| Sunny Side Up Jan. 26, 2005 �2005, Kathleen Gibson Don't even think about reclining I watched my friend Gloria at work the other day. She was waving her arms and ordering about a bunch of adults. Living out the dream she didn't have time for before she officially retired from teaching - directing musical theater. Farmers, doctors, teachers and stay-at-home moms. Shop and shipping clerks. Writers, editors, clergy wives, policemen, engineers, and administrators. They come to her auditions for our community's musicals with disparate abilities and egos of all sizes. With a wealth of experience, panoramic vision, ceaseless energy, and a smile that glows in the dark, Gloria harnesses them into a tight unit. I don't know anyone better at bringing out the best in people; at averaging out egos without injuring them. Gloria's gifts light up our community. And musical theater lights up Gloria. It's where I first met her, when green as a lettuce shoot I accepted a spot in the first community musical in our city. I wasn't looking for friends. I found them anyway. Musical theater does that. Those who end up on stage could have paid dearly - at community college, in the theater department at university, even in therapy sessions - to learn the things Gloria teaches them. But there are no tuition bills when one passes the audition for the community musical. Only a few bucks for a shirt, and cookies when it's your turn - no rehearsal runs without those. Nevertheless, there are other costs; too steep for some to pay. A love of people, music, and live theater. Willingness to rearrange priorities for a few months, to develop and use one's God-given gifts, to commit to a common goal. To set ego aside, take direction gracefully. To feel a fool until your new self-confidence kicks in - about halfway to opening night (and abruptly exits with that first step on stage). Around performance time, the cost rises dramatically. Sleep-skinny nights, family-unfriendly days, and a butterfly farm in the gut are rapidly scribbled on the bottom of the bill. I remember this well from my few years on stage. But for that paltry tab the actors are transported to Old England, Oklahoma, London, New York - anywhere over the rainbow. Too soon they land on the other side. They join hands for the last time, take a bow to the cheering audience, watch the velvet curtains meet in the middle, and their journey's done. Gloria's team pulled it off again. Rocking chair and snowbird retirement is growing less common, I've noticed. Hurrah, hurrah! We desperately need willing people with time and abilities to NOT STOP using the gifts God gave them. To color lives around them in ways they never could when collecting a paycheck. If you're contemplating the recliner, remember Gloria (and ditto for her husband, Les) and consider this: Many of the heavyweights in scripture and history never even started making a difference until very late in life. Use your gifts; don't store them. And Gloria - thanks. I'll be cheering from the audience at 'Annie, Get your Gun' this weekend. Scenes from Annie Get your Gun dress rehearsal are at the bottom of the page, You can respond to this article here. Return Home |
 |
 |
 |