I don’t consider myself to be an artist. I’m not a painter, my drawing skill tapped out in junior high, and I can’t read music. But, I appreciate art and in my life, the arts – particularly the performing arts – have always held a very special place in my life. In so many ways, performing arts have made me, well, me.
They were there for me to engage with when I felt bored by my other studies. They challenged me to be confident, to have presence, and to form a voice. They allowed for me to be a different person and become a character when there were times in my life when I would have rather been anyone but myself (and in the end, they taught me something about myself that made me return stronger than ever). They introduced me to a world that I fell in love with and people I fell in love with. Some of my greatest friendships are touched by the performing arts.
While I may not be a full time actor, I always make time for theater. I attend performances whenever I can and I can’t tell you how many times I’d look at audition calls and feel this tugging in my gut urging me to go. But I never did until this past February when I stepped onto a stage and into the shoes of Charlotte Lucas in Jane Austen’s masterpiece Pride & Prejudice. Before P&P, my last performance was when I was in college – more than 6 years ago. There was always a conflict, too much on my plate, or a frightened sensibility thinking that local community theater was a club and I wasn’t a member. Joining such a wonderful cast put my concerns to rest and opened my eyes to a shimmering, vibrant arts community that I’m honored to now consider myself to be a part of. Scranton’s Vintage Theater made it possible and is the foundation of this community. But The Vintage can’t do it alone – it needs your help to succeed.
In the past few years, I’ve been honored to become a more active part of The Vintage by attending and hosting events, becoming part of it’s theater troupe, and now, serving on its board. The space and its mission mean so, so much. They aren’t just nice to have in the cultural fabric of Northeastern Pennsylvania – they’re necessary in every way. I’ve never met such a passionate group that is so open, understanding, and welcoming. The Vintage wants to cultivate a strong community in support of the arts. It caters to all ages. It welcomes all artists and types of expression. Having something like this in our community is a gift and I hope more people realize that. But, without your support, The Vintage cannot exist.
I’m asking you to do something for me and please, make a donation to The Vintage. If you’ve just read my blog for the first time or if you’ve known me for years, even giving just $1 a month can mean the world to them and to me.
The Vintage has served as a venue for the visual, performing and literary arts in Scranton for nearly five years. In that time, it has:
- Hosted over 2,000 musicians, actors, playwrights, artists, etc.
- Held over 1,000 different events / performances / exhibits
- Given over $200,000.00 in stipends to local artists/ performers
- Hosted artists/performers from every state in the continental U.S., as well as seven countries
It needs YOU to continue its mission. A stable income for this space will allow for it to continue to do wonderful and (I can’t say this enough) necessary work in our community for the arts.
Here’s where you can go to donate: https://
When I’m not optimizing websites, writing here or in other places, or firmly planting my nerdy roots as a co-founder of NEPA BlogCon, The Vintage is where I’m spending my time. It’s where a large part of my heart is and I hope you can open your heart to it too.