Creating art is hard work. Performing art is hard work. Producing art is hard work. I've been thinking about our recent performance in Boston. This is hard work, man. I mean to coordinate and make it all happen...there needs to be more funding, human support because it seems we are always short on funds, staff, human power?! How do we do this then you ask? Is it a labor of love...yes. Is it just that we are crazy...maybe. We feel our work is important. Necessary. Vital. For us, for you, for others. What do we get out of it? Money...hahahahaha...not really. So what's the price of hard work. Well, all that hard work does pay off. It's called fulfillment unmatched beyond dollars as we make new friends, fans and supporters along the way. It's about changing, enlightening, openness. It's life.
Speaking of hard work. I want to thank Mrs. Phitsamay Sychitkokhong Uy (that's a real tough family name to remember and spell?! Hey, Phitsamay, did you know that you are also a young man in MN and wanted by the Shelton police in CT???) Search yourself. Anyway, again thank you for your passion, effort, giving, sharing and sacrifice. One person does not make it all happen...but one person can definitely do a lot to make it happen. For those who don't know Phitsamay she is a workaholic and she carries a heavy weight of work as the New England Coordinator for Legacies of War. She plays the role of wife, friend, educator, student, coordinator, concierge, host, spokesperson and a slew of many other roles that could go on forever. One key thing for her to realize: GET SOME REST! RELAX! You need to take care of yourself so you can work hard but effectively and with little stress as much as possible. Your well being is our well being!
Let me tell you a little bit about Leilani Chan and yes I'll be biased because she is my love, my life, my partner in all things. She is an artist. She has been giving opportunities for other artists in Los Angeles to grow, to blossom, to create. Now, that's hard work people. That's sacrifice. Refugee Nation has been a tough experience for her, as she desperately tries to keep TeAda Productions going forward at the same time dance the dance doing Refugee Nation while on the road. New York, North Carolina, Maine, Massachusetts. Realize my friends that Leilani Chan is the Founding Producing Artistic Director of TeAda Productions...without her drive to keep TeAda alive Refugee Nation would not exist. Many other programs and artists would not have happened. Yet, she is humble and keeps the challenges to herself. Money to pay others for their work...money she has helped to bring in by grant writing, fundraising to make art. Money that doesn't come on time so she can pay the artists...hey...this should be more than just about money. Art is about change. Creating art, giving someone the opportunity to perform, write, direct, workshop...that's hard work. What does she get for it? What does she get for it? How about some appreciation, peace of mind, future support...she needs it people. We all need that stuff. It makes us better people. It makes us better artists. It builds our community.
The price of hard work...isn't just money, it's fulfillment.
