Our Step in Time
It’s Monday afternoon and the theatre is dark after a weekend filled with musical magic. We’ve made it through our first weekend and we couldn’t be more excited for our next. Rehearsing is fun and exhausting, but this is what we came here to do: to experience the magic of live theatre with those who share our passion. We could never have succeeded without you. Yes, you. You reading this blog. You production teammate, you audience member, you supporter of the arts, you family and friends who stuck with your loved ones throughout this process. We all go through stressful times: we drop a line, we miss a cue, we don’t make a change, we forget a step, we lose a prop. These things happen. A lot. Sometimes we have a laugh and move on; sometimes we cry, but we never let it break us. Our theatre family doesn’t let it break us. We’re always looking out for each other, onstage and off. Theatre isn’t just about being a good actor, a good director, a good designer. It’s about being a good person.
To those who came to Quincy Community Theatre to experience Mary Poppins with us: you are everything we work for. To hear those laughs, those gasps, those sniffles is to connect with your fellow human beings. The fourth wall may separate us, but we are united in spirit. We need you. We appreciate you. You are the reason we perform and if we can affect just one person’s life because of our work, we’ve succeeded. I was that one person. Each and every individual in this company was that one person. We don’t do this for fame and fortune and to get recognized at the grocery store. We do this to share that one moment with you in the hopes that we can spread the wonder and joy that the theatre brings us to anyone who will have us. It’s our way of paying it forward.
To the cast, crew, production team, and volunteers of Mary Poppins: I couldn’t have asked for a better way to experience this story for the first time. I came in knowing next to nothing about Mary Poppins and came out learning more than I can say. It’s not just the story of a magical nanny who swoops in and saves the day. It’s a story of life, of love, of humanity — a story that each of you embodies in your own way. Having seen the rehearsal process in its entirety, I am quite honestly amazed at the strides you all have made in your pursuit of excellence. You have grown so much since that first rehearsal and I cannot begin to express how proud I am of you. I know it hasn’t been easy for you. I know we still have room to keep moving forward, including myself. Definitely including myself. And I know that if anyone can make that happen, it’s this outstanding group that I’m proud to call my Poppins pals. This show embodies everything I love about Quincy Community Theatre: collaboration, dedication, and camaraderie. Everyone is a vital part of this team and I am so thankful that I’ve been able to share this with you.
As we move into our second weekend of Mary Poppins, I challenge you, reader. To take that spoonful of sugar. To feed the birds. To do a somersault at your bank. To never miss the chance to get it right. To take risks. To reach for the heavens.
To never lose the magic in your heart.