When I first came to U.Va., I only knew one thing: I wanted to work for the Cav Daily.
Over the past five semesters at the CD, I've met some great people and seen some great things. I've seen the renovation of the Paramount Theater, the rebirth of the Satellite Ballroom, and the opening of the Charlottesville Pavilion. Better than Television kicked indie culture into high gear while Starr Hill brought some huge acts, Gravity Lounge continued to support the local scene and Live Arts put on some incredible shows. On Grounds, FYP, Shakespeare on the Lawn, Spectrum and the Drama Department produced several plays, a handful of musicals and an opera to boot. Meanwhile, UPC consistently entertained -- full disclosure: I'm a part of Cinematheque, so I'll take some credit for that.
Sacrifice is one theme that unites the student scene. Sacrifice on the part of the backstage staff, directors, ac-tors, musicians and marketers. And sacrifice on the part of the audience. We all could've spent another inebriated evening on Rugby or stayed in the dorm room watching that DVD from Clemons. But some folks ventured out to a play or a concert; some folks took advantage of Charlottesville's accessible culture or the tremendous talents of our creative peers. Here at tableau, we strove to inform you about your options.
Thinking back on my time in C-ville, a few shows stand out: last summer's production of Damn Yankees at Culbreth was incredible, as was The Roots' concert at U Hall, and Dane Cook's stand-up comedy was hilarious last spring. I'll always remember seeing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare on the Lawn, I won't soon forget Live Art's take on Raisin in the Sun, and FYP's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat remains the best student production I've ever seen. And outside of the home football games, there were few times I felt more united with the University than at SpringFest or the Deluca show. There's just something about the common experience that has a way of bringing communities together.
As much as coursework unites us, we students remain divided by year, by major, by school. But in plays and concerts, in movies and music, we find common bonds and talk about the world around us. For all the studying we do, I've learned more from my friends and family than from any book I've read.
A lot of these friends have come from the Cav Daily and I wouldn't be who I am today without them. I would never have joined the Arts & Entertainment section if it weren't for Carrie Lopez. Her attentive editing brought a first-year in Hereford out of his shell. More recently, Tim Ciesco has taught me patience through his weekly Calendar and Laura Sisk has taught me about sacrifice through her expert copy-editing and willingness to pick up the stories other writers couldn't handle. And David Moltz's consistent, quality writing made things easier while Molly Seltzer's unbridled enthusiasm and downright skillz kept me going throughout my editorial term. Of course, tableau wouldn't be possible without my co-editor Meg McEvoy, to whom I owe my sanity. Without her wise editing and selfless professionalism, tableau would've folded long ago. Thank you, Meg. You're going to make it.
These last words have a way of rambling -- and getting sappy -- so I'll end here, swiftly, and on a self-aware note.
If I did it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.
Thanks for reading.
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