The author reflects on their past involvement in theater, describing it as a profound first love that has since transformed into embarrassment. Their transition away from theater was influenced by encounters with actor Richard Kind, whose work left a significant impact on the author's perspective over time. Despite not pursuing theater professionally, the author grapples with the identity of their younger self, recognizing the irrevocable change that has affected their relationship with both theater and personal aspirations as they have aged.
"Theater was my first love, and like it is with many first loves, my former feelings now often embarrass me—not just because I no longer feel them, but because falling out of love was so decisive, so shattering, so apocalyptic that the person I was when I did theater is a person who will never exist again."
"Richard Kind is a successful, funny actor who often appears both manic and aggrieved. I heard what he said to me very loudly and clearly at first, then more subtly over the course of my life, as I've returned to it and understood it differently at new ages, while he probably gave it less than two seconds of thought at the time."
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