Dear Theater,
Thank you for including me in your kick lines. Thank you for giving me a chance to sing your show-stopping ballads. Thank you for helping me grow as a person through acting. Thank you for letting me wear you costumes. Thank you for letting me climb your sets. Thank you for allowing me to take a bow in front of a thunderously applauding audience. And thank you for letting me find you.
Now you might not know this story but this is how I met you. I was way to young to go to the theater. My grandfather was playing in the pit orchestra for a musical (I think it was "Oklahoma"). You wouldn’t believe the impacts it had on me at such a young age. I didn’t miss another show he played from that point onward. But it wasn’t until I was 8 or 9 years old that my involvement with you peaked. I was highly involved with sports at the time, (I know… gross), and the elementary school musical auditions were coming up. If it weren’t for my friend who now lives in another state, I would not have joined. But I did. And it was by far the best decision I have ever made. My director that year and on many other occasions fueled my up and coming passion and helped me through the learning and growing stages in my life and in theater (you know who you are). Here I am theater, nine years later. I participate in up to five shows every year and my love for Broadway and musicals is unhealthily large.
I cannot believe how many doors you have opened for me. Your brilliant tactics continue to amaze me and I have become enveloped in your work. Now you may ask, “Why does he continue with me after all these years?” The answer is, “Because you have given me happiness and enjoyment in my life and it is my self-proclaimed duty to give back to the people in my community through the gifts you have so generously given me." And by the way, I will never be relieving myself of this duty. You are going to be something that I follow through with for a lifetime. The happiness and enjoyment I expressed earlier are complete understatements. It is truly impossible to express what you have done for me.
So I leave you with this. If you ever have the chance, let other people know what you can do for them. Tell them that you may take a few years or maybe even half a lifetime to find, but when you’re found your impact is immense. Tell them that when they join that kick line or sing that ballad for the first time, they will never be the same. And tell them that you give purpose in people’s lives and act as a guiding light in times of darkness and sorrow.
You’re the best theater. Thanks for making me who I am.
Your friend,
Jason Schwartz
