Plate-spinner Andrew Van Buren My Drama kids
My Real Memoir
I felt like a proverbial plate spinner, living my life in constant transit, racing back and forth between personal concerns and an ever-wobbling array of jobs-and-obs (obligations). My shadow-friend Anxiety was always just out of site, whispering sour nothings. So I’d built up an arsenal of weapons against it. My big gun was prayer. The others were busyness and health.
Figuring my All-Cheeseburgers-All-the-Time diet might be a tad unhealthy, I forsook it and all other meats. Eating like a bird—literally—I subsisted mostly on nuts, grains, and seeds (and cheese, because, I mean, what is life without cheese?).
I ran six miles before sunrise every day, and lifted weights afterward. When I nearly passed out in the steam room, a big dude handed me a banana and, boom, I was back (thanks, bananaman!). So I immediately added P’s to my diet: potassium, produce and protein powder. I was a lean, clean machine. Physically, anyway.
Regarding relationships, well, I only sporadically saw my fiancée Dinah. I assumed (illustrating that old saying about making an ass out of u and me) we’d eventually find a way. But for now, my life was an overstuffed suitcase full of jobs-and-obs.
My big little school of the arts was terminal, but I couldn’t bring myself to pull the plug. So I did hospice care, regularly checking in on the few remaining instructors. Then I’d race to the Uni and squeeze in an hour of research on my ludicrously-overdue thesis paper.
And then, en route to rehearsals for the high school play I was directing, I’d check out performance sites for the college production I was slated to direct (Coastline College had no campus, hence no theatre). Finally, I’d run all the dark-orange lights en route to my “real job” peddling books.
Unexpectedly, Edison High School claimed my heart. I bonded with “my Drama kids.” So even though I was only hired to direct one show per semester (six week’s “coach pay”), I kept showing up. The old Drama program was gone, and so was their theatre. So we laid claim to an unused end of the cafeteria, pulled the portable divider shut, and made it ours.
Borrowing my high school drama teacher Mr. Baker’s Noon Theatre idea, I decided we’d do a weekly lunchtime show to rebuild our audience. The cafeteria crowd was just a bologna sandwich-throw away — they could even bring their lunches with them!
One remarkably clever boy named Allen was struggling to get a handle on his non-sequitur-spouting character in our upcoming production. I suggested he play it as a “philosophical drunk.” He ran with that ball and made a comedic touchdown. So I tapped Allen to lead the team that would create our weekly lunchtime show. And they came up with “The Last Resort,” an ongoing soap opera spoof about a failing ski resort. It was a huge hit! Result? Our first full-length play The Matchmaker (the non-musical version of Hello Dolly) sold out!
Meanwhile, students began asking about my personal life. So I told them about my engagement, and my recent conversion. They soon began probing me with spiritual questions. This evolved into a sort of unofficial after-rehearsal Meaning-of-Life group. Several of whom became believers.
One of the upsides of this life in constant transit was meeting my future best friend. Allen wrestled with spiritual doubts, just as I had, so I encouraged him to keep wrestling. That would ultimately lead him back into my life. In fact, one day he would become…
The best man at my wedding.
My Real Memoir is a series. To read the next one, click here.
I’m loving your story, Mitch. I can totally relate having been involved with drama kids for most of my life. Life is like the balancing act as you stated, but so worth it in the end😍
It is indeed, fellow thespian❣
This was a great read
felt like a proverbial plate spinner,
It’s a beautiful metaphor or is it a simile
Take your pick. ;>) Thanks, Mark.
God does work in such mysterious ways! I can hardly wait to see what happens next in your topsy-turvy life.
🧡
Love this look behind the curtain, Mitch. Thanks for sharing your story.
My privilege, Rainer.
Love it!
A busy chaotic life, that certainly wasn’t boring!
Your bio is captivating because it reflects your unique exploits and how you kept bouncing back. And, you evangelized in the middle of chaos! 🙂
Aw, thanks, Nancy.
This memoir is absolutely superb—fantastic storytelling that spins life’s chaos into inspiration. The imagery of plate-spinning, the drama kids reclaiming a cafeteria stage, and Allen’s transformation into your best man was truly awesome. It’s rare to read something that feels both personal and universal at the same time.
I’d be honored if you could also visit my blog and share your reflections there. Your words would mean a lot and help continue this creative exchange. 🙏
Glad you enjoyed it, Hary.
Mitch your life is one interesting narrative I must say.
Thank you, Randy. I think. ;>)
Nice
Thanks, L.G.
Twists and turns…
My life in a nutshell, Martha. But then, I’m hardly alone in that.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you, and likewise, Michael.
Nice!
Thanks, Pete.
Wow–I can see God working in your life all through this life-chapter–leading you away from Dinah, leading you into impacting others for Christ (especially kids), and introducing you to Allen. Another WOW for the creative way you tell your story, Mitch–always compelling!
Bless you, Nancy❣
I love this. Also–what an impact you’ve had on others’ lives!! I think that is what I really love–that you shared your love of drama, but more than that you shared your life and by extension–your relationship with the Lord. So, so cool!! Thank you for sharing!!
Bless you, Katie. It truly is my privilege.
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