We are in the thick of it now. We are three weeks into our production and everyone is deep into the theater project. Our young thespians bring their best selves to the stage every rehearsal and inspire me to do the same. Together we create synergy, community and a delightful learning environment.
In this age of techno-gadgets geared to monopolize growing minds it is refreshing to see young people engaged in learning Shakespeare. Their acting is extraordinary. Their insights are fresh, although little raw at times, and often profound.
Many of our students are still connected to the fantasy world of elves and fairies and the enchanted woods through their fascination with Harry Potter, The Narnia Stories and their early childhood exposure to fairy-tales. I realized, the other day, that they are much closer in understanding A Midsummer Night's Dream than those of us who are older and more removed.
Our fairies show me how to dance, the elves explain to me how they should pose around the stage and Oberon and Titania move naturally through the scenes. I am delighted that our actors still use their rich imaginations. They are fearless when it comes to experimenting on stage with voice and body movements.
Dancing with fairies and hanging-out with elves is something most people in their late fifties don't get much of a chance to do. The enchanted creatures of Will Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream take me places that I only imagined when I was a child. They know the world of enchantment because, in their young lives, they have retained what God gives to everyone of us when we are born, our ability to imagine. Somewhere along the road of life we can too easily forget how to use our imaginations. The kids remind me to stay connected to the creative source and in return, I get to live a life as rich as any enchanted creature.
