when I was a kid my parents were debating whether or not to put me on
debating whether or not to put me on
debating whether or not to put me on Ritalin
instead they decided to enroll me in a
instead they decided to enroll me in a theater class at the Civic Theatre of
theater class at the Civic Theatre of
theater class at the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette in Indiana the
Greater Lafayette in Indiana the
Greater Lafayette in Indiana the infamous director of that class and
infamous director of that class and
infamous director of that class and Welsh took one look at a child that had
Welsh took one look at a child that had
Welsh took one look at a child that had been diagnosed overly energized
been diagnosed overly energized
been diagnosed overly energized unfocused erratic and she said that
unfocused erratic and she said that
unfocused erratic and she said that child right there is an artist and she
child right there is an artist and she
child right there is an artist and she said artists are the ones who changed
said artists are the ones who changed
said artists are the ones who changed the world I know I know but I was a kid
the world I know I know but I was a kid
the world I know I know but I was a kid right so I mean that is a tall order and
right so I mean that is a tall order and
right so I mean that is a tall order and I have to admit that I’m still making
I have to admit that I’m still making
I have to admit that I’m still making sense of this but I think I’m getting
sense of this but I think I’m getting
sense of this but I think I’m getting closer I think I’m getting closer to
closer I think I’m getting closer to
closer I think I’m getting closer to understanding that the lessons of
understanding that the lessons of
understanding that the lessons of theater might just be how we make sense
theater might just be how we make sense
theater might just be how we make sense of ourselves and could in fact change
of ourselves and could in fact change
of ourselves and could in fact change the world when I when my parents were
the world when I when my parents were
the world when I when my parents were deciding how to channel my energy I kept
deciding how to channel my energy I kept
deciding how to channel my energy I kept myself busy
myself busy
myself busy mowing our endless lawns thinking about
mowing our endless lawns thinking about
mowing our endless lawns thinking about what I might or might not say if I were
what I might or might not say if I were
what I might or might not say if I were ever on the Rosie O’Donnell show and
ever on the Rosie O’Donnell show and
ever on the Rosie O’Donnell show and watching over and over Footloose so that
watching over and over Footloose so that
watching over and over Footloose so that I could learn the dance moves
I could learn the dance moves
I could learn the dance moves also known as stare at Kevin Bacon’s
also known as stare at Kevin Bacon’s
also known as stare at Kevin Bacon’s hips I know I’m not alone
hips I know I’m not alone
hips I know I’m not alone and when I wasn’t partaking in these
and when I wasn’t partaking in these
and when I wasn’t partaking in these very complicated rigorous hobbies I was
very complicated rigorous hobbies I was
very complicated rigorous hobbies I was watching every movie ever made
watching every movie ever made
watching every movie ever made starring Whoopi Goldberg yeah yeah you
starring Whoopi Goldberg yeah yeah you
starring Whoopi Goldberg yeah yeah you heard me right
heard me right
heard me right Whoopi Goldberg it was the glory of
Whoopi Goldberg it was the glory of
Whoopi Goldberg it was the glory of Whoopi as sister Mary Clarence in the
Whoopi as sister Mary Clarence in the
Whoopi as sister Mary Clarence in the blockbuster film Sister Act that really
blockbuster film Sister Act that really
blockbuster film Sister Act that really put the pedal to the metal he was in
put the pedal to the metal he was in
put the pedal to the metal he was in that moment watching that film that this
that moment watching that film that this
that moment watching that film that this awkward kid who collected chinchillas
awkward kid who collected chinchillas
awkward kid who collected chinchillas named his body parts played Barbie dolls
named his body parts played Barbie dolls
named his body parts played Barbie dolls with his sister and sang meatloaf with
with his sister and sang meatloaf with
with his sister and sang meatloaf with his brother and experienced what he
his brother and experienced what he
his brother and experienced what he called hyper spasms realized that there
called hyper spasms realized that there
called hyper spasms realized that there was a whole lot more to life a whole lot
was a whole lot more to life a whole lot
was a whole lot more to life a whole lot more
more
more after all if a nun can find her voice
after all if a nun can find her voice
after all if a nun can find her voice why not me
why not me
why not me I remember the exact moment that I
I remember the exact moment that I
I remember the exact moment that I walked into the video update that is a
walked into the video update that is a
walked into the video update that is a video rental store those used to exist
video rental store those used to exist
