So R&J opens Friday night and will conclude my stay with Shakes & Co. It has been a blast. This production is truly wonderful. We started previews last Friday night and as I sat in the theatre with our first true audience, I found myself weeping. Of course this had to do with how beautiful the production is, how truthful the acting, but more than anything I was overcome with the feeling of “I have to do this.” I have to find a way, against whatever odds, to give my life to theatre. There are moments when I feel like what I do is so superficial, like “there is a war on and I’m worried about ‘dynamic stage pictures.’” But theatre is vital, possibly more vital at times of war, or in economic crisis. What I, and my cohorts, and artist around the world, do is so necessary. I sat in the theatre weeping, because of the awesome power theatre has to touch lives, maybe change lives, carry the culture forward, hold history. Yes it can be entertaining, and we need that, but theatre is the story of a people. I’m no soldier, but theatre is what I can do for and with others, how I can serve. I just hope I am always able to support myself as an artist.
In other news that doesn’t require me and a soapbox, my production of The Winter’s Tale opened last week, and has been going really well. It will run for two more week on the outdoor stage at the Center for Renaissance Studies in Amherst, MA. I’m already trying to butter the producers up for next year. I’m hoping the DL retreat will help as we have to pitch a production, and I don’t know nothin’ bout pitchin a show.
Like Des, Shaw scares me, and like Des I’m very excited about how retreat with expand my horizons.
Well until next week…
Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare & Company, 2011. Photo by Kevin Sprague ©2011. Featuring Susannah Millonzi as Juliet, David Gelles as Romeo
Yes, Dawn, Yes. it’s a shame we have to keep reminding ourselves that what we do matters, but when nations crumble and economies overturn, it’s the communal art of storytelling that gets us through it, reminds us of where we’ve been, and helps us to envision a bold and more truthful future. Never doubt the necessity of your calling my friend!