Why We Tell the Story

On Saturday night, I get to perform in the 2nd Annual Syd Riggs Scholarship Benefit Concert.  It's at Orem High at 6pm and 8:30pm.  It costs $15 for reserved seating and $10 for general admission seating.  It's going to be worth every penny you pay.

Don't come to see me.  I'm in the opener and closer with unpteen bizillion other performers and I'm also in another ensemble number.  It's a very small percentage of the whole.  A lot of great talent has been recruited for this event.

Mostly, come to support a scholarship in the name of an amazing educator and director that passed away too suddenly, too soon, and much too young.

I worked with Syd at Hale Center Theater in Orem.  She directed the productions of The Scarlet Pimpernel, Man of La Mancha, and Fiddler on the Roof that I performed in.  She taught me a lot about theater, about telling a story.  She taught me that when it comes to hobbies like theater, it's not worth doing if it's not fun.  She taught me that even when other important things are going on, it's important to take a minute to stop and watch a beautiful sunset.

I turned down an ensemble role in Brigadoon to be in a long-form improv. show elsewhere.  Although I think I grew more as an actor through the improvisation, I regret not being in Brigadoon, because that would have been my last opportunity to work with Syd, and I missed out.  On a Saturday night as Syd was getting ready to go to the theater to see her cast perform, she suddenly slumped over and was gone.  A pulmonary embolism had taken her life.

I still miss Syd, and probably will every time I think about theater.  I'm forever grateful to her for the things she taught me.  I'm thankful to be a part of the benefit concert on Saturday night, and I hope you will consider coming.