Life's Uncertainty In The Work

Friday 13th of October 2023

Life's Uncertainty In The Work


I’m currently reading ‘They Both Die At The End’ by Adam Silvera. 

It’s a little ‘teen fiction’ in it’s style for my taste but I do think it’s good and can understand why it become a #1 New York Times best seller. This blog isn’t a book review but I imagine (without certainty, of course) that part of the reason the book became so popular is because you inevitably put yourself in the shoes of the characters. 


Within the reality of the story, there is a public service named ‘DEATH CAST’ which predicts, with certainty, the day you die. DEATH CAST will contact each dying person, by phone, soon after midnight, telling them that within the next 24 hours they will die. They don’t say how and won’t answer any questions. 


I don’t know what happens to the two main characters in the rest of the book (I’m 154 pages in currently) but judging by the title; They Both Die In The End ;)


Can you imagine if we were able to be informed of the day we die in real life? How might that affect how we live? In the book it mentions that many of those who DON’T get a phone call, celebrate with freedom, knowing that regardless of what they do that day, they will NOT die. 

They also COULD get the call the following day so they feel encouraged to live their lives to the fullest and appreciate each day that they have.


It is my desire for all of us artists to incorporate more of that approach in our work. To live in a scene, a monologue or a song, as if there is no guarantee that you’ll get to try again tomorrow or next week. To LIVE in the circumstances of the scene FULLY without trying to control it and to be free of trepidation. 


It is your duty to yourself as an artist to ask yourself honestly, what is holding you back? 

The Tony Award winning director/choreographer and wonderful human Jerry Mitchell is known for the phrase #FULLOUT. Commit to life and your work in as #FULLOUT a way as possible. 

What’s the worst that could happen? 




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