Many years ago I spent a summer in Saratoga Springs, New York. It's been a popular resort destination for nearly 200 years and is also the home of Skidmore College. It was a wonderful time in my young life and a great place to spend a summer working with my mentor Anne Bogart, and her terrific theater group SITI Company.
I was impressed by how far people had come to study with Anne. Absurdly talented storytellers came from places like Australia, Brazil, and Germany. Each offered wildly unique ways to approach the work and tell truthful stories. I took great comfort in knowing there were people from across the globe who believed our work in bringing life to stage still mattered.
One person in particular who had a great impression on me was a man named Babis. He was about ten years older and moved to New York from Greece years before. He spoke with a heavy accent as I often wondered if we were having the same conversation. But to know Babis was to love him. Words or no words.
He was a brilliant stage actor. Babis was never afraid to look silly or be perceived a certain way. He was absolutely fearless when it came to performing. Maybe it's in the blood, I often wondered. How does someone just get that good?
Babis and I got along well but lost contact shortly after the program. He performed a handful of times in student productions, while I was at Columbia. I made sure I went to see him each time he was in a play and he never disappointed. You knew with Babis you were getting your money's worth. When he stepped on stage he gave you everything he had.
Babis passed away a few years ago. Far too young. He died of some sudden and rather mysterious illness that I've never asked to know more about. I never thought it mattered really. Everybody that knew Babis knows all that counted was how he lived.
As compelling as he was to watch on stage he was even more beautiful to watch in life. Even in my limited time with him he still influences me in profound ways. He emanated life -- it seemed to pour out of every fiber of his being. He didn't hesitate or wait for life to begin. There was no lukewarm living. Just the now.
Today, as I was driving to a teaching assignment I thought about Babis and how he might handle a decision I've been wrestling with for quite some time. At this point, I've turned it over countless times in my mind and can't seem to come to a conclusion. There are definite pros and cons to each choice I'm faced with but I sense I'll regret not taking advantage of the opportunity more than anything else.
Toward the end of my drive I wondered what Babis would do. I can't tell you why I had this thought but I'm enormously grateful I did because all I could see in my mind was his big smile. He didn't utter a word. Didn't need to. Perhaps I wouldn't have understood him anyway. Somehow the image of him beaming from ear to ear was all I needed to make my decision. Suddenly, it all seemed so clear.
Find your inner Babis and GO.
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