In Which I Deliver My Acceptance Speech

On Sunday, I attended a local "red carpet" event. The Richmond Theatre Critics Circle presented the "Artsies," Richmond's answer to the Tony Awards, which recognizes excellence in the theatre. I was nominated in the Best Actress category for my role as Kimberly in "Kimberly Akimbo."

I didn't expect to win, and I didn't, but I had an acceptance speech prepared "just in case." Since I didn't get to deliver it, I thought I'd share it. This probably seems indulgent, but it's my blog, so I get to be indulgent:

"I'd like to give first thanks to the Richmond Theatre Critics, Cadence Theatre Company, and VA Repertory Theatre. I'd also like to thank my director, Anna Johnson, for pushing me. Sometimes, I pushed back, but Anna made me understand something fundamental about the character I was playing. She said, 'Irene, as an actor, your 'reset button' is set 'to fight.' That's where you go when you don't explore other choices. Kimberly is not a fighter,' she said. 'Kimberly is a survivor.'

Anna, when you said that, a light came on, and I widened my range of intentions. Instead of 'to fight,' I explored 'to escape,' and made wonderful discoveries during the rehearsal process. Thank you, Anna, for your hands-on leadership. And thank you, Matt Mitchell, for mentioning me in your acceptance speech. That was very generous of you, and I'm a little bit in love with you all over again.

Certain aspects of my personal life fell apart this year, and I want to say something about being a part of this community of Richmond theatre artists. Were it not for you, I would not be standing here. (I don't think I'd be standing anywhere.) Thank you, Mess Rayford and Bill Patton, for not letting me fall through the cracks. And thanks to many more of you who have taught me how to be a better friend. Your attentiveness and many kindnesses have been a ladder of hope and healing.

Finally, I'd like to thank the students in my Basics of Acting class at the University of Richmond. I'm so lucky to have you in my life twice a week. After this artistically fallow year, you have been a source of stability and delight. You bowl me over with your honesty and insights, and you make me laugh. With your eagerness to share in my experience, you have, literally and metaphorically, given me my appetite back."

So I didn't get to say that. And now I have.body {font-family:helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;} a.stbar.chicklet img {border:0;height:16px;width:16px;margin-right:3px;vertical-align:middle;} a.stbar.chicklet {height:16px;line-height:16px;}