One human's experience in the 'Rona' Era

I am sure that every person reading this will have been affected by the pandemic of 2020 in some way, shape or form. Below is my experience as I am a human and alive.

February:

I WAS CAST IN TOP GIRLS!

---

MY WORLD STOPPED March 16, 2020: The first read though for the play 'Top Girls' of which I was cast was just a few days away. Every other day I spent talking to artists while selling them supplies from the main staple art store of the Southwest, Artisan's Art Supply. I enjoyed working at this locally owned shop. Everyday I worked alongside the menagerie of co-workers and the egos of artists. We shared our worries about how and when the store will have to close up for health safety. The store's regulation went from a certain number of customers in the store to curbside assistance. Everyday the worry of infection made people distance. Artisan's last phase by Governor's orders meaning deliveries only.

THEY DELIVER!

SHOP ALONE - SHOP LOCAL

The 'Stay Home' alerts now buzz my phone reminding me of how different the world is. I am productive with my petal work for the first week. I started my largest project yet.

Will there be an audience when this is over?

WE ALL STAY HOME

March 18, 2020: I am home. Today was supposed to be the first cast reading for 'Top Girls'. I was so proud of myself in finding a way to a role. I accepted the offer to become Griselda, Kit, and Shona. Each character vastly different from the last. I was stoked at being able to practice changing characters during a performance. I received a timely email from the director letting the cast and crew know the meeting has been suspended until further notice. This performance challenge was giving me that adrenaline rush only a new learning experience can give. Now it was taken from me. I wanted to continue learning how to become these people even though there be no stage to present. The more I study the words, the more terrified I get. My mind wanders to the average age of every audience for theater. I had gotten used to the grey hair that filled the theater's lobby. I read over one of Griselda's monologue. The characters all speak of loss and I cry.

ONLY THE UNCERTAIN IS CERTAIN

April 11, 2020: I have lost the ability to care about having a job. I am surviving with unemployment and my partner has an 'essential' vocation. I do however feel like my emotional nap sack( Every actor has a word for this) is bursting forth and ready to evoke! Every day I am unsure of what the future holds. To feel security I follow a schedule to allow physical exercise, gardening, art work/creative hours, line study, accent research and many snack breaks. I enjoy my house and this schedule is working. It is keeping my mind off of the viral horrors that float outside. My brother takes photos of mass graves being built in the east.

We bury our dead and I can already see the bacteria that will return us all to soil feasting. The microbes munch. The flowers root and soon a park with a sentimental plaque will adorn the park's edge. Thanking all those who suffocated. So many humans are going to die. I want to be proud of humans and I like that we ALL are on a similar level of emotional turmoil, some more than others, but we all understand that change is being thrust upon us. I hope we will all rise to the occasion and FIGHT. Let us become better and learn. Every day is harder than the last but there is a silver lining. Though it may be morbid to some or mundane.

Humans are pretty good at adapting.

I am sorry to all humans who are suffering. You are a complex species and so the problems you face tend to be complex as well.

Stay Home

Stay Healthy

Stay Human