In just under 3 hours I’m heading to the airport to fly to Toronto for SummerWorks. This past week has been a mix of excitement, business, and a surprising amount of nerves. Questions keep racing through my mind: “What will I have to contribute?” “What if I’m too shy and can’t speak my mind in a room of outgoing people?” “What if they think I’m stupid?”
Two nights ago I sat down and re-read my application package, including the letters of support written by my friends & mentors. These letters express where I’ve come from and where I’m hoping to go even better than I am able to.
Travis wrote, “It was obvious when I was first introduced to Lois Dawson through our participation in World Theatre Day 2008, that the limits of her role were beginning to chafe. Her love of organization and the logistics of production propels her through a production process and her drive to always be working has made her an incredibly capable freelancer in what is quite nearly an impossible profession. But a stage manager’s status outside “artistic staff” leaves them without a voice in the process. When you are learning the business you can accept a voiceless role, as you mature and experience grants greater insights it becomes trying to stifle opinion. It is time for Lois to begin stepping out of the role she chose in university and into the role she is best suited for, that of producer.”
I guess that means it’s time to jump off this cliff.
That was the same night that I started packing. The first thing I packed was my “festival kit” (yes, that’s definitely the stage manager in me). What’s a festival kit? A small pencil case with pens, pencils, erasers, highlights, USB flash drive, chocolate, gum, hair elastics, bandaids, safety pins, a multi-tool, Advil, halls, and other small things that make a big different when needed. I tested it in my purse along with my iPad, a notebook, my wallet, and a water bottle. That will, I’m sure, be my normal festival supply. When I finished packing my whole suitcase I used my Nintendo Wii to weigh it and make sure I wasn’t over my limit. I’m not over it, but I might be more of a nerd than I realized. Who uses a video game to weigh their luggage? Apparently I do.
I’ve also spent the past couple of days trying to wrap things up at work so that we’ll be in a good place for me to leave. I’ve written a number of reports, compiled lots of data, sent a mountain of emails, and by 5pm today I had either checked off or delegated everything on my to do list. Now I need to let go of work and focus on the trip. Don’t worry VanFringe – I’ll keep checking my email while I’m gone.
I arrive in Toronto at 6am. I’ve planned my TTC route from the airport to my friend’s place. We’ve agreed to play tomorrow a bit by ear depending on how tired I am after an all night flight. But I’m excited. I’m anxious almost. I want to be there and see it all and do it all. There are friends to meet up with and so many things to do. I’m ready for this adventure. I want to learn.