The Imagination Blog

It dawned on my while I was sitting on my couch last night, staring intensely at my new flat screen. Even though we didn’t have LOVE LETTERS rehearsal yesterday, I feel I learned something about directing in that moment. Well, really I REALIZED something about why I love directing. (Emphasis on the “I” and the “love”.) More specifically, of course, I realized why I am loving directing LOVE LETTERS.

Recently I started working at Arcus, a terrific company in Hummelstown. Here I will insert the much needed Arcus Marketing information, due to the fact that I work in Marketing at Arcus.  Ahem.

Arcus is a nationally-recognized staffing, recruiting and direct placement firm. Our team of recruiters is dedicated to helping you grow your business.

There. I’ve done my duty. And happy to do it, too! You see, it is important to give Arcus a nod because Doug Firestone, the CEO, has agreed to Arcus being a Sponsor of the show! (Insert wild applause here. Doug bows. Curtain closes.)

So, back to my life-altering epiphany. The Arcus Apprentices were interviewing me for their first project. Okay, they weren’t JUST interviewing ME. They were interviewing all Arcus employees but REGARDLESS… during MY interview they asked ME two fantastic, eye-opening questions. They also asked me what body part would I make bigger or smaller and why. After giggling, I responded, “I would want my eyes to be bigger so I could look like and anime character. You can really tell what they are thinking. Very expressive.” But that was not the question that opened my eyes, which are a fine size by the way. No, the questions in question were:

1) What are you most passionate about? “Hm,” I said. “What am I most passionate about, huh? I guess I would have to say communication.” (The Apprentices  smile politely.)

2) Describe yourself in one word. (I know, I know. This isn’t a question, per say, but I described it as such for simplicity’s sake.) I replied,”Wow! Er… Ah… Uhm… well… geez…” (The Apprentices stare blankly.) “Uuuuuh… Oh! Yes! I know! Collaboration. I mean, I am a collaborator!”

While I was playing my Wii last night, I realized I have thought about those two words before but never in such simple terms: I am wild about communication and collaboration. Those two little-ish words  is why I am having such a gosh darn great time directing Terry and Brian in LOVE LETTERS. They are superb collaborators and very talented communicators. The show is leaping off the page, off the stage. I could dare say the same thing about Derek and my entire production team. And I dare! Everyone involved with this already beautiful piece of theatre is devoted to creating something together (collaboration) that looks great, sounds great, and means something (communication).

“I am so proud of the show!” I thought. “LOVE LETTERS is gonna be great!” Then I rewarded myself with another round of Guitar Hero.