By Andrea Arens
My son performed in community theater last month. It was his second time performing in the ensemble cast for Acting Out Theatre Company. He volunteers countless hours along with the entire cast to put on a production that’s outdoors and hosts an auction that benefits a local charity.
This year, as the location moves every summer, it was near a residential area. There was a week of late night practices and four performances, with two falling on traditional week nights.
And while most of the cast worked and had to get up early the next morning, too, it was the residents nearby who had holy fits on social about how much this theatrical production interfered with their daily lives.
The endless complaints on social about the late nights, bright lights, or loud music of the production of “Legally Blonde” led these residents to suggest the cast never return, even if it was for charity.
One even suggested lighting a match to the set.
A week later, a group of our volunteer friends hosted a car show.
More of the same, complaints about why we don’t move it elsewhere, where was everyone going to park, how were we going to do it.
Even a rumor all over town that it was in a location we never said it would be because people just couldn’t believe we could pull it off.
Little do both groups of complainers know, permits are pulled almost a year in advance. Months of careful planning by volunteers is crafted to host an amazing event for the community. Groups of volunteers ponder every aspect, so at the end of the event, people can say they enjoyed it and want to come back next year.
So, before you complain about the loud noise or the lights, maybe think about how much effort those volunteers are putting into that event. Is your inconvenience more important than their thoughtfulness in wanting to do something that benefits the community, the young people involved, or the charity it benefits?
Before you complain about how weird the trophies are or where everyone is going to park, maybe think about how much work and creativity it took to create those unique trophies or plan a community event that supported local businesses.
I don’t know when we became the community of complainers, but I guarantee the lack of appreciation could easily end those community events others enjoy. All the volunteers would love your support; a simple “thank you”or “great job” is all they ask. They put in way more work than it took for the complainers to run their mouths on social, and it’s people, who put in the work, that make the world a better place.