Talent can be found at any age in the theater

I was presented with a rare opportunity and couldn’t pass it up. I had to drop my fear and go for it. That’s what makes good become great. Just ask the collaborators of the Broadway play “[title of show].”

They were presented the chance to submit a play to the New York Musical Theatre Festival and had the idea to write a musical about writing a musical for the festival. And magic happened. It went from the festival to Off-Broadway to Broadway. Now it’s getting productions around the world.

Thanks to the efforts of Randy DeLelles, Hunter Bell was in town, along with co-creators and castmates Susan Blackwell and Jeff Bowen, to conduct a master class for the Las Vegas Academy. Then Jeff Kriske graciously opened his home for a VIP reception, presenting my above mentioned chance to meet and interview three gracious, talented and funny people who “made it.”

“Broadway is just geography.” That’s the revelation Bell, Tony-nominated for the book of “[title of show],” said about experiencing the magic of 42nd Street. “People are just people.” In other words, you can find incredible talent all over the country. The play addresses the high stakes of the game, the fear level and anxiety of self-doubt, and taking chances; grabbing the opportunity.

“The whole point is to have a good time.” And that’s the lesson they shared with the kids.

When I asked why they would take the time to travel around the country, seeing their work interpreted in different ways, speaking to students and audiences alike, the answer was incredibly simple. “It completes the circle of inspiration.” The kids inspired them as much as they hoped to inspire the kids.

Bowen, who teaches workshops at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, Conn., was impressed with the level of talent he saw. Bell and Blackwell chimed in, “You’re going to hear from some of these kids.”

Indeed, the Academy has already seen incredible success in the forms of Rutina Wesley, who recently wrapped up a seven-year run as Tara Thornton on the HBO series “True Blood,” and Matthew Gray Gubler, who is still enjoying his stint as Dr. Spencer Reid on the long-running CBS drama “Criminal Minds.”

There’s plenty of professional theater in Las Vegas. We can be grateful for that, and for those who decide to make their living at it, but the lesson we get to take away from this is to remember true talent is everywhere. As Blackwell pointed out, “A person may have the ability, but not the absolute passion needed to make it their career.” But it can be used successfully in other fields.

The level of quality is a matter of commitment, throwing caution to the wind, and every other cliche that comes to mind when stepping onto a stage, or designing an element of a production; for anything in life, really. I urge you to keep that in mind when looking at your options to spend your entertainment dollar. Toss out the notion that it’s “just high school kids,” or “it’s only community theater.”

There’s talent in this valley, lots of it. And you’re cheating yourself if you don’t take advantage of it.

Paul Atreides is one of the theater critics at the Las Vegas Review-Journal. His Offstage column appears on the first Thursday of the month.