(EDITOR'S NOTE: Cooper High School fine arts chairman Tim Haynes will make his New York theatrical debut as an actor and a playwright this weekend. He was accepted into a prestigious Horton Foote workshop at the Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York City. While in the Big Apple, he will be blogging about his experiences.)

Sunday was a busy day and began early - early for me in NYC. I don't think I ever got back to my hotel before 2:00 AM. If I did, I can't remember it - probably slept on the subway.

Tech rehearsal at noon on Sunday went well and we made a couple of changes in the script to better adapt to the space, etc. Nothin difficult, but everything has to be done without much notice or thought - you just go and do. The tech rehearsal was only an hour long so we had to move quickly in order to cover the entire script. We did it.

We had some downtime during the afternoon and went down to China Town for a late lunch (which turned out to be an early dinner as well - I guess eating two meals at once saves time - I don't know.) Woo Hops - a great little (and I mean little) basement restaurant with lots of great food and at a great price. We shopped a little along the street along with what seemed like 2 or 3 million other people all trying to walk along the sidewalk or shop where I was. BUT the weather was cool and beautiful. I love going down there - a different world. Found a great hat for Toryn and he loved it - hasn't taken it off since we bought it. I almost laughed when I looked at the label - Nordstrom's - can't help but wonder how it got down to China Town, but for the price, I asked no questions. I will accept a bargain anytime.

Then back uptown to Manhatten and the theatre district. We stopped by a great deli for a snack and to collect our thoughts before the performance. I was getting a little nervous by this point - not knowing what to expect. Cab ride across town to the theatre and to meet with the cast for last minute notes before the performance at 8:30 PM.

It was a small audience and at first I was disappointed, but then I realized that one should never be disappointed with windows of opportunity - just experience them. Here I was in NYC at an off-broadway theatre hosting a festival for new plays; both my children were performing; and a host of friends were involved as well. What a night! I can honestly say that six months to a year ago, I would have never believed I would be climbing through that window. I loved it and the moment.

As for the audience? NYC doesn't know me and I know only a handful of New Yorkers. It I was a New Yorker, I would have to think twice before I attended a play about West Texas - I would have probably thought it was a Western movie type of play with horses and everyone carrying pistols on their hips. Can't blame them. BUT I got some great and postive comments/suggestions and that is what I need. One of these days, I am going to finish this play and put it aside. I've worked with these characters so long, I feel like they are family. AND I've talked about them so much that one afternoon my mother asked me how Clydi Mae was doing. Clydi Mae is the main character in the play. That was when I realized that I had been consumed with the play.

The cast did a great job. I was delighted and as I listened to it and watched, I kept finding things that need to be changed/deleted/repaired. I guess it just never stops. I loved watching my daughted play Chester - the actor who played Chester had to drop out at the last minute) so I shoved Haley into the role of a 65 year old black man with no legs. She did a great job - handled the rhythm of the lines like a pro. I was delighted. This was the first time that Toryn, Haley, and I have ever appeared on stage at the same time and that was a wonderful experience.

Monday, was a low key day - we slept in and then headed to Central Park for an afternoon of doing nothing, but watching those little motorized sail boats on one of the ponds. Also got in some great people watching as well as observing this pair of hawks that had built a nest over one of the windows of a high rise apartment building. New Yorkers were fascinated with it and I couldn't help but wonder why those birds chose that location - with all those big trees in the park. The next building and onlookers reminded me of that pair of eagles that built their next on the Llano River near Llano a couple of years ago. People came from everywhere to have a look - so did I. But at least the eagles chose a tree.

Monday's performance was much tighter and precise. I got a much better feel for the rhythm and temp of the play. It is difficult to feel that when I just sit and read it. Hearing it really helps. I'm also surprised by some of the line readings---not quite the way I hear it, but they work.

After the last performance we headed to a cafe/bar called DRUIDS - over on 10th Avenue. It was a great place and new to me - I am looking forward to going back again.

It was great seeing some Abilene graduates - they all live and work here now. Luke Longacre, of course. He played J.J. for me and I was surprised to hear him use a West Texas accent - all I've ever heard from him was 'no accent' - which is what actors try to maintain. He did a great job. He is such a great guy and makes Abilene proud - I know his parents are proud of him.

Thomas Leverton and Rachel Knowles, both CHS graduates, dropped by and sat in on our rehearsal on Saturday evening. Rachel came to the show on Sunday.

Kirsten Chilstrom (another CHS graduate) came to the show last night. It was great visiting with her and hearing about her classes at the Fashion Institute.

Thanks guys and gals - I appreciate the support and it is always great seeing you.

And thanks to the phone calls from friends and colleagues in Abilene---can't wait to tell you about it.

And thanks to Marsha Moore who came up for the performances. I appreciate the support and advice. Always great to have a good ear to listen and make wonderful suggestions.

And thanks to everyone at Baylor - there is a big group of Baylor graduates that I have had the opportunity of working with over the last five or six years. It is always a pleasure visiting with you.

Today is Tuesday, and I got up early to get Haley to the airport and back to San Angelo. She had to go to work this afternoon. Hope she makes it. The weather channel indicates storms/rain along the way.

Toryn and I are flying out later this afternoon and then back to class in the morning. Students - get ready - we have several big projects coming up quickly and we have a lot of work to do.

So this is Tim signing off - my adventure here in NYC is winding down and I'm moving on to the next project.

Thanks Janet and Laura - I appreciate having this opportunity. CALL ME!!!