Lyndsey Gore, Storyteller

LYNDSEY GORE, Production Coordinator, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

My friend Jill had worked with the International Children’s Festival at Wolf Trap for years, and after weeks of her hounding, I braved a sweltering September day for its final showcase. I marveled as young Hawaiians, South Koreans, Turks and Qataris boldly shared their cultures in joyful song and dance, seemingly unaware of the tumultuous relationships that their countries are known for. Beaming, I ran backstage to congratulate Jill’s team, just as the back door burst open with a gust of wind.

As I watched him walk away, I believed it too, and that belief fuels my chosen work to this day.

There stood the Qatari children’s chorus director, out of breath and wiping sweat from his brow. “We cannot board these buses until I say this. Before we came here, these children were terrified that they would be murdered in their beds, due to what they see on television. But you gave them nothing but exceeding kindness and a wonderful experience. They will tell their parents about this. We will tell their parents about this. And if we can keep making this happen, I truly believe we can unite this world after all.”

As I watched him walk away, I believed it too, and that belief fuels my chosen work to this day.