"What does it take, To wake up a generation?"

As I was driving into the office I was listening to TICK, TICK, BOOM! and the lyrics took on a new meaning after the National Equality March yesterday.

"What does it take

To wake up a generation?

How can you make someone

Take off and fly?

If we don't wake up

And shake up the nation

We'll eat the dust of the world

Wondering why…

…Why do we follow leaders who never lead?

Why does it take catastrophe to start a revolution?

If we're so free, tell me why?...

…Actions speak louder than words"

When I was growing up in Nixa, Missouri, I never knew what to do. I knew I was gay but was afraid of rejection from my family and, worse, afraid of getting beat up at school. I was teased enough throughout high school and I had not told a soul how I felt. There was a classmate of mine who actually came out in school and was spit on and had to live on his own. The counselors at our school did nothing to help him, and I knew I was not strong enough for all of that. Then my sophomore year a gay college student was beaten and killed for being gay in Laramie, WY.

Yesterday at the March I met up with a bus that my good friend mine, Ed Reggi, brought in from Missouri, and on that bus were three Webster University Students. One was from St. Joseph, the place where I was born. I asked him when he came out and he said in high school, and I am hopeful that it seems to be getting easier.

People asked why I was marching, and my answer was equal rights. My brother was married over a year ago, and I want to be able to get married too, but for me it is not just that right that matters but just the fact that because we don’t have the rights as everyone else does make us less equal, and that translates to hate. It's hard to stand up to people in Nixa and say, "I am just as equal as you" when in fact the law says I am not and that makes them think it is okay to spit on us.

Homosexuals are just as equal as heterosexuals. Why should I have to live a lie so that some people don’t feel threatened? We don’t want to get married in a church that doesn’t want to marry us, but we should have the right to get married in a church that will. I would just want those kids in Nixa and places just like it to know that there is nothing wrong with them. You are born that way, and that is okay. You are loved, and people are standing up for you right now.

Yesterday at the March I think there were two very important points that were made. First, to President Obama, we need you to act now. We need you to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Secondly, we all need to do our part. Meet with Congress and let them know we are the people and we have the votes and money and if you are not with us we will not be with you. We will elect people that will support us and will get things done. Obama needs Congress to help us, so we have to help him.

I know I have ranted and raved and this blog is suppose to be about theatre and producing, but from time to time it becomes personal with the me talking about the death of a loved one or friend or about me having the same rights as others. I have about 200 people who read this blog, and I have to share and hope that I can motivate you to have conversations and take action so kids never have to grow up afraid and think something is wrong with them.

Ask My Friends - Living in NYC

Today we meet yet another fellow Nixian, Jessica Palmer. Jessica and I not only went to the same high school but we also both went to Webster University. She is such a sweet person and her talent and passion make her rise above many others. I asked Jessica to talk about living in NYC and what its like when you are just getting started.

“A few things I have learned since moving to NYC (2 years ago).

Time is of the essence, it reveals itself to you as an enemy or a best friend. Through prosperous and difficult times in the city I have learned that for myself I have to create my own every day STRUCTURE. Structure may come from a day job, a writing group you participate in, or a yoga class you take a few nights a week.You must create a life for yourself in the city in which you feel connected to the community that includes not only the theatre community but also communities such as those bozo yuppie types perusing used bookstores on the Upper West Side. There's plenty of room for you and your 5 roommates to join their book clubs!

Someone once spoke to my college acting class and said, "Be a TONKA truck." I interpreted that as "Do not limit yourself and your talent to any 'agreements.' “Yes, you have to absorb what you've read in college theatre textbooks, in books you've read about getting agents and so forth. However, absorb it, then stuff that information in the back of your closet with your poncho and break the rules, run people over. Who says you have to work "there" before working "here"?

Meet new people (then record their contact information in a database!), read lots of plays by getting a FREE library card, and go ahead... splurge on an AC unit for your apt. Augusts in NYC are brutal!

You may go through times where you lose a sense of your purpose, forget why you moved to the city in the first place. You have to put yourself first and take the time to regain your passion and ravenous need to be in the theatre. It's a holy place. But, it does not need tender loving care. It needs to have the door busted open by some hungry, crazed artist demanding to take it to the heavy side layer.”

Constantly Improving

Yesterday, I went to Silver Dollar City in Branson and ran into my High School Drama Teacher. He was working as an actor in one of the shows. Not to brag but Nixa High School is one of the best theatre departments in the state and I think it was impart to our teachers passion to continue working in the summer.

In college at Webster University our professors worked professionally as well as taught. I think this was another reason that program was set apart by others. They were constantly out in the field learning and improving there craft then sharing with students.

I think we can all do something to improve. Read a book, take a class or if you’re a student, get a summer job in your field. Those that work to improve will set them selves apart from the rest.