Theater...how do I describe thee?
It's like a multi-faceted kaleidoscope of "just a little bit of all types of crazy". I will explain why this is relevant in a bit. But first, I wanted to start off with what I recently heard in a sermon. That is, the very simple reminder to "Count your blessings." The more time you spend counting and reflecting on your blessings, the less time you complain, resulting in less time being bitter. This was the general gist of what I took away.
Back to "all types of crazy": Yesterday I received a very lengthy email from an infuriated co-worker about the unprofessionalism and underhanded manner in which I undermined her show because I lent out costumes that were put aside for "Cabaret" to our most recent production "Dark at the Top of the Stairs". As I reflect on the things she mentioned, I won't lie and say I'm happy about it. In fact, my initial response was one of anger, and insult at the assumptions she had made, and the overemotional way she had gone about accusing the people around her. But as I try to take this simple message of "counting your blessings" into account, I reflected on that "little bit of crazy" that's in all of us.
What I mean is, part of being thankful for the things around you includes trying to understand that the world is sinful, and that you are no more deserving than the next "crazy" person. I spent some time trying to see the world in a light where everyone is "just a little crazy". Sometimes, that's just how you have to view and deal with the people you work with in a theater department--it makes these kinds of situations just a little more bearable. You can't spend so much time mulling over the mistakes and regrets and the guilt of what coulda, shoulda, woulda. In the end, all you can do is try to change what you can, and accept what you can't.
So I guess what I'm trying to get out of this is that...everyone's got a little bit of the crazy streak. Whether it's that slight OCD moment where you get a random spasm, or it's a volcano eruption--everyone has their days. It makes life "just a little bit more interesting" for the rest of us who are still trying to figure out our own crazy. So to all the crazies out there--sometimes you gotta relax, and tone it down a bit...but rock on! Without the craziness, theater wouldn't be what it is today! For the rest of you who think you're NOT crazy--be thankful that you have the crazies in your life so that you can feel sane every once in a while. But remember--you're crazy'll come out sooner or later.
