Angels Taking Flight

May I proudly present to you, The Theatre Performance Bachelor's of Fine Arts Class of 2009.  This is group of talented, ambitious, spirited, intelligent, beautiful young people who represent the newest round of "adults" that are perched to soar into their futures.  Over the past four years, I have been lucky enough to watch these very special young people display their amazing talents.  They are dedicated, bright shining individuals who choose to express themselves through the craft of acting.  And act they do.  

Last night, as I entered the theater, I stopped to look at the playbill which represented their final year as a class together.  They chose to have a play written for them that would culminate their work, not only as individuals, but as a group.  There was no grandstanding, no hogging of the spotlight, no small parts, no big parts.  There was only a group of individuals celebrating each other's talents.  Allowing one another to shine.  Holding each other's hands until it was time to break free to go on stage.  I have watched these young people grow from their freshman year until now and the results have been nothing short of fantastic.  The play that was written for them called, New Beulah by Dan Moyer, is a bittersweet comedy.  It highlighted a small town which was being forced to move on because of big-city growth.  It was highly reflective of how these young adults must feel about moving past their college days into a world that is unknown and frightening at times.

I walked into the play seeing each of these individuals as who they are and left with tears in my eyes, and the memory of the characters, on my heart.  These kids are that good, each and every one of them.  They have perfected their crafts in a way that makes you believe that who they are pretending to be, is really who they are at that moment.  Remarkable.
Waiting for the play to begin, I watched my own Angels play outside.  I remembered my oldest Angel pretending when she was younger, and I realized that this is how she chose to test her own wings.  By playing.  Yet when she found out that playing was also an art, how incredibly overjoyed she must have felt.  Her soul could express itself through acting.  What a gift!

Waiting for the show to begin, my three youngest Angels support each other's endeavours.  It is good knowing that we are constantly adding on to our families along the way.
And here they are after the play.  My youngest three Angels supporting and loving on our Angel Daughter Number One.(striped shirt)  You were amazing, baby.  Go break another toe as you go on tonight.

To the wonderful Senior B.F.A. Class of 2009- You can all pull at my heartstrings like nobody else I know.  Each one of you embodies the spirit of an actor.  Each one of you performs your art in a way that is unforgettable.  You are all artists and I am lucky to have been able to witness your growth over the past four years.  Fly confidently into your futures.  You have so much to be proud of.

Just like the people in New Beulah, times change, people move on, and so shall we.  Our resolve is we are only just beginning our journey.

-The Senior Class B.F.A. in Theatre Performance Class of 2009

May you always allow your own spirit the time to play.