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Joanna Horton McPherson

Joanna Horton McPherson

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Author Archives: jchmcpherson

Welcome I and II

I.Three crows greet me this morning Hopping in place on the fence Strange friends Crowd aroundThey stay close Eyes stop as I pass And meet the winking black gaze Of the closest A fourth alights On a far wall: the witness Then a fifthLate to the murder What had they been waiting for? Is itContinue reading “Welcome I and II”

Posted byjchmcphersonJuly 11, 2019September 20, 2019Posted inManifestation, PoetryLeave a comment on Welcome I and II

The Vulnerability of Birds

I. Feathers follow me where I go And show me the way A confirmation from the other side of the veil I’m on the right track Wine is a thief Who steals from me moments Yes of my life but more importantly From yours Today on our walk My first day after giving up wineContinue reading “The Vulnerability of Birds”

Posted byjchmcphersonJuly 10, 2019September 20, 2019Posted inMotherhood, PoetryLeave a comment on The Vulnerability of Birds

Ghazal for Johnny

Excerpt from “A Trail of Crumbs” poetry collection, due in late 2019. A Ghazal is a Persian poetry form using couplets that share a rhyme and a refrain. Each line must share the same meter. The writer must also reference the author’s own name and express longing in the last couplet. Written as the boyContinue reading “Ghazal for Johnny”

Posted byjchmcphersonJune 20, 2019June 20, 2019Posted inFamily, PoetryLeave a comment on Ghazal for Johnny

Trying to be Perfect

I didn’t know at the time that acting on stage would be so crazy. Be crazy. Crazy. “Run around the room screaming,” the director told me. I stood there a 16-year old, having just recited a monologue from Romeo & Juliet. I spoke as a mummy, tightly bound, wrapped in the concept of my ownContinue reading “Trying to be Perfect”

Posted byjchmcphersonMay 6, 2019Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Trying to be Perfect

Being at home in a crowd

She was slower than the othersPushing her a little cart in the streams of endless people With their cones of gelato and running shoesI heard the old lady humming as I shouldered by Her sing-song tune barely rising above the hundreds of footfalls at once stepping on the slabs of stone A bridge she has walked hundredsContinue reading “Being at home in a crowd”

Posted byjchmcphersonApril 24, 2019Posted inPoetry, TravelLeave a comment on Being at home in a crowd

Hello Grace

You found your way to me On the island of Mezzorbo on that grassy green Between my daughter, my husband and a pine cone You were the 4-leaf clover Like the ones you sent me pressed into the paper cards     and your script black ink words “Joanna” Of anything I may have inheritedContinue reading “Hello Grace”

Posted byjchmcphersonApril 24, 2019Posted inPoetry, TravelLeave a comment on Hello Grace

Untitled at Bell Rock

After hours of walkingThe force of spring so strong Blows open the doors of my heartTo let the fresh air in It was the fragrance from the field of flowersFlowing to me on a breezeThat made me think of youUnless you let it goMay holding give you groundIn an otherwise empty spaceFor me, endless tiny white blossomsContinue reading “Untitled at Bell Rock”

Posted byjchmcphersonApril 1, 2019April 1, 2019Posted inPoetryLeave a comment on Untitled at Bell Rock

Poems of Longing

I. Anger: what do you want me to hear? I am fuel: use me or I will consume you How do I use you? Ask yourself Why are you here? I am your essence: Fire Expand, or like a candle in a boxYou will die II.How far must one travel  From fearing my journalsLeft out inContinue reading “Poems of Longing”

Posted byjchmcphersonApril 1, 2019April 1, 2019Posted inPoetryLeave a comment on Poems of Longing

Enlightenment

One tree-sitting man, all upright spine sprung into the air as the back of a chair standing at attention to the table, all folded-knees under the generous canvas of robes, all chest spread for the exertion of eternal Motionlessness One hand a lotus its petals a closed paddle of fingers overlapping leaves layer over layer,Continue reading “Enlightenment”

Posted byjchmcphersonMarch 20, 2019March 20, 2019Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Enlightenment

Sick (Get Well)

