What to say?

I have been trying to figure out the best way to approach this blog post. In truth, I've been sitting here for a few hours now, trying to decide. Whether to write about how ELEMENT has come together over the last several months. Whether to write about how I first got involved last August, fresh out of undergrad. Whether to write about its roots in the work of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. Whether to write about the unbelievable group of people working to bring all of the pieces together. Whether to write about the electricity of this last week, the culmination of it all, three new plays by emerging playwrights, a group of dedicated and inspiring artists coming together, creating and risking and working their asses off all in the pursuit of bringing new art into the world.

I've arrived at this:

Thank you.

Thank you for the family, the wonderful friends and collaborators I have met and come to know so well through this process. Thank you for welcoming me in to this fabulous venture, and for the warmth and openness you have shown me since day one.

Thank you to the actors and directors who have given so much of your time and energy this week to be a part of this exciting adventure, developing and bringing these new works to life.

Thank you to the playwrights for sharing your work with us - it was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to read your work and be involved in giving it a voice through ELEMENT.

Thank you to Two Birds Casting and my dear friend Simone for all of your hard work and assistance in facilitating the casting process.

Thank you to Rani, Rachel, Steven, and EVERYONE who has helped at every stage of the ELEMENT adventure - from cooking to reading to evaluating to performing to donating to hosting... the list goes on and on, and I am so grateful to you all.

Thank you to Will for your unending passion, your drive, your desire and dedication to making this festival something truly special.

Thank you to Erica and Brandon, our fearless leaders, working tirelessly, sacrificing, giving so much of themselves to make and keep this dream a reality. Thank you for letting me in to ELEMENT with open arms. It has been an honor, truly.

And a special thank you to our founders.

Lexi, it has been a dream getting to know you, starting with that first meeting I attended in August - you are a phenomenal artist and human being, and you created something truly special in ELEMENT. Thank you so much for everything.

Taylor, you've heard it all before. I probably wouldn't have found my way to the O'Neill without you, and that has without question changed my life. And without that, without you being a generous and wonderful friend, I certainly would not have found this special family that is ELEMENT. Just like when we were at Oberlin, I admire and am inspired by you. Working on ELEMENT has been a gift, a gift that you helped create. Thank you. Thank you so, so much.

Thank you all.

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Josh Sobel
Associate Producer