Becoming Wilkinson

Send us a textLuke Yankee Has written, directed, produced, taught, lectured and acted throughout the country and abroad. He has run two regional theatres, serving as Producing Artistic Director of the Long Beach Civic Light Opera  and the Struthers Library theatre.Luke’s published plays include THE LAST LIFEBOAT and A PLACE AT FOREST LAWN, both published by Dramatists Play Service.   His other plays include THE JESUS HICKEY (which premiered in Los Angeles starring Harry Hamlin) and THE MAN WHO KILLED THE CURE, which had  it's world premiere in Southern California in February 2017. He has also written numerous TV spec scripts and pilots.His book, JUST OUTSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT:  GROWING UP WITH EILEEN HECKART is published by Random House (under the imprint of Back Stage Books), with a foreword by Mary Tyler Moore. Critics have praised it as “One of the most compassionate, illuminating showbiz books ever written.” (Musto, The Village Voice)  It was recently cited by PaperMag as “One of the Ten Best Celebrity Memoirs of All Time.”He has taught and guest directed extensively at colleges, universities and conservatories throughout the U.S. and abroad, including five years at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Northwestern, Ohio State, AMDA, Denison, University of New Mexico, the Folkwang Hochschule (in Essen, Germany) and three years on the faculty of Columbia College-Hollywood. He has been a panelist and guest instructor at the William Inge Theatre Festival, where he has performed with Marybeth Hurt, Holland Taylor and George Grizzard. He is also a member of their Advisory Board. He is currently on the faculty of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), teaching advanced acting and scene study.His theatre acting credits include “Our Town” at the American Shakespesare Theatre with Fred Gwynne, the U.S. premiere of “The Greeks” at The Williamstown Theatre Festival with Gwyneth Paltrow, Blythe Danner, Christopher Reeve and Celeste Holm and “The Dream Watcher” with Eva LeGallienne. In film and television, he has appeared in “The Hiding Place” with Julie Harris, “Ragtime” with Elizabeth McGovern, “Evergreen” with Armand Assante and “The Equalizer” with Jim Dale.Luke has studied at the Juilliard School of Drama, New York University, University of California – Riverside, Northwestern University, Circle in the Square and the Herbert Berghof Studio.He is the son of the late Eileen Heckart, who won an Academy Award for “Butterflies Are Free” and appeared in over 15 feature films, 20 Broadway plays, and countless television programs. Ms. Heckart is a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame and a multiple Emmy and Tony Award winner. In her honor, Luke created the Eileen Heckart Memorial Scholarship Fund at Ohio State University, her alma mater.Luke toured internationally for more than ten years with  DIVA DISH, his one-man show about the golden age of Broadway and Hollywood.  There was such demand for a sequel, he  created DIVA DISH: THE SECOND HELPING, which he premiered at the Desert Rose Theatre in Palm Springs.Luke and his husband Don Hill spend time at their homes in Long Beach, CA and Palm Springs, CA.For more info ( including his full Bio) or to contact Luke:  https://yankeehillproductions.comLuke's email is: luke@lukeyankee.net Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkins

Send us a text"Facing The Truth Of Your Life" by Merle YostThe bad news: Your parents lied to you about who you are and what life is about.The good news: Most parents didn’t do it intentionally. They told you what they learned from their parents.ARE YOU READY TO:Look at the world differently?Challenge the beliefs that you were force-fed as a child?Live life on your terms, being free and at peace with yourself?Stop passing fiction to your own children and their children?...then you are ready for Facing the Truth of Your Life.Some self-help books promise simple solutions that sound easy and might even feel good. Yet the fact about your personal truth is that getting down to it, facing it, and getting to the other side of it, involves some pain. There’s no way around it. The way out is through.Facing the Truth of Your Life is a tough, enlightening and demanding book that delivers.Contact Merle: http://www.MerleYost.comMerle's workshops: https://unspokenboundaries.comBuy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Facing-Truth-Your-Merle-James/dp/0999154702/Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textHelene Verin has a B.S. in Art from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and has a certificate in arts appraisal from NYU. Verin has worked for many galleries, museums as well as individual artists;  including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Documenta (where she worked with Joseph Beuys), was the Edinburgh Arts Administrator, and worked for Dennis Oppenheim as his registrar.  She has written for FlashArt, Interview, and the Smithsonian.As an award-winning designer of shoes, rugs, wallpaper, and tiles, Verin is intimately involved with contemporary design, with a specialty in couture and accessories.  Her work has appeared in countless books and publications.  A Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Verin has lectured around the world.Recognized as the expert on Beth Levine, (having written Beth Levine Shoes, (Stewart, Tabori & Chang 2009) and curated 3 exhibitions, as well as authored Arsho Baghsarian (Schiffer Fashion Press.)Verin moved to Palm Springs during Covid, May 2020.Contact Helene: helene.verin@gmail.comHelene's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heleneverin/?hl=enHelene's Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/helene.verin.9Artsy Article:  https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-sit-andy-warholLABUCQ interview: https://labucq.com/pages/helene-verinHelene's Books:"Beth Levine Shoes " (2009)https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584797592/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0"Arsho Baghsarian: A Life in Shoes"  (2019) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764357328/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textJeff WitthuhnPeepa's owner & designer, Jeff Witthuhn, has been a Palm Springs resident since 2016. He began his retail career in 1998 when he worked at The Gap. From there he spent twelve years at Express and then moved into a buyers position at The Bon-Ton before moving to Palm Springs and opening up Peepa’s.Peepa’s is named after Jeff’s Great Grandpa, Bud Storch. Bud and his wife Roma were instrumental in raising Jeff. Jeff spent most of his childhood at their house. Bud & Roma had a workshop in their basement where they made wood crafts and home goods in their retirement years. And Jeff always had to be down there with them. So it was decided many years ago, if Jeff ever opened up a store, it would be named in his Great Grandparents honor.Peepa'sNestled in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, California, Peepa’s has become a go-to destination for Palm Springs locals and tourists. At Peepa’s, they strive to give the best shopping experience in Palm Springs.  They carry a wide assortment of products including mens & women's apparel, art, gift and seasonal goods. At Peepa’s they focus on bringing in artists and designers who are independent and/or local. This helps them keep their assortment unique and different. As a gay owned business, they like to especially support other LGBTQ, black and female brand/artists. Their  in store experience is rooted in exceptional customer service, just like the old days! They look at themselves as hosts of the best daily party in Palm Springs. And it's their job to make you feel welcome and comfortable in their store. They enjoy the opportunity to tell customers all the interesting stories about their featured artists and designers too! And they love to learn where you are from and what brings you to fabulous Palm Springs!They play lively, upbeat music from a variety of genres and decades. So one minute you may be bopping to Lizzo and the next minute to Donna Summer. They keep it light, happy and fun! The store is colorful, clean and well merchandised, so its easy to shop. Every visit in Peeps,  you’ll discover something new!Jeff lives with his partner Darren in the home they've just remodeled in Palm Springs.Visit and shop Peepa's: https://www.peepasps.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textJared Rohrer is an advocate for healthy touch and sexual exploration. It is his passion to dispel shame by bringing dark things into the light and empowering people to want what they want in a way that benefits everyone’s highest good. To contact him email:jaredrdc@gmail.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textBrock Bennett shares his story of growing up in a fundamentalist family with a preacher as his father.  In this "no holds barred" interview, Brock discusses the damage done by a parent who was unable to face the true realities of life and how each person is created and who they are.He was told, and believed, that his "same sex attraction" was his thorn in the flesh- something that he had to live with, but not succumb to- so that he could spend eternity in heaven.It wasn't until he reached his thirties that he was able to escape the prison of religion. He set out on a quest to find out for himself what it meant to be gay, and allowed himself to feel what was obvious to him when he was only five years old.The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis LifelineText or call 988 on your cell phone for help.LGBT youth crisis helpline. If you are thinking about harming yourself — get immediate support. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S. It is 100% confidential, and 100% free.https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/Contact Brock Bennett at: BrockisFree66@gmail.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textPrince Fleet Easton: Was born in Akron, Ohio where he made his singing debut at the age of 5. Soon after he began his show business career by appearing in many Broadway musical productions at the Equity Goodyear Musical Theater. He has an extensive background in dance, acting and singing. He studied at American Ballet Theater, Ballet Arts and took master classes at the world-renowned Julliard School.  Now living in Palm Springs, California Fleet has devoted his spare time appearing for many benefits, believing that you must give back to move forward. Fleet worked for several years with the 'Well In The Desert' feeding the homeless and those in need of a hot meal.  He has performed on the 'Joey English TV Show' 'Joey English Radio Show' 'Eye On The Desert' and 'KMIR 6 Morning Show' 'Pink Lady Presents' just to name a few. On February 2008 he sang with 'Musical Chairs'. In 2007 Fleet joined the cast and became one of the stars of the Bella Da Ball Cabaret Dinner Show and was with them for 8 years. He has been the soloist and musical director for 'Innerfaith Spiritual Center Worldwide now for 12 years. In 2008 Fleet won the Desert Idol competition for Palm Springs California. On June 7th 2009 Fleet made his debut as one of the 'National Anthem' singers for the Palm Springs Powerball Baseball team and now is a spokesperson for them. He has also sung the National Anthem for the Empire Polo Club in Indio California. While living in Florida Fleet was a 'National Anthem' singer for Micheal Jordan's Blue Ducks Basketball Team and the Florida Marlin's Baseball Team. On December 9th. 2016 Prince Fleet received the 407th Star on the 'Palm Springs Walk Of Stars'. On April 22nd. 2017 Fleet received the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' again from the White house along with acknowledgements from the United States Congress, the United States Senate and from the California Senate and the California Congress. In 2018 Prince Fleet Easton received the 'Presidents Choice Entertainer Of The Year' in Hollywood California from the Southern California Motion Picture Council. In January of 2018 he once again received the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' from the White House.Prince Fleet can soon be seen in the feature film 'Hashtag Blessed' and heard in the soundtrack of the movie. Singing the orginal song 'Why Can't Christmas Be Here Everyday'Prince Fleet can be also be seen in the new action comedy film 'Team Of Two' as Detective Johnson.  