Sue's News

Spreading the Word

I’m good friends with my dry cleaner. She’s a sweet little old Korean lady. Whenever I drop things off, we usually have a good chat… sometimes a half hour or more (the length of my upcoming one act play, “Chrysalis“).

I was telling her about “Disillusioned,” which she’s planning to attend. (She jumped, hugged, and kissed me when I told her the news about the festivals… She’s planning to bring her friend too.)

As I was telling her about it, I realized that she needs to see the play… and not because I wrote it, but because she’s going through something similar to what the protagonist Jane goes through… and I think it might help her to see it, and how the story plays out.

When I left, walking back in the rain, it became more clear to me… I felt great helping her see something she knows in her heart and mind, and I know she’ll get a lot out of the play… But as much as I love helping her, and anyone I can… I can only help so many people in a given day. I can only be in so many places, I can only have so many conversations.

But with a play, that can be produced in multiple places at once without me having to even be there (since the words are already written down), I can help hundreds, or even thousands of people.

And that’s what I was talking about yesterday… I’m not worried about the other stuff (though my dry cleaner is — she feels bad that I’m putting all this time, money, and effort… not knowing what the outcome will be)… The other stuff will come naturally… but it HAS TO START HERE, with my intention to help and reach out to others.

The deeper I get, the more truth I see in it… the more I know it is, and will all be worth it… in every way.

–Sue

Add comment June 5th, 2009

The Big Picture

A lot of people are throwing a lot of “advice” around.

A lot of people are wondering why I’m doing what I’m doing.

And it’s true, there are A LOT of upfront costs on my end… the biggest being my time. And this takes up A LOT of time.

Why would I put so much time (we’re talking a few years here, people) into something that isn’t a sure thing?

The first festival we’re in, we aren’t even getting any of the box office. (You read that correctly.)

The second festival is a  contest, and we’re hoping we win the prize money (and even more importantly, a full production next season), but it will not cover the monetary costs, let alone time I’ve spent thus far.

So, again, why would I do all this?

The fame, although a nice possible benefit, is not the reason. The legacy is part of the reason, but not the main part. The money is also part of it, as I believe artists should get paid, and paid well, for their valuable contributions to society. My voice is mine alone… and that’s the unique thing I’m bringing to the table and the market place. But again, it’s not the whole reason.

My main impetus is that I have something (my plays) that I think can really help people… can really touch people and change their lives.

The fame, the legacy, the money… those will all come as a result of the most important part, the people… the myriad of people involved in mounting each and every production, and the patrons who come and see each performance.  And the deeper I get into this business, the more I understand IT’S ALL ABOUT PEOPLE.

–Sue

Add comment June 5th, 2009