Art is rejuvenating. Every day of this pandemic we seek solace in books, television, digital theatre… we are depending on art to ground us. But sometimes it takes strength to lean in and listen to all of what the work is trying to say. Art is often political. It’s often chock-full of raw emotions. AndContinue reading “Strength Required”
Tag Archives: vulnerability
The Art of Pleasing
Try to remind yourself that you’re not in the business of creating art to please other people. That can simply be a happy accidental outcome. For the most part you’re going to move through the world and reflect on it in ways that cut deep. I know that in theatre, for example, authenticity is key.Continue reading “The Art of Pleasing”
OK Moving On
Stuff happens. We’re confronted by obstacles we were avoiding. We experience heartbreak unexpectedly. People show their true colours. And it’s important to feel every single one of those dreaded feelings in order to gain perspective on our emotions. There are some who would say “then just move past it. It’s done. Grow up.” I’m notContinue reading “OK Moving On”
Crumbling Infrastructure
In our quest to peel back the layers of our social world, artists experience immense pushback. People get rattled when they see someone express something they’ve repressed in themselves. Raw emotions can be particularly prevalent when watching theatre: an art form that reflects the intimate ways we interact with each other. It shows both internalContinue reading “Crumbling Infrastructure”
The Inertia of Acceptance
Sonya Renee Taylor’s recent interview with Brené Brown has given me a lot to think about. One point of discussion that stands out is the understanding of the phrase “I accept you” as inert. It doesn’t really do anything. Acceptance is like, meh. Almost insignificant. Isn’t it much better to be loved? Doesn’t love leadContinue reading “The Inertia of Acceptance”
Fake It
For as long as I can remember I’ve turned my nose up at anything that involves losing authenticity. “Fake it till you make it,” to me, has meant “don’t be yourself.” I would hear that and defy it as much as possible, turning up the volume on my opinions and fighting the status quo. AndContinue reading “Fake It”
Lean Into Awkwardness
Progress can’t happen without vulnerability. I believe that we have to get messy with hard conversations in order to affect positive change and improve our relationships. Hard conversations require vulnerability, and vulnerability comes with discomfort. Figuring ourselves out and talking to others with different perspectives from our own can get really awkward. But the rewardContinue reading “Lean Into Awkwardness”
How Scapegoating Can Stunt Creativity: A Rant
One of my major, ongoing goals with this project is to help folks navigate the intersection of creative practice and queerness. “Queerness” to me means the experience of living outside of sexual and gender identity norms. When we live outside of a norm, our mere existence is often approached with question marks. People who areContinue reading “How Scapegoating Can Stunt Creativity: A Rant”
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