Commencing

Say what you will about theatre people (or don't, we've all heard it before), they really know how to throw an awesome graduation. That's right, I said it - with no other group of people will you willingly spend 2.5 hours in crappy school auditorium seats and consider it time that has amused, delighted, and amazed. Go SLSPA!

I've recorded here my notes from one of the keynote speakers. As this was his fourth year as a student-voted speaker, he promised he would give the same speech as the last three years - since he's also the acting teacher, it still sounded completely different. So, following is his list of "50 Ways to Not Ruin the World, Actually Condensed to Ten Since We Don't Want to Be Here for Two Days."

1 - Love what you do. Love the acting, not being an actor; love the dance, not being a dancer. Focus on the process, not the product. The product happens anyway.

2 - Recognize the value of what we (you) do. (Insert applicable passion/interest) What is the value of dance? What is the value music alone can bring? How would your community be damaged if it were deprived of theatre?

3 - Be dedicated. Work. Find joy in the work; turn wounds into wisdom and move forward.

4 - Recognize your talent. Do not give yourself limits. People will tell you "no" - do not be the first in line.

5 - Be yourself. Be a leader. Always preserve your integrity. Do not pretend to be something you're not. Think for yourself, and then determine whether other people's ideas and philosophies compliment what you know and believe to be true.

6 - Cherish, savor the road. Find the joy in the journey.

7 - Be aware. Be aware of others as artists, and as fellow humans. The world around you is crying out in need - LISTEN. We cannot afford to live our lives without listening.

8 - Never mind. *

9 - Turn off the TV, pick up a book. Read a sonnet. Listen to a symphony. Get up and move; dance.

10 - ACT. Take action. All that you hope to achieve is a result of taking action. Do not just spend your life, spend it DOING something. Go out and betray your age (era) - recognize the ideas and theories that are incorrect, repressive, and unfair; stand against the social commonality to change and right them. Find your profound joy, the world's deep hunger, and the place where they meet. There may you take action.

Thanks, Jared! You're amazing!

* Always sleep in the nude. In a world where people don't get dressed up to go to the theatre, it's pretty silly to get dressed for bed.