If I can’t do theater, I might as well do this . . .

By Ken Davenport

I don’t know anyone trudging their way through this pandemic who isn’t doing something they haven’t done before.

It’s called “The Pandemic Pivot.” Sounds like a new Tik Tok dance craze, doesn’t it?

Well, I’ve been two-stepping to it right along with all the other TheaterMakers out there, and today I’m announcing my latest!

See, I’ve tried to look at our industry’s “pause” as a blessing. After all, it was Stephen Schwartz on only my 2nd livestream of the 70-something I’ve done since March, who said . . .

“We can look at this as an opportunity. That we’ve been given a gift of time we might not ordinarily have.”

So my (latest) Pandemic Pivot is not a new idea. It’s an idea that I’ve had for years. It’s one of those ideas that I always whispered to myself about. “Oh, if I ever had the time, I’d love to do THIS.”

And, well, now I have the time.

Sort of.

See the funny thing is, I’m busier than ever. And most TheaterMakers I know feel the same. It’s like we’re on a stationary bike pedaling our petunias off. Just not getting anywhere. But man oh man, are we having a lot of Zoom meetings.

So I don’t really have the time. But thanks to the inspiration from Stephen, and from the Mastermind group I’m a part of, as well as a few choice words from a Mentor of mine, I am going to make the time.

Because no matter how busy you are, if you truly want to do something, you will find the time.

If you can’t find the time, then you don’t want it bad enough.

So what am I making time for?

A movie.

(I can hear all you theater purists yelling traitor as I type!)

I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help myself.

I’ve always been a fan of underdog stories . . . ordinary people with a passion who do extraordinary things. You can see that in Altar Boyz, Kinky Boots, Once on this Island, Gettin’ The Band Back Together, and the upcoming, Joy.

And years ago, I bumped into a story that I knew was ripe for a theatrical adaptation.

Just not for the stage.

It’s called The Dan Plan.

“The Dan Plan” is a website and blog (he had me at blog) started by a guy named Dan McLaughlin.

And Dan had a dream. To play professional golf. Even though he never picked up a club.

Inspired by Malcom Gladwell’s “10,000 Hour Rule” (which states that anyone can become a master at anything, with 10,000 hours of practice), Dan quit his job and pursued his dream full time. (Did I say he never picked up a club before?)

So, what do you think? Think he made it to the pros? Or did he give up, or fight his way through?

You’ll have to watch the movie to find out. (Just give me a couple years to get it made.)

But get it made I will.

Even though I’ve never produced a feature film before. But, well, before I first produced a Broadway show, I had never done that before either. Same is true when I made my board game. Or my documentary. Or this blog.

But I’ll figure it out. It’s not brain surgery. And, well, this story so spoke to me . . . I have to figure it out. (It’s the kind of story I love and that works best in any medium – one person with a simple single goal . . . and a ticking clock to go along with it.)

So, stay tuned to this blog-station for updates on the movie as I go. (I’m an act into the first draft, and I don’t even hate it like I usually hate my first drafts!)

And, well, if you’re interested in doing something you haven’t done before, now is the time to go for it. Because there’s never a perfect time. So now is as good a time as any.

And if you think you can’t do it, because you haven’t done it before? Well, you’re in good company. Every successful person on the planet felt exactly the same way as you do right now. And without them going for it, there wouldn’t be an automobile, iPhone, women’s right to vote, and so on.

Not knowing what you’re doing is the greatest asset you can have when you do-do-do The Pandemic Pivot.

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We’ve got a whole panel on pivoting at our TheaterMakers Summit. Click here to get a ticket to hear Christopher Jackson, Alan Menken, Jessie Mueller and a whole bunch more talk about making theater in the new world.