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Quotes from a few of the hundreds of letters we have received.

I can remember sitting in my room on a Saturday afternoon, and my

friend asking me to go with her and someone I don't know to something I

had no clue about. I hop into the car and we're off on a four hour

trek. As I walked through the doors of the Mode I was greeted with

smiles and hugs. I wandered around and my eyes saw wonderful people,

wonderful art, and wonderful cheesecake:) I sat down to watch a

performance that I would have never thought could exist. That night I

went through so many emotions. It opened up my heart and expanded my

mind. I was so lucky to have this experience in such a life forming

time of my life. I went to more shows and even ended up bringing in the

New Year with all these wonderful people.

Today I went to my mailbox and in there I saw a letter. As I

opened it I was excited, yet as I started to read tears came to my eyes.

Once again so many emotions filled my mind. I was sad to think that I

will never be able to experience another show, but happy to know that I

am able to share in your metamorphosis. As I thought to myself, I

wished that I could have shared my experience of such a wonderful woman

with another great woman in my life, my mother. I wish you both the best

and thank you for opening up your home and hearts to me. Hopefully I

will be able to make another four hour trek to send you off to the

Southwest.

All my love and best of luck,

Cindy Voorhees
Winona, MN

In those last powerful heartbeats that Helen stood before us, before removing her hat as I knew she would do, & fading from out sight, I checked (for which I regret) an impulse to step forward & enfold her as witness for all present of the gift we had been given.

Thank you Jinx for bringing forth the depth of the character of Helen Keller, of your character through her, for in many ways the two are one, for whether on stage or off, in character or not, you carry a solid earthy warmth that is deep & undeniable as you walk those wild steps of heaven.
C. F.

I had the great fortune of experiencing a truly amazing theatre experience as I watched your performance of Helen Keller Saturday night. There are some rare moments in one's life that will always remain with us in a profound way because they have transformational power. We walk away knowing that we are not the same. We have been given new eyes, and a new vision. We have been challenged and shaken to our very core and out of that process comes a new clarity. That happened to me at the Mode Theatre. I am profoundly grateful for it. It was theatre in its truest and purest form.

Your work has left an indelible mark in the hearts and minds of those who have been fortunate enough to experience it these past five years. S.D. Lake Mills, WI

You were spellbinding as Helen Keller! And what a wonderful vehicle you wrote in Illuminated Darkness. The play really showcases the depth of your talents. The family members I brought along with me were just as impressed with you as I am. Obviously, the entire audience was. I was pleased to see the touching outpouring of love the audience gave back to you. I could see you were moved.
J. W. Waterloo, WI

I first became aware of this theatre on the recommendation of a friend. I was soon struck by the hard work and labor intensive ethics put into this room by the confounding owners/performers- Jinx Davis and Significant Other-Andy Pizer. They literally bought the abandoned old movie house in small Waterloo, Wisconsin, and sank all their ambition/financial "where with all" into renovating the Mode into residence/art gallery/performance space. It is a sight to behold.

The first play I attended was written by Jinx as she traveled the southern part of the USA to find out what it's like to be a homeless white women in the south. She then became a homeless black women (via painstaking makeovers) in the same territory. She literally lived in the streets in these capacities as research for her play...she is alive to share her experiences with her audience. From this experience she came back to finish her one person play. I saw it, and it was powerful. D.J., Milwaukee, WI

I wanted to commend you on THE WINDS OF HEAVEN DANCE 
BETWEEN US.  Well done!  Not only was your acting powerful 
and superb, but your prose was graphic and lyrical.  It's 
hard to believe that you were able to do all this with your 
delicate subject matter.  I think that European-Americans 
in particular, but not exclusively, can learn a lot from 
the message of your performance.  As a black woman I was 
thrilled to learn that a white person could understand the 
issue of race, even beyond my own awareness.  You taught 
all of us and I felt the winds of heaven dance between us.  
May your art be received by a nation needing healing.
			Aleena Brown
			Milwaukee, WI

I can't imagine life without your theatre. You move me in the most wonderful ways.
You are always in my thoughts.
Nathan Coolie
Madison, WI

