Commitment is a weapon

Well, as it turns out, I won't be directing Henry V next spring. The muse of fire has flared, scorched, and vanished. I have other projects I am more committed to.

Never thought I'd say THAT sentence.

Commitment is a weapon. When you commit to something, it cuts a star-hammer swath, creating time, money, attention, and space for that thing to manifest. The commitment protects the space.

"I can't do that show, I'm doing this one." There's really no such thing as two shows at once. Once in a while, rehearsals for one will begin while the other is still in performance. Or, once they're built, in repertory you might have one or two running, while you're refreshing another. But when you're creating, you commit to a show and it owns you.

Well, I should say -- unless that's how you're wired. Peter Hall loves to direct two or more shows at once, flying between cities -- and continents -- to work on them. He finds the cross-semination enlivening.