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Be More Than Your 9-5 Job
The Joyce Theatre presents “So, Mr. Person, How Did You Do It?”
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Everyone is aware that in able to survive, especially in this city, one has to be tough. Most of us wake up on Monday and go to work. We arrive at 9 a.m., we deal with the insanity that life presents us, and then leave at 5 p.m.. Then we do it again. It’s a vicious cycle and sometimes we get fed up with it. It’s worse for us artistic ones; we are at a constant push and pull battle with being practical, yet daring enough to follow our dreams. One person who experienced this cycle is secretary turned choreographer, Sarah Seely.
Like other stories about the girl having the small town blues, Sarah Seely moved to New York with the intention of going after her dream of being a dancer. There was one thing, though, that prevented her from living out her fantasy: She realized that she couldn’t just dance all day, and that she had to work in order to take up dance classes. She worked as a secretary for three years until she got fed up with it. In my interview with her last week, she revealed that she grew frustrated with her situation; she came to New York to be a performer, not to be stuck in a cubicle for eight hours. She finally put more focus on becoming a dancer but that proved to be a difficult task. The dance classes were either at 10 a.m. or 4 p.m., and she couldn’t attend because she was at work during those hours. Her disappointment inspired her to launch her own company.
It took her two years to finalize everything. She named her dance company, From the Desk of Sarah Seely. Most of the performers whom she shares the stage with are people she has known for a long time. All of them also have day jobs. Her company’s rehearsals and performances revolve around everyone’s work schedules. Sarah and her crew are kicking off their summer at the Joyce Theatre (175 8th Ave.). They will be presenting “So, Mr. Person, How Did You Do It?” Because of her fondness with all things vintage, Sarah’s production follows a game show contestant in the mid-20th century into his 9-5 job. After witnessing the insanities that goes into his profession, he realizes that he has to make a decision: either live his life as it is or have the guts to choose Door Number Two.
From the Desk of Sarah Seely will be performing at the Joyce Theatre from June 18- 20, 2010. A special benefit performance and a post-performance discussion will be held on June 18. The shows will start at 8 p.m. The tickets for the benefit are $45. Tickets for the following shows are $20 ($15 for students). Contact the Joyce Theatre at 212-242-0800 or www.joyce.org.