Spring Plays

If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. - Matthew 5:47 (NLT)

It's high school play time. I went to a hilarious play last night called Rumors at Nokomis High School (yes, for those who have seen Rumors, they cleaned up the language to make it more appropriate for a high school production). And I'm going to Once Upon a Mattress at my alma mater tonight.

The high school musical was a big deal when I was in high school. We didn't have a theatre department, so the musical cast was made up of lots of different people...those you'd consider jocks, geeks, preps, and flunkees (okay, only if they could keep their grades up for a few months). I enjoyed being in the musical so much that I've choreographed many high school musicals for my alma mater and enjoy watching my daughters in productions.

After any production I've been involved with, someone comments about a benefit of being in all-school musicals that not many consider when auditioning...coming in contact with so many people you'd otherwise not have contact. After my daughter's opening night last night, she said, "I would have never gotten to know a couple of these guys if we weren't all in the play." And we're in a small town with a small high school! I had the same experience. Most of the people I've stayed in contact with the most consistently after high school are not the friends I hung out with on a weekly basis but the ones I spent months of nightly rehearsals with, trying to solve problems, be creative, and entertain together.

The production experience was initially uncomfortable for many. They'd never been on stage, performed, memorized lines, developed a character, worn a costume or makeup. But their friends encouraged them to try it, or they heard is was a fun experience, or they were looking for a way to be out of the house most weeknights. Regardless of the reason, they ended up meeting new friends, often for a lifetime.

How will we come in contact with new people, people who are different from us, unless we step outside our comfort zones and try new experiences? Perhaps you don't have time to commit to a production, but what opportunities do you have every day to meet new people and begin to develop new relationships?

While you're busy with your everday routines this week, look for people who are different from you. Share a smile, or start a conversation. You never know who will become a lifelong friend!