I am Tony the Tiger.
...Or at least I was yesterday. Every now and then - when I want to convince myself that my theater background hasn't been completely wasted - I appear locally as Tony, the GECKCO, the Chick-fil-A Cow, the Energizer Bunny, or whatever mascot happens to be needed at local stores and events. I take pride in it; after all, it takes skill, fortitude and dedication to run around for 6 hours in a sweat-soaked, 50 lbs. suit. Yes, I have fun scaring little kids. And no, I don't work for minimum wage ("Buy MY time, you pay MY price!")
But from inside a sweltering head that allows me to see in only one direction, I see many things.
I see the love that emanates from the braver kids who get excited at the sight of a cartoon mascot.
I see excited and enthused adults; in fact, over half of the photos taken are with adults, not children.
I see blue collar men and women who automatically empathize with the plight of the actor wearing the suit, even though they can't see me ("Man, I know you got to be hot!", to which I mime "Yes.")
I see the lonely - mostly women and children - who hug as if this is the only chance they have to give and / or receive.
There are other observations that I will save for another time, such as the fact that mascot helpers need to pay attention and stop texting. (That's why I get so much freelance work, whether as a performer or technician; an older professional will always trump a lazy, unfocused kid.)
Still, I wonder if people realize the amount of work that goes into the illusions created by performers and media content creators. Likewise, I wonder if the creators appreciate the effect that they have on others.
In a few minutes I will fold the laundry while watching The Oscars. Over the next few weeks I will rehearse with a cast of dedicated locals for an upcoming play. And as always, during weekdays I will push documents covered in numbers.
Regardless of the activity, we all play roles, but rarely can we see any further than a few feet beyond the mask, the footlights, the sale, the diagnosis, the financials. One's value lies not in the role played but in the effect we have on the observer.
May we always take time to reach out into the infinite, to touch the needy, the lonely, the hurting...
