By Jackie Daley, Jim Lawrenson, and Lauren Marie Miller, Kidstock! Educational Artists
November is the month of giving thanks, so naturally we want to give thanks to one of our favorite things on earth: theater! In this space, we can be ourselves, grow, and learn. In the spirit of the season, we asked our team why they were thankful for theater in their lives. Here are some of their answers!
“I’ve made so many excellent memories and friendships through theater. I love living inside a story, the excitement of being in the wings with fellow actors between scenes, and the bonding that happens through being so playful and emotionally vulnerable with people. Theater and improv are great ways to make long lasting friendships!” – Jackie
“Theater has always been where I’ve found my people. I started community theater and theater classes when I was nine years old, and it has given me lifelong friends who I otherwise might never have met. I love the way theater can connect people across boundaries: I’ve worked with and made wonderful friends with people of different ages, different backgrounds, people from different states and cities, all through the magic of theater. To this day, my best friend is someone I met in community theater in my hometown.” – Lauren
“I’m very thankful for theater because I have no clue what I would be doing without the arts! I remember being a young kid obsessed with watching movies. I would watch the same movies over and over again. Jumping from one beloved actor to the next, needing to see everything they’ve been in. I’m also thankful for having a job in the arts and I make sure to dedicate time to the arts every week. I’m at the movie theater at least once a week. Sometimes you may find me behind a DJ booth. And when neither of those things are doing the trick, I spend my time collecting and sorting through vinyl records and discussing old films with my closest friends. Some people golf, this is what I do! It clears my mind and makes me happy. I’ve been thankful for theater, the arts, and thinking outside the box every year for 29 years!” – Jim
At the end of the day, theater is the reason why we are all a part of this wonderful Kidstock! community. We are so thankful it has brought us all together, and allowed us to meet and make art with so many great people. Happy November, and thank you for all you do to make Kidstock! the special place that it is.
About the Authors
Jackie Daley, Education Director at Kidstock! Creative Theater
Jackie Daley has been part of our management team and a Kidstock! educator and performer since 2017. She delights in directing, teaching, creating shows, and developing curriculum that fosters confidence, creativity, and empathy in young performers and storytellers.
Lauren Marie Miller, Educational Artist at Kidstock! Creative Theater
Lauren Marie Miller wears many hats, directing, choreographing, costuming, and performing in productions at Kidstock! and beyond. She holds a BFA in Media Arts Production from Emerson College and is pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University.
Jim Lawrenson, Educational Artist at Kidstock! Creative Theater
Jim Lawrenson is an actor, producer and writer from Wilmington, MA. Trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Jim has performed Off-Broadway and across the globe since 2017, as well as working as a producer with the Scranton Shakespeare Festival in Pennsylvania and local theaters in New York.
