Director's Notes
Keeping up with Truman’s theatre reputation has been a challenge that I wanted since I was a teen. The pressure and feeling of making Lou proud and to have the community love a show as much as we, the cast and crew, do is always a lingering concern that disappears once we see our support pour in from all over. We knew early on that this show was and IS special for so many reasons for everyone who was a part of this production and who sees the show.
I, along with the cast/crew of KINKY BOOTS, had to examine a number of topics addressed in the show that are way too prevalent in the world we inhabitant. Judgement….we are ALL guilty of it at one time or another. We’ve been raised in a world that encourages unhealthy comparisons, thoughts, and competition on every level. As we worked on the show, most of our views altered and we could recognize that everyone has good to offer and that negativity/judgement has no home in Truman Drama.
Negativity. There is a difference between sharing a vent and complaining. This was a struggle for me. Adults seem to find a camaraderie in complaining. I hate using cliches but… honestly folks, being a part of the problem and not the solution is EXACTLY what complaining has become in our society. Oversharing and public venting has taken over conversations and grateful discourse. Any small step to change this mindset is what we hope this musical does. As an educator, this has become a priority in my classroom. Simple: be grateful for something, someone, anything each day.
Kindness and gratitude. Over the past few years I have not hidden the fact that a shift in perspective to realize how lucky we are is a priority in my life. I feel KINKY BOOTS was presented at the perfect time for me, my students, Truman and this community. Lola and Charlie are representations of people we all know: trying to please their parents, figuring out their adult life, dealing with loss, unhappiness and eventually finding their happiness and purpose.
You. We appreciate the consistent support we receive from our audiences. Without you this beautiful piece of art would not have been given the energy and life perpetuated over the past few months as we worked up until this point. Thank you to MTI for granting us this amazing opportunity, our school board for supporting, our friends and family for dealing with our incessant singing, Jerry Mitchell, Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein for bringing these amazing characters to the Broadway stage and to BBC for doing a documentary on the WJ Brookes shoe factory.
Lola quotes Oscar Wilde in the show "Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken".... and as we all should try to do each day...BE KIND.
Love to this cast/crew and my staff for joining me on this KINKY journey!! Love to my people, you know who you are, for dealing with the fires, mountains out of molehills, and continual theatre talk!
XOXO,
Tracey
