I Have a Dream

Can I tell you about my dream?

Not my dream as in "last night I had the craziest dream about unicorns, pizza, and Ben Franklin," but my dream of what I want to do with my life if there were no limitations.

Would that be okay?

Well, let me start off by saying that if anything were possible and the word no or can't weren't in the dictionary, I'd be a star on Broadway (like you didn't already know that). That is my one, crazy dream. Now, this dream will probably never see the light of day, since I can't really sing and don't ever see myself even coming close to auditioning. But, that doesn't mean I can't, every now and then, close my eyes and imagine what it would be like to perform my heart out for a packed house on a daily basis.

But I digress. My somewhat realistic dream is quite a bit different. It involves my two greatest loves in life: theater and children. Now, I was never involved with a community theater group growing up or even school plays for that matter. In fact, the only acting I ever did prior to coming to UGA was the Christmas musicals at my home church. But even on that amateur stage, in front of maybe 150 people, I knew I had discovered something important, something that could be life changing.

You see, acting isn't just about entertaining. Acting is about confidence. It's about knowing who you are and who you are nott and being able to become, for a brief moment, that which you are not. Acting strips you of your mask and makes you vulnerable; yet, at the same time it offers so much freedom. It's not you who is acting like a freak, a looser, a tyrant, or a lover, but the character you are playing. In short, so many life lessons can be learned while performing on stage.

Okay, now stay with me.

What I really want to do with my life is provide those life lessons to children who need to experience them the most. My dream is to open up an organization for inner-city kids. But this isn't your average Boys and Girls Club. Sure, it'll be a safe place for kids to come to after school to work on homework and play with friends. But it won't be just a tutoring facility, because the bulk of the organization will be a theater company. After the homework is done, the children will practice whatever their latest production is. They'll go over lines, work on dance numbers, practice their solos, monologues, and stage combat. Then, at different times throughout the year, we'll put our shows on for the community and allow the kids an opportunity to showcase their talents for friends and family.

So, what will I be teaching these kids through this process? First, that they can do anything they want if they put their mind to it and stick with it. They'll have to follow the process from choosing the play, to practicing it, to performing it and getting feedback from their community. They'll experience the satisfaction of a job well done. Confidence will be built as the children grow in who they are and discover that success comes from hard work and determination. These kids will become great public speakers. They'll learn how to engage an audience with their projection, tone, and facial features. They'll become comfortable with who they are and develop an ability to work with all types of people. Imagination and creativity will be fostered in this organization; as they grow up they'll be allowed more responsibility within the planning and directing of the shows. They'll develop a passion and a love for something, be it acting, singing, dancing, directing, painting, drawing, producing, marketing, lighting, sound, you name it. And perhaps one of the most important lessons they'll learn is how great it feels to give back. As they grow within the program they'll begin to help the younger kids figure out the process. They'll be there to help with homework, memorizing lines, painting sets, etc. Relationships will develop and a community will be cultivated. Life lessons will be shared and bonds will form.

Imagine, for just a moment, a child who begins to program at the age of nine. Perhaps he does a few small shows the first couple of years but soon decides that he's more comfortable backstage. As the years pass by he begins to take on more responsibility and learns how to manage the backstage area, work the sound and light board, and even market a show. He finds a mentor in an older cast member and meets with him once a week to talk about life. He's been so greatly effected by his mentor that he begins to mentor a younger kid who, much like him, takes solace behind the curtain. As he comes to the end of his high school days, he's been a part of numerous productions and decides to try his hand at directing. He may not be the best actor, but he knows a good show when he sees one. By the time he enters college, he's had the opportunity to develop skills in lighting, sound, and management (with both time and people). He knows how to meet deadlines and work as a team. By directing and producing a show as well as mentoring his younger friend he's developed his leadership and communication skills. I could go on and on and on, but you get the picture.

Sure, this is an optimistic view, but it's my dream so why not make it so? I believe that if kids have someone who believes in them, they'll go a long way in life. It's my dream that this place, or something like it, will offer kids a family to love and support them and will show them how to believe in themselves.

So there you go. Thanks for letting me share my dream with you.