Last weekend we (the crew you see in the picture above…which, BTW…I love like family…maybe because after almost 4 years working together, they are) wrapped up a very special theatre play.
I say it was special because we got to meet and play very lovable characters, meet great work mates that became family in a matter of months (and years in some cases). We had the chance to see our characters get old and change their lives in the process.
It was beautiful.
Now it’s over.
The weird part is that mix of feelings. You are happy because you are finally done with a project that took so much from you…time, effort, sweat, tears, laughter. Now you can go back to other projects and repeat all over again.
On the other hand…it’s sad. Like I said…you learn to love people that got used to see almost every day…and you were grateful for the chance to spend all that time with them.
Now you have to learn to let go and carry on….again.
It’s weird how emotionally attached you can become to a project to the point you can’t help but feeling that sense of loss and depression….yet can’t wait to do it all over again.
No wonder it’s so common to see symptoms of depression in artists. We face all sorts of emotional ups and downs over and over…only have everything taken away from us and start from scratch, except for the experience and the memories.
Creativity is some sort of antidepressant…but alas…it’s effect is so limited and temporary.
The only thing that I have found to be effective against post show depression in artists is a solid sense of identity and joy that whatever you did remains in people’s hearts to help them deal with their lives. That’s what I’m really passionate about and the reason (I think) God made me an artist.
What about you? Have you ever been in a project so close to your heart that became more than a job? Share that experience with us!