Long time no post. Short but sweet, my husband Michael has opened a new massage studio in Melrose, and would love for any theater folk to come visit him. If you contact him through his website and explain your situation, I'm sure he can accommodate even the most starving of artists. Align Massage Studio: www.alignmassagestudio.com

So, admittedly I'm much more of a micro-blogger (Facebook, Twitter, Google+) than a blogger, so this will definitely be an interesting experiment.

I'm currently writing this from the Canton High School auditorium, where my partner-in-crime Stephanie and I have been ensconced for about 20 hours straight at this point. Perhaps the delirium and lack of sleep has inspired me to give it a go.

Every year, Canton Drama, the high school's dramatic arts program, runs its version of the 24-Hour Play Festival. At 7 PM the directors, writers, and actors all enter the theater. The actors "audition" by showing off the costume they wore  (this year the usual assortment of odds and ends included one Dr. Who [the Eleventh Doctor for those who were wondering], two Disney princesses, one full-body frog suit, and one garden gnome), a  prop they have brought in addition to any special skills they bring to the table. They leave their costumes and props behind, and along with the directors go home under strict orders to sleep.

The writers remain, and once they have assembled their cast begin the writing process. This process involves a long evening including nonsensical giggling, dancing throughout the theater, and piles and piles of junk food provided to keep them going throughout the night.

At 6 AM, the writers are done, and go home to get their share of sleep. The directors arrive at 7 AM to pick their shows, and the actors arrive at 8 AM to discover what stories have been written around their costumes and props. The directors and actors work all day, taking turns on the stage and working with the two lone techies providing lights, sound, and bare bones sets from items in stock.

By 7 PM the show is ready to go, and the audience (including the writers) file in to see what has been created from scratch in one day. The shows are invariable silly and nonsensical - with a mish mosh of random characters, props, and costumes what else could be expected? - and arguably the most popular event for the students every year. Regardless of the content produced they have a blast, and just enjoy every moment of the process from start to finish.

Though it's a little harder to relish in every moment as the staffer physically in the theater for the entire 24 hours and awake for most of it, this event reminds me of an important truth. While improving and perfecting the end-product of any theatrical endeavor is always something we as performers and artists strive for, sometimes it's important to remember that enjoying the process - no matter how long, intense, or tiring - is an important goal in and of itself.