Issue 24: SAGE

issue 24

autumn 2012

{tap} style, literature, & fashion culture style, literature, & fashion culture style, literature, & fashion culture

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4. Introduction 6. A Note From the Editor

by Geneva Gleason 8. Meet the Editors 10. Inspirations

by Clara Smith

STYLE

12. Live in Color

by Ruzica Puskas-Ragontse 20. Wonderland

by Iana Chyzhankova 26. The Wanderer

by Brandi Nicole 36. The Sophisticate

by Joey Quintero

FASHION CULTURE

46. A Foot in the Door

by Hannah Rahel 48. Business on the Beach

by Hannah Rahel

ART

50. Painting Buddhism

by Emily Miller 52. Photo

by Mary Rippe

LITERATURE

53. Weeding

by Peter LaBerge 53. A Song for Emma Mariah

by Elizabeth Ballou 54. Iocaste

by Sarah Fleming 55. Message in a Bottle

by Molly McGinnis

POLITICS

56. Where Women Stand

by Ellie Smith 58. Phenomenal Woman: Betsy True

by Clara Smith

FAREWELL

80. Photo

by Kaitlin Abrams {page 3}

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ISSUE 24: SAGE

GENEVA GLEASON Editor-in-Chief Hannah Rahel Fashion Editor Alexa Derman Literature Editor Clara Smith Politics Editor

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Publisher TAP Magazine

Š TAP Magazine 2012. All rights reserved. www.tapmagazine.net

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{The 24th issue of TAP serves to introduce a new era of publication.

As you experience SAGE, please enjoy the curation of art, literature, and politics in addition to the typical style and fashion culture. This content was manifested by TAP’s new roster of editors, all young women dedicated to the TAP mission. By adding these parts of our world to the TAP content sphere, each issue will now empower and bring together young women on multiple levels, enabling our readers to further forge identities through each piece we publish.

This issue additionally introduces our new website, which can be experienced at tapmagazine.net.

If you have any feedback whatsoever regarding this issue, our new website, and any of the subsequent changes, please email the editorial team at tapzine@gmail.com. For now, we present SAGE.}

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meet the

EDITORS Introduce yourselves to {tap}’s brand new staff of editors! Poems and runways and debates, oh my!

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Hannah Rahel, Fashion Culture Editor Hannah Rahel is the teenage fashion blogger and creator of Below The Seam voicing her opinion on ways to live a philanthropic life through fashion. After attending the Fashion Institute of Technology during the summer of 2010 to take high school courses on fashion merchandising and styling, Hannah decided to start her own fashion blog. Hannah Rahel does coverage on fashion shows including Mercedez Benz Fashion Week events and parties. She is writing her interpretation on all happenings in the fashion world, beauty, and lifestyle while promoting philanthropic consciousness.

Alexa Derman, Literature Editor Alexa Derman is a high school junior, and a Fiction Editor at The Adroit Journal in addition to her work for {tap}. She was recently awarded a gold medal (given to the top 0.3% of submissions) by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, with her piece additionally being named one of the top five entries from the North East. She was also shortlisted for Adroit’s yearly prize in fiction. An excerpt from her play The Lemon Juice Diet opened at the Lucille Lortel theatre in the spring of 2012.

Alexa is the corresponding editor of her school’s literary magazine.

Clara Smith, Politics Editor Clara Smith is a high school senior and is thrilled to be a part of TAP magazine.

Clara is also the Web Editor-in-Chief for her high school newspaper, Hi’s Eye, and is on the staff of her high school’s literary arts magazine, Folio. Additionally, she participates in Young Democrats club, of which she is an executive board member, in addition to the Youth and Government and Model United Nations programs.

Outside of school, she loves to hike, bike, practice photography and watch videos of cats.

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LIVE IN COLOR Photographed by Ruzica Puskas-Ragontse, modeled by Imena De Barros (The Artist Agency), makeup designed by Elle Sherrod, hair and body art designed by Keia Vita Blu’ Bradford and Katt Vita Blu Monroe, styled by Ruzica Puskas-Ragontse and Elle Sherrod, retouching by Lloyd Mabuto.

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Photographed by Iana Chyzhankova (Jane Cutenko), modeled by Alena Porivaj.

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THE WANDERER Photographed by Brandi Nicole, modeled by Haley Simmons.

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Photographed by Joey Quintero (assisted by Hector Caminero and Joanne Higgins, styled by Lorenzia Balmer (assisted by Asya Bell), hair designed by Maryline Mendes, makeup designed by Maya Noel, modeled by Jessica Milam, produced by Geneva Gleason (assisted

by Daniel Fahrenthold and Michaela Winberg).

