For Our Friend Jannese
The hardest lesson I've learned about performing is that you never quite know when the last time you might share a stage with a fellow performer.
People move on, people move away, and sometimes people are taken from this earth a little too soon.
Such was the case with our good friend Jannese Davidson.
I've always worked well with ensembles and on our Early Late Night stage we have been fortunate enough to share the stage with over 100 performers. But three years ago, I could have never guessed it would be the last time we'd share a stage together. As a collaborator, she was a firecracker -- full of energy and heart. In person, she was a sweatheart who was always giving, honest, and laughed with all of her heart at her fellow performers when they were on stage.
Two years ago today I heard the news that she passed away. It was the kind of news that, naturally, bummed out those of us who were lucky enough to get to work with her (both on the ELN cast, and in the forensics community).
Rafesparza, YouTube
I put together this little tribute to her a couple years ago, but have yet to release it on my YouTube page.
I thought I'd change that tonight.
In it, I say a few words from the desk about Jannese (we filmed an installment a few days after her passing). Shortly after my words from the desk, you can see a little bit of my favorite sketch she contributed to the show (the way she nerded-out on Game of Thrones is a wonderful kind of silly).
Watching that video reminds me not only how lucky we were to get to spend a little extra time together performing outside of the world of forensics, but also how important it is to truly make the time to appreciate the moments you get to share on the stage with the collaborators you love.
As an added bonus, you can also watch the Cold Open I described in the video above to see what a multi-threat she was on the stage. She was the best back-up dancer a host could ever ask for.
I laugh every time I watch her kill it.
From all of us at ELN, we love and miss you Jannese. Thank you for giving us your heart.
Rafesparza, YouTube