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Negotiating My Way
My first play was produced in New York City when I was eighteen, a one-act adaptation of a story by Chekhov. My next, a two-act comedy entitled "Hands-On Therapy," found its way to the stage when I was fifty-four. Blooming late, some would say. I came to think of it as waiting my turn in line.
In the interim, I got married, helped raise a family, worked as a Chiropractor, and taught yoga and meditation. I also learned to listen to stories, the ones in my heart and those walking through the door.
When I married my partner for life, Anita Montero Roig, in Mexico City, her beloved homeland became my adoptive one. “Como México no hay dos.” So began another kind of research, a rambunctious education that has played out across North and South America these past five decades. My efforts focus primarily on bicultural themes. The last five—three plays and two screenplays—are bilingual in format, mostly in Spanish with English supertitles.
I write in the hope that audiences might find temporary relief from whatever happens to weigh on them. It could come via a smile of recognition when a character reacts, or the simple curiosity to know what happens next. Ideally, a certain understanding will arise that affords a new way of seeing something old—a fugitive glimpse of truth, or even of the ineffable itself.
Year 2000, South Pasadena, Ca.
With son Manolo and daughter Iris.
Our teacher, Maestro Jose Manuel Estrada
(1900-1982)
CURRICULUM VITAE
Frederick R. (“Toby”) Campion frcampion21@gmail.com
Born: Feb 21, 1948, Cincinnati, Ohio
EDUCATION:
Bronxville (N.Y.) High School, 1966
Harvard College, 1966-69
Logan College of Chiropractic, St. Louis, 1972-74
National College of Chiropractic, Chicago, 1974-76
FLUENCY: English and Spanish.
FAMILY: Married Anita Montero Roig, Mexico City, 1972. Two children: Manolo (44), and Iris (38). Residences in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and in Kingston, NY.
SERVICE & TEACHING PROFESSIONS:
- VISTA Volunteer, 1969-70
- Yoga Teacher, 1972 to 2018
- Meditation Teacher, 1976 to the present
- Founder with wife Anita of the Solar Yoga Center of Chicago (1975-80) and of two Yoga Retreat Centers (ashrams) in Missouri (1972, 1984)
- Director of Ashrams for La Gran Fraternidad Universal, based in Mexico City, 1983-85
- Self-employed Doctor of Chiropractic, 1976 to 2016, operating holistic clinics sequentially in Chicago, IL; Ojai, CA; Cuzco,
Peru; Puebla, Mexico; Los Angeles; Santa Barbara.
- Master Teacher, Emotional Release Therapy (“LaChance Method”), 1992 to 2012.
CREATIVE PROFESSIONS:
- Writer: poetry, prose, theater, cinema.
- Copy editor, fiction and non-fiction.
- Credits attached.
BOARD MEMBERSHIPS:
- Bilingual Foundation of the Arts of Los Angeles, CA
- El Teatro de las Americas, Oxnard, CA
- iD Studio Theater, Bronx, NY
WRITING CREDITS
Plays:
THE FUN-LOVERS CLUB, A Geezer Comedy...2024, work-in-progress; six friends meet regularly to play games and have fun, during which, inescapably, life happens to teach one of them.
¡ARSENIO!,.. 2024, the third play of the Latin American trilogy ENTRE DOS MUNDOS, a comedy that celebrates Afro-Cuban music and one of its greatest figures, Arsenio Rodriguez, "El Ciego Maravilloso." Developed in conjunction with Germán Jaramillo. Opened: February 15th, iD Studio Theater, 311 East 140th St, The Bronx. Directed by Germán Jaramillo & Leyma López. Slated for street performances around the city during the summer.
BROUHAHA!—Pets on the edge, 2023, a two-act comedy about human foibles and domestic friskiness. A dog, a cat, a parrot and and iguana help one another navigate a crisis not of their own making. "We fee; you, people!"
¡BARAHÛNDA! El Gran Levantamiento de los Animales, 2022, a comedy-with-a-message in one act, in Spanish. Twelve creatures give notice to the two-legged that things are untenable and it's time to part ways. But how to do this, since none of them speaks Human? Just ask the monkeys!
Gabo en Bellas Artes, 2018-2021, obra de teatro en español. Gabriel García Márquez escribió en uno de sus cuentos, “Soñé que asistí a mi propio entierro. I dreamt that I attended my own funeral.” En esta obra aquel sueño se vuelve realidad, creando momentos de reflexión sobre las creaciones y relaciones del Nobel en el contexto de un viaje sin retorno. Accepted for a full production, under a different title, by La Fundación Bilingüe de las Artes de Los Angeles (BFA), in collaboration with Margarita Galban y Lina Montalvo.
Brave New Frogs, 2022, a play for children about adapting to climate change. Presented at Bethany Art Center and Westchester Art Center. In conjunction with FolkloreUrbano. Featuring Anna Povich Mayor, Abi Yeshambel, Daniel Fetecua, and Blakeley White-McGuire.
