100 Miles For A Lifetime Of Memories
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THE WHO:
I have had the pleasure to be part of The Theatre Project family for over 7 years. My 13-year-old daughter, Camryn has been in over 50 productions with the group spanning all the different age/skill levels that they offer. From beginner level with the role of "Background Tree #2" to adult productions memorizing Shakespeare, Cam has rarely missed a show. The theater is her Happy Place.
My son Grant (age 7), is quickly following in his sister's footsteps. He loves being part of the group like his sister and has managed to wiggle himself into a few interesting roles in his short time tagging along.
In the time of my children being "The Talent", I have quietly filled the role of "Theater Dad With Time To Kill". Many evenings, you'll probably find me running circles around the studio waiting for rehearsal to finish. (More on the running thing later.) But just because I have lingered in the background running like a fool, doesn't mean I haven't learned a thing or two about The Theatre Project (or theater in general).
Theater people are passionate. Seeing a group of kids break out in an impromptu, a cappela, unrehearsed song from Les Mis just because a random stranger on the street asked if they do requests is a sight to behold. Little did he know that it is their favorite show (I have the video). Theater people are family. A point that has been made all the more apparent with our current pandemic where shows were rescheduled, routines disrupted, and just the idea of seeing "your people" has been snatched away. Recently, they have been able to resume rehearsals and a few shows, albeit with masks and social distancing and health department wavers and, and, and....and basically enough speed bumps that would make most normal people give up and say, "Enough, it's not worth it!" In the theater, you roll with it. The show must go on! The most important thing I've learned is that behind the scenes is where the magic truly happens. Theater people are resourceful. Theater has a way of finding "just enough". Just enough volunteers to wrangle the little ones to the bathroom during intermission or sell tickets at the door. Just enough spare cash to put the finishing touches on the costumes or sets. And most importantly, just enough sponsors to pay for renting a venue or to pay for production rights to the show (psst, that stuff isn't cheap).
ME:
OK so here's where I come in. I'm a runner. Not a good one mind you, think more water buffalo as opposed to gazelle. What I lack in speed or gracefulness though I make up in determination and endurance (and maybe a hint of stupidity). Like I said, my way to kill time is to just go for a run (13 miles around the high school track one rehearsal night....that's 52 laps). In the past 4 years I have completed numerous half and full marathons. This past summer I survived distances of 32 miles and 50 miles without too much emotional scarring. In my time running, I've learned that although I may not be able to go much faster, I can definitely go farther.
THE PLAN:
In April I am going to run the Zion 100, a 100 mile ultramarathon on the trails around Zion National Park. I have never ran 100 miles before and to most this sounds insane. They might be right but I know without question that I can do it. I most certainly will not win but I know that with the plan I have in place, I will at least finish the race. I have my own reasons as to why this race is important to me but I would also like to use my training as an opportunity to raise awareness to the need of groups like The Theatre Project and all that they provide for our children and community, especially in the uncertain times we live in.
THE GOAL:
I would like to raise $4000, enough to completely fund at least one show for The Theatre Project. Like I said, theater people are resourceful and always find "just enough" but for once I would like that they didn't have to. The passion and love that they give their members, family, and community is more than enough that I would like them to be able to take a breath and just worry about the art and not the money. I will be posting frequent updates here on the adventures of my training throughout the winter until the race in April. (Feel free to join and share the group) Outside, running in the dark and cold just to get my miles in? Sounds like fun! I may also add in a few special training runs along the way. That must be worth at least a few dollars, right? Ultimately, I look forward to the challenge of training toward something huge that I've never done before. I see it like the actors rehearsing for months for a show. The miles are like memorizing lines, blocking, or dance numbers. The journey of getting everything just right. And then when opening night (or race day) comes....it's showtime!
I have had the pleasure to be part of The Theatre Project family for over 7 years. My 13-year-old daughter, Camryn has been in over 50 productions with the group spanning all the different age/skill levels that they offer. From beginner level with the role of "Background Tree #2" to adult productions memorizing Shakespeare, Cam has rarely missed a show. The theater is her Happy Place.
My son Grant (age 7), is quickly following in his sister's footsteps. He loves being part of the group like his sister and has managed to wiggle himself into a few interesting roles in his short time tagging along.
In the time of my children being "The Talent", I have quietly filled the role of "Theater Dad With Time To Kill". Many evenings, you'll probably find me running circles around the studio waiting for rehearsal to finish. (More on the running thing later.) But just because I have lingered in the background running like a fool, doesn't mean I haven't learned a thing or two about The Theatre Project (or theater in general).
Theater people are passionate. Seeing a group of kids break out in an impromptu, a cappela, unrehearsed song from Les Mis just because a random stranger on the street asked if they do requests is a sight to behold. Little did he know that it is their favorite show (I have the video). Theater people are family. A point that has been made all the more apparent with our current pandemic where shows were rescheduled, routines disrupted, and just the idea of seeing "your people" has been snatched away. Recently, they have been able to resume rehearsals and a few shows, albeit with masks and social distancing and health department wavers and, and, and....and basically enough speed bumps that would make most normal people give up and say, "Enough, it's not worth it!" In the theater, you roll with it. The show must go on! The most important thing I've learned is that behind the scenes is where the magic truly happens. Theater people are resourceful. Theater has a way of finding "just enough". Just enough volunteers to wrangle the little ones to the bathroom during intermission or sell tickets at the door. Just enough spare cash to put the finishing touches on the costumes or sets. And most importantly, just enough sponsors to pay for renting a venue or to pay for production rights to the show (psst, that stuff isn't cheap).
ME:
OK so here's where I come in. I'm a runner. Not a good one mind you, think more water buffalo as opposed to gazelle. What I lack in speed or gracefulness though I make up in determination and endurance (and maybe a hint of stupidity). Like I said, my way to kill time is to just go for a run (13 miles around the high school track one rehearsal night....that's 52 laps). In the past 4 years I have completed numerous half and full marathons. This past summer I survived distances of 32 miles and 50 miles without too much emotional scarring. In my time running, I've learned that although I may not be able to go much faster, I can definitely go farther.
THE PLAN:
In April I am going to run the Zion 100, a 100 mile ultramarathon on the trails around Zion National Park. I have never ran 100 miles before and to most this sounds insane. They might be right but I know without question that I can do it. I most certainly will not win but I know that with the plan I have in place, I will at least finish the race. I have my own reasons as to why this race is important to me but I would also like to use my training as an opportunity to raise awareness to the need of groups like The Theatre Project and all that they provide for our children and community, especially in the uncertain times we live in.
THE GOAL:
I would like to raise $4000, enough to completely fund at least one show for The Theatre Project. Like I said, theater people are resourceful and always find "just enough" but for once I would like that they didn't have to. The passion and love that they give their members, family, and community is more than enough that I would like them to be able to take a breath and just worry about the art and not the money. I will be posting frequent updates here on the adventures of my training throughout the winter until the race in April. (Feel free to join and share the group) Outside, running in the dark and cold just to get my miles in? Sounds like fun! I may also add in a few special training runs along the way. That must be worth at least a few dollars, right? Ultimately, I look forward to the challenge of training toward something huge that I've never done before. I see it like the actors rehearsing for months for a show. The miles are like memorizing lines, blocking, or dance numbers. The journey of getting everything just right. And then when opening night (or race day) comes....it's showtime!
Organizer
Mark Leistico
Organizer
Grand Junction, CO
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