Thoughts from my 22 year old self

This is something I wrote as a part of my senior poetry/dance project in college about mobilizing the forces.  It's interesting how not much has changed in how I approach my work.  Enjoy.

Why aren’t students constantly producing original work? It isn’t for lack of space, need or interest.  If learning is the priority at this university and if professors want to see their students grow and develop in their four years here, then students need to have as many opportunities to learn as possible.  And if we are unhappy about the lack of focus of our particular departments, then the focus needs to be redirected back to our needs.  We must take initiative and produce work that comes from our needs and experiences.  Our creative work speaks louder than any complaint concerning lack of opportunity to perform or create work separate from department-sponsored events or productions.

And we must voice our need for more opportunities to explore our potential and expand the range of what we are capable of doing.  We need to ask our professors, who have an abundance of experience and knowledge, to challenge us constantly.  I am lucky because I know people who care about my growth as an artist and support my efforts.  I have professors who call me at home to make sure I am doing all right and not stressing out over projects like this.  But I had to approach them first.  I asked questions both inside and outside the classroom.  For example, I bugged Erik Ehn constantly in the green room, in Joe’s office, in Libby’s office, on his way into meetings—I think you get what I mean.  We must insist that our professors challenge us.  

If we want the arts to be more influential on this campus, we need to produce our own work and promote ourselves and the efforts of other student artists (those involved in visual art, music, dance, theatre and creative writing) working on this campus.  We need to talk to our professors and ask them to come see our work and critique it.  We can’t be afraid to blow our own horns when we get together to produce original work not directly affiliated with a department.

The work is not easy, and the process is always frustrating.  We cannot wait for the administration to take notice and provide us with the facilities we need.  We have to commit ourselves to making these learning experiences happen given the facilities and resources we have now.  Art can happen anywhere.

So get a group of people together and write something.  Find a space—a lawn, a sidewalk, the Brass Rail, the Rehearsal Hall—and (as Erik Ehn would say) “make it happen.”  We need to help develop our craft by exploring new possibilities and reaching new audiences.  The only way to do that is to practice the craft constantly.  If we always work on new projects we contribute  to a common, fresh energy that keeps the arts thriving everywhere, not just on this campus.  We cannot wait for opportunities to arrive, hoping that someone will someday discover our artistic genius.

Theatre is happening right here and now with all of you reading this in preparation to see this production.  There are no special lights or cushioned seats or state-of-the-art sound system or super-experienced performers.  We all created this.  Our production comes to you courtesy of risk, imagination, and desire.