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A FOOT IN THE DOOR

Photo by Michael Dumlao

Ryan Charchian is the teenage blogger behind fashion and lifestyle website Cashmere & Tweed. Ryan, who started blogging at 13 years old, is now 18 and ready to embark on his college years during which he will be studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. With big moves on the way for Cashmere & Tweed, I got to meet up with Ryan in NYC this summer for a chat about what’s coming up both in his fashion and personal worlds.

Hannah Rahel

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{autumn 2012} Hannah Rahel: When did you realize your affinity with RC: Everyone needs and wants exposure. Using fashion? Was there a specific moment that influenced young editors allows them to grow their portfolio and your desire to work in fashion one day? also hone their abilities to learn. I also enjoy working with friends, which makes it easier for me to work Ryan Charchain: The first time I picked up a Teen with them.

Vogue I had no idea what anything even was. When I had to do a middle school project I decided I would HR: Can you tell us about your future endeavor with interview Amy Astley (Editor-In-Chief of Teen Vogue). Tumblr?

I look back now and think, “Wow. How was I so lucky to score an interview with her?” Amy lead me on my RC: Tumblr will allow our content to spread more th way, and gave me tons of advice on how to immerse rapidly. Tumblr is the 19 most popular site in the myself in fashion through films and books to expand United States right now, and they have a fashion evangelist that works at Tumblr and only deals with my knowledge. fashion content. I feel my site will get more of an HR: Though many of us love fashion, what made you advantage by being on Tumblr. This is a place where want to start working in fashion from such a young creators and innovators need to go. age?

HR: What made you choose to attend Fashion RC: Fashion grabbed me in because I was able to have Institute of Technology when deciding on colleges? fun, meet great people, and excel at what I was doing.

It kept me going. In this day and age, you must get RC: First of all, FIT is in the city. It will give me ahead. I knew I would have to start young if I wanted a broad degree because I will have the fashion background of my degree and the technical side. That to one day succeed. way in the long run I could work for a PR firm, a HR: What have been the trials of trying to make a fashion PR firm, or anything else that is in the fashion name for yourself in the fashion industry at such a industry or not. young age?

HR: What do you hope to accomplish for yourself in RC: My age! Everyone thinks I am too naive or too college? juvenile to be working in the industry at this age. I’ve really had to prove myself too many people in the past. RC: I want to meet new people, learn more about Also, I don’t have a background in fashion so it was New York, intern, and well… have fun! much harder to first start out.

HR: What is it about New York City that you love HR: What have been some of your accomplishments much? that you never thought you would attain so early on? RC: I love that it is always changing. I can walk by RC: To meet the people I have met so far still boggles the same street everyday but there are always different me. Tim Gunn is a man I met and have stayed in things happening on it. New York is always awake contact with ever since. He is a big influence on me. and I love that.

Being accredited for fashion week, working with an amazing team of people around the globe, and to be able to do it everyday is the best part of it all for me.

Some people start blogs and then stop. I keep going.

Every time I hear a “no” it doesn’t stop me. It makes me work harder.

HR: What is on your to-do list for the next year regarding Cashmere & Tweed?

RC: The next year I will be branding Cashmere & Tweed more, expanding our overseas presence, and deciding if I should start working with advertisers.

HR: Tell us about your choice to use only young editors Read Ryan’s blog at cashmereandtweed.com and on your site Cashmere & Tweed. follow him on Twitter at @cashmereandtweed. {page 47}

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Hannah Rahel: Growing up in Miami, where did you pick up your attraction to the fashion industry?

Andrea Paola Sanchez: Ever since I can remember, I’ve had a strong inclination and love for fashion. I think my mother had a lot to do with it. She worked in retail her all her life, and I definitely caught on quickly.

I also t hink growing up in Miami really opened up my eyes to the possibilities of working in fashion. Miami may not be the capital of fashion, but its residents are definitely fashion forward. Being exposed to designers and seeing such stylish and trendy women at such an early age, definitely sparked my interest. Let’s just say I was never “the kid in the candy store” I was the “kid in Saks.”

HR: Spending so much time in your mothers swimwear boutique gave you an inside look to the business side of fashion at such an early age. What made you want to get involved with the business and expand while still being so young?

{autumn 2012} APS: I think that when I was younger, I was oblivious to the fact that I was a kid. I never really thought that I couldn’t do something because of my age. My parents have always been super encouraging with whatever project I wanted to take on. And with that, I always looked up to mother. So when she would invite me to meetings with representatives from different companies, I of course never though twice about going. By the time I was 12, all the reps knew me and would ask me my opinion about the collections. They even started trying to convince me to sell the lines, because they knew my mother trusted my fashion sense. I basically became my mother’s sidekick. We would place order’s, come up with story lines for the boutique, set up the window displays – all together. From there I became almost obsessed with the idea of designing and styling, and I realized that the business side of fashion is what allows designers to actually put their visions into reality. So in a way, the business found me and I fell in love with it from the start.

