Today is World Theater Day. I’m sure it’s just one of a million made up holidays throughout the year, but it’s a day I’m going to celebrate, nonetheless. Because, that place, the theater, is sacred to me. It’s just as much where I find myself and hear the voice of my heart as any cathedral I’ve ever entered. The theater is a place of limitless imagination, limitless emotion, and limitless excitement. The theater is where I’ve discovered who I am and who I want to be. Through characters and plays, I’ve been exposed to the best and worst in people. I’ve found friendship, I’ve found community, I’ve found myself on those worn boards of the stage.
All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
William Shakespeare, As You Like It
Every show I’ve done has revealed something new about myself or about the world. From the power of connection and community, to the beauty of ordinary days, the stage has left me hopeful and free. I’ve played leads and bit parts, I’ve directed and made props and stage managed and ran the sound board. I’ve made the dearest friends in the world. The stage saved me and helped me find a little bit of who I am. Every character I have played has left their mark and every role I’ve had backstage has only made me love the stage more.
Today might be world theater day, but every day I’m thankful for the person I’ve become because of the stage – and the person I will be with each and every challenge yet to come. I have been dozens of different people, and they’ve all made me more me. So, here’s to Stan and Mollie and Florence and Ernie and Margaret and Lady Macduff and Beatrice and Bobbie and Stage Manager andeveryone in between. Here’s to directing, to creating, to laughing. To radio plays and audio drama and dance and theater in every weird place in Bloomington.
And here’s to the people I’ve met along the way. You’re all part of me. I am so thankful to share in this journey with you. To Mr. Howell and Ms Knopp who first fanned the flame all those years ago, thank you. To Nanny Barb who never stopped making life fun and showing me the power of the stage. To my Constellation and MCCT families in Bloomington. To the Follies. To everyone in between: to the magic of the stage now and forever!
