Making a Living, Living the Dream
The front page and headline of the March 4th edition of the Chicago Tribune's Arts and Entertainment issue featured theatre critic Chris Jones' article: " She Kills Monsters" conjures D&D cool... Buzz22 Chicago production shines in annual 3-play series". I had to pinch myself to make sure that the newspaper is real. This is the play that our 25-year old son and his 6 college friends just produced. He happens to be the company's managing director and producer.
Just a few days ago, when people asked me what my our son is doing now, almost three years after he graduated from college, I would say he is an aspiring actor in Chicago, and works at the front desk of a boutique hotel to support himself. I would go on to clarify that he is actually a social entrepreneur, as he and 6 college friends have started their own theatre company. That explanation would leave me satisfied that I have adequately explained that our son was in fact pursuing his dream while making a living.
Since my husband and I are not only immigrants-- we also belong to the "baby boomer" generation, defined by working hard for some prescribed notion of success and stability long before we figured out what our passion was, we have always encouraged our two kids to discover their passion, follow their dream, and define their own success. The only caveat being -- that they also need to figure out how manage to live on their own, no matter how humble, make a decent living, and be law-abiding citizens.
Our son caught the theatre bug in middle school, and when he announced that he will study theatre in college, saying" I don't want my dream to be plan B", I countered, "What is plan B?" To which he quickly responded: "History. Teaching history". Satisfied, we supported his college education majoring in theatre, with a double major in history. We sort of, kind of, wondered when he will outgrow "the bug". Right before college graduation, he decided to take the LSATs - and I thought, "finally! he will pursue a real dream - becoming a lawyer!". But that was that... and four years hence... well, that's the point of this blog.
He decided to return to Chicago a few weeks after a home visit following college graduation. I remember dropping him off the train station, with his two suitcases, a backpack and his guitar. He said he'll sleep at his friends' sofa for a week and promised that within a week, he and another enterprising friend will get their place. And they did. He worked in retail to initially support himself, and eventually, found six like-minded Class of 2010 theater graduates and founded Buzz22Chicago. He eventually found a more stable day job, in the hotel, and has warded off any promotions to pursue his dream: the theatre. This past fall, he managed to land an understudy role in the Steppenwolf Production of Three Sisters. This opened the door fo him and Buzz22Chicago to apply for Steppenwolf's "Garage Rep" (a.k.a. incubator) productions.
Observing from a distance (we live in Virginia, he in Chicago), it seemed to us that the last few months leading up to opening night have been a frenzy. He would talk to us about the production, and his role in negotiating, hiring, managing, planning, building, budgeting. While working at the front desk to pay for rent and food. We would patiently listen, reminding him that he needs to eat well, exercise, and rest. Reassuring him that things will work out.
We saw the play this past weekend. Our son welcomed the audience, the lights dimmed, and I was taken to a place - the magical place that a wonderful theater production takes one to. Sure, he is my son, but understand that I have always been an honest, and sometimes unforgiving critic. This was truly an outstanding production.
After the show, we congratulated and hugged him and he looked a bit pensive. When I asked him why, he said he knew this was fleeting, and he just wasn't sure what would be next. How could they top this? I reminded him that he is, presently, living the dream, and he needs to enjoy these moments, now. Reaching for an adequate metaphor, I likened it to the joy of giving birth -- there are so many unknowns, so many things to worry about - but for now, it's all about the joy. It's about basking in what it feels to realize a dream, and in the exciting anticipation of a new beginning.
The reviews are still coming, and there are many wonderful accolades. Time-Out Chicago Reviews gave the production 4 out of 5 stars. None would top the kind words from some of the members of the cast and the crew: "Philip made this happen". Philip tends to brush this off, saying the team made it happen, that he is not looking for credit.
Of course. I understand. The dream lives.
