For Live Arts

15 years ago, I was an outgoing 30-something engineer and computer programmer, working on a PhD in Neuroengineering. After a late night working at the Neurolab at Georgia Tech, my car was smashed into by a stolen truck, causing severe brain damage. I was unconscious for hours, and even a few days after the accident, my prognosis was that I would likely be able to re-learn to dress myself and feed myself.  I don't remember a month of this. Within that month, I started recovering unexpectedly rapidly. The physical and cognitive rehab got me to feed and dress myself quickly, and even walk around.  Then they released me, because they weren't prepared to help me back to computer programming, and unable to help me re-learn time management and getting organized. I had become tentative and had lost my ability to assert myself or take the initiative to do anything. I struggled as a grad student for a couple of years before our finances got tight enough that I tried to get a job.  I had to drop my sights from interesting science and engineering software and lab jobs to financial programming.  I found a job that paid slightly more than my grad student stipend, and I was able to bumble my way through the interview. I wasn't gifted at the financial programming and it was soul-killing. Then, the community theater at my church needed help with lights and sound, and I jumped into it.  It was hard, working on somebody else's timing, trying to make sure I didn't miss things that usually remained unsaid.  But it was fantastic.  Besides the pressure on me to follow instructions and anticipate cues, I was able to watch and learn from people, both stylized interactions between characters, and real (sometimes heated) interactions between cast members, cast and crew, cast and director... But after two years (4 plays) the director retired. I didn't have enough experience to push a new organization myself.  So I drifted for a couple of years of work, not developing the skills I needed and only seeing shows in local community theaters. I went to a show at Live Arts Theatre, noticed an ad for classes and volunteering, and have loved every minute I've been able to pack in.  I've gotten to build sets, to sell concessions, to clean up and organize front stage and backstage.  Although I've redeveloped a lot in the years since the accident, even now these opportunities allow me to interact with other people in intense situations, using power tools, building something that has to work for the play to succeed. Live Arts Theatre offers many classes, and now I'm taking a class preparing for actor tryouts. I haven't memorized lines since my accident, haven't displayed emotions, haven't known how to decide to say words more effectively...I get to do this now, with class members and directors guiding and criticizing and directing and motivating me to consider and learn things I haven't since my injury.  All of these skills are helping me in my personal and professional lives, interacting with people, planning and completing projects.  And it's with a group of people who are supportive and when necessary critical.  This is a fantastic opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to work with Live Arts Theatre and continuing to develop the theater and myself.