Although it seems hard to believe, Thanksgiving is this Thursday and as we reflect on the people, places and things that have made us truly happy this year and makes us most thankful, in general, we're also considering what things theatrical for which we are especially grateful in 2014. We asked members of the Nashville theaterati what they are most thankful for this year (of course, they're all happy about good health, much happiness and good fortune, but we want the dramatic stuff), with a particular eye toward all things theatrical, and this is what they told us...
Amanda StravinskyAmanda Stravinsky:Kristin Chenoweth's Coming Home album.
Abigail Davis Haggard: Two of my favorite shows coming to the big screen: Into The Woods and The Last Five Years.
Matthew Hayes Hunter: I'm thankful to have worked with some amazing casts and crews this year on 13 different productions.
Kary Moreland Choate: My Dive Room Buds.
Michael Adcock: That Jef Ellis is writing again. But don't take that to heart. I mostly just want honest critique to ruin people's lives (Holiday spirit is here). But, really, I am thankful that the theater community here seems to be pushing forward. Lots of small theater companies being started. Seems the outlets for artists are becoming more and more by the day. And thanks to people that go see shows so these companies can pay their talent or at the least pay production costs to provide quality entertainment.
Amanda Lamb: Thankful for the family that theater gives, and how that family lifts you up when you are down.
Lauri Gregoire: I'm thankful that I had an opportunity to perform in two shows (Nunsense and Legally Blonde) with some really talented friends.
Maria Garner: Thankful for new, original productions.
Angela Gimlin: I am thankful for the rebounding of the economy and seeing it reflect on the Nashville theater community.
Deb Rogers Holloway: I'm thankful for such wonderful children's theater in Nashville.
John Silvestro: Thankful that some theater companies still hire people over 50.
Jonathan Pinkerton: I'm thankful for the ever-growing number of genuinely wonderful and talented people I consider friends, thanks to being an outsider looking in on Nashville's theater community.
Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva: I'm thankful for the beautiful people I meet through each production. People who bring joy to my life, from their wisdom and artistic passion, and amazing life experiences.
Mark Beall: Thankful that the Nashville theater community is full of talented and creative people.
Howard Snyder: I'm thankful for opportunities offered and challenges met, for the joy of performing that's matched only by the joy of watching those I know perform...
Daniel Sadler: Audiences. Theater is alive and well, not just in the obvious, but also the most delightfully unlikely places.
Rachel Beth Jackson: I'm thankful to have almost completed my first semester as a musical theater major in a program that feels like home.
Heather Vaughn Alexander: Thankful to have worked with so many wonderful young actors this year, to have learned much more than I expected, to have played some delightfully evil characters and delightfully weird ones, to have my theater friends to play with always!
Stephanie Wright: My daughter who was born this year-the theater part comes from the fact that her dad and I met doing the show Bye, Bye Birdie, therefore going with a bird theme and naming her Wren.
