Oscar Night

Watching the Oscars I think about how my dreams in life have changed over the years.  I am reminded of childhood dreams of my own "star" moments as I see the glitz and glamor of interviews on the red carpet.  I feel a rush of empathy anticipating the proud and nervous moments of artists publicly accepting recognition for their work. Sure, I'm still a fan of the glitz and glam (did you read the Moulin Rouge post?) and I enjoy when my work is appreciated, but my idea of what it means to be an artist has expanded so much since my days of childhood fantasy.

At one point I really yearned for the accolades that come with being an "A-lister;" that is no longer the case (not that I'd necessarily turn it down either!).  I find myself happier now that I feel a sense of knowing that I am, in fact, an artist.  I feel more fulfilled than when I viewed artistry as something on a pedestal that I wished to reach but perhaps did not expect I would fully realize.  I am blessed right now to be in an artistically ripe time in my life.  Dancing Nia and beginning to teach classes has opened me up to experience dance in ways I did not previously imagine.  I'm singing more.  Opportunities in theater are popping up again.  I feel like I am finding a home for the artist in me here in Albany.

On Friday I went to see two dance concerts at The Arts Center of the Capital Region, (where I have also recently been asked to do some work teaching theater...more to follow...).  All the pieces were choreographed and performed by local area dancers.  I felt just as inspired watching their artistry as I did tonight watching Charlize Theron grace the stage in Waltz, or Jennifer Hudson destroy (and I mean that in the GOOD way!!!) "And I am Telling You," or the entire cast and crew of Les Miserable sing their medley.  I felt connected to these artists watching them - to their art - and to the artist inside myself.

Perhaps the most inspiring moment for me tonight was the acceptance speech for the documentary short "Inocente."  In brief, the documentary is about an artist's journey from homelessness to living her dream.  I was grateful to be watching because I might have otherwise been unaware of her story and the powerful reminder that it gave me that art has power, dreams have power, and people have the power to touch others with their stories and art and transform lives.