The Ghostlight Project

I want to say how thankful I am for the beautiful theatre community locally, nationally, and throughout the world.

Today was an important day in our country's history, whether we particularly care for the individual who was inaugurated or not, it's still part of our story. I was upset in the days following the election. I was sad and scared for people I care for and how this administration and the followers it created could potentially hurt them. I left that Friday for a weekend of Broadway and some much needed away time in New York.

This was my crazy weekend of seeing six shows in four days. I saw beautiful faces who shared my concern come together to raise money for a wonderful charity (Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS...go check them out here). Even in the midst of the confusion, frustration, and fear of what would come next they ended up raising over $4 million dollars for this cause.

I stage doored, which I like NEVER do, and got to talk to these stars about how they gave me a break from the chaos that was going on in the world and to thank them for that. They shared my concerns, for friends, for family, for coworkers who become family. Even in a time that felt dark there was a light that was shared between us.

I listened to the cast of Holiday Inn explain Broadway Cares and why it is so important to the theatre community. I laughed for the first time at Sutton Foster's antics in Sweet Charity. I had a great conversation after the Great Comet with Denee Benton about Tony prospects and safety pins. In Transit reminded me that we don't have to agree with the people we care about to still care about them and that family can be found in different places. I marveled at the nonsense and talent of Cats. I remembered that we aren't alone during the moving song You Will Be Found during Dear Evan Hansen.

Theatre did what theatre does: it challenged my mind and my heart and renewed my hope and faith in humanity. It recentered me.

Last night the theatre community came together again for The Ghostlight Project. To quote their website:

Gathering outside of theaters on the eve of the Presidential Inauguration, people will join in a collective, simultaneous action, together creating “light” for challenging times ahead. Inspired by the tradition of leaving a "ghost light" on in a darkened theater, artists and communities will make or renew a pledge to stand for and protect the values of inclusion, participation, and compassion for everyone--regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability,  age, gender identity, or sexual orientation.  

I love this connection to light in the darkness and being beacons of hope to those who need it regardless of what they are facing.

Many of my friends expressed their concern for the incoming administration by changing their profile photos to pictures of the Obamas. Many of my friends are marching in the Women's Marches across the country tomorrow. I am proud to have such strong friends. I will not be able to be at the OKC march because of previous plans and I opted not to change my profile photo to the Obamas. Instead I changed it a favorite ghostlight photo from last summer.

Theatre will be my beacon of light in the days coming. It will continue to be the bright spot when things get bad, whether that is in my country, in my state, in my city, or just in my own life. There will always be dark days and I am glad to have a community across the country that leaves a light on in the darkness.

I was thinking about this post all day and didn't know what I was going to write so I looked up some quotes about light and darkness. The two that popped into my head were Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dumbledore:

Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (aka J.K. Rowling)

But I also found this one and really liked it too:
Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance. Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

For the next four years and beyond I will strive to be the light in others' lives. I hope you will too, no matter who you voted for, we can all use a bit more light in our lives.

If you would like more information on The Ghostlight Project check it out here.