Civilization no longer exists as we once knew it.
Even the word Pandemic seems less scary, doesn’t it? It has lost some of its severity, now that we are coping and figuring out how to navigate these auspicious times.
But, Life must go on! Even life in a mask, socially distant, and quarantined half the time, and running out of distractions to fill the void. Let us not lose our humanity in the process, shall we. Cyber trappings are on the rise, and we can’t seem to unsubscribe from the likes of Netflix, Crave, Disney, Amazon, or Sports. The last five months have seen a rise in people wanting to be entertained, to be amused, distracted from the reality that our world is heating up, while we watch with baited breath for change to take place, and declare, “I can’t breathe”.
But, we resume the struggle, don’t we, cross our fingers and hope for the best, as we clink and clank pots at 7pm, cheering and celebrating front line workers who contend on our behalf.
One thing still remains: Story.
The plot of “us” has never been more collective as it stands today, what with the emergence of Covid-19 as a central character in all of our stories now. Or should I have said villain, because that is what it is, a villain. History will be forever changed. It’s remarkable how this little microscopic virus has such a huge impact on our lives (much like systemic racism) – we can’t even see this little sucker with our naked eyeballs. But we believe it exists, because people are dying almost as fast as the opioid crisis which is still on the rise.
[Insert deep sigh by the author who tries to collect his thoughts and attempts to sew this blog into one cohesive thread]
It would seem those who can make a difference in legislating laws against such racist atrocities, are the same culprits perpetrating and breeding the ignorance responsible for such ongoing evils. As people, we are well aware of the in’s and out’s of how to procrastinate and avoid priorities, un-claiming ownership of the demise of humanity, we cling to our remote control, and pick and choose the intake of media. We are also experts on how to shift the blame and not take ownership of responsibilities. Despite this being a common human trait, we don’t necessarily need to celebrate it. We are champion deflectors whose fingers know how to point away from ourselves.
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“The time has come, and is now here, to rise up and reach down, way down, and take that wabbit, that proverbial rabbit by the ears and yank it out of the hat, and tear it limb from limb until there is nothing left, or until you believe that you can make a difference with your story…with the gift you have been given, not to be buried alive or dead, but stewarded, cultivated, and given a chance to shine and grow into full brilliance for the whole world to see. Because the world is watching from a window peak, waiting, waiting. But, how long must we wait?”
Well, that’s enough insight into the next play being birthed. Enough of the blither blather, it’s time to bring in September 2020, and forge on. September has this sense of pressing a restart button. A new season of fresh beginning.
Let’s do it!
Let’s play Hide and Seek.
But, truly seek. Not just pretend to seek.
Seek as though to search out and uncover.
Y O U T H E A T R E is still in existence, and we have decided to move forward despite the words “pandemic”, “socially distanced”, or “hypodermic needle”!
Production schedules are being drawn up; Tour dates are being penciled-in and thrown on the calendar. Calls are being made. Light is erasing the darkness.
If you are interested in joining our Apprenticeship Program, there are still a number of roles and responsibilities up for grabs, including:
- Actors
- Movement Performers
- Stage Manager
- Production Crew members (costume, props, sound, etc)
- Administration and Management
Workshops are being…workshopped; finalized and sharpened.
- Mask Making
- Movement Story
- Vocal Intensives
- Stage Combat
- Drama and Comedy
- Improvisation
- Scene Study & Analysis
- Creative Writing
- Multi Media
- Video Production
- Short Story Festival
If you are reading this and have any compulsion to reach out, please pick up a phone and ring us today, or drop us an email.
Always available,
Lee J Bamberry | Creative Producer
YOUTHEATRE MOVEMENT
s t o r y “at” y o u t h e a t r e s o c i e t y . c o m
6 0 4 – six three six – eighteen fifty-four
