GandhiGuy Goes to Washington. . . ?

Below is Don’s Reply to Pamela, an event organizer in Washington, D.C.

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I’d love to begin talking with you directly, Pamela, on how this performance could fit for your organization there in Washington, D.C., a possible range of dates, and if you’re open to it, begin to pin down the details of support systems needed.

I’ve done 26 portrayals of Mr. Gandhi since the inception of this performance in March of 2007, including peace rallies and marches, church services, special forums and school performances. They have all been received with warmth, a soft sense of humor, and touching responses from the participants.
 
The “Evening” is subtitled, “On Becoming Worthy of Peace”, and brings Gandhi’s ideas of non-violence, non-cooperation, and the power of love to the audience directly. We structure the opportunity to experience what it would be like to attend Gandhi’s nightly prayer vigils in his home ashram, where thousands would come for the chance to be near him. Within this setting we hold a brief meditation/prayer to begin, have some Indian music play, then a brief address from “Mr. Gandhi” that touches on what it takes to become worthy of peace and justice as a people, citing many examples and stories from his life to illustrate, as well as contemporary challenges here in America. There is always a call to action at the end of the address, illustrating Gandhi’s focus on turning our anger about the injustices around us into loving and compassionate action.
 
We then open it up for questions from the audience, or ‘satsang’ as they call it in India and this has consistently been the most powerful piece of the portrayals. The questions have ranged from strictly political, dealing with the war in Iraq, impeachment, and how to balance love with non-cooperation, all the way to personal questions about how to follow one’s heart in difficult life decisions.
 
Overwhelmingly, the attendees have cried, responded respectfully to “Gandhiji” in their reflections, and helped to create an atmosphere where the air becomes thick and rich with the beauty of this man’s contribution to all of us, even into today. The testimonials have consistently stated that after the very first question, people forgot that it was a performance, and became enraptured with being able to be with ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ in present time.
 
It’s a bit mysterious how this happens, but I’ve given up judging it, and have just decided it is a powerful theatrical event every time for them and for me, and have let myself go with it.
 
I’m really looking forward to talking with you soon about bringing “Mr. Gandhi” to your performance space. Thank you in advance for your openness that you’d expressed to Allan about talking with me. I really appreciate it.
 
You can hit ‘reply all’ and I’ll get your answering email at both of my emails above, in case I’m not at this terminal when you reply.
 
I’m looking forward to our connection Pamela!
 
In Peace,
 
Don McAvinchey