If we’ve ever met, even for a few moments in passing, you probably know that I like to talk. Not only that, but I also like to think that I’m chock-full of pithy commentary on any subject from soup to nuts, and that my bon mots are worthy of quoting, but—let’s just say that’s debatable.

Even though I’m rarely at a loss, I’ve discovered that oftentimes it’s best to give others the opportunity to speak (thereby allowing me time to practice listening), and that using my camera to tell the story is sometimes a far better choice. You know what they say: a picture is worth a thousand words.

Since I had five plays and a poetry festival on the docket this past week, “what better time,” I murmured to the dog, “than now to practice what I preach?”

The plays were all of a piece, in the form of Act Underground’s “All in the Timing,” a collection of one-acts written by David Ives and directed by Kyoshin Lohr. I caught a dress rehearsal of the show last Thursday. Doing so allowed me the opportunity to not only listen, but to snap pics without disturbing the audiences that then flocked to the Tusten Theatre in Narrowsburg, NY last weekend to see the performance.

Matt Carpenter, Lisa Gonsalves, Tina Gorden, Matt Nolen and Hudson Williams-Eynon played a wide variety of well-drawn characters under the skillful guidance of Lohr, who knows what she’s doing. Not only did Kyoshin stage the plays beautifully, but it’s clear that she worked with the actors thoughtfully, in order to bring out the best that they have to offer. Each had moments to shine and played off each other well. If I had to single one out above the other, it wouldn’t be fair, so I’ll let the pictures do the talking. Look for more online and on our Facebook page in the days to come.

Additionally, (again, a tip o’ the hat to Lohr) the show was so well paced that it lived up to its title in more than one way. In addition, the production looked and sounded amazing, thanks to set, lighting and sound design by Sean Harrington and Alan Kehoe, and to fabulous illustrations created by Kirk Wise. Keep an eye on Act Underground—they are really taking off.

While still in the mood to let others do the talking, Dharma and I attended the second annual Youth Poetry Festival held at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, presented in conjunction with the Sullivan County PK-12 Art Show. The latter showcased the superb photography, drawings, paintings, sculptures, digital art and even some film and animation created by insanely talented (IMHO) students from the county’s eight districts and Sullivan BOCES.

The county’s poet laureate, Dr. Sharon Kennedy-Nolle, was eloquent prior to the students reading their work. “One year into my tenure,” she stated, “I have had the good fortune to come to know firsthand the extraordinary creative talent that thrives among Sullivan County youth.

“The resulting poems,” she continued, “ranging in tone from the humorous to the heart-wrenching, display an admirable emotional honesty that is conveyed with craft throughout.”

Kennedy-Nolle conducted outreach and teaching visits to more than 10 schools in the county, and representation at the festival was all-inclusive.

During the presentation, the audience was also treated to a variety of musical performances by students, which gave me further opportunity to keep my mouth shut, for which we can all be grateful. I took scads of photos (which I’ll also post on social media),  and listened intently to what the students had to share.

“I believe the children are our future,” songwriters Linda Creed and Michael Masser famously penned. “Teach them well and let them lead the way.” Yes, I’m well aware that Whitney Houston sang the song, but let’s give credit where credit is due: to the writers of the world, without whom there would be no words.

Ask the Google: “‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ is an adage meaning that complex and sometimes multiple ideas can be conveyed by a single still image, which conveys its meaning or essence more effectively than a mere verbal description.”

“The modern use of the phrase is generally attributed to Fred R. Barnard, who wrote it [‘One look is worth a thousand words’] in the advertising trade journal Printers’ Ink, promoting the use of images in advertisements that appeared on the sides of streetcars.”