He and his cast mates had worked so hard during their show they were sweating and breathing hard, yet exhilarated with the satisfaction that so many patrons had seen their work and appreciated it. As I watched these student actors, the cast of “The Diviners,” and examined their behavior from a short distance, I was struck by the quality of these young performers’ responses to the compliments and expressions of support they received. I had seen that before: every time I took their photos for a show or provided them with a link to the online site where I posted a show album, I receive profuse thanks, little emails of gratitude and lots of hugs. No demands, no unreasonable requests for retakes, just appreciation.
This week, I watched one young actor in particular. I noted how this buddy of mine, a senior and a leader in spirit and in fact, would show the way for his cast colleagues. Without fail, I saw him greet family, teachers and strangers with unceasing smiles, humble looks and appreciative thanks. I heard him say many times that he was so glad that they came to see him and his mates perform for them. I watched him hug his teacher, to the point she cried a second and third time that night. His overwhelming love of family was abundant as he rubbed his sweat-filled head on their cheeks. His smile as he shook my hand and threw his arm around my shoulder was at once cherubic and knowing. He knew they had done it – created a special moment in people’s lives, made them think, and offered them a chance to cry about life’s vagaries and losses. He knew this, but took no undue pride in his and his fellow actors’ accomplishments. He just said “thank you.” And I thought to myself: “He’s a good guy, he is, that Buddy of mine.”
The only thing I ever saw from him and this cast of “The Diviners” was a thankful and grateful nature. They acknowledged to each other how much it meant that their set was donated by the Crooked Rivers’ production scheduled to follow theirs. I heard others say how much they liked it that they had their own sponsors and corporate patrons. There were frequent “thank yous” to Booster Club parents that brought them dinner twice during production week. I watched them offer to do extra cleanup help and trash detail for the family that opened their home for a small cast party. And when it came time to strike their show, stow props and costumes and revamp the set for “Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three,” they worked like demons. Floors were swept, rooms cleaned, nails pounded and costumes hung up or bagged for washing. Not a complaint or regret in sight or in word, just more questions about what else they could do. In sum, they not only acted on stage in their “pretend life” with quality, but they also displayed quality character in their daily “real” life.
Being a part of the arts is not the only place such behavior is learned. But it is one place where they are noticeable. We need to know that our kids are learning and practicing both their academic and life lessons. And to acknowledge that it’s “OK” to demand and expect behavior that demonstrates positive character. And, it is also important to acknowledge quality – in the both the difficult endeavors and the simplest moments of life.
This weekend, our community gets to revisit the cultural treasure that is “Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three.” This historical, musical trip through the history of Camden County, along the crooked rivers that define our geography and way of life, will be reprised on Sept. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 24 at 2:30 p.m. in the CCHS Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students/seniors; they are available at local tourist centers in St. Marys and Kingsland, Woodbine City Hall, as well as at the Auditorium and local businesses Once Upon a Bookseller and Sheila’s Hallmark.
Opportunities for this week and the future: jazz masters Fourplay, 9.21 at the Florida Theatre; don’t miss local actress Dina Barrone in “Menopause the Musical” Wednesdays through Sundays at TUC until Dec. 17; Theatre Jacksonville offers Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” through Oct. 7; and Players by the Sea offers Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic “Pirates of Penzance” through Sept. 30; funny man and impressionist Frank Caliendo, Sept. 30 at the Florida Theatre; storyteller Garrison Keillor at the TUC, Oct. 10.
If you have ideas or events you want me to share with readers, send me a note at pkraack1@tds.net.
9.20.06
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