Have you ever picked up a wonderful and lovely friend in the baking aisle of the grocery store without actually knowing who you were picking up at the time?
I don't usually grocery shop at 4 p.m. on Saturdays, but this Saturday in late May almost a decade ago, I was doing just that. I was in the baking aisle, probably picking up a brownie mix because I don't do much else in the ways of baking, when an acquaintance stopped to talk with me. She started with the usual greeting and then asked where I lived with a speculative gleam in her eyes. I realized we were headed somewhere, but I wasn't sure where. She then asked, "Would you host someone from Festival 56 for the summer?" Ah. That's where we were headed. It was a seemingly simple question.
Quick Assessment
In for a penny
I quickly assessed the possibilities, the obstacles, and the promises I had made to myself. The previous year I had spent 50 weeks completing random acts of kindness and giving to others. I had sworn to myself that just because the 50 weeks were finished didn't mean that looking for those opportunities to give would end. I had sworn that I would say "yes" to all the opportunities that I had the ability to fulfill.
So, the quick assessment ended in a "yes" to the acquaintance in the baking aisle. "Yes," I said, "I would be happy to host a Festival 56 cast or crew member." The acquaintance then said somewhat hesitantly, "They'll be arriving next week."
In for a penny, in for a pound, I thought. Once I've committed to something, I rarely turn back. "No problem," said I, knowing full well I really didn't know how I was going to accommodate a guest in my house for eight weeks. The acquaintance noted my contact information, and then I finished my bi-weekly grocery shopping.
Only Blocks Away
Overloaded with stuff
I had been asked to host because of my home's location. As any real estate person will tell you, it's always about location, location, location. My home is only blocks away from Festival 56 central. Its location allows my house guest to walk or ride a bike to any of the Festival 56 rehearsal or stage locations. That means I can house someone who comes to the area without a vehicle. My home is also a good option for another reason: no pets that arouse allergies. In addition, as a single-person household, it is easy to assimilate another person into its space.
However, that first year that I hosted a cast member, I faced a difficulty with that space. The house does have two bedrooms, but one of them was overloaded with boxes and stuff - I honestly don't even know what used to be in that guest room. I very clearly remember though that I did not put my actor in the guest room that first season.
Lucky Break
At least it had a bed
The guest room was littered with who-knows-what-kind-of-space-hogging stuff and had carpet and paneling from the 1970s in it. In fact, a person could barely get to the bed - at least it had a bed though. LOL. There was no way I could let a guest stay in that room at that time.
So, I moved from my closet and dresser drawers everything I thought I could want or need for the next eight weeks into the guest room because I had no time to get the guest room into any semblance of a welcoming space for a stranger. I then handed over my own bedroom to my very first fantastic Festival 56 house guest.
Actors, Costume Designers, and Prop Masters
Oh my!
Now, we are in the middle of another Festival 56 summer season - its 20th anniversary. While I was late to the party and have only enjoyed being a part of Festival 56 fewer than half of those years, I am grateful that I went shopping at 4 p.m. on that Saturday almost a decade ago. My world has grown in so many ways.
My guests have been actors, costume designers, and prop masters. They have come from places all across the country from California to New York to places in between the coasts. Three of them returned for a second season's stay at my home. A couple of them have stopped in to see me on their way through to somewhere else. Some are still heavily involved in theater while others are enrolled in medical school.
Sharing Times
Gratitude for connections
I have met some of their families, some of whom have lived celebrated lives. I have been invited to weddings. I have received birthday greetings and gifts from these guests long after they resided here with me. They have been here when my house was under construction including new siding one year and a whole new porch another year. They have celebrated my family's birthdays with me, and we have shared meals with one another for no particular reason. We have had marvelous discussions about so many things including current events and our dreams.
My house guests have shared so much with me; I have received so much more than I have given. I am forever grateful to have made connections to so many people because it's not just the house guests themselves, but their Festival 56 friends and family, too, who have been a part of my whole Festival 56 experience.
Another Summer Season
A new guest
It's summer, so you can rest assured that I have another awesome sauce Festival 56 guest in my house even though I had my doubts about hosting this year because of other plans that were in the works. Those plans didn't pan out, which ends up being OK because otherwise I wouldn't have met my current guest. I also wouldn't have met him if I hadn't said "yes" to hosting an actor almost a decade ago in the baking aisle on a Saturday late afternoon.
It's another Saturday afternoon, and I'm heading to the grocery store soon. Do you suppose this trip will have such a long-lasting effect on my life like that late afternoon shopping trip did several years ago?
Sending you a baking aisle full of goodness and sweet goodies for today and years to come,
Angela Jane
P.S. Another perk from saying yes to Festival 56 is I sometimes get to practice with my camera by shooting the productions. Apparently, I’m rather fond of shooting shoes (smile).