video rental store those used to exist and I checked out Whoopi’s 1984 solo
and I checked out Whoopi’s 1984 solo
and I checked out Whoopi’s 1984 solo Broadway show once in hand once home
Broadway show once in hand once home
Broadway show once in hand once home once lights turned down lo there she was
once lights turned down lo there she was
once lights turned down lo there she was on my 13-inch screen TV playing multiple
on my 13-inch screen TV playing multiple
on my 13-inch screen TV playing multiple characters right after another and I
characters right after another and I
characters right after another and I raised my glass of Mountain Dew as if it
raised my glass of Mountain Dew as if it
raised my glass of Mountain Dew as if it were champagne and I toasted her to
were champagne and I toasted her to
were champagne and I toasted her to thank her for transporting me from the
thank her for transporting me from the
thank her for transporting me from the cornfields of Indiana to Broadway I said
cornfields of Indiana to Broadway I said
cornfields of Indiana to Broadway I said that I want to do that for my 13th
that I want to do that for my 13th
that I want to do that for my 13th birthday my loving parents took me to
birthday my loving parents took me to
birthday my loving parents took me to see my first Broadway show starring yes
see my first Broadway show starring yes
see my first Broadway show starring yes the show was a funny thing happened on
the show was a funny thing happened on
the show was a funny thing happened on the way to the forum yeah okay let’s get
the way to the forum yeah okay let’s get
the way to the forum yeah okay let’s get it Stephen Sondheim meets Whoopi
it Stephen Sondheim meets Whoopi
it Stephen Sondheim meets Whoopi Goldberg in artistic matrimony this gay
Goldberg in artistic matrimony this gay
Goldberg in artistic matrimony this gay boy almost dissolved before the show I
boy almost dissolved before the show I
boy almost dissolved before the show I sent backstage a note and a bouquet of
sent backstage a note and a bouquet of
sent backstage a note and a bouquet of flowers to Whoopi because I am as
flowers to Whoopi because I am as
flowers to Whoopi because I am as strategic and thorough as I am odd
and at intermission an usher brought out
and at intermission an usher brought out to me a note from Whoopi and written on
to me a note from Whoopi and written on
to me a note from Whoopi and written on it was dear Andrew I see you in the
it was dear Andrew I see you in the
it was dear Andrew I see you in the front row in your cow tie I was wearing
front row in your cow tie I was wearing
front row in your cow tie I was wearing a very large tie with a cow on it – my
a very large tie with a cow on it – my
a very large tie with a cow on it – my first Broadway show she says dear Andrew
first Broadway show she says dear Andrew
first Broadway show she says dear Andrew if you want to make a life in theatre
if you want to make a life in theatre
if you want to make a life in theatre you can and you will
you can and you will
you can and you will she didn’t have to tell me twice I
she didn’t have to tell me twice I
she didn’t have to tell me twice I wasn’t gonna let Whoopi down I wasn’t
wasn’t gonna let Whoopi down I wasn’t
wasn’t gonna let Whoopi down I wasn’t gonna let an Welsh down I wasn’t gonna
gonna let an Welsh down I wasn’t gonna
gonna let an Welsh down I wasn’t gonna let my parents down so I decided to
let my parents down so I decided to
let my parents down so I decided to follow her orders to a tee and set my
follow her orders to a tee and set my
follow her orders to a tee and set my sights on becoming an actor on Broadway
sights on becoming an actor on Broadway
sights on becoming an actor on Broadway bring it on bright lights but alright
bring it on bright lights but alright
bring it on bright lights but alright alright but like any good story this one
alright but like any good story this one
alright but like any good story this one did not turn out as expected little did
did not turn out as expected little did
did not turn out as expected little did that teenage kid know that he was going
that teenage kid know that he was going
that teenage kid know that he was going to step off stage forever into the dark
to step off stage forever into the dark
to step off stage forever into the dark little did he know that he would have to
little did he know that he would have to
little did he know that he would have to cross the country all the way from New
cross the country all the way from New
cross the country all the way from New York cities to the wild west of Seattle
York cities to the wild west of Seattle
York cities to the wild west of Seattle only now does that wild Energizer Bunny
only now does that wild Energizer Bunny
only now does that wild Energizer Bunny of a man boy understand what it means to
of a man boy understand what it means to
of a man boy understand what it means to make a life in theater and more
make a life in theater and more
make a life in theater and more importantly to use theater in life now
importantly to use theater in life now
importantly to use theater in life now I’m blessed because I’m the producing
I’m blessed because I’m the producing
I’m blessed because I’m the producing artistic director the enzyme on theater
