What Makes You Come Alive?

Dear community friends,

What makes you come alive?

Dr. Howard Thurman once said: "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

It is a blessing that I have discovered what makes me come alive. I am passionate about theater.

It doesn't matter how long my day has been, what other demands I have, whether I've had a complete night's rest, etc.; I feel completely energized when I am working in the theater. Performing, directing, assisting, creating, collaborating -- all of it fills me with joy and energy. Let's call it joie de vivre!

I have been primarily a stay-at-home mom for the past five years. I adore my children! I love parenting! And I wouldn't trade that 100 percent focus of my time and energy on Logan and Paige for anything in the world (even if it meant I could never be onstage again).

Fortunately, I don't have to make that deal. Logan and Paige are growing more independent and able to be away from mommy for stretches of time. Our family had a lot of practice with this last autumn for Damn Yankees! at  and this winter when I directed The Sound of Music with Saline Area Players. Logan and Paige's bond with their dad, my dear husband Ben, has certainly strengthened, as they have moved from infancy into toddlerhood and childhood. And doing what makes me come alive results in me a being a happier person, a more peaceful parent and a more connected spouse.

If each of us does what makes us come alive, surely it makes the world a better place! To be fully connected, alive, engaged, working together in community is a beautiful thing. That is the reality I want to be a part of, and help create, by living my dreams and encouraging others to discover and live out theirs.

My purpose for existence is to inspire others to do and be their best. This begins at home, by modeling for Logan and Paige what it means to have the insight and courage to know and follow your heart. I am committed to providing opportunities for them to participate in creative endeavors that fill their hearts with joy. And I will help them discover and create opportunities to support themselves and their families with their creative work.

Theater allows me to inspire many people at once. I strive to change others'  lives with the art I am a part of creating. Did you see Forever Plaid at the Encore? Hundreds of people did. Many saw it multiple times (I did. I also played a walk-on role.) The music, the relationships, the story, and the harmonies brought great joy to everyone who shared in this work of art.

Last Saturday, following the penultimate performance of Forever Plaid, I was one of a number of current and former cast members at The Encore who performed in a delightfully fun cabaret act! We each sang a Broadway showstopper, and thoroughly enjoyed the chance to share our joy of theater to move the audience. Everyone in that room was fully present in the moment (including the actors present Saturday night who have performed on Broadway -- an inspiring dream many of us share!) and experienced that joie de vivre. How exciting to collectively share that experience!

I came home Saturday night energized, feeling fully alive, and very much looking forward to the next theater adventure. For me, that is assistant directing The Last Five Years at The Encore this month;  followed by brushing up my Irish brogue to play the lovable Mrs. Paroo in The Encore's The Music Man in July.

Prior to returning to my professional work in theater, I felt like a border collie who was kept in a small apartment, and given only two small sheep to herd. My skills were appreciated, undoubtedly, and Logan and Paige will certainly benefit throughout their lifetime to have experienced that foundation of years of undistracted nurturing.

Now with my return to performing, directing, and coaching, and being thrilled with The Encore Musical Theatre Co. as my new creative home, I feel like this border collie has signed up for advanced agility courses and is soaring! No jump is too high! No tunnel is too long! No bridge is too tricky! I can do it all, with joy, with energy, with love, and still come home to my loving and supportive family with renewed enthusiasm for life. Because without my family, and you dear friends -- new and old -- none of it means anything.

It is only in sharing my dreams that there is true joy. I couldn't do it without you. And, hopefully, you can't do it without me. Because we all need each other, we are all connected, and we are all here to learn from and inspire each other. Let's meet the needs of the world together, by expressing our talents, creating art, doing what we love, and enriching each other's lives and our community.

So, what makes you come alive?