|
| HOME |
NEW |
Winter's PAST |
TIPS for Directors |
PLAYS |
BIO |
BLOG |
| Novels: Winter's Past Harmony's Call (WIP) Plays: Trouble Junction Aunt Polly's Demise A Christmas Calamity   |
The
Gift
On opening night, I have one of those special talks with my actors. Usually, I cry. I can't help it; my feelings are running deep. As a team, we've worked hard to live the story. The kids have memorized, put on their acting shoes, have explored the many layers of their unique characters, and now, they are very close to stepping onstage in front of a live audience for the first time. In this moment, when I realize how far this group of actors has come, how they've taken simple words--usually mine--and have truly "become" the characters, I have a final word to share. Yes, it's a director's speech, but truly the words flow from my heart. Typically, we're standing in a circle. During the western production of The Baron's Daughter, I started calling out, "Circle up!" like the wagon masters used to do in the old west. My talk goes something like this..."Tonight is the night we've been preparing for for a very long time. Inside each of you, God has placed an amazing gift that you're going to share with this audience. Through the words you say, through all the preparation and ways you portray your character, people are going to be touched. They may cry or laugh, or they may just sit thoughtfully, but they will be moved...because of you...because of your gift." It's a heart-touching moment. My work is finished. |
Kids glow
onstage--especially
on opening night. There's nothing like the joy radiating on their
faces. They are alive with something magnificent. They
shout energy and passion, demonstrating the joy they feel that the
moment has finally arrived to share their gifts and talents with a
waiting audience. I believe each one of us has a gift or talent to share with others, to build people up, to infuse hope and joy in a sometimes exhausting world. As directors of productions, we have a gift to share with our students--our time, our inspiration, our zeal--and they, in turn, will go and inspire an audience, who in turn, can inspire the world. The gift we share is life-changing. Return to TIPS. For clean, fun plays, visit... www.4thofjulyproductions.com  |
| Blessings on your journey... |