Christa Avampato

Inspired: Dive into your dream

June 21, 2014June 19, 2014 Christa Avampato

And they can call me crazy if I fail
All the chance that I need
is one-in-a-million.
And they can call me brilliant
if I succeed.
Gravity is nothing to me.
Moving at the speed of sound,
I’m just gonna get my feet wet
until I drown…

~ Ani DeFranco

Amelia Huckel-Bauer, one of the amazing cast members of Sing After Storms, sent me this poem the day after our opening night. Ani know how it goes for people with big dreams. She’s someone who would rather dive in and drown than stay safely on the shore and wonder what might have been if she had tried to swim. Ani, and Amelia, I’m with you.

art, dreams, work

Inspired: Don’t settle for less than great

June 20, 2014June 19, 2014 Christa Avampato

We tell ourselves, “I’m much better off than a lot of people. This is good enough.” We get what we settle for. If you are a dreamer and a doer, good enough will never be enough because you know you can do better. Get out there and work hard for exactly what you want because everything takes hard work. There is no easy path. There is only good work that takes effort, energy, time, and passion. Give your best everyday to exactly what you want and you will find yourself in the midst of a life you love to live.

art, risk, theatre

Inspired: First, you must leap

June 19, 2014 Christa Avampato

Whether we fall or fly, the first step is the same: we must leap. I’d much prefer to try and fall than wonder if I could have ever flown. Congrats to the Sing After Storms team on a wonderful opening. You said yes, took the leap, and you didn’t just fly—you soared.

art, dreams, theatre

Inspired: It’s Opening Night of Sing After Storms

June 18, 2014June 17, 2014 Christa Avampato

Grinning playwright / director moment captured by the life-saving Robert Flitcroft

This picture will be my expression from now until the end of our Sunday night performance. Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Thank you times a million to everyone who played a part in getting us to tonight’s opening of Sing After Storms, particularly the stellar cast and production team who gave everything they have and then some to make this happen. In the immortal words of Hall & Oates, “you make my dreams come true…” Let’s go, on with the show!

art, business, courage, determination, theatre, work

Inspired: Opening Night of Sing After Storms = Two Year Anniversary of My Company, Chasing Down the Muse

June 17, 2014June 16, 2014 Christa Avampato

Tomorrow marks two important milestones: the opening night of Sing After Storms and my two-year anniversary of starting my company, Chasing Down the Muse. If someone had told me two years ago that June 18th my first original play would open in New York City with the talented team that’s on board, I would have laughed myself silly. When we take a chance, a really big chance, amazing things can happen. It’s all possible: yes, we can sing after storms, and yes, we can chase down the muse. First, we must have the courage to begin. Then, it’s a matter of daily dedication and effort.

theatre

Inspired: Tomorrow is the last day to buy discounted tickets for Sing After Storms

June 16, 2014June 15, 2014 Christa Avampato

Opening night of Sing After Storms is Wednesday! We’re so excited to welcome all of you to the theater this week. Our $10 advance ticket deal ends tomorrow, Tuesday, June 17th at 8:45pm. After that, tickets will be $20 cash at the door for all performances. Grab your tickets in advance for all performances at this link: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/sing-after-storms-friends-family-and-fans-discount-tickets-11129220799

See you at the theater!

theatre

Inspired: Backstage pass to Sing After Storms tech rehearsal

June 15, 2014June 14, 2014 Christa Avampato

We had our tech rehearsal for Sing After Storms last week and for the first time got to see our amazing cast with lights, sound, and in costume on the set. Here are a selection photos a la the amazing Marita La Monica!

Jackie and Christa share ideas on lighting

encouragement, Life

Inspired: Remember you’re a diamond

June 14, 2014June 14, 2014 Christa Avampato

Star of Africa, the world's largest flawless cut diamond. It is 530 carats! — Star of Africa, the world’s largest flawless cut diamond. It is 530 carats!

Feeling overwhelmed? Here’s an idea that might help: whenever life is grinding me down, I remind myself that a diamond is made brilliant in the same way. Your moment to shine is on the way.

dreams, opportunity

Inspired: You make your own opportunities

June 13, 2014 Christa Avampato

The opportunities we have are not the works of others. They are born from our hearts. We create the opportunity we need and then build an answer to it. It’s the only way I know to make a dream come true.