September 2009

The Thrill Of A Lifetime

This essay was first published in Athens Food and Culture December 2009 and is Copyright Will Leamon.

When the good people of Food and Culture offered me this column I had some reservations. I made it clear that I wanted to encourage people to not only come out to the theatre but to also come out and join us as we create one of the oldest forms of art in human history. Of course the people at Food and Culture are good people and they not only approved but encouraged the exercise. For that I am extremely grateful and hope to expose you the reader to the wonderful world of theatre both from the audience and from backstage.

So this is the part where I tell you about the thrill of the lights first coming up or the first note of the overture. These are powerful moments in a person's life and I feel that I am not the writer to adequately describe what the actual experience of live theatre is like. It also an intensely unique experience for everyone but it cannot be dismissed.

I think we lose something though when we focus entirely on the performance side of theatre. There is also a deeply moving and satisfying experience that goes on long before the curtain rises and well after the sets have been put away. It is the experience of meeting, knowing and depending on the widest group of people you'd ever imagined.

For instance, I am a man who is ambivalent to football. I was born in Athens and went to the UGA so I have a little bulldog in me but that's about it. Yet right now with fall coming on I find myself hoping and cheering on The Madison County Raiders to the heights of success because Rev. Richard Hoard is one of their coaches. Richard's also a fellow thespian and I had the joy of acting with him in William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure last July. Richard's simply an amazing guy and I'm honored to know him. Our scenes together were my favorite in the show because Richard and I just had this connection that made those scenes fly by. So I may not give a fig for football but I wish the Raiders all the luck in the world this coming season because I wish to encourage Richard in anything he sets his mind to.

I would also like to send out the warmest of congratulations and praise to my friends Dina and Neal Canup on the birth of their beautiful daughter Aurie. I had the honor and privilege of directing Dina and Aurie in our production of The Bourgeois Gentleman last April. Dina's a long time member of The Town and Gown players and is one of those special people who just has theatre in the blood. I can't tell you what pleasure it gives me to know that someday I will be able to embarrass dear Aurie with the story of directing her first show! This is a special and deep pleasure that I don't think one can find anywhere but in the theatre.

Theatre is a many-headed beast as well. It involves the summation of many different crafts into one explosive piece of art. I cannot understate the amount of joy and satisfaction one sees in the technical aspects of a show. Only in theatre can the woodworkers, electricians, computer geeks and seamstresses of the world come together for one common goal. This blend of perspectives and personalities has personally enriched me in ways I can't really comprehend but I am extremely grateful for them.

In the end that is the only reason to get involved with community theatre – the personal connection. Where does one begin though? Start by checking out some shows! Athens has a vibrant and active theatre community. Town and Gown pushes the envelope with their Second Stage Productions. Athens Creative Theatre gives a special opportunity for young adults and grown ups to work together. If history's your thing then maybe you should check the Classical Series of shows at Classic City Arts (which I produce). And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Rose of Athens and Athens Little Playhouse are always coming up with funky production schedules that feature a well seasoned blend of all the different types of shows humanity has come up with throughout the ages. If one of these groups strikes your fancy then by all means come out to an audition or let them know you're willing to help backstage. We will all be glad to have you and I think you'll learn a little something about life, the universe and perhaps most importantly yourself!