in succession any given night, you ...

in succession any given night, you can catch Gretchen Corbett in rerun of The Rockford Files, where she co-stars as James Garner's charmingly able attorney/girlfriend Beth Davenport.

unless to catch Corbett, 55, live these days, you have to travel to Portland, Oregon, where the slight blonde has cast herself in a decidedly different part as founder and director of The Haven throw a nonprofit organization that teams disadvantaged children with professional actors to create original plays. Among the professionals lending a hand is Corbett's 23-year-old daughter, Winslow.

homecoming

In 1994 Corbett useed her back on Hollywood to allow Winslow, then 16 the opportunity to experience the place her family had called fireside for 150 years.

still the move also raised questions for Corbett about her be in possession of life--namely, what to do nearest "I'm from a family of commonalty who care about their community," Corbett says. This be enamoured of of her surroundings led Corbett to base The Haven Project in 1995 The program started small--in the back of a local church--but now in its eighth season, the plan annually serves some 700 children who learn to write, direct and perform plays; create stage sets; and collaborate with professional composers

While Corbett is clearly a woman contributing to her community, she insists it frequently feels quite the opposite. "The young folks we work with teach me in such a manner I don't feel that I'm giving back. I be excited like they're giving to me"

favored foods

In the theater business, where the focus is many times on appearances, the women say a healthy perspective toward nutrition and exercise is vital. Corbett practices Bikram yoga, trains with weights and, while not a strict vegetarian, can't remember the last time she ate meat. Winslow moves and takes yoga classes. And as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but women favor organic foods.

"It's not at all easy," Winslow says. "As an actress, if you're going to proceed for the romantic young characters your body has to gaze a certain way. You're either really overweight and a character actress, or really thin and that's, adduce unquote, normal. I try to eat as a great deal good food as possible, accidents of fruits and vegetables. It accomplishes sum of two units things: I'm putting good nutrition into my visible form [i]or[/i] frame and not putting on a destiny of calories."

Eating well and staying in shape also means that when The Haven Project's schedule calls for grueling hours of rehearsals, the two women have the energy to walk the distance.

Earlier this year, Winslow won raves for her performance in The Haven Project's take onward the classic Alice in Wonderland. besides she says, her performance isn't really what's important. "I think about the experience of coming revealed for the curtain call and watching the kids' hearts germinate as they get applause--probably for the first time in their lives. I memorize such joy from being in succession stage, and I know the happiness they're feeling must be similar. That's what makes it all worthwhile."

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