Sunday, September 26, 2010

The Lookingglass Theatre Company

The Lookingglass Theatre Co.

A week ago, I started my 3-month internship with The Lookingglass Theatre Company.  I will be working in the Development and Fundraising department. I learned about this theater company through all my various trips to and from Chicago over the last few months. Ironically, I said to my friend Steph a few months ago that I wanted to do what she does, which is fundraising for a hospital, but do it for film or theater. And now, low and behold, I find myself every Monday and Tuesdays, on the 22nd floor of the Hancock Building on Michigan Avenue, which is the HQ for The Lookingglass Theatre Compnay.

I have been a fan of the theater arts for a long time.  I studied theater in college and was in a play or two. So, I could take this opportunity to discuss my unhappiness over how many arts programs through out our nation's schools are being cut, but I won't.  I could talk about the importance of having good art programs in your neighborhoods and communities, but I won't. What I will talk about is the good that can come from art.

The Lookingglass was co-founded by David Schwimmer, a.k.a Ross off "Friends".  Last year, The Lookingglass performed one of his plays he co-wrote called "Trust".  I won't go into all the details of the play, but the play takes on the issues of rape, on-line predators, and the repercussions of what rape does to the victim, what it does to the victim's family and the hardship and utter brokenness it brings to everyone involved. After each production, The Lookingglass, had counsellors waiting outside the auditorium doors and any and all patrons who felt they needed to talk to one of these counsellors could for free. And I am told, that after each performance of "Trust",  many young females and or families took the opportunity to talk to these counselors. This is beautiful to me because they might have never talked about their experience had they not gone to see "Trust". Or rather, not felt the freedom to do so had they not gone to a play that openly discussed such a hard issues, their issues.  After hearing about this, I was so proud to be part of this company.

This is what art can do. It can bring out into the light the things we don't want to talk about, but needs to be talked about. It can be a voice for those who don't feel they have one. And if done correctly, it can provide help and a place of shelter and healing.

So, when you are thinking about what to do on a Friday or Saturday night, I urge you to consider the theatre. I’m not asking you to even go, I am simply asking you to consider the theater. That is it!

Lesson learned this week: There IS beauty in everything.


K!


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