Sadness, Accomplishment, Development

Howdy,

Tonight was the closing night of the run at Clark. It went wonderfully. All four performances were full. The audience responded to everything. They were fully engaged from point one - according to Kate Rafey. The actors said the play continued to grow. I'm going to write about that in a moment...but before tonight's final performance on the blog was the most generous comment from Jewdee - it's from a posting two days ago - and you have to read it. It confirmed from experience everything that Leah, Jamie D, Scott, and myself have been aiming for in the character of Ruthie. I wish I had these words for rehearsal because they so accurately describe what we are striving for - from experience. When I read it I was stroke by the generosity of spirit Jewdee has in sharing her insight. Then I was upset because I wanted to apply this information, apply it better, if possible. And then I realized this blog is part of the development process. This information Jewdee shared with us all will be here for as long as the blog is here...and is a reference point for every production that happens of this play. And that in itself is incredibly valuable...and for that not only do I thank Jewdee, but Trevor at LAByrinth for suggesting the blog for the process.

At 11:15PM tonight I finally called Kate Rafey (best collegiate stage manager ever) and learned she was sad that it was over. "It should still keep running. The actors are still growing..and it's so good." Dan's mom came a second time and thought it was better. And Dan is anxious to apply what he has learned to his next project...which may be some Shanley short plays (keeping it in the LAB family) and Leah doesn't want it to end. Which of course it's not going to. The play will get done again. Hopefully in New York. But in the conversation about their growth in this process, it was heart warming to hear about the sadness that they were feeling. Sad, not because they were going to miss each other, or the magical bond of the play, but a sadness that tends to be mixed evenly with pride. Proud of what you have done, and a feeling that sits deep within you...yearns to be recognized - and even when it is...wants more than anything to be sustained. In your next project, the continuation of this project...in some way...wanting to be recognized for doing something extraordinary. And everyone involved in the Clark production of Sweet Storm is feeling that contradiction that sits in the title - they are sad that this lag of the journey has ended but they are very proud of how far they came. And so am I. The play is stronger and better for everything that Kate Rafey, Dan Derks, and Leah Henoch brought to it. Thank you.

Goodnight,
Padraic