artistic director the enzyme on theater
artistic director the enzyme on theater so I get to see from a front-row seat
so I get to see from a front-row seat
so I get to see from a front-row seat how theater can and does change people
how theater can and does change people
how theater can and does change people one at a time
one at a time
one at a time let me give you three examples theater
let me give you three examples theater
let me give you three examples theater allows us to experience wrongness in
allows us to experience wrongness in
allows us to experience wrongness in real time right think about it was less
real time right think about it was less
real time right think about it was less time you said to yourself I am wrong and
time you said to yourself I am wrong and
time you said to yourself I am wrong and then continued forward and you’re also
then continued forward and you’re also
then continued forward and you’re also comfortable knowing wrongness
comfortable knowing wrongness
comfortable knowing wrongness never it is cognitively impossible you
never it is cognitively impossible you
never it is cognitively impossible you have to go through a change or a
have to go through a change or a
have to go through a change or a transformation something has to happen
transformation something has to happen
transformation something has to happen for you to arrive at the statement I was
for you to arrive at the statement I was
for you to arrive at the statement I was wrong
wrong
wrong and any good piece of theater has a
and any good piece of theater has a
and any good piece of theater has a moment where somebody or a group of
moment where somebody or a group of
moment where somebody or a group of somebodies get it dead wrong think about
somebodies get it dead wrong think about
somebodies get it dead wrong think about Tevye in the opening of Fiddler on the
Tevye in the opening of Fiddler on the
Tevye in the opening of Fiddler on the Roof when he sings tradition right never
Roof when he sings tradition right never
Roof when he sings tradition right never before was there a man more wrong that
before was there a man more wrong that
before was there a man more wrong that things would never change because when
things would never change because when
things would never change because when you’re wrong
you’re wrong
you’re wrong it means change is afoot this past
it means change is afoot this past
it means change is afoot this past summer we produced the stunning play
summer we produced the stunning play
summer we produced the stunning play wedding band a love-hate story in black
wedding band a love-hate story in black
wedding band a love-hate story in black and white by Alice Childress yeah get it
and white by Alice Childress yeah get it
and white by Alice Childress yeah get it this stunning play tells the story of
this stunning play tells the story of
this stunning play tells the story of Julia a black seamstress and Herman a
Julia a black seamstress and Herman a
Julia a black seamstress and Herman a white Baker and they are hard one love
white Baker and they are hard one love
white Baker and they are hard one love story in 1918 Jim Crow South Carolina
story in 1918 Jim Crow South Carolina
story in 1918 Jim Crow South Carolina let that sink in in the climactic moment
let that sink in in the climactic moment
let that sink in in the climactic moment of the play
of the play
of the play Julia finally confronts Herman for his
Julia finally confronts Herman for his
Julia finally confronts Herman for his privilege and responsibility as a white
privilege and responsibility as a white
privilege and responsibility as a white man and try as he might to deflect and
man and try as he might to deflect and
man and try as he might to deflect and defend by saying I didn’t do it it
defend by saying I didn’t do it it
defend by saying I didn’t do it it wasn’t me who did that to your people
wasn’t me who did that to your people
wasn’t me who did that to your people and we have troubles – Julia pressed on
and we have troubles – Julia pressed on
and we have troubles – Julia pressed on because what you don’t say you swallow
because what you don’t say you swallow
because what you don’t say you swallow down she says and she says but it was it
down she says and she says but it was it
down she says and she says but it was it was your people that did that to my
was your people that did that to my
was your people that did that to my people and in that moment Herman does
people and in that moment Herman does
people and in that moment Herman does something that he has never done before
something that he has never done before
something that he has never done before he takes responsibility and only in that
he takes responsibility and only in that
he takes responsibility and only in that moment can the two of them and all of us
moment can the two of them and all of us
moment can the two of them and all of us gathered around them begin our healing
gathered around them begin our healing
gathered around them begin our healing theater this the gathering of humans in
theater this the gathering of humans in
theater this the gathering of humans in a room telling stories allows that which
a room telling stories allows that which
a room telling stories allows that which has gone unsaid to be spoken not only
