October 12th, 2022

I started this reflection several weeks ago. Tonight it's Halloween and the air is crisp and cool and the moon is in crescent. It's still relevant.

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It's October. It's raining outside, which I love. There's something singularly peaceful about a fall rain. It presages the coming snow but also settles in on the falling leaves and the drying world and seems to say, "don't worry...you'll grow again."
Meanwhile, Carrie The Musical is moving through its final dress rehearsal in the theatre, and logistics and plans are moving apace for the remaining performances of the 2022 season. It is a peaceful setting.

I am moved to do a musing, which happen rather rarely these days, by the many elements of our work out here in Tisch Mills that are flowing forward on a wave of positive energy. Sales are good, the community is robust, new projects are sprouting from the rich ground that we have tilled and nurtured over the first five years. So, I wanted to share some of that positive energy with our community.

The most obvious and tangible of these bright lights is the wave of strong sales that we are currently enjoying. Cabaret set records for sales which Carrie The Musical is obliterating. While we had some very successful shows in our first years after opening in September, 2017, much of this was a function of what friends in the industry refer to as the freshman burst. Curiosity and nostalgia brought many patrons back out to Tisch Mills to see what was happening at a venue that had strong memories for them. That energy was exciting and energizing, but it was followed by an expected lull (the sophomore slump)...and then...Covid. 

Of course, as important as attendance may be, it's also exciting to have a growing community of artists contributing to our work. This year, we had five directors present exciting performances. Meanwhile, an incredible community of folks are improving the space, creating performance opportunities, and generally taking ownership of the mission of The Forst Inn Arts Collective. It is both unique and ubiquitous. The world is filled with spaces like this where talented people apply their commitment to their passion in ways that build and inspire. We are no different.

People come into this space. They perform. They absorb. They color on paper in the pub and decorate little mini pumpkins. They are a part of the community. I have a growing number of folks who come to me during an event and want to know how they can be a part of this amazing effort. Perhaps you are one of them? It's a shared understanding of collaboration. We grow because we are all a part of the growth.
Enjoy you harvest season and join us as we harvest the amazing fruits that come from having a space of shared joy. Blessings to you all!