Stepping Up My Game
As regular readers of this blog know, I love many of the reality shows on Bravo. I love watching artists create in real time, and watching as they get feedback from trained professionals in their respective fields.
The newest delightful addition is “Step it Up and Dance.” We’ve been watching each episode with rapt attention.
Cody Green, the ultimate technician, seemed to be on top early on, but later got hammered for not emoting enough. He was finally pushed to the edge and ended up dancing his way to the winner’s circle.
The way judge Nancy O’Meara pushed him reminded me of a teacher I had at Emerson who pushed me. Her name was Betsy Carpenter, and she put up with two semesters of me talking through a lot of my own crap while successfully pushing off doing my work.
Betsy passed away a while ago, and so she won’t get the chance to see my plays on their feet, but I’d still like to thank her.
At the time, especially during my thesis defense when I thought I might not graduate, I hated her. I hated her for not “helping” me… She just kept saying “I can’t write it for you, you’ve gotta write it on your own, Baby.” She made me fight for my own voice… and now it’s so loud and clear! It was the preparation I needed to keep going in a business where it isn’t easy to get one’s voice heard.
So, Betsy, I’d like to thank you for pushing me, and in the best way you could, helping me find the strength to push myself. Even if you’re not watching now, I hope you will be at the theatre. I’ll be sure to save a seat for you.
–Sue
Add comment June 9th, 2008