has gone unsaid to be spoken not only
has gone unsaid to be spoken not only can it be spoken but a path forward is
can it be spoken but a path forward is
can it be spoken but a path forward is proposed very simply in this case a
proposed very simply in this case a
proposed very simply in this case a white man is looking at a black woman
white man is looking at a black woman
white man is looking at a black woman both with tears in their eyes and he
both with tears in their eyes and he
both with tears in their eyes and he says it wasn’t the law it was me and I
says it wasn’t the law it was me and I
says it wasn’t the law it was me and I failed you in every way
failed you in every way
failed you in every way it’s so simple I love to think that then
it’s so simple I love to think that then
it’s so simple I love to think that then the actors toss that to the audience
the actors toss that to the audience
the actors toss that to the audience like a ball and say catch what are you
like a ball and say catch what are you
like a ball and say catch what are you going to do with this this which we have
going to do with this this which we have
going to do with this this which we have given you after all you can’t unsee it
given you after all you can’t unsee it
given you after all you can’t unsee it at this moment very literally anything
at this moment very literally anything
at this moment very literally anything could happen anything I’m not kidding
could happen anything I’m not kidding
could happen anything I’m not kidding right anything isn’t that exciting
right anything isn’t that exciting
right anything isn’t that exciting doesn’t that just pull you a little bit
doesn’t that just pull you a little bit
doesn’t that just pull you a little bit closer doesn’t that take the chatter in
closer doesn’t that take the chatter in
closer doesn’t that take the chatter in your mind go oh god what’s gonna happen
your mind go oh god what’s gonna happen
your mind go oh god what’s gonna happen at this very moment in fact an angel
at this very moment in fact an angel
at this very moment in fact an angel could break through the ceiling swoop at
could break through the ceiling swoop at
could break through the ceiling swoop at light speed through the air land right
light speed through the air land right
light speed through the air land right above my head and say the great work
above my head and say the great work
above my head and say the great work begins
that is how Tony Kushner chooses to end
that is how Tony Kushner chooses to end the first part of his epic masterpiece
the first part of his epic masterpiece
the first part of his epic masterpiece angels in America I directed the show a
angels in America I directed the show a
angels in America I directed the show a few years ago and would sneak into the
few years ago and would sneak into the
few years ago and would sneak into the theatre every night for this specific
theatre every night for this specific
theatre every night for this specific moment and watches a roomful of
moment and watches a roomful of
moment and watches a roomful of strangers were reconsidering the 1980s
strangers were reconsidering the 1980s
strangers were reconsidering the 1980s and listening to the foul mouth of Roy
and listening to the foul mouth of Roy
and listening to the foul mouth of Roy Cohn echo through time and I would watch
Cohn echo through time and I would watch
Cohn echo through time and I would watch as they were all suddenly in one moment
as they were all suddenly in one moment
as they were all suddenly in one moment pulled into what I call the public now
pulled into what I call the public now
pulled into what I call the public now now this is different than the private
now this is different than the private
now this is different than the private now right and they’re delightful the
now right and they’re delightful the
now right and they’re delightful the private now might be that right swipe on
private now might be that right swipe on
private now might be that right swipe on a certain app that that just promises
a certain app that that just promises
a certain app that that just promises some sort of comfort in this cruel cruel
some sort of comfort in this cruel cruel
some sort of comfort in this cruel cruel world
world
world did you see how habitually I just went
did you see how habitually I just went
did you see how habitually I just went right like four times because I’m
right like four times because I’m
right like four times because I’m programmed for it a private now might be
programmed for it a private now might be
programmed for it a private now might be a snapchat made just for you or the
a snapchat made just for you or the
a snapchat made just for you or the giggle of a video on a bus and those are
giggle of a video on a bus and those are
giggle of a video on a bus and those are important but a public now are those
important but a public now are those
important but a public now are those moments where you are pulled into the
moments where you are pulled into the
moments where you are pulled into the same moment as everyone around you it’s
same moment as everyone around you it’s
same moment as everyone around you it’s what’s happening here today and what it
