I felt very isolated last spring. We were a few weeks into the pandemic, and even though group texts and video chats kept me engaged, I still felt secluded.
Then I received an email from Theater of War, inviting me to a virtual performance of The Oedipus Project via Zoom, and the message caught be by surprise. I previously attended Antigone in Ferguson back in 2019, which was fantastic, and I was very curious about their latest endeavor. When the time came, I logged in and experienced the Greek classic, rekindled with a fresh perspective. It was striking, raw, and quite powerful. In time, I attended a few of their other shows — King Lear, Women of Trachis, and The Madness of Hercules. Each production was thematically linked with current events, followed by an insightful community panel discussion.
The virtual world once felt like an abyss to me, but now it seemed less so. These shows, in their own way, helped me to shift my way of thinking. Dr. Vivek Murthy once noted that loneliness is a public health issue; I just started reading his book TOGETHER: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World. Some of his advice really resonates with me, and as he says, many times it’s just a matter of reaching out to someone.
I dived into online Theater of War discussions, something I rarely did in the past. At first I felt like I was sending messages into the void, but occasionally I got a “like,” or a reply, and I know it’s not the same as in-person communication, but I felt less isolated.
These experiences steered me in a different direction, and once I knew where to look, I found an engaged community. I also tried new things, like joining an online baking group even though I can’t bake for my life, but it’s fun to see other people’s creations. Overall, I am still trying to find a good balance.
What are your favorite virtual shows? Have you attended something interesting lately?
Notes of Currant 