HR: How do you combine work into your life while still trying to be a teenager and have fun?

APS: It can get difficult. I get into sticky situations of having to choose staying home to place orders for upcoming seasons instead of going out with my friends. I just try to have a happy medium between my work and social life. Sometimes I have to sit back and realize I am only seventeen, and should enjoy my teen years. So on those nights I choose going out with my friends. And just work double time the next morning in the office.

HR: What advice can you give to other teenagers trying to involve themselves in the fashion industry at such a young age?

APS: I think the best advice for other teenagers, is not to let your age define you or stop you from achieving your goals. It’s never too early to start working for you want.

HR: What motivates you to work so hard?

HR: Can you tell us what exactly you are working on APS: Well, I have always enjoyed working. I’m just the for Paola Boutique? type of person that always has to be doing something.

APS: I basically run the entire website for Paola Bou- But I think my parents and their support is what keeps tique. I add the products, update the inventory, create me going a lot of the time. I also have so many dreams the graphics, etc. And my mother and I still do the buy- and goals in my life, whether it be traveling or starting ing for the boutique – which is my favorite part. And a new business, and I want to be able to achieve them as far as my goals for Paola Boutique, I am focusing myself. I feel motivated to be a successful individual. on carrying very trending lines; I really want to start catering to a young and trendy clientele, and eventually HR: What is it that you hope to accomplish in the future for Paola Boutique? expand to apparel – which we’ve recently started.

APS: We just opened a showroom open to the public, HR: What is it that you love about designer swimwear? so that is a huge deal. I just want to continue expanding APS: I think that swimwear requires more craftsman- the lines we carry and as I said before, to start carrying ship and actual designing than most people think. Every apparel. Who knows where Paola will take me. I’m exyear the trends for swimwear drastically change, and cited to find out! to see the designer’s visions come to life each year is HR: What is your favorite part about working in the amazing to me. I absolutely love swimwear. Because fashion industry? my family and I are such water sporting aficionados (my father and brother are boat captains, so I basically APS: I think my favorite part about working in the grew up on the water), I think designer swimwear is the fashion industry is being a part of something bigger perfect medium between by two passions – fashion and than myself. I am not gifted musically or artistically, anything marine related. and fashion gives me the freedom to express my emotions and myself as an artist would. That, I believe, is HR: What do you describe as Miami’s signature style? the greatest thing fashion offers.

APS: This is a tough one. I think Miami has two signaShop Paola Boutique at paolaboutique.com and follow ture styles: trendy beach hippie by day and sultry (althem on Twitter at @paolaboutique. most too sultry) babe by night. {page 49}

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PAINTING BUDDHISM

“My senior project topic was on Buddhism. at the time, I was in a creative rut, a writer's block except with paint. It was a sad time for me because art is my outlet and when my outlet made me feel sad, I felt like I couldn't express myself. Each time I attempted to paint, I drowned myself with judgment.

My mind told me, ‘This sketch is too abstract’ or ‘This idea is too conceptual, where are your technical skills?’ To heal my sadness I went to Barnes & Noble and picked up a book on Buddhism. I heard somewhere that the principles of Buddhism can heal anger and resentment. I read and realized that by incorporating Buddhist principles into the mind stream and creative process, people can improve their well-being and promote lasting happiness.

This was all great and dandy, but I couldn't just study Buddhism for the project.

I needed to make something out of it, not just for the grade, but for myself. I thought a painting would be the best way to prove to myself and include in my paper how Buddhist principles could affect the mind and art process.

The time lapse video I made was a challenge in itself. I filmed the entire production of the painting, which was approixmately 19 hours, and then had to cut and edit the whole thing in time for my presentation.

As far as the painting goes, the composition was difficult to create. I really despised initially, but it's grown on me. I thought about how I personally feel about Buddhism, and then tried to arrange those symbols in an aesthetically-pleasing manner. To me, Buddhist principles can help people through anger and difficult times, but they are artistically toxic.

For example, if I hate someone, and the hatred takes over my life, the Buddhist principle of loving-kindness could help transform my hatred into love for something. this would quell my negative energy. But to me, art is driven by emotion. I don’t like art that doesn't have meaning, purpose, drive. If all artists lived a Buddhist lifestyle, the scope of modern art would be siginicantly different. Work would be void of negativity. This could reduce or eliminate the passion and ultimate creation of the artist. So I took this idea and placed the Buddha on the canvas, connected by various emotions or masks or faces or whatever you want them to be, representing my confusion over what to feel and whether it is right or wrong to feel things according to Buddhism.

