I love theatre, and today I was reminded again why.
Well, there are many things that I enjoy about it: being on stage, drawing people into a story, costumes (I still love dress-up!), and the many other branches of the arts that are represented in promotional materials, sets and music.
But what I love most about it is the community. Theatre brings people together in a way that I haven't experienced with anything else. As a cast (and crew) you are there for each other, learn from each other, encourage and challenge each other, and laugh together (a lot).
In the practice today for the play I am currently directing, The Secret Garden, we were working on memorization. A few of the actors were away because of various commitments, and so I decided that memory work was a better use of our time than trying to do run-throughs with half of the cast missing. We sat in a circle and went through the dialogue scene by scene, first with the scripts and then trying it without. I thought that the practice went very well, not just because we covered quite a few scenes, but also because we had such a great time while we were doing it, actually spending a good portion of our time laughing. What was so funny? Tones of voice, paraphrased lines that only got across the rough meaning of the lines that were supposed to be said, looks of terror on faces as they realized it was their line next, fake laughter that inevitably lead to real laughter. It doesn't sound so funny in writing, but it was an opportunity for a good laugh, which can be hard to find in the stresses of papers, midterms, and daily problems. There was no need to feel awkward or self-conscious, because everyone knew that everyone was in it together. Everyone made mistakes. No one had it perfect. And we were a team.
Whenever I think about the community that is formed around a play, I think that it is a picture of the Church. A group of people gathers together in a common purpose. No one has it all figured out, but they are there to help each other, encourage each other, and challenge each other to do their best. It is a safe place to step out of your comfort zone, try something new, and be empowered. It is an opportunity for discipleship, mentoring, and teamwork. And the best part is that it doesn't just stay with that community: others are welcomed in with open arms. In theatre this happens with the performances, when the audience is invited into the story of the play. And as the Church, our calling is to reach out to the world around us, welcoming them into our family.
No wonder theatre is such a source of joy for me.
