February 29, 2008

Dear Fran,

I am writing concerning Christopher Catt and his work at Snug Harbor.  My play “Virtue Of The Heart” was produced at the recent Snug Underground Festival.  I have been writing stage and screen for more than thirty years.  I have received a number of national awards both professionally and in academia.

Thirty years ago theater was different, as I’m sure it was before that.  Theater was a place where life was created, a place where we learned about each other and ourselves.  It was a place where the community became an active part of the creative process.  Theater was a necessity.  It was a responsibility.  It was a vital part of our lives.  Today we’ve all moved on and have left a place that had been so important to all.  Even I at one point had left to write for the screen.

That are a few of us who remember and can still see the value of theater in our lives and are dedicated to the process.  Christopher Catt is one.  Recently, my play “Virtue Of The Heart” opened at the Snug Harbor Underground Theater Festival.  Christopher did nothing more than let the event happen.  It is a platform that no longer exists in theatre today.  Anyone can mount Camelot.  It is what is expected of us.  It is our responsibility to preserve.  Christopher went beyond that by his support of the program.  Camelot did not start in a rehearsal hall with a budget.  It started on a creativity, and with that not only the community becomes part of it, all of us involved get a chance to reach for excellence.  You can’t put a dollar sign on that.  It’s something Christopher just does, he knows no other way.  He allows the creative process to take place.  And in a way it’s a true reflection of who we are in this society.  Reaching our potential depends on the opportunities at hand.

I lost both my legs in Vietnam 38 years ago.  I had all the excuses to be a burden on society, but found a way to be a productive member.  There were theaters that allowed me to work and learn. And from what I learned I am able to give it back to the community.  It is the circle of appreciation.  The bigger the circle gets, the bigger and better we become.  Theater at Snug Harbor is in a position to make that circle bigger.  And with Christopher Catt walking point, we can trust we will head in a direction that is the good.

Please continue your theater program especially in the area of developing dramatic material for the stage.  It is so important for us all.  Thank you for the opportunity to work in your space and looking forward to walk through your doors again.

Respectfully,

Michael V. Sulsona