"At least, she DID something."

In just a few short weeks, Rochester’s Black Sheep Theatre’s Feeding the Moonfish by Barbara Wiechmann will compete on the national stage with a dozen other groups from across the country, as part of the National (American Association of Community Theatre) AACT Fest 2015 in Grand Rapids, MI.

Regular readers of this column will know this because lately, I won’t shut up about it.

Preparations have had me re-reading the script. I am always amazed that, even fully after a year of working with this text, I continue to find revelations and insights I hadn’t seen before.

Something. Anything.

There’s a passage where our young heroine, Eden – a tough-little-cookie of a young lady, brilliantly and sensitively portrayed by Rochester’s own Colleen DiVincenzo – is relaying a story about a classmate who pulled off a petty heist from the local Sears. Yes, Eden agrees: stealing is wrong. But she goes on to say, in a voice laden with awe and admiration, “You gotta admit, at least she did something.”

Action. Initiative. Taking matters into your own hands.

This is not to say I advocate theft in any form, either. Of course not. No.

Feeding the Moonfish is an exploration of the deep dark places we all harbor in our souls, which exist inside each of us for a multitude of reasons. Naturally, this passage is included (at least, that’s our interpretation) because the characters here are stuck. Paralyzed by their own loss. Loss in the past – of family, home, loved ones – and current loss for anything to do to get unstuck. They don’t know who or where to turn for help. They’re frightened and feel very much alone in the world. Hence why our hero and heroine are so drawn to one another.

And hence Eden’s admiration for a girl who did something. Anything. To beat boredom. To rally a cry for help.

Work That Feeds My Soul

I’ve been out of work for a couple of months. Those of you who have been there know how tedious and downright depressing it can be to have to look for work every day. I’ve been fortunate to have had several promising interviews. And second interviews. And third interviews.

But still, no offers.

And believe it or not, I’m beginning to tire of talking about myself that much. I know: hard to believe.

But I am positive things will turn upward soon. I believe in fate and faith and that the universe (with me in it) will unfold as it should. I’m learning also, to have patience.

A great deal of patience.

And I am hopeful.

I am hopeful that whatever I end up doing for a living – i.e., work to feed my bank account – I can do something that will contribute to the world. And if I can’t do it with my formal career, I hope at least to have done it with some other aspect of my life. Theatre, perhaps – the work that feeds my soul.

Bottom line, some day, when the time has come and I am at the end of my life, I hope I can look back with confidence, and hear the world say sincerely, even at a whisper, “At least she did something.”

Maybe taking this team to the AACT Fest in Grand Rapids will be my something.

[If you would like to help with Black Sheep Theatre’s journey to Grand Rapids later this month, there are a number of ways you can help. Contributions are now being accepted via PayPal at donate@blacksheeptheatre.org. Arrangements for donations can also be made by calling 585-861-4816. Local supporters can join us on Sunday, June 14 at 5:00 p.m. for “Slouching Towards Grand Rapids,” a gala fund raising event featuring a Silent Auction, 50-50 Raffle, Door prizes and much more! The Bachelor Forum, 670 University Avenue, Rochester, NY, from 5 pm to 8 pm. Donations are also needed for the Silent Auction, any items valued at $25 or more, especially “big ticket” items, are especially appreciated. Thank you for your support!]