-Lessons From The Theater
I will forever be grateful for the many years I spent as an actor in the theater because acting (and specifically stage acting), taught me so much about rejection and survival. It also taught me how to adjust and adapt to not only performing onstage, but how to adjust and adapt to life in general.
Theater is such a valuable life-teacher in that no matter how much you prepare and plan (rehearse) for something, anything can happen to disrupt those preparations and plans. Stage acting, like life, can be altered in a split second. So it teaches you how to think on your feet and adjust quickly because theater happens in real time. There is no such thing as a "retake" like there is in film. You have to take whatever happens and keep moving forward in the moment until you get back on track because when you perform live, shit can and will happen.
But you eventually learn how to adapt to those things when they do happen. Very much like we all have to do in life.
Additionally, theater teaches you a lot about fear and uncertainty.
For as long as I did theater, and for as much as I loved doing it, I never got to a point where I didn't experience stage fright. I don't care how long I was in the run of a show, minutes before I had to go onstage I became riddled with fear. Also, in the theater, there is always the uncertainty of when you'll be landing your next job. You can be working for six months in a hit show, and then suddenly be out of work for the next four months. So, it teaches you how to ride the financial waves of life and adapt.
Theater taught me that it's okay to have fears and uncertainties, as long as I walk through them.
I will forever be grateful for the many years I spent as an actor in the theater because acting (and specifically stage acting), taught me so much about rejection and survival. It also taught me how to adjust and adapt to not only performing onstage, but how to adjust and adapt to life in general.
Theater is such a valuable life-teacher in that no matter how much you prepare and plan (rehearse) for something, anything can happen to disrupt those preparations and plans. Stage acting, like life, can be altered in a split second. So it teaches you how to think on your feet and adjust quickly because theater happens in real time. There is no such thing as a "retake" like there is in film. You have to take whatever happens and keep moving forward in the moment until you get back on track because when you perform live, shit can and will happen.
But you eventually learn how to adapt to those things when they do happen. Very much like we all have to do in life.
Additionally, theater teaches you a lot about fear and uncertainty.
For as long as I did theater, and for as much as I loved doing it, I never got to a point where I didn't experience stage fright. I don't care how long I was in the run of a show, minutes before I had to go onstage I became riddled with fear. Also, in the theater, there is always the uncertainty of when you'll be landing your next job. You can be working for six months in a hit show, and then suddenly be out of work for the next four months. So, it teaches you how to ride the financial waves of life and adapt.
Theater taught me that it's okay to have fears and uncertainties, as long as I walk through them.
The reason I'm sharing all of this with you is because it always becomes crystal clear to me that my background in theater is what gives me strength, endurance, and insight during challenging times.
We are all having to adjust and adapt to something that is disrupting our lives at the moment. And some more than others.
How I'm moving through this is by putting my theater training into practice.
I am adjusting and adapting to this temporary way of life the best way I know how. By moving forward each day. Even though I'm not working at the moment, I am still getting up every morning; having my coffee and banana; shaving my face; showering; dressing; and even spraying on my favorite cologne because those things keep me proceeding with my life "as if."
Now, do some days feel like a royal pain in my ass? Yes. I've definitely had moments where I thought to myself, "I'm sick of all this disruption. And when the hell is it going to end?!?"
But then I realize how blessed I am compared to what others are going through and it immediately brings me back to reality, so I say to myself, "Shut up and quit your internal bitching, Ron, because you have it much better than some people."
I've got my health. I've got plenty of food on the table. I've got a comfortable roof over my head. And I am loved.
Those are all the things that I sometimes overlook, but are the things that make me a very wealthy man.
Especially right now.
So yes, I remain eternally grateful for my time in the theater because as gratifying as theater can be, it can also be an extremely tough business. But so is life at times.
It is said that art imitates life.
And in the theater, not only does art imitate life, but it also teaches you about life.
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-Thank You
I would like to take a moment to salute and applaud all the doctors, nurses, hospital and lab workers, and food store workers who are working round the clock to help get us through this major challenge. I live in a city that has a lot of hospitals and medical facilities, so whenever I see doctors or nurses walking down the street, I thank them. And I also thank the people at Trader Joe's and Mom's Organic Market.
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-Renewal and Hope
Two days ago the weather here was absolutely gorgeous. It was sunny with a bright blue sky, and about 60 degrees. So of course, I grabbed my camera and headed down to my two favorite parks so that I could mingle with nature and take some photographs.
I was totally amazed by how much color Spring has already sprung.
The whole day gave me such a wonderful feeling of renewal and hope.
And I hope it does the same for you...
I took this final photograph in front of the Rodin Museum over two months ago but thought it was perfect for what's going on right now with the shortage of toilet paper. And I also feel that we could all use some humor.
The guy you are about to see in this picture was being photographed by his friend for a school project. So, I positioned myself behind the photographer and took a picture of what he was photographing, which I thought was clever and oh-so HILARIOUS.
Notice what he's holding in his hand and offering to "The Thinker"...
We are all having to adjust and adapt to something that is disrupting our lives at the moment. And some more than others.
How I'm moving through this is by putting my theater training into practice.
I am adjusting and adapting to this temporary way of life the best way I know how. By moving forward each day. Even though I'm not working at the moment, I am still getting up every morning; having my coffee and banana; shaving my face; showering; dressing; and even spraying on my favorite cologne because those things keep me proceeding with my life "as if."
Now, do some days feel like a royal pain in my ass? Yes. I've definitely had moments where I thought to myself, "I'm sick of all this disruption. And when the hell is it going to end?!?"
But then I realize how blessed I am compared to what others are going through and it immediately brings me back to reality, so I say to myself, "Shut up and quit your internal bitching, Ron, because you have it much better than some people."
I've got my health. I've got plenty of food on the table. I've got a comfortable roof over my head. And I am loved.
Those are all the things that I sometimes overlook, but are the things that make me a very wealthy man.
Especially right now.
So yes, I remain eternally grateful for my time in the theater because as gratifying as theater can be, it can also be an extremely tough business. But so is life at times.
It is said that art imitates life.
And in the theater, not only does art imitate life, but it also teaches you about life.
---------------------------------------------------
-Thank You
I would like to take a moment to salute and applaud all the doctors, nurses, hospital and lab workers, and food store workers who are working round the clock to help get us through this major challenge. I live in a city that has a lot of hospitals and medical facilities, so whenever I see doctors or nurses walking down the street, I thank them. And I also thank the people at Trader Joe's and Mom's Organic Market.
--------------------------------------------------
-Renewal and Hope
Two days ago the weather here was absolutely gorgeous. It was sunny with a bright blue sky, and about 60 degrees. So of course, I grabbed my camera and headed down to my two favorite parks so that I could mingle with nature and take some photographs.
I was totally amazed by how much color Spring has already sprung.
The whole day gave me such a wonderful feeling of renewal and hope.
And I hope it does the same for you...
I took this final photograph in front of the Rodin Museum over two months ago but thought it was perfect for what's going on right now with the shortage of toilet paper. And I also feel that we could all use some humor.
The guy you are about to see in this picture was being photographed by his friend for a school project. So, I positioned myself behind the photographer and took a picture of what he was photographing, which I thought was clever and oh-so HILARIOUS.
Notice what he's holding in his hand and offering to "The Thinker"...
💗 to you all!
Stay well and blessed.
