by Paula Preston

Here is another Rogue 2015 performer article. We will be posting several more over the next 2 weeks until Rogue opens. After it opens, you will also find many Rogue show reviews. To learn more about this year’s event check out our Rogue 2015 preview article, and check out our Rogue Performer event page to learn about more of the performers this year. You can find all of the Rogue articles as they go up in our Arts & Entertainment section.

How does a shy reclusive writer go from living on a rural beach in Mexico to performing her second one woman show at the Rogue Festival? Poco a Poco. Little by little, step by step.

I’ve noticed that when folks retire they tend to follow their passions. I have a friend who plays with trains. For me I always loved theater. I think I can safely say I was once a precocious teenage actress but that was way back in the day. Life got in the way. Not in a bad way and I did push on. From Shakespeare Festival to Hollywood to script girl, editor, stand in, gopher, and producer – I explored that world.

Then I gave up that world that was so dependent on other folks, their projects, their time tables and returned to a quiet life of writing, but who to share it with? One day I looked up and decided to do stage work again and looked around. Where were the parts for older gals? My favorite role was Eleanor in Lion in Winter so I started researching, hoping to someday get a chance to perform in that play. Needless to say my research ran away with me.

Eight years later I had written a one woman show called Eleanor, the Captive Queen.

I had become fascinated with how an exceptionally strong woman copes with isolation. Writing is isolating, so once again how to share? I began in front of friends. In Paris, no less, in front of an actor/director I trusted. Then I returned to the beach and my couch surfers. One was a woman from Poland who turned out to be a film director and gave me great advice. Two young men told me I needed explosions and aliens – very funny, but I did consider it! Then there were performances in many living rooms and finally, The Boulder Fringe…in a flood. So I was hooked!

I asked Gemma Wilcox (at whose feet I worship) what would be a good place to go next and she recommended the Rogue in Fresno because they were really nice folks. She was right! What fun I had, even when I lost my crown in the Mardi Gras Parade. So one year later a new play. I say the last one was a historical drama, this one is hysterical…the hysteria is mine…the play may be funny.

It is a contemporary story, no costumes, no props, no airline baggage fee just the story of how I got to this point, fictionalized of course, with a character extroverted enough to approach folks and give them flyers. Please come and see it and give me your much welcomed feedback.

what: Good Grief a play written and performed by Paula Preston
when: February 28th 12:30 p.m.
March 1st 3:15 p.m.
March 5th 6:15 p.m.
March 7th 3:00 p.m.
where: Fulton St. Art 1118 N. Fulton St. Fresno, CA.
tickets: $5. through ROGUEFESTIVAL.COM
tickets for the Rogue Festival Teaser show at the Tower Theater
February 26th. 7:00 pm
roguefestival.ticketleap.com