The first day

Ah, the first day of creation! Everyone is here, the circus is in full swing, and the energy is running wild! That last sentence can be interpreted in a couple of ways. You can either go the “There are a lot of people who need heat and water, there are a million things going on at once, and there is an underlying tension that, while subtle, is perfectly tangible” or, “Oh, how I’ve missed everyone! We’re finally starting! Let’s make a show!!”

I’d say I lie somewhere in the middle. I believe they call it cautious optimism.

I don’t want to give the wrong idea. I’m actually really excited to be here, and I am very happy to see everyone, and yes, I do want to make one helluva show. But then, I still can’t believe that I’m actually here, that this is really happening, and that I’m going on tour with a major company for the next four years.

I’ve never been a part of such an intense creation before. And certainly not a three-month creation. Although in truth, it’s been closer to five months, what with the various research periods. I have no doubt that the show will be excellent. Some of the stuff we’ve come up with is really beautiful. But when I think of how far we’ve come and how far we’ve yet to go, I can’t help but imagine one of those paintings where there’s a path that goes over the horizon with no visible end in sight. It just seems like such a huge undertaking to make something out of nothing, to take something abstract and transform it into reality. With my inexperience nipping at my heels, the whole undertaking is somewhat daunting.

That’s when I remind myself that I’m not in it alone, that there is an entire group of experienced artists working with me, and that its only the first day.