What does it mean to create something “meaningful?”
I was writing plays about women or women’s events from history. Then I discovered Hallie Flanagan, the Living Newspapers, and their mission and influence on this country. That discovery opened a portal—and sent me into many nights of joyful research.
Documentary Theatre. The forms vary - actors repeating transcripts word for word, one performer embodying every character, or an ensemble building whole communities on stage - but they share one thing: the power to break barriers. Between past and present. Between artist and audience.
The Strange, Winding History of Birthdays
Like most traditions, birthday celebrations as we know them today are shaped by many layered histories.
According to HuffPost, the earliest known birthday reference appears in the Bible: a Pharaoh marks the day of his “birth,” likely referring to his coronation: the moment he was considered divine. In other words, the first recorded birthday wasn’t about the person; it was about the power.
Moments of Non-Reflection: Just Being
This got me thinking about the origins of April itself. Some believe the name comes from the Latin word aperire, meaning “to open”—symbolizing the earth waking up after the cold of winter. Normally, this would push me toward action and growth. But when I look at the buds on trees, I see that they stay still and patient before they open to the world. They sit. They wait. They listen to nature. And I’m reminded of how powerful moments of stillness can be, especially when everything around us feels like it’s rushing forward.