies, but much more. Thoroughly entertaining 45 minutes of choreographic dancing and music in something called a “black box theater.” The audience is right there with the actors.

Twistid Arts may be familiar. The non-profit, headed by Elisha Belden, led the Cooter festivities in Inverness the last two years, but not this year.

A week ago, Elisha sent out a Facebook plea for help. The nonprofit is not sustainable financially. An anticipated grant didn’t show up. She’ll soon be unable to continue her work with kids without some community assistance.

I had a Cattle Dog chat with Elisha the other day and offered whatever help Just Wright Citrus can provide. I see her challenge, at least at the present time, as one of community awareness.

Twistid Arts is at 208 W. Highland Boulevard in Inverness. I drive Highland Boulevard all the time and never noticed it there until a friend invited me to The Cursed on Saturday night. Inverness doesn’t have an arts district, and this part of town is mainly houses and small offices. Twistid Arts sort of blends in.

Elisha showed me the black box theater. It’s as described. She profusely thanked Raymond Frankart Roofing (who, in Inverness, doesn’t know Mule?) and Worthington A.C. & Heating for help with renovating an old building into a theater.
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Didn’t know what to expect from the performance. The audience seats share the same floor as the performers. We’re told to keep our hands and feet close by, and the reason for that became fairly clear as zombie actors swooped through.

I kept thinking, mesmerized by the performance, that these are Citrus County teenagers being shown a way of life they never knew existed. Saturday night was one of those moments that made me proud being a Citrus Countian — I live in a community that provides such incredible possibilities for young people to grow and showcase their talents.

So, how can we help? First off, The Cursed performances conclude this weekend. Here’s the ticket information. There are about 50 seats available for each performance, and they’re having trouble filling them. I’m telling ya…this is the best 15 bucks you’ll spend.

Elisha Belden is one of the most impressive people I’ve met. Her heart is for kids. Her fear is if Twistid Arts ceases, what happens to those kids' dreams?

Elisha’s stories tell me she’s had young Mike Wrights in her stead. Kids in the corner, afraid to say a word, unwilling to escape their shadows. With coaxing and encouragement from Elisha and the other performers, they gradually discover an inner voice.

The teen who wouldn’t look anyone in the eye last year is now prancing about onstage in zombie gear, feeling more like herself than ever in her life.

I look at an Elisha Belden, as I have with dozens of teachers and educators over the years, including Mrs. Livermore and Mr. McBroom from my 11th grade, and am so grateful they care for scrawny kids like me. 

Let’s help, OK? Halloween is scary, but this shouldn’t be.

Have a ghoulish Thursday, friends.

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