“Every person who is really an artist desires to create inside of himself another, deeper, more interesting life than the one that actually surrounds him.” —Konstantin Stanislavski

Charlotte was born in a burlesque star’s trunk
On the bump-and-grind road to old Podunk
With the tricks of the trade
Charlotte played backstage
And dreamed her name up in lights from her bunk

“Remember: there are no small parts, only small actors.”

―Konstantin Stanislavski

Charlotte played her way through finishing school
Earned a bachelor’s degree in busting rules
Aced a master’s degree
In star quality
And a doctorate in artistic tools

“The actor must use his imagination to be able to answer all questions (when, where, why, how). Make the make-believer existence more definite.”

―Konstantin Stanislavski

Charlotte enjoyed anonymous acclaim
Insulated from a hot cover name
Like a brazen starlet’s
The stage name of Charlotte’s
Flared and spit with a tongue of sin’s flame

“Love the art in yourself and not yourself in the art.”

―Konstantin Stanislavski

Shameless goddess of the bodice rippers
Cinderella in stiletto slippers
Dreamed up by Charlotte
The Scarlet Harlot
Near Podunk in the trunk of a stripper

“The person you are is a thousand times more interesting than the best actor you could ever hope to be.”

―Konstantin Stanislavski