I'm taking a photo when two people cross in front of me. "Tourist Alert!" I say.
"What did she say?"
"Tourist alert."
"That is so funny." (said without so much as a smile.)
There is a great deal I will take with me from this trip, the deadpan sense of humour is one of them. This is my last postcard. I am now home sitting at my desk looking out onto a brilliant Wellington day. The city has really turned it on for my return. It feels good to be here and I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone.
United Airlines finally lived up to its reputation and I ended up having an extra day in San Francisco. I buddied up with a fellow passenger and we took off for SFMOMA. My companion was a museum docent (visitor guide) and we were given free entry. So I got to see my first Paul Klee exhibition and better still works by Frida Kahlo and Deigo Rivera, and I also dropped in on Jessica at counterPULSE.
On our last day of the ENPL we had the opportunity to say a few words, much of what I wanted to say was echoed in those who spoke before me: great professors, lasting friendships, life-changing insights (you gotta love: work is not the opposite of fun!), outstanding accommodation and service, so much to take back and digest.
When I spoke I was surprised at the well of emotion that bubbled up (awkward!) but what I said rang true: this course saved a life, not just the life of a theatre but it's community. A theatre contributes more than entertainment, we also contribute to the local enconomy. We may be a small theatre company on the edge of the world close enough to Antartica as to be insignificant, and yet we have stories to tell - past, present and future - and an irrepressible way of telling them, and the ambition and will to take them to other parts of the world.
Stanford also saved my life. I have worked as a professional theatre practitioner since I was 19 years old. My first engagement was with Four Seasons Theatre, Whanganui. I had been captured by the spirit of performing since age 11, when I started theatre workshops with Mrs Brady of the Brisbane Children's Theatre, in her suburban Corinda home and held ransom by the myth of fame and fortune. But I have been lucky enough to work with people who showed me the value and power of creative endeavour and its capacity to have us think differently; hopefully, more humanely.
I have never forgotten my first experience of theatre nor that seminal Downstage production of Arthur A. Kopit's "Wings" with Alice Fraser. It shifted my world-view. I align with DAE when they say, "the human spirit brings light and insight to the darkness". Its a fellowship I am very proud to be part of, and this pride extends further into the non-profit family. It was an honour to be in such esteemed company and I thank you all for the privilege of hearing your stories and ambitions to change, to grow and to make this planet a better more loving place to live.
As I said on the last day, I am not going back to Downstage to make extravagant changes, I go back to make small shifts that I trust will make a big difference. I also want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for my Board of Directors who made this opportunity possible and thank my staff who held the fort in my absence. "I am because you are."
And that's all from me. At least for now.
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