My first impression of Avenue Q was that it was over the top in its humor-filled presentation. Throughout the entire performance, it touched on several sensitive political issues without pulling any punches. The performance was enjoyable and if its intention was to make the entire audience touch base with the common awkwardness of everyday life, it succeeded.

Avenue Q was the first theatre performance I’ve seen in a while, and it was a bit eye opening for me as an artist. What struck me about the show was its frugality in storytelling. It may be similar to many other performances in different theatres, but the idea that the actors could tell a good story with only puppets, one background, a few props, and lighting is proof that you can do more with less.

It was cool to meet the actors of the play after the performance even though I still felt as if I didn’t ask as many questions as I should have. They still gave an interesting perspective to a career in the arts and that it was still doable, if you were willing to work at it. And I think what I respect most about the actors of Avenue Q was their work ethic. They perform eight times every week and to be honest, if I were in their place, I don’t think I’d be able to repeatedly perform the same play for years on end.

But there was another thing I thought about while they were talking to us. What drove them to stick with the play for so long? (This was the question I wanted to ask). My guess is that they were passionate about acting and performing. I think this goes a long way when you’re in choosing a career. Most people choose careers because their pressured into that direction by what other people say or they’re swayed by a career’s promise comfort or security. Passion for the field your in makes you more fulfilled than in a career that ensures good pay but doesn’t involve anything your passionate about.

This brings me to STePz. I wasn’t able to see the show (sorry Juliana lol) but I found the time to do research on Savion Glover, the star of the performance. Tap-dancing isn’t a very venerable art, and Glover was aware of that when he said “tap-dancers were always the butt-end of a joke and that bothers me”(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEUO59hBt4Q). However, since the age of seven, he knew his passion was tap-dancing and he pursued it into his older years. I also watched his work as well and I it was cool how he could captivate an audience with only his feet, almost using them as drums.

After watching Avenue Q and Savion Glover, I’ve come to believe that as long as you’re exceedingly good at something that your passionate about, you can make a career out of it.