The Baraboo High School World Literature class had their eyes opened to a window beyond their own experience today. We have had a fascinating year glimpsing other cultures and visiting with people from foreign countries, but all of that seems only to have been a prelude the impact of your presentation., Your honesty and willingness to share touched us deeply...
To think that in our 'land of plenty' where 'freedom' reigns, we undermine the value of the variety of our multicultural peoples by sheer neglect, ignorance, and selfishness. You helped these young people view the world that they will soon inherit as one where anger and hopelessness play a major role for far too many of our 'invisible' people...
It was exciting to watch your professional ability to evaluate and involve your audience, to get out an be one of them while at the same time keep the distace of age and experience. One could almost feel the electricity in the room as their brain cells went into overdrive trying to grasp the concepts passing before them. Students were fired up, inspired, and talking with each other about something other than their own personal lives...The young man who sat front and center came in later to ask where he could buy your book. I told him that I didn't know if you had ever written one although you'd lived enough "lives" to write many books.
Maybe you've thought about it, but at least 33 World Lit students think you should write a book...
More than a million thanks,
Jeanne Chickering, Teacher

Congratulations on another brave production. I shook the hand of a great lady. 	M.l.Ames, Iowa

I am in the midst of packing for a car trip out to New England so I am rushed and a little anxious. But in the midst of all this has come your recent theatre communication and I find it so wonderful that I am putting everything else on hold for a minute or two so that I can write to you and tell you how splendid and courageous and innovative and really glorious I think you are--and ditto, the work you are doing at The Mode. It is in fact remarkable what you are doing--in spite of being a woman and who knows how many other things. I just shout congratulations to you and take pride in being one of your patrons and one of your fans. May you go on and on and on.
D.L.
Madison, WI

    What a thrill to watch you perform last night.  And 
what an experience to be, in some small way, a part of your 
performance!
    I had no idea what to expect, after reading the 
Milwaukee Journal article about opening night.  I knew your 
vision could go awry if not properly channeled, so I was 
uncertain of how far I could go in my own participation.
    I just know that your performance elicited some very 
strong feelings, and galvanized some opinions-which until 
you challenged them, so adroitly (and deliciously) I did 
not realize were so ingrained and heart-felt!  Thank you 
and BRAVO.

		Sherrie Avery King
		Hubbleton, WI

Jinx, you are one who takes suffering and transforms it into floods of creativity washing over and changing all of us who open our hearts to you. Thank you for the risk you take and the depths you visit.
L.N.
Dodgeville, WI

You are a piece of magic.  Every time I come to The Mode 
I am transformed.  How did you come about being in our 
midst?
                                             John Sullivan
                                             Madison, WI

You are better than anything I've seen in New York or London. I couldn't believe it when friends brought me to The Mode Theatre. The whole world needs to experience what you offer! I will find a way to return to the Midwest just to see what you come up with next.
Dr. Alvera
Boston, MA.

Does Waterloo know what they have? Dear Lady, you need
the whole world as your stage. I wish I could bring you to
my country to soothe the painful wounds of our land. You
are not just a great actress, you make miracles happen
inside your audience. You scared me to death with your
power and reached inside of me into places I did not know
existed. I am still shaking from the experience. In all
my travels through your great country, it is you I will
never forget.
Alexander Chezneki
Bosnia

I have to confess to you.  I left your theater incredibly angry.
I have been doing theater for over 26 years and consider myself 
a veteran actor.  After all of my shows-- the enormous amount 
time rehearsing and blocking, and then tech nights, etc.--I walk
into your place and watch you perform, direct ,and produce
all by yourself!  You don't even need props or sets or costumes!
Do you know that you have wiped the rest of us out with
one fell swoop?  Yes.  You have ruined it for me.  
Everything that I have done, everything that ALL of us have
done feels so petty, so much like dressed up 'playing house' after 
watching you.  You have broken all the rules and left me speechless.
Once I am over my anger all I will be left with is the awe for your
brilliance as an actress.
Thank you.  You have returned theater to its origins and 
thrown away all of the gobbly gook.  No wonder folks hate you.
Name Withheld, Chicago, IL

I am not very good at expressing myself, but I just want you both to know how much 
enjoyed knowing you and your boys for the past five years.  This small town has been
so very lucky to have had the experience and privilege of having such wonderful, giving
and truly caring people grace their town.  Jinx, you have touched the lives of so many
with your wonderful gift of acting.  I was very moved by your performances.  I thank you both
the New Years Eve galas.  I will never forget your hospitality, the scrumptious food and drink,
the entertainment and the fun time.  You really know how to throw a party.  Andy- you have so much
talent yourself-The Nailer, screenprinting, all you do for the town.  We will miss your friendly
smile.  I will miss you more than you will ever know.  Fondly, Sue Miller


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