Hollywood has as many awards shows as scandals these days. But there is one show I can’t miss, no matter how much people trivialize its existence: the Oscars.

Like a wedding, it’s all about the gowns.

I love couture fashion. I love Hollywood glamour. I love the idea of dreams coming true. I like to see people recognized for their achievements.

---

---

People will say what they will about the actors or movies winning the Academy Awards. They might not agree that they deserve them. Or they may just say, bluntly, that nominated actors or movies were terrible.

There’s so much more to it.

---

---

Quite simply, movies are like magic to me. Whether they’re adapted from a novel or are original screenplays, movies start with an idea. And we all have them. Creative or not, people naturally generate ideas. That’s what gave us electricity and Facebook.

An idea was formed into a workable concept, and we all know the rest of the story. Check out the film “Social Network,” if you have no idea what Facebook is.

Please tell me electricity is a little more mainstream by now.

I have so many ideas that flow through my head sometimes I can’t sleep at night. It’s true I keep a joke book near my bed because I find that my funnier thoughts come late at night. I have started several novels but talked myself out of them.

My ideas for columns can often be triggered by a pop culture event, say the Oscars. Or I’ll be walking my dog or skiing and they will come to me like a “eureka” moment. I like to think I have a little energy-efficient light bulb above my head at all times.

Sometimes bright, sometimes dim.

The beauty of the mind is that those ideas really are being generated at all times. Often my best ideas come when I’m sleeping. I wake up knowing I had the craziest dream ever that could be written into a comedy bit or a short story. I write all the time.

Unfortunately I’m really good at talking myself out of allowing some of my writing to see the light of day. As a writer, it’s much easier for me to think I’m not good enough than be self-confident 24-7.

I might not be saying that if I were Stephen King.

Every year I watch the Oscars, I love seeing the gorgeous dresses, of course. I also enjoy seeing all the people required to make the magic happen. From the screenwriters and visual effect directors to the costume designers and supporting actors, all the players involved in movies are part of a team that works together to make the final, magical product – a movie that can make audiences laugh, cry, rejoice or revolt.

Sometimes they can have several emotions all at once, just from one two-hour movie. They may love it or hate it, but the movie is still causing a reaction. And that is what art is all about, in my book.

I hope my art has more of a calming effect.

Although some people make it look so, writing, designing, directing, producing, acting and performing are not easy tasks. I have been lucky enough lately to live in an extraordinarily art-focused community that has exposed me to performing and participating in some big stage productions.

At least in my mind they’re big.

Through the Carbondale Fashion Show, KDNK’s C-Town, Viva La Woman Burlesque, and the Laughing Matters Comedy Revue – productions requiring writing, producing, directing, acting, joke telling, dancing, singing and runway modeling – I have been on a stage.

And it’s not easy, trust me.

I’ve had to overcome stage fright and that terrible feeling I’ll forget what to say the moment the spotlight hits. I’ve had to tap dance like everyone is watching. Even if I’m hardly the best dancer in the world. I’ve had to memorize lines and sing as loud as I could despite the fact my music teacher laughed out loud at me when I tried out for sixth-grade choir.

Man, middle school is traumatizing.

The magic of all the performances I’ve been in lately is that it’s not just about me. The magic is happening because of my cast mates and directors. It’s about the costumers and the house that shines the lights and tweaks the sound. It’s about every last person in that theater. Most of all, it’s about the audience and their reaction – good, bad or ugly.

If that isn’t magic, I don’t know what it is.

April E. Clark wishes her comedic and acting muse, Ellie Davis, a tearful farewell as she embarks on a new life in Sweden. Trevlig resa min vän! April can be reached at aprilelizabethclark@ yahoo.com.