The Breath on a Mirror

Production photo from The Carnegie’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2020)/Photo by Mikki Schaffner of Mikki Schaffner Photography

One year ago, I made an observation regarding the transitory nature of theatre; aptly quoting “It all just disappears doesn't it...like breath on a mirror.” It seems all to pertinent to hearken back to this memory now, one year later, when theatre itself seems like it is nothing more than this breath on a mirror, once so visible and now, evaporated into memory.

Although, my words may seem to conjure a feeling of dread or calamity; that is not my intention. Instead, I come to you with an offer of hope. Our work, our art, in the theatre has always been something that has a longer life in the memories of those that experience it.

For us, a rehearsal process may be a week or two; followed by the run of the production. For our audiences, it is even shorter; one night. For them usually an hour or two. The physical interaction with our art is short, but the power of theatre has never been in its physicality. Its power endures in how it touches the hearts and minds of those that experience it.

It is my fervent belief that a single performance has the power to leave a lasting memory that will never be forgotten. Not every show must strive to be that impactful, but every show must recognize that it could be.

Theatre is like the breath on the mirror. It might be gone now, but it will return. In some ways, it has still endured by professionals tirelessly working to adapt and create new ways to create through adversity. When this storm has passed, as all storms eventually do, we as theatre artist will have the opportunity to rebuild and create in our art form again.

Till then, let the ghost lights shine in our absence. We will return.