Bravo for Trying

In a small firm, we know a lot about each other’s lives. Who got a dog, who likes their in-laws, who just bought a house and learned that the plumbing isn’t working as expected. This past weekend was a first: one of ours staffers is in a play.

Without talking a lot about it, she’s been rehearsing for months, learning an English accent, and staying up till who knows when for tech rehearsals. It’s a tiny theatre – the kind that probably exists all over the country – and one I’d never heard of.

Then she invited all of us. Of course I went. I didn’t know what to expect, and at the last minute, wondered if I might have made a mistake. It was raining, and the tiny awning in the tinier street gave me pause, but we were already there, and committed. It turned out to be a great play – Tom Stoppard’s “The Real Thing.” There were only about 30 of us in the audience, and playbill included a flier in case we wanted to buy any of the furniture after the run closed. The snacks at intermission were $1, and at each show, the director picks a non-profit to receive the concession money; this time, it’s the ASPCA.

Our staffer, of course, was fantastic.  I wanted to give her a standing ovation, but it wasn’t that kind of place.  Big bravos, anyhow, for pursuing your passion outside of work.

- By Amy Bermar