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the circular pattern in the backgrund is a mandala, which is a symbol used during meditation. the tree represents the tree that the original Buddha, gautama, sat under when he became enlightened and reached nirvana.” Emily Miller To experience Emily’s other work, visit cargocollective.com/emilymiller. To view the “Painting Buddhism” timelapse video, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg4Sy3cwjfo. {page 51}

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{autumn 2012} Weeding Bare-foot, pulling weeds from his ex wife’s garden.

They writhed like visions trapped in wine glasses.

Some resembled shrubs she couldn’t resurrect, only choke from the surface.

Sticks and branches eroded to nakedness. The snap of the wood against her skin. A Frisbee and soggy blue newspaper sleeves hid under the bushes.

Her fingers swimming in lilies and lavender met a steppingstone with two handprints: one larger than the other, with two names etched into a carved heart.

She put it with the rest of the weeds.

Then got on her hands and knees and pulled sage by accident.

Holding it up, she saw green shoots lifted from the white.

Previously published in The Apprentice Writer.

Peter LaBerge

A Song for Emma Mariah When I am old my hair gone to flaxen summersilk, my face an old leather map I will lay myself down in the unsown fields to inhale the succulent dirt and catch crows on my tongue, hips broken to feed the corn holding the half-sun in my red mouth I will sing of vespertine blackbirds with coins over my eyes and milkweed between my teeth Previously published in The Claremont Review.

Elizabeth Ballou {page 53}

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Iocaste Iocaste stands—or, rather, floats—rotating at a constant pace as from stage left the weary, blind omniscient prophet

and interrupt this filiphilic love of sorts—and then the two are unified, in movement and with ropes that bind, ropes

emerges—marked by sudden pounding, pounding, endless pounding—though his movement, by contrast, takes on a smooth legato—

that bind by fate—or death—or (maybe) that most sacred bond between a mother and a child (are they umbilical cords?)

uneasily, they meet abruptly as the prophet interrupts the queen from her reflection (or is it mourning?) while

and there they lie as chorus members jerk, contort, and chaos follows while, oblivious, Oedipus ties Mother up in

the chorus moves in unison—a stiff, contorted unison—responding indirectly to Iocaste’s movements

his cavernous cape— bound by robe and rope alike the happy lovers take their final moments as Tyresius, from

and one by one they break apart, branching off and waking up—abandoning the leadership of their poor (ex) queen

stage right, now severs ties between the two, and slowly Oedipus, now limp, awakens (shaken) from the dream-world of his

and there she sits—or rather, lies—collapsed upon the blackened floor where, hunched and coiled, she sees not the coming of her

alive and mourning fantasizing mother; taking brooches from her breast, he crudely stabs his eyes and disappears, so

dear hybrid of a son and lover—Oedipus, it seems, has come to haunt? woo? fuck? scare? love? torture? his mother-wife, and

his mother now is left alone, preparing for her death, and finally she takes the ropes (of fate and death and incest),

the flexed-footed king (regal, always regal) struts towards Queen Iocaste, who (by chance) awakens at that very moment

collapsing on the floor, now leaving the stage empty, motionless, so that all that can be heard is a single, final

and incest (lots of it) proceeds with punctuated pelvic thrusts as, downstage, chorus members seem to judge and eavesdrop

thud.

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Sarah Fleming

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Message in a Bottle I wore a marigold scarf today Just to tussle the stereotypes, I painted Flame my lips, left my office looking like sea-glass And pedaled to Boston.

Just to tussle the stereotypes, I painted Petal pink the ocean and my eyes low tide The PH was too high, the whale songs acidic But Captain smiled when he saw me bright.

Petal pink the ocean and my eyes low tide I’ll miss the Right whales when they go My bike swims glitter sun on deck as I Tear myself from the wind-washed waves.

I will miss the Right Whales. When they go, Tears will color the sea blue with authenticity And Captain knows to navigate By the breach of my notes – Tears will color the sea. Blow by an author’s city, The pages swept to narrow science past my window I am conscious on a beach in Boston But there are no conches at my feet.

The pages swept tomorrow’s signs past minnows In Pepsi cans and smiling similes I should get back before the stars set sail The evening whale songs will steer me home.

I will miss the Right Whales when they go Flame my lips, leave my office looking like sea-glass I will tear myself from wind-washed waves At least I wore some marigold today.

Molly McGinnis

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President Barack Obama has consistently supported pay equity and supporting legislation. In fact, the first piece of legislation that he signed into law was the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and act which reduces barriers for workers bringing their employers to court for pay discrimination. Obama once personally joined a White House Press conference call to encourage the support of the Paycheck Fairness Act the day before it was voted on in the Senate, and Vice President Joe Biden has also routinely advocated for pay equity.

