LOOKING BACK AT 2011

with Elise, Rebecca & Stephen

March, 2012

Dear Ones,

Hard to believe another year has sped by – and the Dewsberry/Green household has been as busy as ever.

Rebecca has the most interesting tale to tell this year.  She started out in San Francisco, working for Greenpeace and fitting in visits to Toronto, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles. But things got really exciting in the summer when Rebecca flew to Cuba for three weeks of Spanish immersion.  She lived with one family in Santiago for a while, and then on to Trinidad for time with a second family.  Both families, and her Spanish teachers, made her feel like family while she was there.  From Cuba, Rebecca flew to Buenos Aires to meet up with her childhood friend Emma Banks.  Rebecca and Emma then travelled together across Argentina and back to Cochabamba, Bolivia, where Emma was living and working.  Rebecca was able to make a side-trip to Lake Titicaca before heading back home from her amazing summer.

As if her summer wasn’t exciting enough, Rebecca then moved to Chicago – having won a fellowship at SEIU (the Service Employees union) through an organization that places people in fellowships to learn about community organizing.  This placement couldn’t have come at a better time, since Rebecca was able to devote a lot of time to supporting the brand new Occupy Chicago movement (including getting arrested along with them as they occupied a park in Chicago in October).  Rebecca has been enjoying living in a cooperative home in Chicago – with two cats and two chickens!  She has also been writing reviews for an online blog at a site called Chicago3Media – which has given her the opportunity to see lots of theatre and to attend some cool parties.  Her fellowship is just finishing up as I write this – and we’ll keep you posted on what she decides to do next – and where she decides to do it.

Stephen keeps pretty busy with teaching and free-lancing, as well as maintaining websites for several different organizations.  We were also thrilled to add some new names to the Green side of the family tree:  Alexa Eden was born back in March of 2010 and is practically all grown up now – but we’ve had two more additions since then:  Alexa now has a sister – Haley Victoria – born to (nephew) Anthony and Cathy in November of 2011, and (nephew) Joshua and Orit just welcomed Jessica Annie on March 2 (just last week!).

Elise remains as busy as ever at the Academy for New Musical Theatre.  The past year included: a full production of the new musical AGING OUT (developed at ANMT) at UC Irvine; a trip to the Goodspeed New Works Festival in Connecticut, and the annual NAMT conference  in New York, another workshop of LOVE BYTES in Woodside, concert presentations of GILBERT & SULLIVAN ON WALL STREET and EMERALD (winners of the ANMT Search) and our annual GOT MUSICAL; as well as a starring role in the concert reading of THE ANGEL OF PAINTED POST.  Elise directed the 15 Minute Musicals this season – four brand new musicals under the title LOST AND FOUND.  Elise also directed a special short musical written especially for the anniversary of the writer’s in-laws; and the presentation of the new musical THE RING at our first ever STAGES FESTIVAL.  In the same festival, Elise also got to perform in NOW AND THEN A HERO.  Plans are beginning to shape up for a even busier summer with a full production of a new musical and our bi-annual conference, as well as lots of other presentations.  Details to follow!

The Dewsberrys had an impromptu family reunion over the summer – prompted by the combination of the very sad passing of Elise’s uncle, Ralph Baur, and the (successful!) by-pass surgery of Elise’s Dad, Art.  Elise and Rebecca were able to travel to Kansas City to visit with Art after his surgery – and Rebecca stayed to look after Art (along with Peg and Cara) while June, Bruce, and Elise travelled to Ralph’s funeral, where we were able to visit with many members of the Baur clan.  A sad occasion – but a wonderful opportunity to visit with many uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Other interesting moments this year: Elise bought a new car (a Honda Insight hybrid); Stephen and Elise did a photography shoot to celebrate the 30th anniversary of our engagement; Stephen made a trip to Detroit for a conference and fit in a visit to family in Toronto; Elise and Stephen met up with June and Art in Chicago to visit Rebecca in her new digs and to see the sites of the amazing Windy City (where June and Art met, and Elise was born!); and Rebecca became a redhead.

All in all, it’s been another awesome year for the whole family – and we hope that you and yours are having as great a time as we are!

Much love,

Elise, Stephen, and Rebecca

Rebecca in beautiful Cuba!

On the shore of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.

Studying Spanish with her Cuban host.

Moving to Chicago

Floating above the Windy City

Above: the family in Chicago Right: Rebecca and Stephen on the Architectural Boat Tour

Standing Up for Chicago's 99%

from blonde ...

to redhead!

Above: The writers and cast of the 15 Minute Musicals / Left: the 2011 15 Minute Musicals Cast (directed by Elise Dewsberry)

Stephen and Elise’s 30th Anniversary Photo Shoot (in middle: holding our engagement picture from 1981!)

A new car ... ... and a New Year!