where creativity comes to life

Yep that’s me on the right. I’m playing Imogen Nation.

One of the best teachers I have ever had is the theatre. When we dive into an art form, we are transformed by it. The art plays a role in creating us. It teaches us its culture, its rules, its language, its magic. And after a time, it begins to feel like home.

My choice to study theatre in university was spontaneous. My boyfriend at the time saw the sign for the auditions and said, “Hey, you might like that.” I thought, I just might and signed up. After a whole bunch of improvisation and an interview, I was in. It changed my life.

Theatre and I weren’t friends immediately. Some of the stand-offish rumours abut theatre are true. But when I hit grad school, I had the opportunity to experience the theatre from a million different angles: reading, writing, debating, acting, directing, dancing, creating, assisting, choreographing, publicizing, planning. I’ve been a courtier, a model, a nightingale and a head in an urn. I’ve created a 3-minute movement piece choreographed to text. I’ve catered an opening night and I’ve directed a play about a colour. I’ve had a critic walk out on a performance, and I’ve lived through it. I even sang on stage. Once. (btw, that wasn’t the ‘critic incident’) And I’ve been to more than a few truly great parties. It was simply impossible not to fall in love with theatre.

And in the midst of all of that, I was learning. Not grad school learning. Life learning. I’d like to share what I learned with you.

Everything I Needed to Know, I Learned from Theatre

• You can make magic out of nothing.
• A dingy basement can become a sacred space.
• Always smile and connect to people when you meet them.
• Be professional whether or not you’re being paid.
• Do what needs to be done.
• Believe in people, and they will share something amazing.
• If it’s honest, it’s interesting.
• Everything’s better if you get to go out for beer afterwards.
• Celebrate everything.
• Be brave.
• Share yourself.
• Challenges and hard work mix well with laughter.
• Everyone wants to be included.
• Dress to the nines!

What has your art taught you?

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