Form your mind to mine, and the work continues...

Photo by Carmen Ruggero -- all rights reserved

A Living Experience

Many years ago, as a young budding actress, I met a most wonderful woman by the name of Beah Richards. She was not only an actress of impeccable talent, but a poet, and a loud and clear voice reaching out to minorities, and humanity as a whole. She spoke from her experience as a black woman, to all women. Her wisdom addressed us all. I was fortunate to have Beah as a drama coach. Her teachings on the “Theater of Being” still influence my writing.

Beah Richards is famous for her talent, and the many unforgettable roles she played, in film and on stage, but particularly for her one woman show, “A Black Woman Speaks”.

LisaGay Hamilton, actress/filmmaker, presents the HBO production of her documentary, “Beah: A Black Woman Speaks”, which premiers on HBO, on Wednesday, February 25^th at 7:30 PM ET/PT.

I also had the honor to have photographed Beah Richards. I did her portrait several times, as well as numerous documentary shots of her acting workshops. Some of my pictures will appear on this HBO production.

When Beah died a few years ago, I felt her loss very deeply. I had already relocated to the Midwest by then.  Too many miles between us; I missed her, I missed the communion we had enjoyed. I didn't even know how ill she was until a few months before her death. And suddenly, she was gone from my life.

My career in theater was very short; the thought of not having suceeded bothered me, but not necessarely because of any personal loss. It was, instead, because I felt very strongly that her work had to continue through those she taught so well. Knowing her was one of the strongest experiences I've ever had with a human being. She and I were more than coach and student, we were close friends. Her teachings and friendship were priceless gifts to me. The Theater of Being was more than an acting class, it taught me a way a living, and gave me a creative tool for a lifetime.

How does one repay such debt? One can’t. One simply continues to live the experience she so freely shared. We honor our teachers by continuing to grow and to carry on with our work -- their work. And the legacy is carried on. I don’t act any more, but her hand and unending spirit, still guide me. I had, of course, no idea back then, that I would eventually be writing fiction and poetry. That the creative process would continue, and that years later her words would still run through my mind. And she still teaches me. I write with the understanding of life she has shared with me. It is mine like a fingerprint – here to stay.

I am very honored that my photography will appear in this production. It's like we've somehow reconnected. In explaining "being", she used tell us in class, that experience is walking the full circle, arriving at the point of departure, and recognizing it for the first time. After all these years, and all we’ve lived and shared, this puts us back together, it validates our experience, it closes the circle -- one more time. And what I wish to say to her is: “I’m still learning Beah, I honor your friendship, and your teachings. From your mind to mine, your work continues.

Please watch this HBO production, I guarantee it will be one to grow from.

Carmen Ruggero .2004