Legacy

What is the legacy you want to leave behind?

Before my retirement, several people got together to throw me a surprise retirement party before the Saturday performance of my last show on campus. In attendance were students from my 17 years at the campus, representing a wide range of productions.

Several of them had incredible things to say about their experiences in the shows, and were very complimentary of me. And in that moment, I realized what my legacy truly is.

I would like to have my blog posts and my podcast, Audio Chimera, continue to be available after my demise. Articles and books I’ve edited or written will continue to be available (barring a worldwide apocalypse). But a more important legacy, as I said in my tearful remarks at the celebration are:

My students.

They are my true legacy. The ones I taught and directed, and in some cases inspired. A few work in theatre and the arts, but all were touched by what I had to offer in my teaching, and carried a piece of me with them to this day.

And I can think of no better legacy to have.

What is your legacy? And do you carry a piece of anyone with you? Leave a comment, and please like and follow.