I couldn’t decide what to write about today. I thought, maybe I’ll write about how small the theatre world is. Maybe I’ll write about our next book club book. Maybe I’ll talk about the Synergy panel I served on last weekend. Maybe I’ll write about how I’m spending Thanksgiving at Harry Potter’s Magical Kingdom (I know that’s not the name of it, but it’s clear in my mind). Maybe I’ll write about the state of theatre education in Florida or the importance of development/fundraising for small non-profits.

All of those other things will need to wait…Harry Potter’s Magical Kingdom it is! Since Kristen has been humming Hedwig’s Theme, it seemed appropriate.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. My family celebrates in a BIG way. The food is absolutely delicious thanks to my (lovingly nicknamed) “tiny grandma,” and there’s always laughter and crazy songs and hugs and support and sweaters and pumpkin pie. I’ve already made this idyllic. You’re invited next year.

However, this year I am unable to fly home for Thanksgiving. Yeah, it bummed me out too, but we’re busy here! We’ve got rehearsals the next day and it didn’t seem practical. I decided to make these lemons into the most delicious lemonade imaginable: I’m spending Thanksgiving at Harry Potter’s Magical Kingdom instead! (If you haven’t seen the movies or read the books, hang in here with me for a second.) A day of butter beer and roller coasters and hippogriffs and scarves and wand choosing and Hogsmeade and the Hogwarts Express and Hedwig and entertainment!!! Sign. Me. Up.

My soon-to-be Harry Potter adventure made me realize that all of us work so hard in our day-to-day lives, even those of us lucky enough to work in the theatre. I’m really looking forward to spending a day with some of my co-workers just enjoying their company and something silly together. Even though we won’t get home for Thanksgiving, we are going to have a fantastic time. And isn’t that something theatre has taught me? Find joy in the little things. Find excitement in the plot developments of life. Experience things fully and don’t get so caught up that you forget to be happy. Even Dumbledore said, “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” Well said, sir. I’m trying not to forget that.

So, blog readers, I encourage you to do something fun today. Something that makes you laugh. Something that lightens your heart and something that encourages you – and, boy, do I know a theatre that would love to help you do just that!