The Lessons That Last

 I spent the last two weeks mentoring three student directors as they directed a dozen student actors in plays written by two student playwrights (who I also mentored in a playwriting class last spring). It was exhausting. And it was fabulous.

CSDC’s New Play Festival is probably the best thing we do, in my opinion. Not because of the great show it produces (although it was a good show), but because of the great work it does in our students. If you’d been hanging out at our studio and observing closely, here are some of the things you would have seen happening there in the last couple weeks:

-        Actors did exercises to practice speaking loudly and clearly . . . and learned that their voices deserve to be heard and understood.

-        Students completed a cleaning job every day
before leaving the building . . . and learned to serve others without complaining or arguing.

-        Directors had to make do with the costume and prop items that were available for them at the theater rather than the perfect idea they had in their heads . . . and learned that God works through the imperfect just as well (maybe better).

-        Actors analyzed their characters’ words and actions to figure out how to deliver a line . . . and learned that people do and say things for reasons that we should care about.

-        Kids brought donuts and cupcakes and cookies and more to share with each other . . . and learned that a good community is a thing worth cultivating and celebrating.

-        A director changed “I hate that” to “That’s not really what I had in mind.” . . . and learned that her words have power over another person’s heart.  

-        Actors learned fight choreography that was rehearsed meticulously to keep everyone safe . . . and learned that people around us matter enough to put time and energy into protecting them.

-        A director remembered to say “thank you” to her cast at the end of rehearsal . . . and learned to appreciate the gift of effort . . . and learned the power of expressing gratitude.

-        Tech students worked independently to check off the items on the lengthy tech to-do list . . . and learned to persevere in figuring out how to do something new on their own.

-        Actors sat patiently waiting for instructions through a cue-to-cue rehearsal . . . and learned to set their personal pleasure aside for the sake of a group goal.

-        A playwright and a director negotiated over the interpretation of a script . . . and learned to see and appreciate another person’s truth and perspective.

-        Students faithfully moved items from place A to place B in a complicated but flawlessly executed scene change . . . and learned the value of each person’s small but faithful contribution to a larger task.

-        Directors intentionally looked for positive notes to give their cast after each run-through . . . and learned the power of building up others.

-        A mentor/teacher (that would be me) watched a group of young people produce an evening of art that seemed to exceed the sum of their individual contributions . . . and learned (once again) that art and creation are an act of the Spirit, something I have less control over than I think I do.

Y’all, this. THIS is why I do what I do. It's not about the show; it's about the kids. I love my theater.