A love letter from the new girl…

I am sitting here trying to think about how best to begin for the blog assignment.

How best to describe what I have found upon my entrance to SLC, how lucky I feel to be accepted into this wonderful community, how much I admire the talented people I have met, how proud I am to work in this ensemble and represent this work…

I did not know what to expect coming here.  I never imagined that I would be working in such a beautiful place – from SLAC’s  inviting theatre to the darling neighborhood beyond to the majesty of nature that surrounds that, to work in such a place is a blessing.  More than that, to be surrounded by a group of some of the best actors, designers  and producers I have met yet, all of them also generous and kind and talented beyond measure. AND most of all, to work on a play that speaks so deeply to all of us, reflects our weaknesses and strengths. Addresses the politician, the addict, the sick, the selfish, the mystical and cosmic. A work of such depth and relevance in these difficult political days, a play that makes each of us ask how far we’ve come…To redemption, to faith, to love, to justice…and how much farther we must go to find those things, not only for ourselves, but our nation. A play that makes us want better for ourselves  - A play that may inspire all of us to be Angels in America…

I gush, I gush…I know, but…

I feel it is a privilege and luxury, to be employed by a wonderful, professional theatre in it’s 40^th year, to work in such a talented and bountiful artistic community, to represent important works to an intelligent, thoughtful; supportive community.  And I get to live in these beautiful mountains.

I understand Sister Ella Chapter when she says that this place “glimmers and glitters like heaven in the sunshine.”  The glimmer and glitter is provided by the amazing artists that reside and work here and the community that supports them.  Everyone in the country should know about the depth and talent of the SLC artistic community.  Everyone should see the grandeur here.  My hope, as I live here throughout the coming years, is to see SLC grow in esteem as an artistic community.  To see other artists, playwrights and actors seek themselves here, and to see the talent that thrives here get more opportunities for growth and paying jobs.  Who knows how long these stars will be in my eyes?  Maybe my glasses are rose colored, but I see the “spring of sweet water in the desert”, too.  And my hope is that someday, everyone will.

And there is my love letter.

Nell