We like to believe progress moves forward. It doesn’t. Not always. Directing Vanities, I’m watching a new generation question mine in real time—and I don’t always like my answers.

In the theatre, we call it "The Illusion of the First Time." It’s the art of pretending you don’t know what’s coming next, even when you’ve said the same lines 400 times. I’ve been thinking about how this applies to more than just Hamlet. It’s about how we show up for the people we love—offering presence and a little honest suspense, even when we’ve heard the story before. Because sometimes, the journey matters more than the ending.

I’m sitting behind the audition table next week, and the stakes feel high. From dodging "The Narcissus" to praying for someone who can actually memorize their lines, the casting process is the ultimate gamble. But at the end of the day, it’s about finding that magic. To the actors out there: I’m rooting for you. To the directors: I see your "vomit-inducing" nerves and I raise you a "pumpkin pants" Hamlet.

So begins the process of blocking a show - ensuring each movement helps tell the story, while keeping the actors safe.

WHEN YOU HAVE A SECOND CHANCE TO DIRECT ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE SHOWS.

I didn’t win a Tony. I didn’t direct on Broadway. But I built a life on my own terms, telling stories that matter, working with actors I believe in, and saying “yes” only when it counts.