On the contrary, though Mitt Romney’s positions on pay equity remain unclear.

Though he has expressed support for equal pay, he has not expressed support for legislation that goes hand in hand with it. According to the Huffington Post, when reporter Sam Stein asked Romney’s campaign if he supported the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, Romney’s aide responded by saying, “Sam, we’ll get back to you on that.”

The campaign later released a statement saying that Romney supports pay equity and is not looking to change the current law, but the campaign again failed to comment on whether or not he supports the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

Furthermore, in anticipation of the Paycheck Fairness Act, the Rachel Maddow Show asked the Romney campaign about Romney’s views on the bill; again, the campaign’s response craftily dodged the question by once again explaining that he did support pay equity, and then detailing how he would create more jobs as president. By not stating a definite position, the Romney campaign appears to be trying to gain the support of the people for and against pay equity, but equal pay for equal work is not something to be bargained with. As a Presidential candidate, Romney must explicitly state his views on legislation that will potentially affect the lives of millions of women across this country, and if he does not, he leaves no choice but to assume the worst of him.

And furthermore, Paul Ryan, Romney’s running mate, voted against the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Clearly, electing Romney and Ryan would reverse the progress women and Americans have have worked so hard to achieve.

“Obama has ensured that women can get the care they need...”

Equal pay for equal work is a concept women have been working towards for a very long time. In 1963, the Equal Pay Act was signed into law; this monumental bill enforced the equal pay for equal work idea. One year later, the Civil Rights Act was passed.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act bans employment discrimination based on race, gender, religion or national origin. However, today, even with these measures

in place, working against discrimination in the workplace, women still only earn 77 cents for each dollar men make. Clearly, America still has far to go in creating an equal and non-discriminatory work environment.

“Clearly, America still has far to go in creating an [equal] work environment.”

sexual and moral freedom. Here, Ellie Smith examines which candidate would provide these freedoms to women, and which would not.

{where women stand} The upcoming presedential election poses many questions for women who value

With the Presidential election in two months, a lot is at stake, especially for women. The two candidates — President Barack Hussein Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Willard Mitt Romney, along with their running mates, Vice President Joe Biden and Representative Paul Ryan (RWI) — have such drastically different views on women’s rights that whoever wins this election will change the future of women’s lives forever.

Under the Affordable Care Act, health care providers are required to fully cover birth control.

This act, a signature piece of legislation proposed by Obama, could save some women $18,000 in a lifetime, according to barackobama. com; over 50% of women between the ages of 18 to 34 say that they have struggled to pay for birth control and by enacting this law, Obama has ensured that women can get the care they need, just as all citizens of America should be guaranteed.

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“Making the Pill illegal would be a drastic mistake.”

Still, Ryan’s views are even more conservative than Romney’s are. Ryan and Representative Todd Akin (R-MO) co-sponsored a ‘federal personhood’ bill, which states that as soon as an egg gets fertilized, it acquires the same rights as an adult. Many forms of oral contraceptives function by inhibiting a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus, thus, using an oral contraceptive would be comparable to homicide. The most popular reversible contraceptive in the U.S. is the “Morning-After Pill”; more than 30 percent of women who use contraception use the Pill, according to plannedparenthood.org. Making the Pill illegal would be drastic mistake and

hurt many women across the country.

“Romney... [has alienated] women.”

Romney is highly critical of Obama’s new healthcare plan. He said that on his first day in office, he “will act to repeal Obamacare.” Unfortunately for Romney, most people have not forgotten his term as governor of Massachusetts. Romney was governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007. In 2002, a law was passed in Massachusetts that was virtually the same as Obama’s new legislation. And, while Romney was governor, he made no effort to repeal or amend that law.

However, now, he has strongly denounced Obama’s legislation. Not only does Romney not support a way to make much-need contraceptives easily accessible, his views are also hypocritical, as he did nothing in his term as governor that would indicate opposition at that time.

He is very clearly not only not the right candidate for women, but for anyone who values an honest candidate.

It had been a long accepted concept that people should — and for the most part, do — have the right to make our own health decisions. However, both Romney and Ryan are pro-life, and believe that it is the government’s role to limit women’s choice regarding abortion. This is yet another topic on which Romney has drastically changed his views to a more conservative standpoint, alienating women and leaving the country to wonder what his real opinions are.

