At A Point.

Originally, one of the first words that I think ever came up when the idea of a theatre company was discussed was the word "convergence". Personally (and without trying to draw upon any sort of pretentious ego!), I find that this word has a certain allure to it. Maybe it resonates very strongly to me in ways I don't yet understand. Maybe it makes me hopeful about the future of art in Baltimore. Maybe it even makes me think about robots and cyborgs. Who knows.

Either way, this word is something I keep in mind as the pieces start falling into place with Glass Mind Theatre Company.

Spending the last four years in college, I saw an interesting phenomenon happening. While I was experiencing some of the most important years of my life, the city seemed to be having its own growth period as well. The arts district blossomed, and people started to see the potential that this city truly has. In this way, I started to feel a distinct connection to this city, and I felt the need to stay and help this development as best I could.

This summer, through a number of different networks, I was able to meet six other driven, captivating individuals who also shared their own distinct bonds with this city. In fact, five out of the seven founding members of our company are alumni of Baltimore-based universities (though no two members come from the same university!). The other two members are Baltimore born and bred in their own right.

I think that's a really amazing thing.

This is where that idea of 'convergence' really comes into play. The seven of us have a different experiences, and we bring different traits to the table. Yet, we all view the potential that our company has to build a community in the Baltimore arts scene. This isn't simply reaching out and working with the artists that are making headway in the Station North district; this is reaching out and building relationships with the audiences both new and old.

In fact, one of the things I've always enjoyed about the theatrical 'experience' is how one great moment on stage can bring two audience members sitting next to one another - no matter how different they may be in their lives outside of this moment - to a moment that strips away their pretenses and allows them to understand each other through the lens of the human experience.

Let me illustrate this.

Just imagine a time where you were sitting next to a complete stranger at a play/concert/event/etc.
In the beginning, you are hesitant. You may have a quick conversation to ease tension, but you'd still rather focus on the show you're about to witness than the people surrounding you.

The show starts. You become emerged in it.

And at one point, something strikes. It may be a moment of comedic timing where the entire audience shares a laugh. It may be a moment of silence where the audience is taken aback and is too shocked to even notice they've forgotten to breathe. It may even be a moment where the audience is lost in thought, trying to piece together what they have witnessed.

Either way, this is where the moment of truth happens between two or more people. Suddenly, the room is vibrating with thoughts, emotions, and expressions.

You drop your pretenses, and suddenly you notice that you're looking at the person sitting next to you, and you share a nod. Perhaps you even make a statement - verbal or nonverbal - at how excited you are to see what happens next.

This is that converging point.

This is what Glass Mind hopes to discover in every single performance.


-Andrew Peters
Artistic Director