A New Year...

Alex Chester

• OnStage New York Columnist

Wow has 2016 been one hell of a year. Professionally speaking it was awesome! We produced our first ever multicultural cabaret and will have another show in March of 2017.

I got out of a toxic relationship and couldn't be happier. Being single in the city is fun!

I have learned so much about what I want in life. Wish I had learned sooner, but as the saying goes, better late than never.

As much as I want to say I am looking forward to 2017, I'm not. The next four years, oh man, are gonna be rough. Our President-Elect is a sociopath and his Vice President might even be worse because he knows what the hell he's doing.

I know there are checks and balances, which will hopefully keep our liberties free, though I'm really doubtful. However, it's not He Who Must Not Be Named that scares me quite as much as the people that follow him.

Don't get me wrong. I think we need to take this President-Elect very seriously. Our lives will be affected. They already have been.

People now feel it's ok to say and do whatever they like to someone that isn't "white". Thanks to the election of Trump, men have been shown that they can sexually harass women with no consequences. I have been told what I can't do with my body, I have been cat called and groped, all since the beginning of this nightmare election. Yes, women have been getting sexually harassed since the dawn of time, but just when I thought we might be making some headway we elect this sexual predator.

I don't know about you, but I'm creating a backup plan. We forget how young our country is. We forget Rome fell. The future is so uncertain. Should we stay and fight? Become martyrs for what we believe in? I don't know. Is it worth it?

All I know is I believe in diversity. I believe in love and happiness for all. If our government fails in these aspects what's to keep me here?

I'm making sure I have my passport updated, my friends and I are getting walkie talkies and we already have a safe house to meet at, should we need a quick exit from our country. While we wait and see what's to become of the U.S. I will continue fighting for what I believe in here in NYC. I will continue to call out theatre companies that aren't diverse, I will create work for actors of color, and I will try my damnedest to make a difference in our sheltered world of theatre. Because art is a reflection of society and art can speak volumes against tyrants.

Here's to 2017. Whatever happens, I wish you peace, love, and happiness. God help us.