In 1994, Romney said, “I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country.” Even more recently, while running for Governor in 2002, he decreed, “I will respect and protect a woman’s right to choose. This choice is a deeply personal one. Women should be free to choose base on their own beliefs, not mine and not the government.” But, this year in a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, he said “Let me be clear, my presidency will be a pro-life presidency.” Not only have his opinions changed to give women less freedom, but his views are inconsistent. Romney’s views changes as he was governor, and what’s assuring that they won’t change to an even more extreme position if he’s elected?

Ryan’s views on this topic are not only extremely conservative, but they are also offensive. He co-sponsored a bill with Rep. Akin, called the No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Act. This bill would restrict tax-funded abortions. In

earlier drafts of the bill, there were exceptions for “forcible rape.” This term implies that not all rape is forced, though the definition of rape is having sexual intercourse against someone’s will. But, after immense public pressure, the bill was revised to have the word “forcible” removed. Further embarrassing himself, however, just last month, Akin told interviewers that pregnancy from rape is uncommon because, “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” Electing a vice-president who co-sponsors a bill with someone so uneducated would be a tragedy.

Republicans say they support less government involvement in personal, but their pro-life stance tends to differ from that. Obama and Biden are both pro-choice.

They support women’s rights and recognize that it is every woman’s personal choice to make themselves, rather than have the government make it for them. Obama and Biden aren’t forcing women to make the choice in either direction, while Romney and Ryan will not let the choice exist.

Clearly, the two parties in this election have extremely differing views that affect women from every angle. All aspects of this so permeate women’s everyday life that there should be no option but to strongly factor this into the decision as to who we elect as our president. Do we want one who is working toward a better — and equal — future, or do we want one who alienates and demeans half of our country?

Ellie Smith

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Ed et velectur?

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Emqui sum eturestia conet asse id maxim et quis alitiam, sinvent vit que nem expernatiis rest, susanda pa nonsect otasin est, coreptis eliqui beatis maio. Ut arum et optatiatiam aut ute sunt anditatquat re ventotatiis voluptur?

Uga. Otaturi oratios quia vel il mi, te minisciam idusam evendel issit quGa. Nequas eos utendicit ut hillisquae eatus esto dipidempe consequam iunt et volectus, amenecto magniet dolorroresto mod et et ex essuntibus qui ommos eostrup tibusap erorehe ndeliquo tem corepe corum eos si at officieni aut as nulpa sim que nonsent ligenis ma Accab il in eliquist que doluptas que et erfereicimi, nesequatur assit volo dolupta tibusae sam fugia dolupti ommoluptati volorum autatur iatustiust, nonsed quis volorum excea idiorro blaute apis repersp erferibus.

Ihic totasperum debit milis explibusae volorio quamustium fugiaer sperum dolla eum quam si ommodioritam estemporpos est, il iminverum ipsum fugitat uriscim faciditis nulpa quis sitet estincto ipsam endendest, omni volut venti omniendisit que pro core, sitio ius exped eum ame nihitem aliquisqui occulpa rchiciis soloribus, in nam quas dundant oreriorest, sitam, nos maionse quatem renditas core num qui dendus.

Ed et velectur? Uditiorum adionsed quatur, iliquis voloreratis esciam, quias aliquo cuptatem hil eatur, seque volorruptium suntis imperna tempos maionsendam, nimus re voluptatemo quiam quati deres et dolor andae dolupta sitatis cupiscient enditet alit prae et am sae corro eum venis expeditatem nate volupta nonecta temporro ipis que volori cus quam ipsam quia si aut hario. Ut ma doloriti occae voluptaque est, sam dolora pre net latae dolor aut utatist haribea verum landae exceaque pores que liquodi genecum faccus de natemporion poreperum et aut prat.

Ditatus et unture num ex eliquias dicit maion rem verum repelit, imi, offica-

{tap magazine}

{phenomenal w betsy true}

Meet Betsy True: an actress, playwright, wife, mother and all-around amazing woman.

At a young age, theater and acting captured True’s interest, and she has since made a career out of her many theatrical and artistic talents.

With the support of her family and friends, True continues to succeed in her field and impress all who come across her works.

Truly, she is a phenomenal woman.

True became interested in acting when she was just 10 years old. Her mom noticed the numerous plays that True was putting on in the basement, and took it as a hint that she might benefit from an acting class.

“She signed me up and I was hooked,” said True. “I was in my first play that year, Joe Egg. I played a child with severe cerebral palsy. I did a lot of research and got my first taste of what it might be like to have been reborn as someone else. That is what acting is for me: trying on different personalities and lives.”

Soon after this first acting gig, True moved from Indiana to Maryland. The move didn’t stop {page 58}

True’s pursuits of the theater; rather it expanded her exposure to and fueled her engagement in the different facets of a performance. In her fifth grade class in Maryland, she told her teacher about her experience performing in Joe Egg, and he decided that True’s whole class should put on a play. The students were

to write the play: and thus began True’s career as a playwright. Explained True: “[My teacher] asked if I had any ideas. I said, ‘Let’s do a play about some kids that make a time machine and go back in history.’ He said that [my idea] sounded good and told me to go and write it…so I did.”

