LOOKING FOR LIGHTNING
LOOKING FOR LIGHTNING
Written and performed by
Garth McLean
Directed by Kerrie Blaisdell
Media Contact
Sharon Chevin
The Publicity Connection
sharon@thepublicityconnection.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 8450 8882
Mob: +44 (0)7768 873 282
Postal: 3 Haversham Lodge, Melrose Avenue, London, NW2 4JS
About
Garth McLean's one person show, Looking For Lightning, is a story of courage, caution and perseverance. After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, McLean takes us on a journey from the fast paced life of Hollywood to Canada to India and the feet of yoga master BKS Iyengar. Looking For Lightning was initially born out of a writing exercise on the impact of the terror attacks of 9/11. Looking for Lightning reflects the universal truth of the human spirit and will to overcome the challenges of life to navigate a landscape of fear and uncertainty while leaving us laughing along the way. McLean's journey is transformational for all.
Committed to raise awareness and benefit research and resource programs for persons with MS and other mobility challenges, Garth plans to take Looking For Lightning and the show's production to an international audience at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Participation in the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival also serves as a tribute to legendary yoga master, BKS Iyengar, for his humanitarian efforts in this centenary year of global celebrtions marking 100 years since his birth .
Of course, this requires funding. Your kind support to help fund the effort and benefit others is welcome and deeply appreciated.
Looking For Lightning Promo
Garth McLean
Creator, Performer, Producer
SAG-AFTRA-ACTRA-AEA
yogarth.com
McLean studied acting under the legendary Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. Meisner’s influence helped refine Garth’s determination to rout out the truth of the human condition with rigorous honesty and humor. While in NY, Garth worked off and off-off Broadway. Now based in Los Angeles, he has appeared in several television shows, independent films and many tv commercials.
Garth currently enjoys teaching yoga and kicking around Hollywood, where as a professional actor he garners work in film, tv, commercials and the stage.
Determined to help enable others deal with whatever challenges life can present, Looking For Lightning has been Garth’s ongoing project of passion. Garth last performed Lightning at Stuart Rogers Studios in Los Angeles in 2016. He is thrilled to be working with Kerrie again and Brent on the next incarnation of the show.
Garth is a senior Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher (Int Sr. III) and Certified Yoga Therapist. He offers Intermediate/Advanced yoga workshops and specialty classes worldwide.
Kerrie Blaisdell
Director
Kerrie grew up between New York, Maine, and the Theatre. Over the past 25 years I have acted in and worked Production in countless regional houses, Broadway, and some film and television. I'm also a visual/production artist. Looking for Lighting" is a special project, and my directorial debut. Garth is a dear friend and collaborator and I thought, this story really needs to be told. It's not just his story, but a Universal one that touches us all. And I wanted to do service to that.
Brent Coert
Producer
Brent Coert is excited to be returning to production and being a part of Looking for Lightning and the journey towards the Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland. After a decade of producing music videos and commercials all around the world for talented directors including Hype Williams and Kevin Kerslake, Brent left the production business to allow time with his new bride and love of his life, Tanya Coert. She introduced him to Iyengar Yoga through a seemingly random event at UCLA, where BKS Iyengar was stopping over on his “Light on Life Tour” in 2005. Brent remembers that moment vividly:
Stephanie Lesh-Farrell
Stage Manager
Stephanie has grown up in theatre. She studied musical theatre and Theatre for Young Audiences at Cal State Northridge. Stephanie has appeared on television in several shows including The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm, as well as the feature film Lost Time. She has received both directing and acting awards for her work in Los Angeles theatre. Stephanie has acted, directed, produced and been an artist staff member for the acclaimed Road Theatre in LA and is currently a part of the artistic board of the SRS Production Wing in Los Angeles. As much as she loves being on stage she is just as excited to be returning to stage managing Looking For Lightning. She is thrilled to be a part of sharing this amazing story with the world.
“Not knowing the depth of Mr. Iyengar’s impact on a large community, I only remember my wife rushing to get a glimpse after he passed by us and was on his way down a long hall towards speaking to a massive crowd…he turned his head just quick enough for us to see his magnificent smile. My wife responded with the emotional intoxication of a Beatles fan. I would have no idea that years later, my life would be touched again by a devoted student of his, Mr. Garth McLean.”
After successfully transitioning from production to construction management and developing in Los Angeles and Seattle for the last 10 years, Brent, Tanya, and their three children (Jack-14, Tessa-11 and Satya-7) keep their faith, love and family at the center as they grow every day in Redondo Beach, CA.
“I am honored to produce Looking for Lighting on its road to the first of many international cities that will see this amazing show. Witnessing the incredible impact the practice of Iyengar Yoga has on the human body and how that message impacts so many different shapes, bodies and individuals across the world is a wave of excitement we want to be a part of.”
Donate
It is our hope to raise the estimated funds required ($60,000) to cover the expense of taking Looking For Lightning to the international stage.
Funding is required venue rental, insurance costs, return travel from Los Angeles for Garth and the crew of 2 along with accommodation expenses and meals for the full 1 month run at this year’s Fringe Festival. Other production costs include advertising, promotional materials, advertising, stage rentals, lighting equipment and projection materials. A portion of net box office receipts from the run of show will be donated to support research at the Anne Rowling Neurogenerative Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinsons.
If you can donate and prefer to write a check, please make checks payable to:
Looking For Lightning LLC
Mail donations to:
MFIC Management
2455 190th Street
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Attn: Brent Coert
A donation of any amount is deeply appreciated.