Mala Powers

Various groups of Mala fans held smaller gatherings, some of which were Sunday Evening, June 17th. There was one in upstate NY at the Christian Community with Chekhov Colleagues Ted Pugh, Joanna Merlin and the Actors Ensemble. Additionally in Manhattan at 6 pm at Janice Orlandi's Actors Movement Studio on 37th st. Lisa Dalton and Janice hosted an informal gathering with beautiful music by Melinda Wood Allen and Dorothy Emerson. Let us know if you have one!

In the Fall, the Academy will host a memorial for Mala in Los Angeles. Most likely there will be a NY event in the winter. I will try to keep the information posted.

Here are some thoughts from Mala's colleagues:

This is from Maine.
I have heard wonderful comments about the screening of Outrage on Turner Classics. Many emails from around the world have come expressing their deep appreciation for Mala. If you have any thoughts to share, I will be happy to post them here.

I have been very saddened by Mala's departure. She was truly a Great Lady. I loved her mixture of great seriousness and intense professionalism, with sometimes unexpected childish charm and youthful energy.

I remember in particular a day when she told us that, while working with her inner-voices, she discovered the one who loved looking at bugs. She shared with us how she missed allowing herself spending time observing bugs in nature, and how this side of herself was linked to her creative aspect.

Since her departure, I have noticed many bugs around me and I look at them differently: I do not get scared of them, I am now fascinated too and remember Mala's genuine interest and passion for them. They make me think about her.

Mala taught me to be open to life and to listen to my inner-voices. She taught me to allow myself to be freely centered on my creative side. She showed me how to be indulgent with my actress and to love myself instead of letting my inner critic undermine all of my creativity.

Mala was a true Artist and a remarkable teacher.

We will miss her dearly.

< Emmanuelle Chaulet
USM Adjunct Theatre Faculty
Starlight Acting Institute, Director

From Lithuania.
Dear Lisa Dalton,
I never was very close to Mala, but always had experienced radiation of her warm feelings and thoughts. I met her just a few time at some workshops, but she was and will stay very important person in my life for ever.
With hope to meet soon in Paris
Gytis Padegimas
www.padegimas.com

Mala and her Balcony
Over the years since I met Mala in Ted Pugh’s class in the mid-80’s through our 18 years of team teaching, there are many stories to be told, and will be saved for another time. Now, I want to talk about Mala and her balcony.

Most of the world remembers Mala on a Balcony overlooking Cyrano. Those who were in her home may remember vividly the commemorative sculpture made for her of that scene. Those who were touched by her life have surely felt her presence above us, beckoning us to step up beside her, cheering us on from the balcony. So when I recently heard about a book called Balcony People by Joyce Landorf, I thought of her! I ordered one for me and one to send to Mala. I felt I should read the book before I sent it to be sure that my understanding of a balcony person was indeed the same as the book’s. I wanted her to know she was a magnificent balcony person to me and to more people than most people ever know. As I read the book, I pictured Mala, those close to her and myself. I realized that the book was meant for me, for her dear ones, for you, not Mala. It is a guide to becoming just such a person as Mala already was. I finished the book precisely when my plane landed on Tuesday as they announced that we could turn on our cell phones. I immediately turned it on, saw an email update on Mala, smiled because I sensed it was going to tell me Mala had come home from the hospital. I plummeted with the news that she had indeed gone home. I wish to acknowledge the divine timing of completing the book at that moment by sharing this concept with you.

There are people who sometimes transform into voices in our head – if their speech and actions drag us down to the basement, we will dwell in darkness. We get lonely and drag down someone else because basement people love company.

There are others who lift us up, who listen and support even when we drift in directions they wish we would not. They guide and inspire us to be loftier, nobler humans. They lighten and enlighten. They cheer wildly from their balcony for us to reach our divine potential.

This was and will continue to be Mala.

Can I be a balcony person to myself and to others more constantly? Can we all strive to be balcony people to our spouses, families, co-workers and colleagues? I am confident she will be helping us from her balcony if we ask. If we do, this will expand the presence of Mala Powers into future generations. What a great way to honor her: to increase the peace with in and around us and join her on the balcony.

Expanding toward that Palace of Beauty With love,
Lisa Dalton | Calendar of Events |