Tag Archives: To Kill a Mockingbird

Weighing in on “Watchman”

I admit I was one of the flocks of millions who anticipated the new Harper Lee novel with glee.  A chance to re-enter that world of small town Alabama and the world of those characters, Scout, Atticus, Jem and Dill? … Continue reading

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Bob Dylan & Harper Lee: Forever Young

One usually doesn’t include Bob Dylan and Harper Lee in the same sentence. This week, however, the two icons made news, capturing the attention of fans and pundits. First, Dylan, 73, released his latest album, Shadows in the Night,  a collection … Continue reading

Posted in art, Books, History, interviews, Music, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Banned Book Week’s 30th Birthday

It’s the season pumpkins and apples, Octoberfests and harvests,  bonfires and hayrides.  And it’s Banned Book Week. What’s more, it’s the  American Library Association’s 30th Anniversary of celebrating not so much the freedom to read as the  perils of censorship. There’s … Continue reading

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Behind the Scenes: Auditions & Acting

Getting off the elevator and entering the rehearsal studio, a maze of small, pastel-painted,  mirrored rooms, complete with ballet barres,  and  seeing the young actors primping and pacing, perusing scripts and listening to music on their iPods, I was happy … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Education, interviews, New York City, parenting, Reading, teaching, Theater, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Actor Ray Fisher: Being Tom Robinson

Ray Fisher’s best friend bet him he’d get into acting school. The stakes? The loser would have to shave his head.  Sure enough, Fisher’s head was bald shortly after receiving his acceptance letter to the American Musical & Dramatic Academy … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Education, interviews, Shakespeare, teaching, teenagers, Theater, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mary Badham: “Looking Back with Scout”

Nearly 50 years after appearing as “Scout” in the 1962 film To Kill A Mockingbird,  Mary Badham continues to bring the movie’s messages about equality, compassion and tolerance around the world. Badham shared her memories of making the movie, her … Continue reading

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My Glimpse into the Green Room: To Kill A Mockingbird

“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re at half hour.” The stage manager reminded the cast and crew over the intercom. Sitting before my mirror in the dressing room, I joined the professional actors as we completed our final preparations: applying make-up, repinning … Continue reading

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Banned Book Week: Huck, Jem, Harry, & Tango

What do Huck Finn, Jem Finch, and Harry Potter have in common? They’re three teenage boys in books that have been banned or challenged. It’s Banned Book Week, the American Library Association’s annual recognition of censorship of printed material, particularly … Continue reading

Posted in Books, celebrations, commentary, Education, Family, New York City, Reading, teaching, teenagers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments