A Very Long Break

Ahhh, it's summer. Summer is typically a down time for theater. There were a few projects that I could have worked on had I so desired, but I did not. Instead, I spent time with my children, took my oldest (5 soon to be 6 yrs) to see a rather good production of the Scottish play performed by teenagers, went on vacation, and for the most part, vegged. As almost always happens when I let myself relax a bit (if you can call raising 3 kids age 5 and under "relaxing"), my brain goes a little haywire. I start to plan things, and to think about theater productions. A long time ago, one of my most influential theater instructors gave his eager students this nugget of wisdom: Don't wait for someone to give you work. When you don't have work, make your own. Great advice! So, in my awesome amount of free time, I have begun to write a one woman show starring myself, and to plan a monthly drama hour for kids at my home theater. Oh, and I'm applying to grad school.

Really? Yup. And not for theater, although I have no intention of giving up theater at any tangible point in the future. I hope to get a MA in Journalism, and do some serious writing/photography in addition to my theater and kids. Am I crazy? Almost certainly. Perhaps it's because my husband is set to receive his PhD in CS in the next couple of months after many years of hard work. I may be afraid that suddenly my life will be too easy and stress-free. Ha.

What does this mean to you, sweet loyal reader of theater related blogs? Perhaps nothing. Perhaps, though, it says something about the diversity of those participating in the complex and intriguing world of theater arts. There are so many facets to the production of a production, that it should hardly be surprising to find that those who do it are multi-faceted as well. So, if you're out there thinking that you can't possibly be a "real" actor, playwright, lighting gal or guy, or what have you, because you also happen to draw damn good comics, or make a mean casserole at the cafeteria, or enjoy bussing small, half grown people around to various schools, you're wrong. The ability to do many things competently, and to ENJOY doing many things is what makes theater and those who produce it so darn interesting. So, here's a big YEEHAW to the many faces of the many faces of theater!