On Stage!

At a time in our lives when world conditions are such that human values have to be redefined and re-examined, we tend to place new value on the spiritual beauty of people coming together, blending, and uniting, in various ways without judgmental restrictions or conditions. We are aware of elements in life which draw humans apart, segregating them into groups, factions, and even into isolation. In cultured societies as well, lines are drawn, boundaries are recognized, social and economic tiers emerge, which variable affect the human condition.

            Progress has been made in some areas to advance the human condition. Particular religious movements have indeed brought humans together through spiritual communion. Political unions have had success in national and international concerns, striving for freedom, equality, political, and social reform. Separatism, however, continues to stifle many, even in its most subtle form.

            Within each of us is a human instinct for creative expression and fulfillment, which initiates an energy and desire that leads in many directions. Such paths of expression will guide people into various fields of endeavor. They may be for social advancement, vocational appeal, political status, monetary gain, power of sorts, and, of course, others, defined or undefined.

            Many individuals subjugate their instinctive creative urge as they compete for recognition and advancement in unfulfilling and dissatisfying enterprises. They devote lengthy, stressful days, months, and years in the blinding pursuit of the income alone, thus, thwarting and stifling the creative element each of us possesses from the moment we are given birth into our world.

            Bar cars of commuter trains to and from urban centers will provide evidence of the deep dissatisfaction existing in many individuals mired in an unfulfilling vocation. Such bar cars appeared, to me, to be the most populated of all railroad cars that I encountered in my daily travel to my New York City office at the time. Before and after stress filled days of work, the drinkers fully occupied those bar cars to the point of SRO, standing room only! I was truly astounded to note that they were also well populated in the morning rides to the urban center, as imbibers sought liquid reinforcement for the ordeal ahead.

            Gratification, creative satisfaction, self expression are among the cherished requirements for one’s fruitful existence. When the realization occurred to me by continued observation, while passing through the bar cars to seek an empty seat, my curiosity had been aroused.

            I, too, was commuting to an office administrative job in New York City, which had little personal appeal. The rehearsal of the stage production I was involved with at the time, spiritedly propelled me through the office routine. Thankfully, that office experience was temporary.

            Brief encounters with some drinkers in a bar car contributed to the plot I had begun to nurture in my mind. I simply had to gather evidence of what was the motivating cause of the constant drinking, addiction not withstanding. I was an actor who was interested in this behavior pattern, for we are, as performers, natural students of behavior. Stage artistry is based purely on human behavior and circumstance. So, I probed.

            An occasional empty seat would gain my attention while passing through a crowded bar car. Sitting by am imbiber, I attempted casual conversation with occasional success. Some would indeed comment on the nature of their jobs. I would then assume the acting role of compatriot sharing similar circumstance, thus encouraging further disclosure on their part. Stress and tension were dominant factors. A few admitted to enjoying the challenge and the stress. The majority of them, however, firmly admitted to the distaste of daily, unrewarding routine, but liked the money they were earning.

            There were times when the conversation flavor allowed me to comment in a subtle manner about particular personal elements, such as height, quality of speaking voice, or similar factors. I then informed them of my own theater involvement and queried as to their possible involvement in their local community theater company. I was striving to encourage their investigation of an existing local theater for themselves and mates. It would be a way for them to counter the dull routine of their daily vocations with the fun of acting, singing, dancing, building scenery, working on stage lighting, sound, writing newspaper releases, photographing, designing advertising posters, meeting wonderful people, making many new friends; pure enjoyment.