Luke Skywanker
[theater] Something feels different. Maybe it's that we've been away for two years, and everyone's just that much more grateful. But this year I'm just gettin such a feeling of community from the response to the show.
Luke Skywanker
I just got a message from someone who brought their 8 year old autistic son who is obsessed with Star Wars but very literal and they prepped him by showing him production photos and the videos from previous years and he got through it and they were just so grateful to the cast for talking to him afterwards.
OhCecilia
that sounds flipping lovely
Luke Skywanker
And I have just had so many people bring me personal stories about how long they've been coming, and who they've brought, and like, who they have lost who wanted to be here and... jeez.
Luke Skywanker
Just so many people taking time to tell us what it means to them.
Luke Skywanker
And the cast, too. Being up front with why they like working with us.
Luke Skywanker
And I think, as well, Joy and I have a better sense now of WHAT we are doing and WHY, whereas for the first several years it was just, you know. Instinct. I think we understand what we are better, now.
Luke Skywanker
It really feels like we're on the point of taking another step. Somewhere.
Luke Skywanker
We didn't have a direction before beyond, "let's do another."
Luke Skywanker
But this year feels different?
Luke Skywanker
Like, we have figured out why we're important and can now sit down and figure out what to do with that and what it means.
Luke Skywanker
I have seen SO many repeat people this year. Both repeats THIS YEAR and also people who have been coming for YEARS. Wearing our old shirts. Bringing their kids who were infants when they first started.
Luke Skywanker
Today I got to involve a 5 year old boy in the show itself who apparently I got a photo with as a tiny thing.
Luke Skywanker
(I asked before hand if I could do this, but when the rancor came after me I sat next to him, pulled him onto my lap, and used him as a human shield. It was great. He was tickled.)
Luke Skywanker
But yeah, it might sound funny but I think we understand waht we're doing in a way we just... didn't before.
Luke Skywanker
we were just DOING IT
Luke Skywanker
and now we've done it enough to look back and say, "okay this is what we are."
Luke Skywanker
Because NOW we are able to look at how we are different from other companies.
Luke Skywanker
But it's funny to me because it wasn't all conscious. We weren't like, "how can we be different?" We were like, "this is what we want to do." And little by little, we built something that people like. Really like.
Luke Skywanker
I haven't counted the money from tonight yet. BUt I think it's a lot. I think we'll have over 10K gross for the 8 shows. Then you have to subtract paying the actors and paying for the tshirts and whatnot. But. It's still amazing.
Luke Skywanker
Because we do not charge at all. For any of it. You can take a shirt if you want to! No one does.
Luke Skywanker
OhCecilia
: It really meant a lot to me. I will read it to the cast tomorrow and probably cry.
Luke Skywanker
I cry a lot doing this show.
Luke Skywanker
I get easily overwhelmed with the emotion of like, other people sharing a thing.
OhCecilia
Well, I'm not even a part of this and it's choking me up a little. It sounds like something amazing. I'm so happy for you and everyone that's a part of it.
Luke Skywanker
Aww thank you!
Luke Skywanker
I'm really proud of it. We're just weird kids making shit, y'know?
Luke Skywanker
And seems a bunch of other weird kids are like, "ooh hey what are they doing?"
Luke Skywanker
But what they don't tell you is, if you like or want something, someone else does, too. Someone else will enjoy that thing, because you've already proven it's needed, by wanting to make it.
Luke Skywanker
Now, it helps we're operating with properties people already love.
Luke Skywanker
But even so.
Luke Skywanker
They don't have to come back every week to see the same show, you know?
Luke Skywanker
My actors don't have to sign up every year for several months' work essentially volunteered.
Luke Skywanker
Kids don't have to wait around shyly to try to say hi to us
OhCecilia
" if you like or want something, someone else does, too. Someone else will enjoy that thing, because you've already proven it's needed, by wanting to make it." I LOVE THIS.
Luke Skywanker
OhCecilia
: It's important to say!
Luke Skywanker
But, can you get it to the people who need it? that's more complicated. But it's taken me a long time to realize just the basic fact that what I like is valid for just that reason.
OhCecilia
Yeah, definitely, getting it the right people is tricky but, it's still a powerful thing to keep in mind.
Gavitron
I think you're right. I couldn't put my finger on it, but you saying it aloud... yeah, it feels different.
Luke Skywanker
Gavitron
: Interesting! and thank you. For saying that and also y'all's support over the years.
Luke Skywanker
maybe it's the pandemic..I don't know. Whatever it is, it's important to follow up on.
Luke Skywanker
I also made a point with Joy this year about taking more explicitly about what we were doing and that EVERYONE is part of it.
Luke Skywanker
I wanted to hammer home the message this is the people's theater and so we pushed that message explicitly in the pre and post show chatter