On Preparation for a Life in Theatre [1]
Updated: Nov 11, 2020
by Judi Moore Latta
On Graduation to Your Future. (To Jaz)
5/22/20.
(Three days before the murder of George Floyd)
You walked into our house carrying a potted basil plant
and I thought about Lorraine*…
Full of life and promise and hope and love
and more drama than a nation could understand.
Full of a family’s story welled up inside, straining to be released
on pages and stages, in hearts and minds.
Your basil plant was like Mama Younger’s…
Too precious to leave behind.
Too young to be forgotten.
Too sacred to be ignored.
You brought it because fumes from your stained floors were strong and it was fragile;
You brought it because surrounding space was vast and it was tiny.
You brought it because it was alive and needed attention.
You brought it because it craved sun and water, nutrients and care.
You brought it because you knew it would one day bring sweet flavor.
You have a heart that way; a gift that way; a calling that way.
You are open to speak what you see, do what you do and receive what comes.
Lorraine had prophetic vision… may you have it too.
Lorraine had language that pushed… may you have it too.
Lorraine had dreams that grew… may you have them too.
I pray that your plant will flourish and charge the universe …
and so will you.
*Lorraine Hansberry – (May 19, 1930 – January 12, 1965)
She died at age 34.
(About her, Nina Simone wrote “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black”)
(1) © Judi Moore Latta, 2020. Note: My granddaughter Jazmine—who aspires to study theatre and become an actor—and her parents came to spend a few nights with us in the middle of the pandemic. Their sojourn reminded me of “A Raisin in the Sun.” This poem addresses Jazmine and all the young people who walk carrying basil. Judi Moore Latta, Ph.D is a professor emerita of communications at Howard University, and an award winning journalist. She shared this poem as part of #BlackPlantLove for #BlackBotanistsWeek. Read more of her works at her website, https://www.judimoorelatta.com/. Dr. Latta’s latest book is Beyond Roses -- An Obligation to Speak (Finding Voice for Conversations), a tool kit for having conversations across lines of racial division.
This piece on preparing for a life in theatre resonates—especially the reminder that stories demand rehearsal, observation, and patience. I’ve been thinking about how interactive narratives train those same muscles: reading a scene, tracking emotional beats, and living with consequences. For anyone who enjoys that kind of character-driven tension, the false sun guide explores a horror visual novel about a boy’s love turning into a nightmare, with all 20 endings and walkthroughs. It’s a useful companion if you like dissecting narrative structure.
The piece on preparing for a life in theatre really resonates—especially the idea that preparation is ongoing rather than a single audition season. Beyond warm-ups and script work, I’ve found that keeping language playful helps with improvisation and quick thinking on stage. Between rehearsals, I like a few minutes of word-ladder puzzles to stay mentally flexible; poople is handy because you can start endless rounds without a daily cap. It’s a small, low-pressure way to keep curiosity sharp, which feels very much in the spirit of theatre training.
The idea that preparing for theatre is as much about noticing as performing really resonates. Actors have to read rooms, places, and cultural cues quickly, so anything that sharpens observation can be useful. I’ve found quick geography/street-view guessing games surprisingly good for that—they force you to slow down and look at details. Play World Guesser is a free, no-sign-up option with unlimited rounds: https://playworldguesser.com/. It could make a playful warm-up before rehearsal or a cast-bonding break. Curious whether others use similar exercises to train attention.
The post on preparing for a life in theatre resonated with me—especially the idea that repetition, timing, and quick recovery matter as much as raw talent. I’ve noticed the same discipline in low-poly racing games, where every run is basically a rehearsal and community tracks keep you adapting. If you enjoy that mix of practice and improvisation, I’d recommend trying PolyTrack online; it’s free, browser-based, and has plenty of custom courses to learn: https://playpolytrack.com/play-unblocked. It’s a surprisingly good break between rehearsals.
Digital record systems can make basic property information easier to research. Bhulekh Bihar is a useful topic for residents who want to understand the available online services before visiting a local office.