"'Why do we laugh?"' -ANDREW Age 5
"'Because we just do"' MEREDITH Age 6
-Why Do We Laugh by Stephen Gregg
"Why do we fall in love?" the seven year old asks
"Because we just do" replies father
"Why do we die?" A curious, eight year old asks
"Because we just do" replies his mother with a sigh
Because we just do. A phrase heard multiple times in a household with children between the ages of six and nine. A phrase that implies "I don't know the answer, but we do it, so it must be a part of humanity somehow" I agree with a parent's decision not wanting to delve into such emotional topics with a child.
However, what happens when the occasion changes?
Instead of a household, we are now in an auditorium. Instead of a seven year old asking a thirty-three year old, we are now a fifteen year old asking a seventeen year old. And instead of questioning life, we are questioning stage etiquette.
Suddenly, our audience and purpose have altered. Instead of a shrug, and forced response, we now have to take a breath, and think. We have to put ourselves in the freshman's shoes, freshmen walk into any new situation and are immediately overwhelmed. They observe upperclassmen and take note of their experience and ability to perform a task. Their first response, "how do I do that?" "how does this or that work?" but most importantly, "how can I help?"
It is our job as leaders, as experienced upperclassmen, to help the inexperienced. It is not just about individual successes and achievements, but our successes and achievements as a department.
To alter the old saying: give a techie a drill and he builds a door flat in a day. Teach a techie to drill and he helps build an entire set.
Alex Minton
Nebraska State Board Member
Troupe #5483