Bridgette Redman posted a great quote from a book she’s reading, and it really made me think about what we do in the theatre. (You can read more at Bridgette’s great blog, Front Row At Lansing’s Theaters)

Essentially, the quote said that exploring art, the beauty and harmony and rhythms of it, helps keep us healthy and balanced. I love this notion, and I love it being applied to theatre. The quote finished with this:

Enjoyment of the true, the good, the beautiful, and the divine are all important factors for elevating and enhancing human consciousness.

That’s a powerful thought.

And, I think, an important part of why we do what we do. From the heavy dramas to the silliest of comedies, these all have their own beauty, and can move people – in my book that’s a true, beautiful, and divine thing!

I also recently read a quote about theatre needing to “instruct”, and I’m a little at odds with that notion. Inform, maybe… offer options, ask questions, tell stories that make people think, share an experience in order to bring up issues worthy of discussion… I’ll take any of those as long as they’re coupled with the goal of “entertain” as well. But “instruct”? That’s not my cup of tea. It may be exactly what others enjoy, and there are folks who are great at it, and that’s wonderful. But I don’t think that’s ever going to be the reason behind why I make theatre.

When I’m teaching at a college, I’m there to instruct. If I’m leading a “how-to” workshop, I’m there to instruct. If I’m producing or directing a play, though? Then I’m there to tell a story, and hopefully make people feel something that sticks with them long enough for it to have some kind of positive impact on their life.

That’s when I feel I’ve done something useful, something important.

Not because I’ve had the experience of instructing someone, but because I’ve had the experience of sharing an experience with them.