Holiday Traditions

MTC Artistic Director Julia Flood said in a May 2020 St. Louis Public Radio interview, "One of the things that I think is true about all theater people is that we're resilient. And we've, for a very long time, been building castles out of cardboard boxes."

In the spirit of discovery, MTC staff members share new ways they've created to celebrate the joy of the holidays, togetherness, and the love for what can be, amidst the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Julia Flood, MTC Artistic Director
My husband Tom and I have made visiting the Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden with Metro Theater Company emeritus board member Ken Jones and his wife Jane part of our annual holiday tradition. Last year, the visit was a little different. It was one of the first times we got together with friends in several months. We were all masked and we didn’t spend time together indoors as we have in years past, but sharing the visit to yhe garden was even more joyful after so long without seeing each other. Everything seemed even more beautiful in the garden and we found ourselves enjoying the experience more than ever.

Joe Gfaller, MTC Managing Director
Each year decorating our house is big part of our holiday traditions. We have an entire “Christmas room” in the basement filled with decorations, most of which go up each year – from a nativity scene that’s older than I am to miniature ornaments from a table top tree I had in college and to new ornaments we try to buy whenever we travel. But this year, we are adding to the Christmas décor with something my husband and I could build together: the start of a winter holiday village made of Legos. It was a great way to do something together for the holidays that we’ll always have – and something I hope we’ll be able to add to each year with new holiday buildings.

 

McKinley Seale, MTC Admin and Operations Associate
Since my extended family all lives in Texas, it was hard for us to get together safely last year. Instead, we had a family holiday pajama-themed Zoom party! As you can see, even my puppy, Milo, was involved in the festivities. After the Zoom, my family (including our dogs) loaded up in our car and drove through the Christmas lights in the park with our hot chocolate and lots and LOTS of blankets.

 

Gen Zoufal, Resident Teaching Artist
My family had a “Christmas Talent Show” when we were little— that faded away over time. Last year, we organized an virtual talent show, where each family member took a turn sharing a talent via email with the family throughout December. It was like a little dose of Christmas each day from across the country— and let people share things in a totally new way than the in-person format allowed— like a one minute version of the nutcracker, a cookie recipe, or a guided meditation.

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Holiday Gift Ideas