As some of you may know, June 1st has been a highly anticipated date on my calendar of events since about January, as it was the date that was set for the premier performance of "Behind Painted Lines," the evening-length dance concert benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project that my beautiful and talented friend Cara Goodwin choreographed and directed in honor of her late boyfriend Josh Harris, a Navy SEAL who was killed in combat serving in Afghanistan in 2008. Josh was an artist--a painter--who left behind an archive of work, most of which wasn't discovered until after his passing, and Cara did an incredible thing by using his pieces as inspiration for her choreography and incorporating the actual artwork via projections throughout the show.
Artist: Josh Harris
Let me begin by saying that this was by far the most humbling and amazing performance experience I've been honored to be part of thus far. Cara has an amazing heart and poured everything she had into this show. It was apparent from the very beginning that she was fully investing herself into this process, so as the dancer it was almost impossible not to feel a sense of responsibility and desire to make this vision a reality for her. I became especially aware of this come show time, with Cara now an audience member waiting to see her work in its final form, with Josh's family in the audience waiting to see this tribute that was put together in honor of their son and brother and seeing pieces of Josh's life on stage being presented with us, and knowing that there were other audience members present who have either served our country or have close ties to someone who's served/is serving now and have been affected by sacrifice similar to Cara and Josh; these were big reminders that this performance was beyond us as dancers. Even more than the beautiful choreography, the rhinestoned costumes, and the gorgeous venue we got to perform in, this show was ultimately not about us; whatever happened on stage would happen, but this was for Cara, this was for Josh, and this was for the men and women who have gained and who have known loss.
Cara took one of life's hardest realities--knowing love and knowing loss--and beautifully presented a reminder that even in the hardest of situations, there are blessings to be found. Not to say it's easy, but it's possible. (Let me tell you, I'm not sure I know of a more giving and gracious heart than hers. She's truly an inspirational person to work for as well as to know as a friend. Be grateful for the Caras in your life, friends...People who give and love and find joy and are genuinely happy to be able to live each day. They may not even realize all that they do for you in the way that they openly share such a positive, radiant energy. Always give thanks for those friends and family members!)
It was a bit of a shock when June 1st came and went. About eight months ago in mid-November, I was sitting with my three other cast mates as Cara was finishing our makeup before presenting a piece of hers at a choreography showcase when she voiced that she thought it would be great to present an evening-length concert. We thought it was a great idea. Within the next week or two, research was being done, venues were being contacted, logistics were being worked through, rehearsal space was being looked into, and answers to it all started coming up. In early December an audition was held and the number of dancers working for her went from four to 15. A funding grant was applied for and received. The Wounded Warrior Project was contacted. In early January we began rehearsing. Over the span of about eight months, Cara took that one thought, that one dream, and saw it through. Artistically and administratively, she took one idea and moved forward with it, not dwelling on the "what ifs," but crossing bridges as they came and always taking action to further the process, choosing not to allow doubt or fear to sneak in and set back the ultimate goals. In the end, she presented a beautiful 90-minute show that emotionally moved its audience members. She took on a big task and she saw it through to the end.
I'll post photos and videos as I get them, but until then I'll just say that the performance was a huge success, and as my first post-graduation performance outside of school, I don't think I could think of a better way to kick off this new phase of life. I was left feeling inspired, fulfilled and excited to dance. To perform. To bring happiness to people by way of dance and art and the beauty of movement. There's simply nothing like it, for the language of movement is universal and is able to cross the barriers that spoken language presents. We can communicate so much without even speaking a word, and between Cara's choreographic direction and Josh's artistic inspiration, a lot was said.
Though he couldn't be present, Cara and Josh worked together to relay this: Love and life and passion are beautiful things. In all that you choose to do, go forth and do it with everything you have. Allow joy to intertwine itself throughout life's process and hearts will be touched and an impact will be made.
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