Are You Feeling What I'm Feeling?

1/22/2025

I’m feeling a real sense of urgency. We need more kindness! We need love! We need understanding! Right now, there simply aren't enough of these essential human qualities and with every day that passes, it feels as if there are even less. But when despair sets in, I have to remind myself of the tremendous opportunity I have – I work with KIDS! Kids are not just our future, they’re our hope. The reason I do what I do is because I know that theater makes better people. It can give us the capacity to develop kindness, love, and understanding. And I get to instill that message in the students I work with. What a tremendous gift! If it wasn’t for the young actors I teach, the events happening around me would certainly leave me in a dark place.

So, there’s not a moment to waste! Forego the 'fluffy' shows and give your kids something more challenging. Choose a musical that's a ton of fun but also meaningful. Dig into the message, relate it to your students, use it to build community and empathy, give them the tools to be generous and kind, then do some good. Give them an opportunity to demonstrate the life lessons they’ve learned and then send them out with this directive – make the world better! It’s our only hope