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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How do you wish to nourish your self?

You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog and then add a direct link to your post in the box below. Support wishes by visiting other participants, leaving a comment saying “As (insert name) wishes for her/himself, so I wish for her/him also.” It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together.

Hey beautiful Wishcasters! It’s just a joy to watch this community grow and grow, to see how it fills with more and more love and creates more and more magic every week! Thank you for being a part of the wishing circle! I’m really glad you’re here.

As we share the magic it would be so nice of you to link back here so that when people are inspired by your wishing they know where to come and take part. Sometimes it takes quite a while of following along for someone to say, yes, today’s the day I’m going to wish. Please make it easy for them by inviting them to the circle and sharing where they can add their link and become a part of this friendly loving crew! Thank you everyone!!

Here’s to another week of magic!

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creative-living-with-jamie


MP3 File

This podcast is 26:17.

This week’s guest: Christen Olivarez, Director of Publishing and Editor-in-Chief of Stampington & Company, avid crafter and art journaler



Blog: The Deliberate Life
Twitter: @christeno
Facebook: Christen Olivarez
Stampington Website: Stampington & Company

Christen Olivarez is the Director of Publishing and Editor-in-Chief of Stampington & Company, and an avid crafter and art journaler. In addition to being passionate about art and crafting, she is also a strong supporter of the slow food and slow living movement.

Show Notes…

Subscribe to Creative Living with Jamie…

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