Unspoken Stories, 2022, a multimedia presentation of immigrant stories, in collaboration with Pablo Mayor, Anna Povich Mayor, Germán Jaramillo, and Daniel Fetecua; presented at David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center, Pocantico, Tarrytown, NY; sponsored by the City of Tarrytown.
The Karaoke Chronicles, 2019-21, comedy with music, in development, in collaboration with theaters in California and New York.
Cumbia De Mi Corazon, 2010/2019, a comedy in Spanish with music; the first play of the Latin American trilogy ENTRE DOS MUNDOS; originally produced by C. Raul Espinosa, at The Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, L.A., directed by Germán Jaramillo. A revised version opened at iD Studio Theater in the Bronx, NY 2019, codirected by Juanita Lara and Germán Jaramillo. Nominated for three Latin ACE Awards (Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos de NY), 2019:
- MEJOR PRODUCCION, Musical: iD Studio Theater
- ELENCO DEL AÑO, Musical: iD Studio Theater
- MEJOR ACTOR, Musical: Daniel Fetecua
Pedro Infante, Cien Años Pienso en Ti, 2017-18; a reimagining of the second play of the Latin American trilogy; the story of a grandmother living in the U.S. who needs help to return to her beloved Mexico; iD Studio Theater, Bronx, NY; directed by Germán Jaramillo. Winner of three Latin ACE Awards (Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos de NY), 2018:
- MEJOR PRODUCCION, Musical: iD Studio Theater
- MEJOR ACTRÍZ, Musical: Juanita Lara
- MEJOR ACTOR, Musical: Sebastián Beltrán
Pedro Infante y La Suegra Triunfante, 2012-15, the original version of the second play of the Latin American trilogy; a comedy in Spanish with music; premiered by The Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, L.A. (BFA) directed by Denise Blasor, 2012, in L.A.; Whittier, CA.; Carpinteria, CA. Produced by Teatro de las Americas, Oxnard, CA in 2014 & 2015, with Robert Sanchez directing. A screenplay based on the play was released by Netflix in December 2019 under the title "Como Caído del Cielo."
Hands-On Therapy, 2008. Produced at The Secret Rose Theater, North Hollywood; producer C. Raul Espinoza; directed by Edward Padilla. The play was developed at the BFA, Los Angeles.
The Doctors Chekhov, 2004-06; developed by the Antaeus Classical Theater, North Hollywood, CA, 2005/6, with directors Lisa James and Christopher Hart. Presented in ClassicsFest, 2006, at the Antaeus.
The Queen and The Bishop, winner of 2004 Writing Award, Kumu Kahua Theater, Honolulu; workshop production, Whittier College; directed by Linda Dangcil.
Felicidad, Inc., 1992, workshop production as part of Latino Theater Festival, Ford-Anson Theater, 2005. Previously, workshops at the B.F.A. and the Old Globe Theater, San Diego
Feature Screenplays:
Como Caido del Cielo, 2019, a feature film that premiered on Netflix. The script by Freddy Diaz & director Pepe Bojorquez is based on the original Campion screenplay, which in turn was based on his stage play Pedro Infante y la suegra triunfante.
Salsipuedes Street, 2017-22, in post-production; by Community Film Studio of Santa Barbara; an original story based on multiple interviews with immigrant families affected by deportation.
Code Name: Light Fire, (Silveti Project) 1993-2016, with Keith Clarke; based on the true story of a Mexican secret agent; optioned four times; currently in development with Esparza/Caldera Productions.
Harrison Project, 2006, commissioned by Hoboken Entertainment.
Farmworker Project, Immokalee, 2004-6, non-fiction; research phase included interviews with immigrants in Central Florida and the state of Chiapas in Mexicofor Santiago Pozo and Arenas Entertainment.
Chupacabras, 2004, bicultural teen comedy, commissioned by Arenas Entertainment.
De Ida y Vuelta, 2003, in Spanish.
Breathhold, 1999, with Carlos Eyles; rewritten by T.C., 2002; optioned five times.
Regina, 1988, adapted from the eponymous Mexican novel by Antonio Velasco Piña.
M.D., 1987, commissioned by Esparza/Katz Productions.
One-Act Plays:
- Tantric Yoga, 2002-3, a monologue appearing in a long-running play of monologues entitled Cock Tales, directed by Debra DeLiso, L.A.
- Toby or Not Toby,1988, finalist, Inner City Cultural Cen., L.A.
- Inner Marriage, 1987, produced at Pasadena City College.
Other Writings:
- Ocean Heart, novel, 2022
- El Paraíso de la Porky, novel in Spanish, 2022
- My Brother Superman, novel, 2019
- Cambridge Confidential, novel, 2011
- Chief Raymond Belardes, In His Own Words, non-fiction, published privately, 2008.
- A chapter in Raising Humanity, non-fiction by Rhobbin Alexis,2006
Copyright © 2023, TOBY CAMPION. All Rights Reserved.
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