When you get to a certain age, everyone in your life starts giving you the “raised eyebrow” and asking you when you’re going to have children of your own. My answer? I already do. 8 years ago, one of my lifelong dreams came true with the opening of Spring Theatre. A non-profit theatre company with our mission to empower and challenge our community to experience the energy, emotion and adventure that springs from extraordinary theatre. Because of the impact theatre had on me at a young age, I especially became passionate about youth theatre, and giving young people an opportunity to be treated as professional adults. Our first production was Disney’s Mulan Jr, and, since we were starting from the ground up, I literally put myself in charge of everything for the production… director, music director, choreographer, producer, graphic designer, marketing, props, set (with my dad of course), sound, lights….. it was a crazy and wonderful time in my life. During that show, I met several of my “babies” who were small with tiny voices and shy at auditions. I remember the first day of rehearsals like it was yesterday, playing an acting game to get them to all come out of their shell. We would do acting exercises and vocal lessons that were way out of their age range, and guess what? They would keep up and excel each and every time. Jim Rohn, one of my mentors always said “children do not lack capacity, they only lack teachers”. Over and over again, when given the opportunity, I have seen kids not only rise to the occasion, but often surpass adults with their professionalism, talents and skills. If “no” is not an option, they will simply follow suit and become better. For the past several years, a community has grown through Spring Theatre that has exceeded my expectations and dreams. Through our theatrical performances, classes, camps and outreach, many of my “babies” have grown up onstage right in front of my eyes, and it has been an honor to watch them grow into young adults using some of the skills that being onstage gives them. They grow up so fast. When I look at these young adults, I am in awe at how much I learn from THEM. Their selflessness and care for others, their drive and their energy is contagious, and keeps me driven to change the world for our next generation. Many kids whom I have known since they were little tykes have now become my friends, and my life is richer just for knowing them. Every success they have in whatever it is they have decided to do with their life fills my heart until it overflows out of my eyeballs. And as Elphaba would say in the musical “Wicked”, “because I knew you, I have been changed for good”. To the parents of my Spring Theatre babies, thank you for sharing. To my kiddos, I’ll love you like family for the rest of my life and beyond. xoxoxox
3 Comments
I am so very grateful for our amazing independence we have in America, and this beautiful day that we get to celebrate. Several times over the past few years, I have heard friends say that they don’t like our country anymore. When I ask them why, they immediately start talking about our government and our politicians. While I have my opinions about our politicians that I very strictly keep to myself, I truly feel that politics and patriotism are in completely different categories. I love my country, and that love certainly has nothing to do with our politicians. I have traveled the world, and while every inch of it I have seen so far is truly beautiful in its own way, I will always choose America as my home. I love our freedoms. I love the amazing communities that we see every single day that are humble and kind and making the world a better place. I love that all throughout the country, we as individuals are working towards a better America together every day. I love that love is celebrated all around us. As I say over and over again onstage and in my writings, the media doesn’t cover all of the GREATNESS that I have the unique privilege of seeing every single day of tour life. Humanity has far more good than evil to offer us. Of course, I recognize that this is not a perfect country, but I also recognize the changes that are made every day by my fellow citizens with good hearts and great intentions who are working to make it better. America… land that I love. And every day, whether we are in the beautiful tobacco fields of North Carolina, the amazing lakes of Michigan, the warm beaches of Florida, the stunning topography of Utah, the amazing energy of Chicago, the mind-blowing glaciers of Alaska, the snow-capped mountains of Colorado or the corn fields of Iowa…. the people are what makes America great.
And so to anyone who reads this, happy independence day. While you’re enjoying time with friends and family today, be sure to wave our flag high, put the politics aside for a second, and take a look at the abundance of love that surrounds us. xoxoxox |