Steppin Out

Last week, Shawn and I attended the 2009 Ivey Awards - the annual event which celebrates the best of Twin Cities theater. Our evening was filled with exciting events including a pre-show VIP party, preferred seating at the awards show in the State Theater (3rd row!), and an after-show party in LaSalle Plaza. Apparently there were over 4,000 people in attendance and the entire night was full of laughter, applause, and good energy.

During the course of the evening I ran into old friends and former cast members from shows in my past (namely, summers at Paul Bunyan Playhouse :o), and I even connected face-to-face with some of my most recent Facebook virtual friends! Good times. I was reminded many times throughout the evening how much joy the theater brings to people - regardless of generation, occupation, or level of interest, theater has something for everyone. Plus, the entire evening was about celebrating people - those on the stage as well as those in the audience. Whenever you celebrate people you will feel a sense of flowing gratitude both from those giving recognition and those receiving it, and gratitude is the most sincere form of thanks. Right on!

Seems like I've been traveling to the Twin Cities each weekend for one reason or another this month and each time it's been such a pleasure - perhaps because I'm not living there and you know how that goes: once you don't live somewhere it's so much more exciting to visit!

Happy Autumn, all!

The Ambassador