John Guare would always hold a baby. Edward Albee would call to make sure we were okay. Sam Shepard assured Jim and I as we struggled that“ you will hit a vein.”
A few years ago Jim and I happened by the Bond Street space as The Signature Center was being built. Construction was also commencing on Bond Street, transforming it into a condo perhaps in a now fashionable neighborhood. We had been having an argument about something that day but we forgot it when we pushed open the doors. It was dark in the little room where so much happened. I was“ on stage” there on this meager, dusty, black floor. I remember waiting in the shoulder-cramping space between the back wall and the back of the set we called“ the wings.” Was this tiny basement area really our dressing room / backstage / greenroom? How could so much happen in such a small space? It was roughly the size of the smallest rehearsal room in the new Center.
“ I thought it was bigger,” I whispered to Jim.“ Me too.”
Even four years after its opening, the reality of the Center feels impossible still. How did it get so big? Then I meet friends in the lobby and sit in the dark as the play begins and it all shrinks down to the size of that little black box on Bond Street.
Recently, during the opening night for Old Hats, I left the party still in swing. My feet were tired. I have learned to let Jim stay longer than I. He loves it so. He came home a little later and joyfully played a video he had just taken of the party on his iPhone. By this time all the people over thirty had gone home. Remaining were the youngest of those new to their Great Theatre Quest. They are the age Jim and I were when we set out to be part of something bigger than us. The opening party had congealed to a single circle covering most of the lobby. In the center danced one or a couple of people, free, exuberant, while the others clapped and cheered them on. They all took turns as the circle remained around. Beyoncé’ s“ All the Single Ladies” complete with choreography. Sliver storm.
“ I wanted to jump into the middle of the circle and dance just to see their reaction,” said Jim as we watched the video. For a moment I pictured him trying to do the moves and the shocked reaction from the group upon seeing“ Founding Artistic Director” Jim Houghton being absolutely silly. It wouldn’ t have surprised me at all. But they may not realize we were once exactly like them. We still are. Every day we try to keep it going. Nothing has changed. I accept and give slivers. I am changed. I change others.
“ You were there, Jim, in the middle of it.” I said.“ I was there. We always will be.” n
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