Since the young age at which she first became interested in acting, True has steadily acquired

a not-so-modest list of impressive roles and exciting achievements.

Most notably, she performed the role of Cosette on Broadway in Les Miserables as well as the role of Eponine in the First National Tour of Les Miz. True also appeared in the Broadway revival of Gypsy, starring Tyne Daly, and played Louise in the Canadian revival of the classic American musical. She played Maria in the National Tour of West Side Story and has sung the music of Bernstein with the Philadelphia Pops and the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra conducted by jazz pianist, Peter Nero. She appeared in the world premiere of Sheldon Harnick/ Joe Raposo’s musical version of A Wonderful Life as Mary Bailey and can be heard on the Warner Brothers recording. Regional credits include Trina in Falsettos at The Rep Stage Company, the revival of Godspell at Fords Theatre and Maria in The Sound of Music. Her television credits include featured roles on Another World, One Life to Life and The President Salutes Fords Theatre on CBS.

Alongside her wide range

woman:

of talents, True cites an equally vast list of inspirations. Said True, “Certain female performances in films have inspired me,” and she added that she in particular loved strong female stories: Casablanca, The Sound of Music (the first musical she ever loved), Thelma & Louise, The Turning Point (True was a serious ballet dancer for many years), Shakespeare In Love, and, though she noted that the protagonists were always men, all of the Hitchcock movies. True added that lots of great comedies make the list too; in particular, A Fish Called Wanda never fails to make her laugh out loud.

True also said that certain actress’ works have been sources of inspiration, noting especially Anne Bancroft, Meryl Streep, Sally Field and Catherine Keener, all “strong actresses who aren’t afraid to take a risk and tell a good story,” according to True.

And True is nothing short of an inspirational actress herself: she was Edward Norton’s babysitter, and performed in the play that Norton credits as sparking his interesting in acting. “Acting? It’s a long-standing compulsion I’ve had since I was about five or six years old,” Norton is quoted as saying.

“I can literally identify the moment it struck me. I went to see a play in which a babysitter of mine was performing. I was completely shellshocked by the magic of this little community-theater play; it just riveted me.”

True also dedicates a lot of

“That is why we are here: to help each other however we can.”

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Ihic totasperum debit milis explibusae volorio quamustium fugiaer sperum dolla eum quam si ommodioritam estemporpos est, il iminverum ipsum fugitat uriscim faciditis nulpa quis sitet estincto ipsam endendest, omni volut venti omniendisit que pro core, sitio ius exped eum ame nihitem aliquisqui occulpa rchiciis soloribus, in nam quas dundant oreriorest, sitam, nos maionse quatem renditas core num qui dendus.

Ed et velectur? Uditiorum adionsed quatur, iliquis voloreratis esciam, quias aliquo cuptatem hil eatur, seque volorruptium suntis imperna tempos maionsendam, nimus re voluptatemo quiam quati deres et dolor andae dolupta sitatis cupiscient enditet alit prae et am sae corro eum venis expeditatem nate volupta nonecta temporro ipis que volori cus quam ipsam quia si aut hario. Ut ma doloriti occae voluptaque est, sam dolora pre net latae dolor aut utatist haribea verum landae exceaque pores que liquodi genecum faccus de natemporion poreperum et aut prat.

Ditatus et unture num ex eliquias dicit maion rem verum repelit, imi, officatiorem de nossint illupta descit dolor re mod qui coruptur accum eium expelibus, sum labore sunde nus aditae. Ut quo te et atusae. Et unt dellorecerum in pa consed qui bea cum nonsequod utGia nim qui blam rem ut hitium qui delit autempo rehenis et arcidus aut opti vella volo volut eri diorem fuga. Itasin pra dolorrum consequam ditatur, omnis eos eiumqua ssectoUlpa volorro ipid que plam id quiatia ectempore voluptae laborep eliqui in comnis dollab int experumquae. Et alibers pienimporae sequos alitiunt vendaes quosant rempor maio destia se quibus abore odit harcim ento odiciet volum facilitate veribus res am andebis aut quae. Veritaturiti simintiorio blabore pudit, optatquam vit et, sit harum solorum aut odit exerchit optas iderum rest as et lab illestium verumqui sam, excerumqui sit, verit adis am, odis erovid experis audis in pres volorit voluptatur atur magnihi llestin posapitassi tem harunt opta quiandus.

