Artist Residency

Hi, I do hope this note finds you and yours, safe, and well.

My name is Lisa Bonner . I am a writer, professional actress, published singer/songwriter who resides in NYC. As a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, I have pursued and continued to work on my original vision of writing, producing and composing original material, both musically and as a dramatist for over four decades.

Last week I was accepted to an artist residency, Chateau d'Orquevaux , located in France. Woohoo!!!  It is very exciting! For an artist, to be in an environment, whereas the linear time table is somewhat mute, even for a short segment of time, why this, is a gift beyond compare.

After hustling for years, and I do mean that in the most respected sense, to be granted a space and opportunity to simply concentrate on artistic writing and work, is a gift straight from heaven.

Recently, I completed a film script project entitled "Facing the Bull ". This project, which was originally presented in New York City as a theatrical play, has since been transcribed into a film script. You can view more about the entire project, from its inception, into the present stage of development at: Facing the Bull. "Facing the Bull" has yet to be fully produced, but production efforts remain in progress. I look very forward to seeing it on the big screen or as a series in the very near future.

Since the beginning of the year, another project has been developing through the Sundance collab program. I'm looking very forward to continuing the work, and diving into completion of this script, while at next years residency.

In 2023, after decades of a parallel careers in business and entertainment, while tending to family matters, including raising a beautiful child into adulthood, dedicating time to care for an aging parent, I waned away from a full-time career in management and back into TV and film acting. YAY! Very excited about this too!

The transitioning plan was all going very wonderfully until the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the actors (SAG-AFTRA) industrial strikes in 2023: Nine months of no work. The strike was well needed, but the financial effects were felt by many of us and still are.

As a result of these strikes, and with a very wise agent's guidance, I took on a waitress position to allow more flexibility to my schedule. As well, a server position, such as this, has less overall responsibility and allows time artistically. All good things I would say, and necessary, for being a productive artist. PS: I presently remain employed there.

I am so grateful to Chateau d'Orquevaux for this invitation and opportunity! Their overall mission of allowing artists the space and time to produce is precious. Everything does have a cost though. Although I have been granted this opportunity, along with a scholarship, it is not free. And although I am asking for the help in funding this residency, the money raised will go directly to the Chateau d'Orquevaux costs, so they may continue to and other artists space even after me.

Please help me with this?

The residency opportunity is another link in a long strand of events that make an artist's life...an artist's life. Chateau d'Orquevaux is the residency. I will be attending next late winter/early spring 2025.

I continue to work as an actor, as the industry slowly gets back into production, and yet facing another looming strike this summer 2024. I also continue to work as a waiter, after years of being a General Manager. I continue performing as a singer/songwriter in the NYC and tristate areas: Lisa Bonner on APPLE MUSIC

Somewhat embarrassed to admit, I do need help with this. I realize things may be difficult financially for some people, as they tend to be for me at times, such as this. PLEASE, do not even think about it if you cannot assist! Simply throw some great prayers or vibes the way of me and Chateau d'Orquevaux. However, if you can, and would, you be helping me, and a great deal of other artists and writers to follow at Chateau d'Orquevaux.