The Road to Theater Mastery
Over the past nine months, I've been conducting research for two Boston foundations. The search included interviews with Boston youth, Teaching Artists and Theater education providers to help define Theater mastery and the path for Boston youth toward a career in Theater.
One by one, the interviews filled me with a deep gratitude for our city and it's artists. Aspiring artists. Working artists. Teaching artists. Youth artists. They all share a passion for youth and a love for our city. The Athens of America, the Cradle of Liberty, City on a Hill, The Bean, The Hub, The 'Bury, Dot, JP, Westie, The Pan, Southie. Boston has many names and faces. All of which are rooted in a strong history with deep desires for making this city the best it can be. Although my time with the research project is over, the voices of Theater artists are still speaking to me, coming to my thought, inspiring me each day. Healing me. As I continue on my artist journey and walk my own road, I cannot help but share.
Question: What is Theater?
Answers:
"Theater is expression." ~ Kaamila
"Theater is craziness. It’s just a bunch of craziness. Actors are weird. People are running back and forth just to get something right." ~ Xavier
"Theater is fame, I don’t know why but I really want to get recognized. It’s fun to basically try to get out of your comfort zone and portray a new character. I don’t know, when I act, I feel at peace.” ~ Jomary
“Theater is 'play the action’. Imagination, creativity, a rainbow of colors, excitement, interacting with others, a space to be yourself.” ~ Nick
“Theater is not only a thing, it’s more of like this indescribable feeling of…I don’t know if it’s just the excitement or just the rush or just the power of seeing live Theater, just being around Theater, it’s just more of a strong feeling. A good feeling.” ~ Stephen