by Gary Danciu
As someone who loves stories and telling stories, it’s always been hard not to look at my own life through a narrative lens. My life will have had a beginning, middle and an end. I’ll look back at my life and see the different chapters and characters that made up my story. My time with the Commonweal has been a significant and important chapter, and I know that it will remain that way for the rest of my life. After six seasons with the Commonweal, I have decided to bring this chapter to its end. I did not make this decision lightly. I came to the Commonweal as an apprentice in May of 2011, a year after graduating college. This past August, I decided it was time to move on and find new theatrical experiences in the Twin Cities.
I remember my first day in Lanesboro quite well. A few company members greeted me warmly at our artist’s residence and then I attended the opening night of Sylvia. At the opening night party, I was introduced to the variety of interesting characters that inhabited the company at the time. Little did I know, that I would meet many more characters and that my time in Lanesboro would extend all the way to December of 2016. During my time with the Commonweal, I have been given incredible opportunities to grow as an actor and a person. I performed in sixteen productions, served on the design team for nine productions and received experience in all aspects of the company’s administration. I’ve worked with dozens of talented artists over the past six seasons and I have forged life long friendships. To be honest, when I first came to Lanesboro in 2011, I wasn’t sure if I had what it took to make a life for myself in the theatre. I knew I had talent and a passion for theatre, but I just couldn’t imagine myself going off on my own and really making it happen. My experiences here and the people who I have worked with have all helped me to imagine that reality. I now know that I have the tools and confidence to move forward.
What I have valued most at the Commonweal is the chance to feel a part of a greater team and community. Throughout my life, I’ve always had the good fortune of doing what I love in service of something bigger than myself. At the Commonweal, I’ve always been made keenly aware of the effect my work has had on our audience. I’ve always known what my work and the work of my colleagues means to Lanesboro. There are good days and bad days at the company (as there are everywhere), but I have found every experience, good and bad, to be educational and valuable. Wherever my path leads, I hope to eventually find that sense of connection and community that has been so deeply satisfying during my time here.
I’d like to take this opportunity to express my overwhelming feeling of gratitude to all of you who have made my time here in Lanesboro such an unforgettable and wonderful chapter of my life. I’ve been thinking a lot about all the people I’ve gotten to know over the years, artists I’ve worked with, patrons, and the people of Lanesboro. I also want to thank my parents for all the trips they made the see me perform and for all of their love and support from afar. You have all played a part in my journey, and I hope in some small way I was able to do the same for you. Even though I am moving on to the next chapter, the Commonweal and Lanesboro are places I will proudly and always call home.
The Many Faces of Gary’s Commonweal Career:
Little Shop of Horrors, 2011 Parfumerie, 2011 The Metal Children, 2012 Pillars of Society, 2012 The Philadelphia Story, 2012 Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, 2013 The Last Night of Ballyhoo, 2013 Brand, 2014 Around the World in 80 Days, 2014 Arcadia, 2014 Woody Guthrie’s American Song, 2015 Charley’s Aunt, 2015 Little Women, 2015 The League of Youth, 2016 The Three Musketeers, 2016
All the good you give the world, tiime for the world to give back.
I’ve enjoyed watching you in every performance at the Commonweal Theater. Balanced, precise, evocative, exuberant: These are all terms I would use for your presence on stage. As voyeurs of these moments we have sought to connect with you in a very basic way: To feed energy back to your characters and to you as a person. It has been a very pleasurable experience that has enriched our own understanding of who we are, what we understand about love, life and ourselves. You have been a gift! Thank-you!
Change is a very frightening thing ! The next chapter in the book of Gary Danciu will put all the tools you have acquired so far in your journey to your betterment ,personally and professionally! We love you!
Dear Gary, I enjoyed seeing you grow as an actor in your different roles at the Commonweal. Thank you for providing us with the opportunity to experience the Commonweal Theatre performances. Lanesboro is a great little town and truly enjoyed our trips their and the community. Hope to return. I know you will find happiness in your next phase of your life. Love, Mom
Hi Gary,
I am sad to see you leave Lanesboro, but I am sure that you are making the right decision for your life as an artist and perhaps personally too. Change takes confidence and courage, which you have, along with an abundance of talent. I look forward to hearing what you are up to! Maybe you could write another blog about life after the Commonweal sometime, Good luck always!
Louise Wolfgramm
Gary,
It’s been one of the greatest pleasures of my life to watch as you have grown over the past six years. I know that you will continue to bring your warm generous heart and your thirst for learning with you wherever you go and that those two traits will serve you well as you continue to add to the artistry of our world. And just know that this is not goodbye but rather farewell (as in fare well). You’ll always have a home here.
Congrats on taking this leap. Best wishes for success and happiness!!!
I have enjoyed watching you perform in very play you were in. It was a pleasure getting to know you. Good luck in the future. I know you will do well.
Goodbye and Godspeed, Gary. Your talent will carry you. I enjoyed meeting you and working together briefly. We will miss you!
Jane