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From the Director / Playwright
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Director / Playwright: Juanhe Tan '13 |
Someone told me before this whole thing got underway that by the time I'm done directing this play, I'd become a real man. Of course, I kind of thought I was already a man back then. Still, her words have an element of truth to them. Being a director's been more difficult than I thought it would be, but I've learnt so much in the process. And the thing I'm most thankful for is that every step of the way, I've met wonderful people who've helped me along a great deal.
To me, theater is special because it's a group effort. Unlike photography or poetry or painting, theater is an art form that requires the combined efforts of not one but a whole host of individuals, ranging from the actors to the tech crew to the production team. In order for a play to be successful, all these individuals need to be on the same page. They need to synchronize their actions and emotions, they need to share the same vision, and they need to believe in each other. And although so many of us have never had theater experience before, I think we've gone a long way |
in these respects. There's a mysterious energy in theater that comes and goes unpredictably, which can make or break a show. As a first-time director and playwright, I really want to thank everyone in the team for their trust and support in helping to maintain that energy. There have been so many times when I didn't know exactly what to say or to do, and without everyone's commitment and dedication, none of this would have been possible.
As for this play specifically, I hope that most of what I want to say comes through in the performance itself. Perhaps I'll just say one thing here: to me, waiting is all about being at a time you don't want to be at. It's an action (or inaction) whose significance seems to be defined by what happens before and what happens after, not what happens during. We spend so much of our lives waiting, wishing for a better time to arrive. But I think at least we can draw comfort from the fact that we're all in it together.
So ultimately, will this play change your life? Probably not. Will it teach you anything you don't already know? I wouldn't bet on it. But I hope that at the very least there'll be one moment – just one will do – during the next two hours at which you'll understand completely and without a doubt – just like I have so many times this past month or so – that you are not alone.
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