He  has now released a single, a inspiritational anthem for the Ukrainian War titles "We Will Carry On'.  In 2023 Prince Fleet will be honored in Paris France with the Fabulous Celebs Global Award.Contact Prince Fleet Easton via his email: Fleeteaston@yahoo.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textKevin Hansen takes us along as he describes his upbringing in an ultra-religious family, his dealing with diabetes and his surviving lung cancer.And one day (while he was a little high), he decided to leave the moderate safety of a house that had begun to flood, in order to go for a fun swim in the floodwaters smack dab in the middle of Hurricane Katrina!He's moved around a lot, and we join him as he recounts his many moves, relationships and adventures.Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textJonathan GoldmanJonathan has been involved in teaching improv classes and workshops in Palm Springs for a number of years.After attending public schools in Brooklyn, NY,  Jonathan then trained to be an optometrist in Boston. Upon realizing that there should be more to a career than forever saying, "Which is clearer? One or Two?",  he became the first O.D. to get an M.B.A. in Health Administration (from Temple University in Philadelphia). His career took me to Chicago where he taught; and also took Toastmasters classes. In 1983 Jonathan moved to San Francisco and worked for the Department of Public Health for much of the end of our last century.  His last two positions were as a Workers Comp Coordinator and a Hospital Trainer. He  also presented "Critical Thinking" workshops for various Kaiser Permanente North hospitals' staff and was manager for Project Inform's National HIV/AIDS treatment hotline. Happily discovering the BATS School of Improvisation (then known as Bay Area Theatresports™ in 1998, he soon became the Volunteer Director for their community service program, Laughing Stock, which provides free Improv classes to people living with life-threatening illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Hep C, etc., and their care partners. He continued taking specialty classes, performed occasionally with the Mirth Brokers ensemble under the direction of Gerri Lawlor, and lead Intro to Improv workshops at a variety of HIV/AIDS and men's retreats in northern and southern California and afloat on the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean.Jonathan credits his improv skills for getting him to be a contestant for Wheel of Fortune in 2005. Although landing on a Bankrupt on his first wheel spin and then did the "Ta Dah - Circus Bow" for all of America; he  later went on to the Bonus round. According to Slate.Com, he solved one of the 15 toughest WOF puzzles in the past 25 years. Improv also landed him a featured role for the Frameline32 Film Festival trailers as a game show contestant with perpetual wrong answers.Jonathan moved to Palm Springs in February 2014 with his mixed rescue terrier, Roopert, to re-invent himself. Improv has helped keep his spirits youthful (well, that and a good moisturizer) and energized. He performed with Andy Harmon's Acting Improv class at the 2014 Improv/Comedy Festival in Indio. He's always looking forward to making new friends as he offers locals the opportunity to sample the fun and joy that is Improvisational Theater. Improv builds community!Flexible thinking skills gained from Improv: * Increased self-confidence. * Enthused spirit. * Better coping with stressful  situations. * Greater freedom of expression. * More spontaneity. * Thinking outside the box. * Creative solutions to challenges. * Letting go of control. * Getting out of your head and into the present. * Improved collaborative efforts = better teamwork. * Making new friends, both real and imaginary.To contact Jonathan or to join in the fun:Web: http://www.theimprovoasis.comPhone: 760-656-8338Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textDwayne A. RatleffDancing to the Lyrics is a timeless and timely coming-of-age tale. Through the eyes of the young protagonist, Grant Cole, we are offered a first-hand account of an African American gay youth who perseveres in spite of personal and family obstacles as well as the larger challenges of his era.As Grant struggles to comprehend his own nature, his world, and the adults who populate it, he observes and emotionally reacts to the assassinations of MLK and RFK, the Baltimore riots, the Vietnam War and more. Poverty, accompanied by crime, violence and fear, is his frequent companion, but his own vivid imagination and close relationships with his younger sisters, various family members and friends bring hope and humor into his life.While Grant witnesses the abuse of his mother at the hands of a cruel stepfather, and discovers the man he doesn’t want to be, he strives continually toward understanding the person he was born to be. He learns crucial lessons from his life teachers: faith and pragmatism from his grandparents, and open-mindedness and self-acceptance from a diverse cast of unconventional but kindly characters woven throughout his story.While very much an individual’s story of overcoming adversity during a specific point in time and place – 1960’s America – Dancing to the Lyrics also provides a lens through which we can view events in our current time. The lessons that young Grant learns are as relevant today as ever and discerning them through the eyes of such an insightful youngster is a revelation.Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Lyrics-Finding-Inner-Rhythm/dp/1735525308/ Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com