I don't think it is possible to overestimate the importance and influence of Adam's involvement with theater and music throughout his adolescence. Disregard for a moment the fact that his career revolves around performing. Involvement in arts groups provides many life lessons and creates friendships that sustain the participants. Adam learned:
* How to work in a group to achieve a common goal; to be part of a team
* That it takes everyone to pull it off. Not just the leads in the production. The ensemble players, the director, the producer, the choreographer, the music director, the musicians, the costumers, the set builders, the lighting operators, the make-up crew, the stagehands, the props crew, the PR people, the house manager, the ticket sellers, the program designers, the ushers; it takes a village to pull off a musical theater performance. The people who ran the children's theater group Adam participated in made sure that the kids got a taste of all aspects of the creation, not just standing in the spotlight onstage. The adults emphasized the importance of every role, every job, every person. Such an important life lesson. We see the results of that lesson in how Adam treats all the people he meets when performing - with appreciation and respect.
* That in life, you compete. Even tho' the directors of the theater group wanted to give each kid a chance to shine, they also wanted to prepare the kids to compete for what they want in life. For example, they would cast several kids in the same role. When the performances came around, the best one performed on Friday, opening night, the second best on Saturday night, and the others on the matinees. Inclusion and competition.
* That life is not always a democracy. Teams need leaders, and leaders must be followed, even when you do not always agree with their ideas and visions. I see many people in the workplace who have not learned that. They get upset when the boss doesn't include them in planning and decision-making. When the supervisor sets rules they feel should not apply to them. Anyone who has been in a choir, an orchestra, or a play knows that their job is to execute the director's vision to the best of their ability. A violinist does not argue with the conductor about the song tempo. An actor does not argue with the director about stage directions. A dancer does not decide to change the steps a choreographer has set for the troupe.
* That you can create a strong community of like-minded people who develop close bonds with one another and support one another. These bonds may continue long past the production, or they may dissipate when everyone says good-bye. That's life. Once you know how to build these communities and know how important they are, you replicate that in future projects. Building a community is important to accomplish your goals and to maintain your emotional and mental health. Conversely, if you set yourself apart from or above the community, it can be lonely, and you can be sabotaged.
This community of like-minded individuals was vital to Adam in his adolescence. He is very much a "people-person" yet, has always been, to quote him, a little weird and left of center. He didn't fit in with the neighborhood kids. He was artistic, not athletic. He was highly verbal and high energy (which can be irritating to other kids). He was a red-head with freckles on top of freckles. And he was gay, even before he knew the meaning of the word. In adolescence he was shunned and teased and didn't have many friends. But, he had his theater group where there were other kids like him. Where he made real and lasting friends. Where he belonged and was appreciated for what he could do and what he could contribute. Had Adam not found the artistic outlet, his life might have taken a much darker turn.
Instead, because of arts programs and nurturing, encouraging mentors, Adam is sharing his amazing gifts with the world; not just musical gifts, but lessons in humanity, humility, gratitude, inclusiveness, kindness and joy.