BWW Blog: Micah Young - Happy Talk

Ideas are only as good as the attention we give them. If you come up with the next brilliant idea, then do nothing with it, it's useless. And while not every idea is the next lightbulb invention, we need to write them down, cultivate them and brainstorm. There is a fine balance when we start sharing the ideas and everyone in the room starts sharing their idea.

Often in new works of theatre, we are all in such a room with the new ideas. This can either lift up the discussion of 'what's next?' for the work, or, if everyone throws their 'how it should be done' into the conversation, the idea can be overrun. Perhaps it is with more experienced artists that this conversation is inspired, uplifting and takes the work where it is to where it could be. Being in such a room I've had the opportunity to realize that not once does anyone say, "this is how it should be done."

Knowing how to discuss work that is in its infancy is an art; we choose words and phrases to help new ideas grow, not to discourage or tear them apart. I am grateful when artists share their thoughts and make the room a free-flow of ideas and inspired observations. Above all, it's in the discussing, and the writing which keeps our ideas alive.

Photo Credit: Samuel Zeller