There’s No Business Like. . .

November 19 2012

There’s No Business Like. . .

Peggy Rubin Jean Houston

Jean Houston and Ms. Winfrey

My old friend, working associate, and favorite teacher Jean Houston will be conversing with Oprah Winfrey on her show, Super Soul Sunday, this November 25th, on the OWN Network. If you miss the cable broadcast, you can also see the program in streaming video at 11am EST on Oprah.com, or archived on the same website.

Jean’s report after taping the show a few weeks ago was how absolutely charming and talented Ms. Winfrey is (no surprise there) and how hard she works. That’s no surprise to Jean, who understands about working hard. Jean’s business manager, Connie Buffalo, and Ms. Winfrey worked together in Nashville some 37 years ago and enjoyed a fine “do you remember when?” reunion on the day the interview was taped. Jean’s new book, The Wizard of Us, is available now and provides much of the meat of her interview with Ms. Winfrey. Oprah sent this word about her time with Jean:

“Jean Houston interview was so deep I had to get transcript to process all the aha’s. They were coming so fast.”

Two close friends of Jean’s work – and of mine in Sacred Theatre – provided help with getting the book accomplished: Diane Nichols, writer, researcher, playwright, and poet, assisted Jean with the research and writing. And Denise Kester, Ashland’s wonderful visual artist, provided the artwork for the cover, with her mysterious and beautiful “Mother Natura.” Diane’s original play, the comedy “Tomatoes,” will be produced next spring at the Rogue Valley’s oldest community theatre, Barnstormers in Grants Pass, with Diane directing.

Speaking of Directing, I am working with the Ashland Contemporary Theatre to direct a staged reading of an original play about Madame de Pompadour. Jeanine Grizzard, Artistic Director of ACT, is playing Pompadour; the script is by local writer Molly Tinsley and the reading will happen at the Ashland Community Center, beginning January 19.

1 Comment

Fran Dukehart
November 19, 2012 @ 9:42 pm

You are speaking my heart/soul song. My favorite teacher, Jean Houston + the idea of sacred theatre has been in my heart/mind for many years. Too many synchronicity qualities for me to speak of …I feel so energetically connected…bless you!!

What Others Are Saying

Peggy Rubin is a master of theater and the art of becoming. Her book – a masterpiece in every way – will hold you spellbound as you discover the drama of your soul and the purpose of your life. The unique expression of your essence – the Divine theophany that you are – emerges almost magically as you read this clear, penetrating, and insightful book and work with the exceptional exercises. Brava, Peggy!"

Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. Author of Your Soul's Compass and A Woman's Journey to God.

"From Sacred Theatre to sacralizing your life's story, Peggy Rubin takes you through an engaging and wonderful process that will expand your perspective in a myriad of ways and enrich your journey forever. We love this book."

Donna Eden and David Feinstein, Authors, Energy Medicine

"I have always been able to employ in real life what I’ve learned in my theatrical training. Peggy Rubin has now made that process available to anybody who reads this book. It’s very readable and I highly recommend it."

Ellen Burstyn, Golden Globe and Oscar-winning actress

"Each of the arts offers models for the composing of lives, but, as Peggy Rubin demonstrates, theater perhaps most of all. This effervescent description of sacred theater should inspire us all as composers of our lives and caring actors in the world."

Mary Catherine Bateson, author of Composing a Further Life: The Age of Active Wisdom.

"Peggy Rubin’s brilliant elucidation of the nine powers of sacred theatre propels us away from any impoverished tunnel vision about our lives that we may have slipped into in the face of changing times. We find ourselves in a place where we recognize our lives for their full power and wonder, as a lifelong performance of sacred theatre. Peggy gives us tools from the best in theater tradition translated into effective life skills for sustaining and guiding us."

Trish Broersma, author of Riding into Your Mythic Life, Transformational Adventures with the Horse.

“It gives me perspective on what I am in this time in the world, and feeds my sense of vitality; it enables me to go through really tough stuff knowing that sooner or later the scene will change. There’s a different sense of everything when you begin to look from this point of view.”

Life Coach Elizabeth Austin, RN, CPCC, CEC

TO BE AND HOW TO BE presents an entirely fresh pathway to self-understanding. The book delights the ear, heart, mind, and soul, offering the riches of a deep love for the theatre and the harvest of a long and wide-ranging study of literature, spiritual traditions, and brain and energy research."

Lisa S. Nelson, Ph.D. Professor,Department of Political Science and Masters in Public Administration (MPA)Program

“It makes me want to walk on chairs, take delight in playing different roles, and gives me the courage just to step out there. I find it's possible to do things I would never have dreamed of doing.”

EG