The Lottery was one of those stories I wanted to forget the first time I read it because it wasn’t pleasant. It was provoking and eery, but masked with love and friendship. I didn’t like how the people weren’t being torn between their “values” and what everyone else was doing. They went with tradition. But such is life, huh?
My director, Caleb, is…well honestly, I can’t figure him out. What I do know is I admire him for choosing to direct a controversial play. He approached it with ease, confidence, and creativity. There was a thankfulness in his eyes towards us as we completed each scene just the way he imagined it, because he knew it was hard for us. There was something about his way that made even the toughest moments comforting because he believed what we were accomplishing was good.
My friends lit up the moment they stepped on the stage. I do believe they see the world as their very own stage. It’s contagious to be around them and feed on their energy. No matter who they become as they step into the spot light, all their performing isn’t a facade. They risk failure and rejection, but they pursue raw emotion. They are genuine, they are fearless, and they believe in what they do. So I admire them.
I most admire art. How we can live in it. The message it sends is quite unmistakable to a person who seeks its meaning out. For The Lottery, and for it’s consequences and blood shed, we see normalcy and maintaining the status quo. Apart from it, we are out casts. So We bite our tongues and we throw the same stones, again and again.
It takes courage to get stoned. And it’s not always going to end up happy or good. People might stab you in the back and admonish you for choosing to perform such an offensive play. But some will see the important message behind it and be changed. There might be more con’s than pro’s and infamy might be the reputation you leave behind. You might change society, but it could also mean you lose the world. That you hurt. But you know you’ve chosen what’s right. You live knowing you did the right thing. You die without regret and no stones in your pockets.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
1 Comment
Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 4:42
I loved ya’lls performance in The Lottery but the Annie I know, if given the opportunity would showed herself as a girl set apart. I can just imagine you “in real life” coming to the “black dot” drawer’s rescue. You would get in their faces and passionately plead your case for GRACE above all else. You would be the catalyst for change. Others would rally behind you. I admire that quality about you. Remember, most of the world conforms to the way of the world. For a number of reasons, many will never accept change though it is inevitable.Unfortunately, there are fewer people on the narrow road — but hey, that is the one you want to be on! I know you did the play for a friend, but mark it up to an experience that is helping you understand the world you live in and helping you grow more and more beautiful everyday.