There’s nothing like your first time.
It was 1987 and I was in third grade when I saw my first live musical. My big sister, Hilary, had a featured role in the Riley Elementary Fifth Grade Production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado. Although now seen as deeply problematic, historically The Mikado was a comedic send up of formal government institutions, society and politics, set in a fantastical Japanese world. My memory is of elaborate sets of a Japanese courtyard; actors in kimonos, wigs, and makeup; beautiful vocals and live music.
There is no way this is what actually happened.
Check out this chill girl at the bottom right wearing a “Top School Riley” hat in the local newspaper, fighting to keep her neighborhood elementary school open by comparing it to the hit movie, Top Gun. Spoiler Alert: they closed the school. Somethings never change.
This was a little public elementary school in suburban Atlanta without much of a performing arts program to speak of. The production was in the cafetorium. The accompaniment was a single upright piano. The cast was exclusively 10 and 11-year-old kids. The sets must have been hand painted, probably on cardboard. But my experience was of a professional-level production full of catchy songs, hilarious comedy, and high drama. I was in awe. I had never seen a live musical before and it blew my mind.
There is something about a first. The lack of expectations and context. The openness of your mind. The experience of an undefined category. Oftentimes my best experiences as an audience member are going in with little to no understanding of what I’m about to encounter.
As you get older, firsts can get fewer and farther between. You’ve been there and done that. The thrill is often gone. This is a big contrast to doing improv–every show is unique and, in its way, a first and a last. At the same time, after 25 years in Girls Girls Girls Improvised Musicals, I’ve done multiple shows set in libraries, schools, and shopping centers and can easily get that deja vu feeling. That’s why I lit up when we did a show for the kids at ZACH Theater, asked for a location, and got the suggestion of “Some Random Person’s House” THAT was a first—and a fun show.
On the flip side, one of the best things about being a parent is getting to re-experience things for the first time through your children. The first time they taste a pickle, put their feet in the ocean, or watch the Muppet Movie. It’s a vicarious thrill that makes the experience fresh for you too.
I am pleased to say I am now the parent of a two theater kids, both boys have roles in their middle school plays this fall. Getting to see them audition, rehearse, build sets, and perform in shows has a special thrill for me. Getting to see Sebastian in his first leading role as Father Ron Culpepper in Holy Mother of Bingo this January was such a treat. I’ve gone from drama nerd to theater professional to teacher to now full blown stage mom and president of the Ram Drama Booster Club–all firsts for me!
Sebastian as Ms. Trunchbull in Matilda, Jr
My son Sebastian, center in the black shirt and glasses, at a curtain call for his Middle School Show Holy Mother of Bingo.
I’m still getting some of my own firsts even after 26 years as an Applied Improv Practitioner. This year was my first time leading a group through Open Space Technology, a way for the attendees of a meeting to be able to create the agenda in real time. In Open Space events, participants get to discuss the topics that interest them, solve problems as a community, and connect with the people who share their passions or concerns. This is in contrast to traditional event planning, where organizers do their best to predict who will show up and what will interest those people six to twelve months in advance. With the high speed of change in our society, Open Space ensures the agenda is timely and applicable for those in the room. I experienced it for the first time over a decade ago at the Applied Improv Network Conference. Mixed in with the scripted keynotes and pre-planned breakout sessions, there were opportunities for Open Space. Participants pitch session topics in the Open Space Marketplace, which are then sorted into time slots in a makeshift schedule taped to the wall. Everyone is encouraged to use The Law of Two Feet: if you are not benefiting or contributing from a session, use your two feet to go somewhere else. It’s a freeing and non-hierarchical way to pull a diverse group of people together to solve big problems.
Before
Me, before facilitating Open Space Technology at The Big We
After
The complete Open Space schedule after the participants gave their pitches.
Surprisingly, after 23 years in business, for the first time I’ve booked three Open Space Technology sessions this year. It’s been a fun challenge to create a new slide deck, buy new supplies, and iterate to improve my process on this facilitation tool. As chapters end, new, unexpected ones begin. I haven’t had my last first yet.
BOOK A CALL WITH ME TO TALK ABOUT USING OPEN SPACE IN YOUR NEXT MEETING OR CONFERENCE →