Emqui sum eturestia conet asse id maxim et quis alitiam, sinvent vit que nem expernatiis rest, susanda pa nonsect otasin est, coreptis eliqui beatis maio. Ut arum et optatiatiam aut ute sunt anditatquat re ventotatiis voluptur?

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Uditiorum adionsed quatur, iliquis voloreratis esciam, quias aliquo cuptatem hil eatur, seque volorruptium suntis imperna tempos maionsend am, nimus re voluptatemo quiam quati deres et dolor andae dolupta sitatis cupiscient enditet alit prae et am sae corro eum venis expeditatem nate volupta nonecta temporro ipis que volo ri cus quam ipsam quia si aut hario. Ut ma doloriti occae voluptaque est, sam dolora pre net latae dolor aut utatist haribea verum landae exceaque pores que liquodi genecum faccus de natemporion poreperum et aut prat Ditatus et unture num ex eliquias dicit maion rem verum repelit, imi, officatiorem de nossint illupta descit dolor re mod qui coruptur accum eium expelibus, sum labore sunde nus aditae. Ut quo te et atusae. Et unt dellorecerum in pa consed qui be cum nonsequod utGia nim qui blam rem ut hitium qui delit autempo rehenis et arcidus aut opti vella volo volut eri diorem fuga. Itasin pra dolorrum consequam ditatur, omnis eos eiumqua ssectoUlpa volorro ipid que plam id quiatia ectempore voluptae laborep eliqui in comnis dollab int experumquae. Et alibers pienimporae sequos alitiunt vendaes quosant rempor maio destia se quibus abore odit harcim ento odiciet volum facilitate veribus res am andebis aut quae. Veritaturiti simintiorio blabor pudit, optatquam vit et, sit harum solorum aut odit exerchit optas iderum rest as et lab illestium verumqui sam, excerumqui sit, verit adis am, odis erovid experis audis in pres volorit voluptatur atur magnihi llestin posapitassi tem harunt opta quiandus Emqui sum eturestia conet asse id maxim et quis alitiam, sinvent vit que nem expernatiis rest, susanda pa nonsect otasin est, coreptis eliqui beatis maio. Ut arum et optatiatiam aut ute sunt anditatquat re ventotatiis voluptur?

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her time and efforts to charity. She has appeared in countless benefits raising money for AIDS awareness and children’s charities as well as numerous workshops of new plays and musicals. As a playwright, True wrote her one-woman show, True Travels that premiered in NYC, which raised money for the American-South African Scholarship Association.

Said True: “I have raised a lot of money for different causes I believe in because I strongly believe that is one of the things art can do — educate people about causes/ cultures/situations that may need help.” True said that through good storytelling (“like a well-written play or film”), or through a concert that informs the audience about the cause they are raising money for, “people can be helped and educated.” Added True, “I get frustrated about the big money that famous stars are paid but when they put their celebrity out there for the bigger good all feels better. That is why we are here: to help each other however we can. This is one way I can help.”

True has two daughters, Anna and Emily, and a husband, Dan. Said True: “My family is my champion.” She added that they support her to create and perform whatever she feels that she must, and that they have given her space to try new things and tell stories in new ways. “When I wrote my first feature film I bounced ideas off them and they gave me great feedback and ideas,” said True. “The first film of mine that we shot was

{autumn 2012}

a short film which Dan was an extra in and the girls helped ‘behind the scenes.’ They were so excited to have all these actors and crew in our house filming my little 9 minutes film! It was a family experience and crazy but fun!”

In her songwriting True has used her family as inspiration for songs that she has written. Said True: “On the album I’m recording now, there is a song ‘Heart Doctor Blues’ inspired by Dan and a song ‘Letting You Go’ inspired by Anna & Emily. They are so wonderful to me! I don’t what I’d do without them. They are my ‘grounding.’”

These days, True is still quite busy. Taking a different path than that which her theatrical career has historically led her in, True is currently enrolled in Vegan Culinary School, but, as she put it, “that’s a whole other article!”

She also is recording an album of original songs and hopes to have it done by the end of the year, and she just finished filming two music videos that will be posted on YouTube when the album is complete.

And on top of all this, she is writing a film about a mother and daughter who go on an Outward Bound trip, only to become lost. “It’s a dramady,” said True, but left the rest of the story up to the imagination (for now, at least).

Said True: “I love the creative process and LOVE collaborating with other artists in the creative process. I like telling stories as a writer or an actress or songwriter/ singer — it’s all the same — it’s all my way of sharing my life journey and celebrating this wonderful gift of creativity with those who would like to listen.”

Clara Smith {page 59}

{tap magazine}

“Heaven is a place on earth with you.“ Lana Del Rey

issue 25: BARE december 2012

{page 60}