In 2008, the Doc Edwards Education Program was awarded the Environmental Recognition Award by the Texas Association for Environmental Education. Pammy and I are very proud to be are major part of such a wonderful program and to be recognized for our contributions in bringing the Doc Ed show to life for elementary school age children and future stewards of our precious resource: The Edwards Aquifer.
Good fortune happens when opportunity meets planning. I think Thomas Edison said that. Very true. But a little luck never hurts either. I've tried to set a course for myself as a freelance artist, clown and actor as much as is possible but some of the most interesting work has come my way unexpectedly. I fell into my role as Doc Ed, I think, mostly by happenstance.
Before coming home to San Antonio we spent a many fruitful years in Dallas, Texas learning new performing skills and always working. Making a living as an actor in Dallas was something we did for years.There was theater work, "industrials", commercials, video work not to mention clown work at festivals and other public events. Twelve years ago it became necessary to move back home.
In San Antonio, making a living as actor is virtually impossible. What theater work there is pays little to nothing and the very established theaters that pay somewhat decently (of which there are less than a handful) keep those roles to their company of actors. What is an actor to do? Scramble for a while...and then shift gears. My wife and I tried clowning locally for a while but found the market for it had declined so she began baking at a local chain and I fell back to my artistic skills which were not used as often in Dallas. I painted murals, taught art classes and workshops. Then one day, I was hired by Raining Popcorn Media, a local educational publishing company, to create a comic book commissioned by the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) education department about a character that would come to be known as Doc Ed, Aquifer Explorer.
I drew many characters studies of the way I pictured my future alter-ego until they chose one they deemed appealing and fit the Doc Ed persona. It so happened, unintentionally, that he resembled me. Well, the book was printed and the Edwards Aquifer's education department seemed happy. Fast forward to a few weeks later when I received a phone call from Raining Popcorn Media's art director informing me that the Edwards Aquifer Authority's education department wanted to do a live version of Doc Edwards and that he had recommended me for the part. I have to mention that I'd known this art director for many years. He was an old college classmate who was very familiar with my performing experience which included children's theater and clowning with the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus for a few years...plus he also mentioned to them I looked a lot like Doc Ed. At first I was hesitant. Presenting an educational show that needed be educational, entertaining and funny AND whose subject was primarily water seemed, at first, impossible. Still, it was a chance at possible regular paying gig. I auditioned and got the part.
But the good folks at the EAA needed a show for Doc Ed. So my wife and I, together with their educators, wrote a show that was both educational and funny. It was written with a 1st through 3rd audience in mind introducing them to the fundamentals of the Edwards Aquifer. My wife and I spent many days and late nights trying to make this subject funny. Thankfully, our clown side came to the rescue. A clown can find the humor in almost anything.
Part of being Doc Ed also included a crash course in the Edwards Aquifer, water conservation and preservation. Once I was ready, I began taking the show out to schools, libraries and environmental events in San Antonio and the surrounding communities located with the Edwards Aquifer region which covers sixteen counties. Lots of driving involved.
Five and a half years later we continue our work with the EAA having written and performed three different Doc Ed show for thousands of children and adults throughout the region. I've also drawn another Doc Ed book as well as created a variety of "Doc Ed" art for various educational materials and for the Doc Ed website. From time to time I've also made a few props for the shows as needed.
We're now in the process of writing a fourth show which features a puppet character of a Texas Blind Salamander and written for kindergarten audiences introducing the youngest of students (and perhaps future scientists) to the Edwards Aquifer. Twelve years ago we could not have imagined we'd be heavily involved in this hybrid form of live education and entertainment.
What does it all mean? For one thing, it means that we have managed to find a way to feel like performers again despite so many obstacles. And we've discovered a new venue in which to ply our trade as actors, clowns and writers. More importantly it taught that opportunities can come from the most unlikely places. Scan the artistic horizon in the most unlikely of places and take a chance. It might pay off.
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