Mark Twain once wrote, “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these account. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” I wanted to start my journey to Ireland off right by establishing a goal of being open-minded and receptive to new people, perspectives, and experiences. This quote seemed to perfectly encapsulate the rational behind that aim. And so I proceeded: Fearlessly. Joyfully. I quickly learned that our trip to county Cavan for a theatre intensive would not only allow me to fully put these motivations to the test but also take, not just a step, but a leap outside my comfort zone.
Stay South at the R191 Junction. Population 1137. I’ll bet you don’t get ten paces along the length of downtown before someone asks where you come from. Cue “One of these things is not like the others…One of these things just doesn’t belong” In a town so small it’s evident that, out of sheer necessity, people learn to craft their own form of entertainment, and let me tell you, this community has it down to a science.
Tea Tally 1.
In Mulagh they ask you to check your inhibitions at the door. And the product? You might ask. A child-like playfulness. An intense vulnerability composed of:
Quick Quips. Bodies contorted. Welps unexpected. Noises never before uttered.
Feet stomping. Sticks pounding. Glances straying. Eyes pleading.
Acts that could be seen as painstakingly embarrassing become light and laughable under the guise of theatre.
Tea Tally 3.
I’ve realized that it takes very little more than sheer willingness to bring people together, or perhaps alternatively, maybe it says a lot more about the people that we brought together. My impression? Dumbfounded and impressed simultaneously as I saw an unparalleled level of creativity and commitment from a group with little to no theatre experience prior. Inner personalities unleashed and already fiery personalities amplified. Coached by a team of directors with limitless patience, enthusiasm, and generosity to share their personal expertise. In fact, they seemed willing to do almost anything to translate the importance and immense power of drama onto our malleable little minds.
Tea Tally 5. Coffee Needed.
And by the end of weekend, they had more than accomplished that goal. We had experienced every step of the process: writing, stage directing, acting, viewing, and critiquing. It’s not often that you get to see progression in such a short amount of time but it seemed that even in a mere two day period I had witnessed my peers learn to strike a balance between mind and body in their portrayals—to project sincerity without encountering cheesiness.
Tea Tally 6.
And so I find myself returning to Twain’s words–no longer a vegetable, stagnant in one place. Although it was undeniably a fruitful experience for everyone involved (bananas included)! A little town in another corner of the world had taught me more in one sitting than I ever could have imagined. In Mulagh they ask you to check your inhibitions at the door…and in fact you do so willingly.