
The first job I took after graduating from college was marketing coordinator of a start up theatre company called The PlayGround Theatre for Young Audiences. At the theatre I got to do all sorts of things...anything we needed to keep the business going. The theatre is now in it's sixth season of operation...and I am so happy and proud to report that they have seen tremendous success and growth since the days I worked out of Toby Ansin's home in Coral Gables to acquiring the Shores Theatre in Miami Shores, FL.
I am on vacation in Miami right now visiting the parents and when I arrived home there was a stack of mail on my desk. Going through the mail this morning I came across the PGT 2009-2010 brochure. I opened it to see if there were any shows to catch while in town and also decided to read the opening note from Stephanie Ansin, Artistic Director of the theatre. Reading the note literally brought tears to my eyes and I wanted to share it here with you all as I believe it will move you in the same way.
'As we persevere on our mission to create magical journeys through time and space, I am repeatedly struck by examples of how deeply our productions touch audiences of all ages and abilities.
During the Q&A session following the first performance of our Theatre Inclusion Program, a 12 yr-old girl with visual impairment who had just attended our production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland raised her hand to ask, "But what was it about?" "What do you think it was about?" I replied. "It was so strange, " she said, obviously struggling to articulate her impressions. "Yes. It was strange. Alice even says, 'Everything is so strange today' after she falls down the rabbit hole." Encouraged, the girl continued, slowly and deliberately: "She didn't know who she was. She didn't know where she was. She didn't even know her name." I could sense a deep connection between this girl and the disoriented, displaced Alice. I wondered what is was like for her to experience our intensely visual production without being able to see anything. But she could hear. And feel. And think. I said, "You understood everything-you had the answer to your question. You can trust yourself." "I know," she replied, "but sometimes it's hard".
This story proves the magic and power of the arts, and the impact that we can have as individuals in shaping lives and giving confidence to others as long as we continue to create. And sometimes life is hard, the road becomes challenging and we often wonder why we don't just give up, throw in the towel, and just do something easy. If Stephanie only touches one life in this lifetime, it will be worth all the pain it took to get there. But, this one life probably also impacted Stephanie, just when she was ready to give up this little girl gave her the strength to continue creating and inspiring others. And that...is solid gold.
Just Believe, Kira Beth