Friday, November 20, 2020
Thanks and giving
Ghost Light | Chicago Reader: This unholy year is winding down (or so we're told), and as we veer between images of poop emojis and dumpster fires to do it visual justice, it's hard to remember that there are in fact things for which to be grateful. For me, that gratitude comes in the form of recognizing how many theater, dance, and performance companies have continued to create in the digital world—one that wasn't a familiar home for many of them before COVID-19.
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While I know this article was focused on the arts industry, and all we have done to keep giving to the arts, the community, and the audiences despite coronavirus shutting us down, I think the initial paragraph really stood out to me in this article. As we approach thanksgiving this year, there’s a lot that we can easily get wrapped up in and focus on the negatives, or what we got taken away from us rather than what we got. With this holiday season alone, many families and friends can’t gather and celebrate to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus, as we see a steady upkick of cases. Everything is still looking a little bleak. There are still so many unknowns right now- not just in the arts industry, but in life in general- and there isn’t a time in the near future where that is going to slow down. But even with all of that, there has been good. There have been things that we can still be thankful for, and we can continue to give back to those around us. This time is definitely putting thanksgiving in a new light for many Americans this year, and hopefully there will be a positive outcome of that.
I know personally I have had to get through 2020 by looking at it through the silver-linings of the year, something that can be difficult to find amongst all the losses but if I want to be able to get out of bed everyday (and there was a portion of the year where that wasn’t happening on the daily) I needed some sense of positive outlook. But I largely agree that the flexibility and creativity of the industry has really flourished in some ways, this of course came out of necessity but nonetheless has had some incredible results. One of my favorite instances that I have read about was the drive through opera being done in a parking garage, I think that would be incredible to go and see. In this regard I think the most successful things I’ve seen being produced came from a place of throwing out the rule book and creating something utilizing the circumstances as opposed to producing in spite of them.
I feel as though a lot of people, including this article, think that covid-19 will magically disappear come 2021. However, this is most definitely not the case, especially given how people are behaving and cases are at an all-time high. It is great that this article is being thankful for the forms on online theater available during this time, but there is still a hint of a negative and complaining undertone written in this. Though this is an article supposedly is about being thankful, there is a lot of whining happening regarding the lack of in-person theater. It also keeps discussing this as a 2020 issue, but it should not be. It is a world and life issue, and though their comments were heartwarming and sweet at points, there is still a harsh reality that people must face. And come Thanksgiving, I believe that people are using this as an excuse, reason, or solution to covid. But now more than ever should we make sure we are staying safe when many families are traveling.
I love this perspective! It’s been proving pen that gratitude can boost your mood and improve happiness. By keeping a gratitude journal, praying, or however you can list the things you are grateful for, it’s a great daily practice. Especially when the media and everyone around you is negative and fearful. And the fact of the matter is, there is going to be plenty more years with disasters and political and social turmoil. Remember 2016? We all though that was a disaster out year as well. It’s not cursed, it’s just life and we need to learn how to focus on the things going right so that we can enjoy life and not be so anxious all the time. I’m grateful for the time for reflection and evidence of humanity that the COVID crisis brought us. I’m great full for the increased focus on racial and political change. I’m grateful for the innovation tha was brought about by the need to adapt. I’m grateful for how accessible theater has become. I’m grateful for the silver lining of remote school: I can stay in my pajamas, I can lay down and turn off my camera during a long lecture, I can eat lunch while in class, I can go from meeting to meeting without leaving my chair and I can watch a full recording of class if I’ve missed it. Despite all that is wrong, we can always frind a reason to be happy.
I think I’m a pretty optimistic person in general, although this year has been taxing that a bit, and I think I needed this reminder that there’s still a lot to be thankful for. I was having a conversation the other day where we were talking about things we would appreciate more post-covid, and how there are certainly aspects of our life that we took for granted, like simply being able to safely see friends and family in person. I think a lot of people are going to struggle with this holiday season and the restrictions on it, and while it seems a little sanctimonious to go ‘look on the bright side’ all the time, there are certainly still things to be thankful for, even this year. It was nice to read about the positives of remote theatre specifically in this article, because we’re feeling so much (understandable) negativity towards it pretty much daily right now, and it’s nice to remember that it helps solve a few issues as well.
This article stuck out to me because, while yes, 2020 was a complete dumpster fire, I think there are always silver linings and things we can be thankful for this year, as we virtually gather to give thanks. I have been able to cope with the current circumstances only recently, the spring and summer were really hard for me, but now I know that we can get through this pandemic by looking for the light to make it a little better, and I also give thanks to the theatres who have offered virtual content online, and give even more thanks to those who are letting it stream for free. As an artist, I understand that “free” means that the artist won’t be paid for the views, but as a grad student during these difficult times, I really appreciate those who decided to make their productions accessible for all. Accessibility is a must to make sure we have people from diverse backgrounds in theatre, not just the white and privileged. So as I hold space on Thursday for gratitude, I will make sure to remember all of those who opened virtual door to keep us mentally safe during the pandemic.
Like everyone else has stated, this year was a true dumpster fire, but there is always a silver-lining. I’ve been using humor to mask how sacred I am about having a job in the future, because the pandemic won’t just magically go away. In an industry where people work so closely together, physically and mentally, things cannot go back to normal fully. Seeing what the virus can do to my close family members that have contracted it just makes me so antsy about people thinking people getting sick will just disappear. I know I will have some left over effects every time I’m in a huge group of people, or mainly just outside without a mask. I’m trying really hard to look at the silver-lining and I’m so happy art is still being produced, but that isn’t an excuse for anyone to start ignoring what is happening to people and their families whose health has been compromised by the virus.
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