Artemis Steakley-Freeman is a member of the Living Canvas Company, and did all the writing for Living Canvas: Eureka in 2012, which played at National Pastime Theater in Chicago and Downstairs Cabaret Theatre in Rochester, NY.

Well, Artemis is in New York, and she recounts a stage-door experience…

I just saw Phantom of the Opera (for the first time) with Norm Lewis as the Phantom. At the stage door, he was signing and taking pictures with literally everyone. When he got to me, this happened:
 
Norm: Are we taking a selfie? I’m bad at these.
 
[We take a selfie.]
 
Norm Lewis: What do you do? You look like you’re in college.
Me: I’m studying theatre.
Norm Lewis: Do you act?
Me: I’m a writer.
Norm Lewis: Whats your name?
Me: Artemis.
Norm Lewis: Artemis? What a great name. You’re destined!
Me: *sputtering awkwardly* wow. Thank you!
 
And as he was walking away…..
 
Norm Lewis: wait, Artemis? What’s your last name?
Me: Freeman.
Norm Lewis: We have a quote from you backstage. “If perfect is nothing, you have nothing to worry about, because nothing is nothing worth fighting for.” A couple years ago, a girl in the cast saw.. what was it called… the living poster?
Me: *still sputtering* The Living Canvas
 
And then I broke down crying and he gave me a hug.

What a great thing to know that our show had such an impact on someone that they tracked down a quote from the text and posted it backstage as inspiration.

Here’s the piece from which the quote came:

Mirrors
Text by Artemis Steakley-Freeman
 
A: Who was that in the mirror?
I thought I saw myself.
But there was too much light, and not enough truth behind the refection.
Who is the shadow
Leaning against the wall as if it has nothing more to say?
 
B: I wish I could see myself.
But all I have is a reflection of painted words from glazed eyes and subtle mouths.
A perfect picture of a painted view.
Who was that in the mirror?
 
A: Why can’t I see myself?
You said I was handsome.
Why can’t I see it?
Make me a mirror that can highlight my skin and hide the rest.
 
B: Make me a mirror that will not shatter no matter how much insecurity I throw at it.
Make me a mirror from the rhythm and life in my eyes.
A mirror framed with kept promises and unwavering truth.
Make me a mirror worth looking in.
 
C: I will be your mirror
I will be the reflection leading the way.
I will push past these lies held in place by puzzle pieces of this canvas.
I will be the Marie Curie of beauty.
I will be your mirror, and tell you not to change.
 
B: I will be your mirror, and remind you everyday that there is no such thing as perfect,
and if perfect is nothing, you have nothing to worry about, because nothing is nothing worth fighting for.
I will point out every flaw, every line every wrinkle, and ignore you when you tell me to point out the rest.
 
A: I will be your mirror, and I will cling to this frame of skin and connection
to bind all mirages together and outline the one thing insecurity can not take from us.
I will weave my hands between the connections like wind on water
and wash away this ‘perfection’ long ingrained in our memory.
 
C: I will be your mirror, and despite these outside words forcing themselves through my glass,
I will not stumble.
I will not waver.
I will stand beside you, an image of your body undisturbed.
I will be your mirror, and I will not be broken.