what’s happening here today and what it
what’s happening here today and what it means both in actuality and as a
means both in actuality and as a
means both in actuality and as a metaphor is that even if we have nothing
metaphor is that even if we have nothing
metaphor is that even if we have nothing else in common we all saw this we all
else in common we all saw this we all
else in common we all saw this we all experienced it and you know what that’s
experienced it and you know what that’s
experienced it and you know what that’s a start I’ve been developing for years a
a start I’ve been developing for years a
a start I’ve been developing for years a musical called stew for silverton by
musical called stew for silverton by
musical called stew for silverton by Breedlove and Peter tisha had excellent
Breedlove and Peter tisha had excellent
Breedlove and Peter tisha had excellent years and this this musical tells the
years and this this musical tells the
years and this this musical tells the story of the first openly transgender
story of the first openly transgender
story of the first openly transgender mayor in America Stu Rasmussen now this
mayor in America Stu Rasmussen now this
mayor in America Stu Rasmussen now this was before Caitlyn Jenner Laverne Cox
was before Caitlyn Jenner Laverne Cox
was before Caitlyn Jenner Laverne Cox transparent I like to say that the
transparent I like to say that the
transparent I like to say that the musical is a mix between the Music Man
musical is a mix between the Music Man
musical is a mix between the Music Man and Rocky Horror Picture Show
and Rocky Horror Picture Show
and Rocky Horror Picture Show yeah the musical tells the story of a
yeah the musical tells the story of a
yeah the musical tells the story of a small town population less than 10,000
small town population less than 10,000
small town population less than 10,000 in rural Oregon Silverton to quote the
in rural Oregon Silverton to quote the
in rural Oregon Silverton to quote the musical picture perfect picturesque
musical picture perfect picturesque
musical picture perfect picturesque Rockwell would approve in this town the
Rockwell would approve in this town the
Rockwell would approve in this town the small American town elected a gender
small American town elected a gender
small American town elected a gender anarchist to be their mayor in 2008 and
anarchist to be their mayor in 2008 and
anarchist to be their mayor in 2008 and the Westboro Baptist Church surprise
the Westboro Baptist Church surprise
the Westboro Baptist Church surprise surprise showed up to protest yeah
but what could have turned into a dark
but what could have turned into a dark and dreary day did not in fact it turned
and dreary day did not in fact it turned
and dreary day did not in fact it turned beautiful 200 townspeople men women
beautiful 200 townspeople men women
beautiful 200 townspeople men women children you name it
children you name it
children you name it dressed up and dragged and marched the
dressed up and dragged and marched the
dressed up and dragged and marched the Westboro Baptist Church out of town
as someone from one that is what small
as someone from one that is what small towns can do now this musical asks
towns can do now this musical asks
towns can do now this musical asks people what they think of an elected
people what they think of an elected
people what they think of an elected official who doesn’t go by he or she but
official who doesn’t go by he or she but
official who doesn’t go by he or she but just do would they themselves vote for
just do would they themselves vote for
just do would they themselves vote for Stu and and what is revealed about our
Stu and and what is revealed about our
Stu and and what is revealed about our communities when we encounter a hero who
communities when we encounter a hero who
communities when we encounter a hero who is unlike any hero we have ever seen
is unlike any hero we have ever seen
is unlike any hero we have ever seen before thanks to the all-american
before thanks to the all-american
before thanks to the all-american musical we asked audiences to step
musical we asked audiences to step
musical we asked audiences to step inside the lived experience of someone
inside the lived experience of someone
inside the lived experience of someone else and that my friends is called
else and that my friends is called
else and that my friends is called empathy and when you enter a theater
empathy and when you enter a theater
empathy and when you enter a theater whether you’re ready for it to happen or
whether you’re ready for it to happen or
whether you’re ready for it to happen or not it happens people love to say oh the
not it happens people love to say oh the
not it happens people love to say oh the year is 2016 and never before have we
year is 2016 and never before have we
year is 2016 and never before have we seen or because of all of this
seen or because of all of this
seen or because of all of this technology you know what we have to do
technology you know what we have to do
technology you know what we have to do and as if we’ve been really good at
and as if we’ve been really good at
and as if we’ve been really good at talking to each other you know in 1964
talking to each other you know in 1964
