I Believe Theater is More Important Than Ever

I believe live theater is more important than ever before! The world needs to feel sympathy and empathy directly in person. They need to connect with other humans. They need to laugh and cry for real, not as an “lol” or an emoji. Theater can be a safe place for children to explore and create and not be judged and for adults to re-connect to what is important. Theater has the ability to teach, to shake things up, to excite, to dream, to expand the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of an audience.

I believe we as producers, directors, choreographers, and performers need to be the best we have ever been at sharing stories. Our stories need to make people connect and feel more than ever because if we don’t pull them in when we have our chance, we will lose the souls to a technological world that is empty of true connection, that is a falsity of emotions, and true knowledge.

When theaters find the stories that people need to hear right now and do them justice, the people will come. Ask yourself why is Hamilton needed right now? Why is Dear Evan Hansen needed right now? Why is The Greatest Showman such a huge hit amongst young people? Why do I love Come From Away with all my heart? I believe their message is so intricately needed right now and it is told in the most incredibly detailed way. A way that hits us like a wave of emotions and discoveries. It is important to note that these current Broadway hits are not the only stories that need to be told right now. There are many old classic stories that are just as important and they don’t have to be all drama. We need the light hearted stories too that allow us to connect and feel positive just as much as the drama.

This is why I feel drawn into my craft more than ever. I want to share stories and work hard to tell them to the best of my ability so that people FEEL again. So that taking a picture and showing your friends on facebook is not to gain false empty likes but to say to your friends I have been changed by this experience. I felt something that was real and learned or was reminded of a value that is not present in my everyday life anymore, even if that is just good old hearted laughing and having fun FOR REAL.

It is important to ask ourselves as creators why this story now? What is the message I want to drive home and how do I do that to the best of my ability using all of the skills in my toolbox. Because right now IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT to get it right.

And lastly to performers- you must connect to your character and your element of the story with your whole heart because we can’t afford to lose our audience in a world where attention span is shorter than ever. The audience has a cell phone in their pocket and if you don’t earn their attention they will not give it to you. Each and every individual needs to do their part to tell the story. And when fatigue sets in and you feel bored re-connect to why. Remember that cousin you want to change but don’t know how. Remember that many people don’t respond to debate but when they feel things in their heart it instigates change subconsciously. That’s when people change and you can make that happen for your audience every time you perform.

This is important. Let’s do this!