Sit back and enjoy the show! I often say these words as part of the welcome to a show. I say them because I do want you to feel at home, to be relaxed and enjoy yourselves. But really that is taking a passive role and the arts are not passive! The energy that flows between the audience and performer is what makes live art so incredibly powerful. You, as the audience, have a role here tonight. When you really hear the the story and capture the emotion that the artist brings to you and respond, you have entered into a relationship with the artist(s) and it enriches the experience. When I visit with the artists after the performances they always comment on the audience and its response to them, always. You make the difference tonight. So yes, please sit back, relax and enjoy yourself, but also, be present, capture the essence of what the performer is bringing to you and respond with your heart and hands. This is the beauty of live art: the moment is now and it will never happen exactly like this again.

Sabrina Brown
Executive Director
Pentangle Council on the Arts