Stop criticizing artists who leave NYC during the pandemic
Kevin Ray Johnson
The COVID-19 pandemic is the most unprecedented thing I have ever witnessed not only in my theatre career but in my entire life. Thousands of people are out of jobs. I have even lost of a couple of friends I shared the stage with due to it.
This is something none of us were prepared for or saw coming and it's something that will change the course of our lives forever. So, I'm sure everyone is handling it very differently and I will say that no one is wrong with how they go about it.
I will say that I have had diabetes for 26 years and when it started to get really bad in New York City I was very scared. So, my wife and I decided that it would be best for us to stay with my mom in Maryland for a couple of months to try to "wait it out". I have ZERO regrets making that decision and am happy I did. I don't feel in any way my artistry took a hit for that choice (nor should it). I know that there are people who just don't have that option and my heart truly hurts for them in these times and I just pray and hope that they all stay safe and healthy.
But there is something I am noticing which I find very bizarre - there is this wave of artists on social media who are getting attacked and criticized for leaving New York City during the pandemic.
I truly think it stems from something I noticed when I first started working in the industry which is the concept of "Paying Your Dues". I think this ENTIRE industry has been instilled into thinking that paying dues means being treated like garbage, suppressing tough times, and walking around with just toxic positivity.
When you do this you will bloom into this complete artist (and Yoda aka Stephen Sondheim will grant you the rank of Theatre Master). I honestly never agreed with that way of thinking and never will.
The arts are tough enough as it is and I think we have to start giving ourselves, and the younger theatre artists coming after us, more credit when it comes to knowing that this shit isn't easy.
And I just don't feel going to summer stock and cutting grass 12 hours a day or working under professionals in the industry and being treated like a doormat equates into paying dues. I feel this way of thinking is the reason why mental health in the theatre industry is where it is (another topic for another day).
I truly feel that this crosses over into other aspects of how we think we should be in the industry in certain situations. In this case, the way some artists are getting attacked for leaving New York City during the pandemic by other artists. I don't see it at all as the "easy way out". I think it's the right choice for that individual. Leaving NYC for an artist is NOT an easy decision to make especially when there is uncertainty.
So, before you attack your fellow artists, have a sense of tact and think to yourself that there might be a reason why they made the choice to leave and it has nothing to do with their passion for the industry or their artistry.
I do believe that this is only intermission and I cannot wait to see the industry I have grown to love so much come back full strength. But, criticizing artists who leave/left NYC during the pandemic doesn't reflect poorly on them, it only reflects on you because I feel when you do that you are breaking the number one unwritten rule that all artist should have with each other- to support one another!