3 minute read
Scribbled Note
A note from this issue's community ambassador...
Kimberly Wilson, Associate Producer, Thrown Stone Theater’s THE SUBURBS
“WON'T YOU PLEASE, won’t you please, please won’t you be my neighbor?” Like many of you, I grew up watching Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and singing that wonderful theme song, not only with Mr. Rogers but also with friends and people I met throughout my life. I still appreciate its messages of community, and what it means to be a good neighbor. And more importantly, what it means to love your neighbor.
Even though I grew up in Minneapolis and live in Westport, I consider Ridgefielders my neighbors and Ridgefield one of my neighborhoods.
As your neighbor, over the past 26 years I have performed at the annual Dr. King Day celebration produced by Mark Robinson and Allison Stockel. I’ve often been a singer and performer for my friend, Rev. Whitney Altopp and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. I also enjoy walking Main Street and greeting you all along the way.
As your neighbor, I’ve also celebrated “firsts.” Last August was the first time I directed a full-length play, SISTERS by Joanne Hudson and Royal Shiree, produced by Hildegard Grob and the Keeler Tavern Museum.
This year, I’m celebrating another personal “first” in Ridgefield. I’m the Associate Producer for Thrown Stone’s The Suburbs, a roving production of three world premiere plays by Tony Meneses, Phanésia Pharel, and Catherine Yu, August 26 – September 12. These short plays will be performed in sequence at three outdoor locations: Keeler Tavern Museum, The Aldrich Museum, and West Lane Inn.
The Suburbs will ask us to reflect on our identity as a community. And like Mister Rogers reminded us, we must also reflect on being neighbors to those who may be different from us. Loving your neighbor means sharing with them, listening to them, getting close to them, understanding them, making room for them, and sometimes even protecting them.
Ridgefield, as we grow and strive to be good and loving neighbors, the next time you and I see each other, let’s sing together that wonderful theme song from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, “Won’t you please, won’t you please? Please, won’t you be my neighbor?”
Kimberly Wilson
Associate Producer, Thrown Stone Theater’s THE SUBURBS
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ShoutOut
B y A m A nd A d uff
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Step Bravely We’ll drink to that!
