Brittany

Dear Feathers (June 25, 1987. It was a rainy emotional day. Ginger Rogers is standing on a podium ready to give her speech for Fred Astaire’s Funeral. The stage is dark and the only light available is on Ginger. The casket is a red dark chestnut wood. It contains a small purple and white flower arrangement on the top. Tears are running down to Ginger’s chin. She holds the edge of the podium tightly. She is trying to clear herself up) Ok (takes a deep breath). I want you all to know that Mr. Astaire was one of my best friends and he was such a good person. I cannot imagine what the world will be like with out him but I guess time will tell all (Turns to his casket). It won’t be long `til I am with you too (talks to him as if he was still alive.) I miss him dearly, but I cannot always be sad about today. I know he will want me to be happy, so the only way to do that is to look back at our happy memories together. Fred and I made great films and plays together. I remember when we first met. I was getting ready for my role in “Girl Crazy” and he was helping with the choreography. He was just so good on his feet. The touch of his skin, the light in his eyes…( looks up at the ceiling to remember that day. Gives her first good smile)… swept me off my feet. He was just so perfect. After that moment we were something special. We made such a great team. Fred and I had something together that no one else had. Sparks flew when we were together. We may have not one Oscars but we did win fans. (Looks down at a charm on her bracelet and fiddles with it) Young teens would come to see us on screen just to get away from the hard times. During the Great Depression everyone was going through rough times even the children. So to get away from it all they would scrounge up money to come see Rogers and Astaire glide across the screen. That’s one of the best facts to know; I was making a difference for my fans. …. But that was a long time ago. (looks back up) I am going to miss him so much (quickly looks back down for a glance at her charm bracelet). I remember when we were filming “Top Cat.” (Looks back at the casket). Do you remember that Fred? I had chosen this crazy feathery dress that no one approved of. So many people suggested I wear a dress I wore in another movie. I thought it was just a stupid idea. I refused to wear it. So when dress rehearsal came around everyone was pretty mad. Even Fred. Feathers went flying everywhere. Some hit his face, which made it harder to dance. He was so mad that he walked off in disgust. So I got the feathers knotted on there so they wouldn't fly off again. A few days later I received a white box in my dressing room. When I opened it there was a beautiful gold leaf charm for my charm bracelet (lifts up her the wrist with the charm bracelet). The note that came with it that read, “Dear Feathers, I love ya! Fred.” It was the sweetest thing. I am really going to miss him so much. I already do. (Grabs a tissue, wipes her eyes). So here is for you Fred. (Pulls out a feathery dress from the black bag beside her and lays it on the ground. Opens up a bucket of paint and throws it on the dress) (Walks over to the casket, leans down, kisses it) I love ya too! Goodbye Fred, you will be missed. Sources: http://home.earthlink.net/~gingeronline/biography.htm, http://www.gingerrogers.com/about/bio2.html

Zach- there are some grammar errors in the peice. But other than that, it's great!

SARAH- I don't have nothing real bad to say about it. There are some grammar and I believe there was very few spelling errors. You might just want to read over it and double check.

Ms. Schoen -- I read this portfolio piece earlier but if you need more feedback from me, let me know.