Finding ways to support my communities; both my personal community of friends and family, and the broader artistic community that I’m a part of here. I think we’re all just really struggling to figure out how to adapt to this new way of living. Bringing groceries to my parents is one thing, and trying to figure out how to create things with my friends is another.
What was most important to you before you had to social distance?
I was very much a person who was constantly going before. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s definitely made me stop and consider moments where I was going where I maybe didn’t have to be. The enforced stop that I’m under right now is making me wonder if I should be more grateful for it than I’m allowing myself to be sometimes. It feels very oppressive at certain times, but then also it feels like it could be a gift if I would let myself see it that way.
What’s the first thing you’ll do when this is over?
Washington just extended their stay-at-home order, so it’ll go past my birthday. I’ve never been a person who wants to celebrate my birthday, but I feel like maybe I will throw a birthday party as an excuse to see everyone.
What are you doing to pass the time?
I’m lucky that I still have some work. Work seems to stretch out and takes longer–it’s hard to be efficient–so in some ways I’m working to pass the time I think. I’m letting myself take longer than I would normally. Other than that, just reading and watching TV and movies. Not napping. I’ve been very strict about not letting myself nap.
What makes you happy right now?
I get dumb excited when I get to see someone’s face. I dropped groceries off for my mom yesterday, and from outside of the fence line was like “I’m so happy I get to see your face!” I have lots of friends who live in my neighborhood, so seeing them from afar has been really wonderful. Seeing people over Zoom that I don’t normally get to talk to, or even people that I do normally get to talk to I’m like “ugh, your face is so good.” Why don’t I look at people’s faces more? It’s so nice to look at people.
What would you tell yourself two months ago with the knowledge you have today?
I would tell myself not to change anything that I was doing. I was in the middle of rehearsing for an educational touring show, which has been cancelled now. I was preparing to play Hamlet. I would never go back and tell myself to not do all that work. I’m going to keep trusting that I’ll get to do that show sometime. The work is going to be worth it even though there’ll be a long period time where maybe it’ll be hard to believe that. I’m enrolled in an online Harvard class about Hamlet now!