Ever have one of those nights in sicknessA torment of monstersDancing their agony to you while you sleep?You can’t really call it sleep so much as a project In which you have no choice Nowhere else to go But strapped to this bed with your mind glued open to a 100 cut scenes of  the movies ofContinue reading “Sick (Get Well)”

Posted byjchmcphersonMarch 7, 2019March 9, 2019Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Sick (Get Well)

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Instagram

Tonight I’m doing something I’ve never done before: I’m giving a talk on stage at @olsportland for the SheSpeaks women storytelling event. I have been on stage many times, but never to tell my own story, never in plainclothes as “me.” I don’t wanna! But I gotta! I committed to myself to show up with the bravery and honesty that inspires me to create depth and meaning in my life - not as a character in a play but as who I really am. 💜 Thank you @laelcouperjepson for the opportunity to push myself past “but I have nothing to say!” into finding and being a voice. And thank you to my family and friends coming out to support. 🙏🏽 Let’s do this. 🔥 Also: my poetry collection is available now. Link in bio 🤩 #shespeaks #writing #women #truth #bethechange #new #maine #gratitude #publicspeaking #takethemic #itsmyturn
I accomplished a goal I’d set out to fulfill this year upon returning to Sedona: to publish poetry. The box arrived last week and only now have I dared to acknowledge how great it feels to have completed this project! The road to getting agency representation and literary journal publishing is long; I‘m not there yet but continue to submit to magazines, study, research, dream, and develop myself as a writer. Before this manuscript was printed, I had beta-readers share their feedback and my writing group do small-group critiques. I am grateful to have had the support from these friends and my loved ones to do this. Thank you! And here’s to setting a goalpost in the ground and meeting it!! The next writing goal is much bigger!!! #writing #writers #poetry #poet #goals #morningpractice #selfpublish #dreamitanddoit
I decided to start doing audio recordings of spontaneous poems. (Thanks to @laelcouperjepson for daring me with her cheeky trademark, “you wanna play!?”). This one has been kicking around for a while but last night it was time to come out. I decided to walk the talk of vulnerability and be willing to experiment, and wouldn’t you know it: some righteous expressions wrote themselves. PS: this photo is not my hair (but likely may be one day!). More poems from the “Vulnerability of Birds” collection on my blog (link in bio). #poetry #grombre #women -#graceful #aging #writing #writerslife #poetryfoundation #publishing #dreamitdoit #reinvention #selflove #badass #poet #truth #themeaningoflifeistomakemeaningoflife
Why aren’t more people talking about this? These amazing women act with tremendous power, leading with their hearts. @rbichotte @yuhline_niou @senatorbiaggi @catalinacruzny You ladies have no idea how much you have empowered men, women and children who watch your example of raising your voices to protect the innocent. I’m excited and grateful 💜 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/19/nyregion/child-victims-act-lawmakers.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share #womenleaders #inspiredaction #government #senate #power #change #futurepresident #america #thefutureisfemale #activism #thisiswhatleadershiplookslike #thefutureiswomenofcolor
My grandmother always found 4-leaf clovers and sent them to me pressed in a card. I have inherited her luck: I’m compelled to peer into any clover patch I come upon and yesterday found 2. Here’s one my daughter holds 🍀 #luckofthescottish #calhoun #Colquhoun #goodluckcharm #signs #grace
When compassion visits you, even if it makes you cry and the timing feels wrong, let it in. This gift is an opportunity to be the loving person you believe you are. . #feelit #whoareyou #poetry #loveispower #teleconference #poemsthatwritethemselves #yourturn #dothework #love #compassion #futureselfjournaling #publishing #youarenotalone joannahortonmcpherson.com Link in bio.

Recent Posts

  • Before I Speak December 5, 2019
  • Available now: The Vulnerability of Birds Poetry Collection December 5, 2019

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Testimonials

Thank you to Joanna for coaching me! I can’t believe I won “Best Actress” out of the competition of 750 films internationally – it still doesn’t feel real. Working with you has been fun – I got an agent, booked a Disney commercial, and I’ve learned a lot at the acting studio and have continuedContinue reading “Shelby Sporl, Actress”

― Shelby Sporl, Actress

I can’t say enough about how much Joanna and her teaching means to me and what a positive impact it has made in my life. In addition to amazing training by a truly talented teacher, Joanna’s studio also provides a sense of community and has become my second home. Visit Kim here.

