i can't emphasize this enough: to stave off the inevitable feelings of despair, anxiety, and self-consciousness that accompany creating art, surround yourself with brilliant collaborators. when you doubt yourself, their talent is often enough to buoy you through just about anything. plus, they  make you look better. good work begets better work, amirite?

november's production of Makeshift will feature the directing talents of a fabulous young Philly-based director, M. Craig Getting. i didn't know Craig very well (at all) before Isa brought him in on this project, but god knows i trust isa on all matters theatrical, so if he was her top pick, he was mine. i'm still getting to know craig, and honestly, given that I'm here in NYC and the rest of murmuration is down in Philly, probably won't get to "collaborate" with him as intensely as I generally like to on a theatrical project. For that reason alone, this "get" was an act of trust. So imagine my delight when Craig shared this article that he wrote for HowlRound on working with new plays and new playwrights - from his perspective. 

there's something immeasurably special about realizing you're in the same spiritual (because let's face it - working on a show is a spiritual measure) boat with someone. it's rarer than you'd think in the theatrical world, so to find it is truly a treasure. 

If you're like me, confidence is impossible to obtain. 
As an alternative, I highly suggest surrounding yourself with unbelievably talented actors. 

today has been one of those days. 
the good kind. 

first, i got the delightfully amazing news that the murmuration kickstarter has reached it's fundraising goal. As of this press time (i.e. 4:15 on Thursday as I type this), 71 backers have given us a total of $3,017. 

I don't know which of those numbers I'm more jazzed about: the $3,017 or the 71. Honestly, it might be the 71. The fact that SEVENTY ONE people believe enough in my work, and Brian's work, and Nell's work, and Isa's work, to make a financial commitment to its success is humbling and thrilling. It makes me excited about art, and giving, and the future, and society, and filled with all sorts of warm fuzzies. 

As I watch the number inch up, I get more and more excited about what we're going to be able to do. Another $10 means another hour of rehearsal time. Another $50 means one the brilliant designers or technicians we're going to work with gets slightly more than the pittance we originally promised them in compensation. They've agreed to help us for next to nothing, but now we get to give them next-to-next-to nothing?! Badass, y'all. 

and of course, the second reason this has been a fantastic day: MINUTES after getting the news that Makeshift is going to be a reality, I was struck, all of a sudden, with my next play. Like the best of my ideas, it hit me out of nowhere, seemingly precipitated by nothing (except the knowledge, perhaps, that its predecessor is happening). My hope is that it will feature the 3 actors pictured below. And it'll be in "3s", if you will. 3 acts. 3 Rooms. ...

...but I'm getting ahead of myself. First things, proving 71 people right by mounting a fabulous production in November. Doing my damdest to get that production to NYC in 2014. And being full of love and gratitude.