Coping with Covid

Al Espinosa and Kate Hurster, OSF Acrtors and family

Al Espinosa and Kate Hurster: "Potty training!"

Eddie Lopez, OSF Actor

Eddie Lopez

Erika Rose, OSF Actor, Patrick Crowley and family

Erika Roseand Patrick Crowley: "We are taking walks every single day. It's the only thing that has given us some semblance of balance. There have been days when we haven't been able to get out because of weather or because we are feeling particularly down and unmotivated. When that happens, every single time, the level of stress in our house shoots up. It is clear to us that the only way to survive this for the time being is to walk. Not everyone lives in a situation where they can do that. We are so lucky to be in Ashland right now. My family is healthy and safe and we can walk outside. Blessings."

Regina Fernandez, OSF Actor and Harry Foster

Regina Fernandez and Harry Foster: "We're Zooming with family and friends, at home karaoke, reading, writing, and gardening- a mix of technology, earth, and emotional connection."

Cyndii Johnson, OSF Actor

Cyndii Johnson: "I’m growing food. Increasing my faith. Talking to God. Cultivating magic. Reading books. Writing my thoughts. Deepening my relationship with myself. Deep conditioning my hair.Twerking in my mirror. Minding my business."

Lisa Tejero: "My Nurturing Nature."

Annie Paul, OSF Actor

Annie Paul: "I'm making masks and hanging with my little pup, Henry!"

Jaz Hall, OSF Actor

Jaz Hall: "Before the Rona, I was too busy to have at-home hobbies. When you work six days a week, you know that seventh day is meant for rest and errands. Suddenly, I have time to watch the sun set behind the mountains, a new evening past time. Suddenly, I have five plant babies - I'm such a proud parent. I'm adult coloring, trading friends for records to play, recording videos of myself singing because, of course, the world needs more of that, baking like nobody's business, and most recently I have invested in candle making supplies.. just wait until those essential oils arrive! I'm investing in methods of creation I have always had an interest in and suddenly have time to do. When we go forward - because I don't really think we'll go "back" to what was as it was - I don't know how this personal world of creation will mesh with the creation I'm charged to do at work. I hope there's a world in which they live together.. but I honestly don't know."

Vanessa & Aletha Nowitzky, OSF Audio Description and Usher

Vanessa & Aletha Nowitzky: "Healthy Vegan Eating!."

Laura Coe and Brendon Frazier: "I'm sewing masks, reading, making experimental baking projects (gummies was my last try and it was an abject failure! LOL) TV and home improvement projects."

Bethany Wells, OSF Institutional Giving Administrator

Bethany Wells: "I’m staying as creative as I can outside of my workday: drawing, painting, sculpting, now even doing a little porch gardening. My dog Eris makes sure I don’t spend too much time indoors, or if I do, that it involves her favorite playthings and lots of cuddles."

Laurena Mullins, OSF Box Office Associate

Laurena Mullins: "Working from home, talking with our patrons about vouchers, donations, tickets for the fall and their love of OSF. Taking my dog for walks. Listening to Spotify Playlists. And in the evenings enjoying Quady North Rose!"

Christiana Clark and Jeremy Gallardo, OSF Actors

Christiana Clark and Jeremy Gallardo: "Since the basketball hoop was removed from the park across the street, I & boyfriend/fellow acting company member Jeremy, have been repping our home teams & keeping our game strong on a makeshift indoor hoop. Caper the beagle refs."

Elib Crist-Dwyer, OSF Scenic Carpenter

Elib Crist-Dwyer: "I've been watching the bees buzz."

Bridget Kraft, OSF Painter/Dyer, Costumes and Dave Stone

Bridget Kraft and Dave Stone: "We have been walking our dogs and hiking wide fire roads to remain human in these times."

Tara Kayton, OSF Company Manager

Tara Kayton: "I'm Working hard on OSF work still!"

Janice Tobias, OSF Audience Services

Janice Tobias: "I am a Senior Citizen with asthma and a cancer survivor. I live alone but am doing all I can to stay home and be safe. So far I have kept my sanity."

Tim Getman, Gabriela Fernandez-Coffey and family, OSF Actors

"We're Okay. Challenging with kids. But also lovely to have so much bonding time. Hiking, games, music, books, nearby adventures. Mostly just miss face to face time."

William Hodgson, OSF Actor

William Hodgson: "I'm mourning, trying to keep it together day by day, but smiling."

Sarita Ocón, OSF Actor

Sarita Ocón: "I am learning to embrace this time of solitude, to practice radical self acceptance and compassion. Learning to lean into the discomfort of this stillness, this pause, and using this time to heal; to examine my life purpose and trust the process of the Universe. I've been grounding myself in spiritual and medicinal practices; delightful cooking & baking projects that have provided creative nourishment for my soul; and finally, calling in the guidance of my Abuelita and ancestors. I feel her most with me during our morning cafecito chats. I am new to OSF and Ashland, so I am deeply missing my communities/tribes and familia all over the country, but especially in the Southwest. Day by day, moment by moment. I know we will rise again and see one another on the other side."

Kim Euell, OSF Resident Teaching Artist

Kim Euell: "I'm coping reasonably well."

Nolan Kenmonth-Barney, OSF Box Office

Nolan Kenmonth-Barney: "One day at a time, with music, podcasts, video games and LOTS of reading/writing."

Valerie Lawrence , OSF Sound Engineer

Valerie Lawrence: "Trail running, wedding planning, working on abandoned projects, putting out yard inflatables with added masks for the neighborhood kids."

Rodney Gardiner, OSF Actor, Sarah Lozoff, OSF Resident Intimacy Director and family

Rodney Gardiner, Sarah Lozoff: "Surely, it's been difficult seeing our various and anticipated projects dry up, but, we are also trying to enjoy the sudden abundance of quality time together. We've been encouraging ourselves to stay productive and physically active while remembering to take time for self-care. Online workouts, baking, family movie nights, meals made by the kids, Zoom calls, and gardening fill our days."