talking to each other you know in 1964 1864 but I do have a feeling and it’s a
1864 but I do have a feeling and it’s a
1864 but I do have a feeling and it’s a deeply felt feeling that we are going to
deeply felt feeling that we are going to
deeply felt feeling that we are going to be leaning on these lessons of theater
be leaning on these lessons of theater
be leaning on these lessons of theater and we are going to be needing them when
and we are going to be needing them when
and we are going to be needing them when we admit that we are wrong we change and
we admit that we are wrong we change and
we admit that we are wrong we change and we grow although it is hard when we live
we grow although it is hard when we live
we grow although it is hard when we live in mystery and let the present moment
in mystery and let the present moment
in mystery and let the present moment surprise us we change and we grow
surprise us we change and we grow
surprise us we change and we grow although it is damn hard when we
although it is damn hard when we
although it is damn hard when we consider someone else before ourselves
consider someone else before ourselves
consider someone else before ourselves and think what are their obstacles what
and think what are their obstacles what
and think what are their obstacles what is the world like for them we change and
is the world like for them we change and
is the world like for them we change and we grow although it is the hardest of
we grow although it is the hardest of
we grow although it is the hardest of all yeah it is hard so we need simple
all yeah it is hard so we need simple
all yeah it is hard so we need simple tools to help ourselves make sense of it
tools to help ourselves make sense of it
tools to help ourselves make sense of it and in this year this modern year there
and in this year this modern year there
and in this year this modern year there are so many tools but since theatre
are so many tools but since theatre
are so many tools but since theatre saved my life so many years ago I am
saved my life so many years ago I am
saved my life so many years ago I am sticking with it and I don’t just mean
sticking with it and I don’t just mean
sticking with it and I don’t just mean you know you don’t need the bells and
you know you don’t need the bells and
you know you don’t need the bells and whistles to make theatre I’m talking
whistles to make theatre I’m talking
whistles to make theatre I’m talking about simple stuff I’m talking about
about simple stuff I’m talking about
about simple stuff I’m talking about this kind of theater this I – I style
this kind of theater this I – I style
this kind of theater this I – I style this there’s nothing left but you and me
this there’s nothing left but you and me
this there’s nothing left but you and me in the same room so we might as well
in the same room so we might as well
in the same room so we might as well talk to each other style because after
talk to each other style because after
talk to each other style because after all we are greater than our cell phones
all we are greater than our cell phones
all we are greater than our cell phones we are greater than our screens and the
we are greater than our screens and the
we are greater than our screens and the swipes in our day or our thousands of
swipes in our day or our thousands of
swipes in our day or our thousands of friends on Facebook or the ping
friends on Facebook or the ping
friends on Facebook or the ping of an instant message we in fact evolved
of an instant message we in fact evolved
of an instant message we in fact evolved ourselves to be greater than just
ourselves to be greater than just
ourselves to be greater than just plugged in brains we were made to talk
plugged in brains we were made to talk
plugged in brains we were made to talk to each other we were made to stay in
to each other we were made to stay in
to each other we were made to stay in the same room we were made to think
the same room we were made to think
the same room we were made to think about that which we have in common more
about that which we have in common more
about that which we have in common more than that which is different and we were
than that which is different and we were
than that which is different and we were made to laugh and we were made to cry
made to laugh and we were made to cry
made to laugh and we were made to cry but the key folks is that we were made
but the key folks is that we were made
but the key folks is that we were made to do that together
to do that together
to do that together not alone so I’m asking all of you to go
not alone so I’m asking all of you to go
not alone so I’m asking all of you to go inside heart mind soul and push all
inside heart mind soul and push all
inside heart mind soul and push all systems go call in the reserves
systems go call in the reserves
systems go call in the reserves do not let a super power rest for me
do not let a super power rest for me
do not let a super power rest for me that super power is theater and I’ll
that super power is theater and I’ll
that super power is theater and I’ll keep doing it because let’s be real
keep doing it because let’s be real
keep doing it because let’s be real y’all we got work to do thank you
”
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