Today is the first day of rehearsal...The above image was created by my artistic college Arielle Vaughan. This image is a snap shot of one of our main character's dream notebook...There is a huge theme in this play about being being active and involved but the play also discusses how we manifest our dreams into our realities and the process/obstacles we endure when we pursue what others consider to be impossible.
Doing the impossible is fun... in theory(lol) but it requires a lot of work and commitment! The process of bringing a story to the screen or to the stage can be exciting and exhausting all in the same breath(lol). Since casting, we have gone through a number of edits to the script, a few cast members have had to drop due to scheduling conflicts, rehearsal locations were shifted and now for the first week we'll have to rehearse in the living room of my home(we make it work lol). Myself and the other team members are on the grind 24/7, working 14 hour plus days (cause we have jobs during the day and pursue our dreams at night) But it's what we signed up for right? So no complaints, in times of pressure, I turn to books or stories for motivation. =) I had to recently revisit a favorite book of mine to gain perspective and focus....
My Dad gave this book to me when I was in the 7th grade when I used to walk around saying I wanted to be the female version of Spike Lee. My dad never shot a dream down but he ALWAYS was good for offering perspective on how to obtain your vision. I remember him telling me, "Everybody says they want to be a Director but who is really gonna take the time to write out the directions and lead?" This book is the production journal on what it took to produce the classic film "Do The Right Thing." My dad gave this to me to help me realize that in whatever you do in life, there is a process to obtaining it. I had to revisit this book to remind me, that we all have to put in work, effort, time, and sacrifice to make these written dreams come to life...And my dad was right, a lot of people say they "want" to direct or they "want" to perform but who takes the time to see it through? Things do not magically appear just because you "want it." You have to plan, organize, and execute. And even after all the planning and organizing you STILL have to remain flexible and resilient, because 70% of the time, plans fall through and things get delayed but you have to be willing to work through it and stay committed no matter what.
I've come to learn that doing the impossible also means getting through the impossible...
Reading Spike Lee's account on his trials and tribulations of bringing this film to life during a time in the 80's where black film directors were considered something "novel" or unheard of, gave me motivation to keep doing what we're doing. If you have not seen this film, go do yourself and favor and watch it now. The title "Do the Right Thing" is a call to action to get involved, stand up, and do what is right for yourself or your community...After reading this last night, I guess I'm left with the question (that I am now posing to you) what is doing the RIGHT thing for you? Is doing the right thing giving up the moment adversity comes your way? Or is doing the right thing standing up and pursuing after the dreams and goals that others considered to be the impossible? We cannot simply "want" things or even "try", we must be active and determined. We must DO what is right...
With the help of God and my faithful team, we'll "DO The Right Thing" by staying committed to this PROCESS by producing a show that you all will get an opportunity to enjoy in the less than7 weeks =) Ahhh the countdown begins!
And besides this is where the fun begins, which is why we're doing it to begin with =)
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