― Kim Miller-Riley

Joanna allows me to feel and express freely, without moral judgment or restriction. I truly appreciate the emotional safe haven she creates for our class. Her explanations make it easy for me to absorb and understand. Quite frequently, I find myself pondering about “just being”, and I have Joanna to thank for growing professionally andContinue reading “Grace De La Rosa”

― Grace De La Rosa

She left us with a performance that floored us.” We auditioned actors but once the director (Pat) saw Joanna’s audition for 315 Films’ “Remedy,” no one else really had a chance. She appeared on set ready to go, incredibly professional and detail-oriented. She took direction well and left us with a performance that floored us,Continue reading “Tim Ritter, Producer”

― Tim Ritter, Producer

I wouldn’t have had the confidence to move to LA…” After a decade of acting classes in Florida and New York City, I finally found a class as a firm foundation to grow upon – not only as an actor but as a human being. Without Jo’s guidance, teaching and passion, I would not haveContinue reading “Patrick Barry”

― Patrick Barry

The technique makes me truthful, organic and open.” I have gained so much from Joanna’s program. Joanna creates a safe environment of support and is amazingly giving with her students.The emotional honesty technique makes me organic, truthful and open – I love how much it helps me grow as an actress among other talented actors.Continue reading “Mildred Aldaya Paderewski”

― Mildred Aldaya Paderewski

Joanna’s instruction has helped me land an agent, and roles in student films, short films, and a feature film in just a year of studying with her. Under Joanna, I know how to be in the moment, to adjust to directions, and what to expect on set and in auditions – which I wouldn’t haveContinue reading “Daniel Donaldson”

― Daniel Donaldson

Joanna taught me everything I needed to get started in acting and more. This is way more than just an acting class. I was never much of a public speaker, but after taking this course for the first month I have gained confidence I never had before. I have always wanted to take acting classesContinue reading “Oana Jones”

― Oana Jones

Joanna has an extraordinary, intuitive ability to be able to see inside a person and extract a talent they might never have known they had!

― Suzanne Feehan

Joanna is an amazingly talented acting teacher. Her insight, passion and integrity is inspiring and made me remember how much I love acting. I would recommend her to any actor out there that is looking for a teacher to help them out with their careers.

― Dana Tartau

Joanna is a rare woman with tremendous talent that she is generous in sharing and cultivating in others.  Joanna is clear and focused about doing “the work.” She brings sheer determination and passion to make something new manifest in front of her eyes. With students, I have seen the compassionate yet firm way in whichContinue reading “Dr. Nadia Ramoutar”

― Dr. Nadia Ramoutar

Joanna gives me chance to grow as an actress especially with her awesome guidance on-set. Can’t wait until our next collaboration! THANK YOU!

― Cher Davis

Joanna’s studio is a place to discover yourself, to push yourself to your peak, to find what truly motivates you in a way that translates onto the screen or stage that is completely genuine and authentic. This part of my life has been the most revelatory and fulfilling. The dedicated instructors and the learning processesContinue reading “Laura Bogen”

― Laura Bogen

This class has not only helped me overcome self-doubt, but has given me confidence and experience as an actor. After studying with Jo, I feel like a new person. I strongly recommend this class to anyone and every one who is interested in acting. One of the best decisions of my life. As a personContinue reading “Eric Dooley”

― Eric Dooley

My daughter has been taking classes with Joanna for about 8 months and I have so enjoyed seeing her grow as a young actress. She loves being taught under Joanna’s instruction. Because of her classes, my daughter’s confidence level has increased dramatically, and as a direct result of Joanna’s lessons, our daughter was accepted into theContinue reading “Jennifer Polly”

― Jennifer Polly

The workshop was a great experience. As an actor at 80 years old, I am really glad I made the decision to attend.  It was designed for all levels of experience. I personally came away with more confidence and feeling better about myself. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is serious about the business.Continue reading “George Bennis”

― George Bennis
Joanna Horton McPherson, Blog at WordPress.com.
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