little helena’s big adventure…

First of all I think she is a fantastic woman. She was full of such life and happiness, and I wish I could sit down and chat with her every monday evening. She loves what she does and you can hear it in the way she talks about it. She is so gracious and humble about her career. I loved hearing about all her different experiences and working with different people.

One of my favorite topics of the evening was when she discussed the fact that she didn’t really agree with the directors vision- in regards to her character of Linda in Death of A Salesman. It was so refreshing to hear that. I had never really seriously thought about when the actor and director have different visions in professional theatre. Its a hard line to walk on. Its an understanding between both people- the director and actor. That both of these people are trying to create the right character.

I have to admit, at the very end of Death of A Salesman…. I started tearing up. Overall, the show was good, but I dont think it was until the very last scene that I was truely invested in the characters. When Linda says, “we’re free….we’re free”… thats where Nancy got me. I love how in the lines previous she says she’s not going to cry… i felt the same way. I could feel her emotions crumbling… and i was right there with her. I have always loved the character of Linda; I always thought she a women of such beautiful simplicity. She is there for everyone… there to listen to everyone, and she essentially runs the family, and keeps it together (as best she can).

Nancy was so great about keeping the idea and love of theatre fresh in her heart. She said she didn’t really get involved in acting until later in her life. She wished she had done it sooner… but she didn’t let her passion die out. She really instilled in me that if I love theatre and love acting… then why should i not do it… why not try it out. She also said “theatre teaches us failure” And i have to admit one of the things that keeps slowly pushing me away is the fear of failure and rejection in the theatre world. You never like to deal with failure, but in theatre its a part of the process. I feel like theatre has made me a stronger person because I can deal with this “failure” on a daily basis.

I was so happy to be able to sit down and chat with Nancy Robinette and I’m proud to find out that we are both Patriots! I found out at dinner that Nancy went to my High school- Yorktown HS. It was so weird, but it was so exciting… it was almost a sign haha. It was great to have that connection with her, and it made her more of a real person to me. The fact that this Yorktown graduate did it… maybe i can to…?

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so this past sunday I went to go see Ira Glass in DC.  I love him even more now.  He was so captivating and extremely funny.  what I love the most about him was that he was a regular guy.

the evening started out in the dark….

the show began with the lights going out and Ira just began talking… just like he usually does.  the way he likes to- where no one can see him… but only hear him.  he said he would have loved to have done the whole show in the dark… but that there would be too many complaints.  but then the lights finally came up, and he said “yes, this is what i look like…”

he had so many great stories- i feel like thats what hes all about…stories.  life just consists of one story after the other.  he talked a lot about his process about telling a story.  that there is an action, then another action…an action…an action… then reflection.  he kept reiterating that.  he is so invested in his work.  its great to see someone who loves their work so much.  you can just hear it in his voice ;)  he creates so many great connections with the people he interviews, and his listeners.

the other thing that struck me was how genuinely funny he was.  he was almost like a stand up comic.  I was laughing the whole time.  i was really happy to have my mom come and enjoy the show as well. to be honest, when i told my mom about Ira Glass she had never really heard of him, but now she loves him.

i really wish i had taken notes, and written down everything he said.  i wish i could be like him…have job that i love doing and create great inventive work that truly touches and educates people.

on the drive back jon, donna and i listened to one of his pieces- “fiasco” and it was a great way to end a fantastic evening.