I just got off my treadmill. I listen to podcasts while I adrenaline-recalibrate, and today’s The Moth podcast featured Anthony Griffith, a stand-up comic telling his own version of “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Next my ipod delivered Dan Savage and Terry Miller talking about the It Gets Better project, now becoming a book (featuring an essay by LTYM Madison Mama Erika Wagner-Martin.)
The fact that my ipod randomly spit out these stories for today–the day of our first LTYM Madison rehearsal–seemed to me a message
Go and listen.
Maggie and I had coffee a few months back. I can’t quote her exactly but she said something like this:
“It wasn’t just about what happened on stage. That was only part of it. What happened at that rehearsal–sitting in that room and hearing all those stories–it changed me.”
Is that close enough Maggie? I’d bug you for a real quote but I know you’re on deadline right now.
Months and months of phone calls and decisions and considerations and conversations.
Months of documents and logos and websites and designs.
Months of what must I do this year and what can wait, who can help in this city and who cannot.
Months of how will we pay for this, and will people come, and which cities.
Months of huge leaps of faith and trust, and thank you for your help ohmyGod Thank you.
LA listens to auditions next weekend. Tonight the Listen To Your Mamas of Madison listen to one another for the first table read, 5 weeks until our first show in Austin [tickets on sale now].
It’s time to go and listen.
{ 6 comments }
Awesome. I hope you have a monumental time tonight!
Steph
Love this. I'm really looking forward to it. It's the same thing in my writing practices – you hear the stories of strangers and friends, and you realize that everyone has a story, and in listening and realizing, you find yourself walking off with a little more compassion for everyone out there. Serendipitously, I just wrote about that last night on my blog. Makes me even more excited for rehearsal tonight.
I just wanted to let you know that this weblog is being featured on Five Star Friday! http://www.schmutzie.com/fivestarfriday/2011/3/25/five-star-fridays-142nd-edition-is-brought-to-you-by-seth-go.html
It's really quite amazing everything that you've accomplished – and the transformation of LTYM. I'm so proud of you! Just imagine what will take place next year.
So exciting, Ann. xxoo
I wish everyone had the opportunity to have someone sit and listen to their story.
I am so honored, and blessed, to the point of grateful glistening tears.
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