I finally got to go fishing yesterday. For bait, I used a large glass of cabernet, some sunshine, and a view. I went fishing for some memories. Big ones. (Unlike a real fish, at my age the bigger they are the easier they are to reel in. The small ones get lost somehow – maybe the hooks are too big or the bait is wrong.)

I sat and soaked in as much sun as I could, and sipped for quite some time. The memories I wanted were few and far between and their specifics grew foggy. I’m sure I’ve had some awesome theatre experiences and have met some of the most incredible people, but I don’t remember anything in the last 10 years when I might have had a nicer theater experience.

Recently, I directed “Little Women” at the Orcas Center and as I throw my most recent catch into my kreel of memories, I notice that it covers all my others. Partly because being most recent, it’s most vivid, and partly because it was such a wonderful experience. I want to thank everyone, including the audience, for helping me do that. I loved watching it grow. I loved watching it every night.

Thank you Beth, Donna, Mimi, Chris, Maria, Indi, Aliza, Ray, Brigid, Jared, Michele, Sasja, Christopher, Zach, Claire B.M., Claire O., Frank, Cara, Sparks, Matthew, Clarabeth, Marcia, Diane, Jaime, and the community who supported it night after night. It was a truly warm, wonderful experience.

To me, theatre, like all art, is a kind of celebration – a celebration of who we humans are – our “human experience.” I felt it that way – this play. I am humbled by all the time so many people put into this show, who helped make it work. It was a beautiful experience.

Robert Hall

Orcas Island