The rainbow slides and lemon aid falls
of work-life balance in the theatre
we strive for a life in the theatre
not a work in the theatre
though there are works of theatre
but I have made my life in the theatre
I share not my work with my life
I have work in my life
no wait, I have a life in my work
so inextricably linked a vocation
a rainbow slide into
my life’s work

Everyone has the right to debate this statement, and this will certainly require a little framing, but I do not believe in “work life” balance. I do “work” in the theatre, but it is also a part of my DNA, a life in the theatre. The world is a crazy mixed-up quilt. Nobody promised me Monday – Friday with weekends and holidays paid. In fact, I have gone out of my way to work hard to become who I have become. A theatre professional. My family is not my “work”, they are another part of my beautiful life. My animals, my home, my hobbies are all parts of my life, just as the theatre is a part of my life. I find balance in these different areas of my life by connecting fully to only them in the moment. I work toward not to think about a show’s task or a work conflict when I am with my family (admittedly mobile phones have made this challenging). There is a Buddhist tenet that requires you to focus on the present moment, “when you polish the stone, polish the stone” (brought to my attention by a friend who was introduced to this concept by his brother-in-law who was a monk). I try to not let my life in the theatre cloud the other aspects of my life but rather enhance them.  If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with … maybe the Buddhist say it better than Stephen Stills …

As a stage manager we clock more hours in the rooms because our job relies on communicating with all the disciplines to stay in step, or dare say, stay ahead of the curve. I admittedly struggle with the being “ahead”, so I tend to spend a ridiculous number of hours present & listening. I envy those stage managers with their facile minds that can arrive with a clear plan right before the actors or director arrives. However, you work to achieve your excellence, try to remember shows are temporary (for most of us that have not found themselves or desire to be on a multi-year veteran of a mega hit). Each show must be welcomed into your life and cherished while you discover all the newness of each relationship.

While no individual should ever feel exploited or abused by a schedule, try to remember that you are building a living piece of art and it takes time and that creation time is compressed for a variety of reasons.