Jana Marcus, Pisces Moon Photographer, Publishes Book

Photographer Jana Marcus and her new book, Transfigurations, are the subjects of the September 22, 2011 Good Times cover story. The book is based on Jana's photography exhibit of the same name, which has been shown all over the country since 2005.

"The 55-piece exhibit, of large black and white images with text," says Ms. Marcus, "explores what it means to be a man and a woman, by people who have transitioned to the opposite sex, which blurs the lines of gender separation, stereotyping, and ultimately discovering cultural influences."

With the help of funding from KickStarter.com and generous supporters, Jana transformed her exhibit into a book, which she will be signing during speaking engagements on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Capitola Book Café, 1475 41st Ave., Capitola, (831) 462-4415, and at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 at Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 423-0900.

Ms. Marcus photographed 13 of Pisces Moon's productions: Durang, Durang, The Food Chain, Durang, Durang: The Second Coming, The Altruists, Five Flights, Never the Sinner, The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, Swimming in the Shallows, Dead Man Walking, and each of the three iterations of The Laramie Project.

Transfigurations can be ordered through 7 Angels Press or purchased locally at Capitola Book Cafe or Bookshop Santa Cruz. Learn more about Jana Marcus and her work at JanaMarcus.com.

Kristen Vaughan Wins Best Actress IT Award

Kristen Vaughan, pictured with fellow lead actor winner Nick Paglino (left) and presenter actor John Glover (right), won Best Actress in a Leading Role at the New York Innovative Theatre Foundation's IT Awards, which honor excellence in Off-Off-Broadway Theatre. Mr. Glover presented Ms. Vaughan with her award at a ceremony held on September 19, 2011 at Cooper Union's Great Hall.

Kristen was honored for her portrayal of Jane in Retro Production's Benefactors, written by Michael Frayn.

"They say Off-Off-Broadway is a labor of love, and my God, feel the love in this room," said Ms. Vaughan to the crowd, who jumped to their feet in applause when her name was announced.

Kristen acted in Pisces Moon's 2003 version of The Laramie Project before she followed her career to the New York stage. In prior productions with Pisces Moon, Ms. Vaughan played Amanda in The Food Chain in 2000 and Sydney in The Altruists in 2002. She assayed several characters in 2002's The Laramie Project, and played Olivia in Adam Bock's Five Flights in 2003.

For more information, read this review of Benefactors and this article about the awards ceremony.