I received an opportunity to view the reading of this wonderful play written by a familiar stranger turned friend. (How else do you build relationships lol.) McKensi is an Actor, Playwriter, and I’ve gathered an overall explorer of beautiful things. We became aligned by the impulsiveness of me deciding to attend a show I was invited to previously by another familiar stranger. I attended this first show and met McKensi and another wonderful young lady that have been interning at The Public Theatre. I had no expectations of this alignment as I have been intentionally moving in flow more these days. After exchanging information and moving forward with the flow of life. I received an invitation from McKensi to see a show, which I wasn’t able to attend, and then another which I also didn’t get a chance to attend, and then another which I was able to attend but did not make it on time to see. So instead we got to sit down and chat; get to know one another a bit more. During this conversation as we connect through overcoming challenges in life and finding passion and purpose in experience, music, and art she said something that resonated in my heart. She said “I am excited to learn more about you through your style of writing.” I am always embracing the redirection of spirit so of course, she tells me about her opportunity to share a play that she wrote with friends and family at the same space we initially met, spirit would align me to attend that one.
This play reading took place on a Saturn day in the first week of Women’s Month, March. Which if you are like me feels like perfect divine alignment. As I walked away from this beautiful celebration of creation and art my thoughts are “What an absolutely wonderful piece.” I got home and am immediately inspired to create a response. As if that conversation held because of life detours, had never ended. I now had a whole new view on her and the greatness she embodies based on her writing. “Not For Your Consumption” comically yet intensely speaks to the truth of karmic relationships playing each character into reflection, growth, and inevitable healing.
I had no expectations and lots of excitement to witness a beautiful true reflection’s vision come to life. I sat in awe of the delivery of relatable jokes, conversational realism, and fantastical analogies of life’s experienced lessons, put into a 100 min performance. One of the first things I noticed was the casual cultural anecdotes that would have the entire crowd respectfully engaged (commentating) because we felt that, and simultaneously hear a pin drop silent in order to capture the unexpected next lines. As relatable as it is, the way the story progresses has you on the edge of your seat, wanting to know what’s next in the most present way.
The second thing I noticed is how well McKensi whimsically touches on important aspects of life that is seemingly challenging to talk about as an elephant in many rooms. How being apart of a typically marginalized group can be a scapegoat for some and a misunderstood truth for many. McKensi subtly and beautifully addresses race from the perspective of a deeply understanding and empathetic being that is seen one way, yet fits in no box; Sexual orientation from the perspective of a being that truly just wants to exist without limiting belief and judgement yet clings to comfort; Labels from the perspective of a being that accepts who they are told they are, yet deeply desires change; And generational trauma’s ability to pass down wounds that greatly deserve healing.
The third and possibly most challenging aspect of script writing, I noticed she is able to capture these ideas in each character expressing their circumstances and create a reflection of it in the interactions. Show casing how we shine lights on lessons being learned in one another’s lives in every encounter. In all the divine relationships we are gifted, whether it takes one year or ten it is a catalyst to our inevitable growth. The point of growth that we not only learn to love who we are but we also learn who we are in preparation for the next step in our journey.
In this case it plays itself out as recognizing how deep love is and learning that boundaries are necessary and can save life. Recognizing how lone ranger ways of experiencing life and neglecting deep truth of self is polar opposite to loyalty. Truths about valuing family and friends who accept all of who you want to be. Finally being able to express feelings that are likely rooted in being a wounded healer still healing and not yet ready to accept that fact. And what it looks like to accept being a product of the environment you grew up in and desperately seeking a way out.
Mckensi gifted to us in the 100 Min performance, a deep relatable truth written into each character and will have every audience to witness this masterpiece feeling every emotion, reflecting on their own truths and coming back again for another viewing because it is that good.
I will be actively providing updates for when there will be another performance of this wonderful show!
I love you X Infinity
Affinity