Bestie Moments Cue…and Go
Celebrating theatre creative and friend, Becka Morton
I had the pleasure of being in the audience for a table reading of a modern adaptation of Puro Pastorela, which is a traditional Mexican play whose plot revolves around the journey of shepherds (pastores) on a mission to reach Bethlehem. Written by my friend Becka Morton, a creative force in the community theatre scene, this play represents a new milestone in her performing arts journey. Having spent years working behind the scenes guiding rehearsals, designing costumes, and directing performances, she now takes her seat among the storytellers as a playwright.
A Leo through and through, Becka is the friend I turn to for everything: my unfiltered rants, the agony of all the loves of my life, and the honest, theatre industry advice that comes with straight facts and zero sugarcoating. She is the most ambitious person I know, relentlessly hustling, turning obstacles into stepping stones.
And yes, I know this is a sewing blog. But at the moment, I’m taking a creative pause for a bit to reset and reflect. So, I wanted to use this space to celebrate the success of my friend and colleague, who is so good at setting goals and achieving them, unlike anyone I know.
I met Becka in 2022 when she joined the costume shop team at Six Flags. From the start, she was focused, efficient, and handled everything with integrity. Naturally, I did my best to corrupt her the second I got to know her.
In between exploring places we weren’t supposed to be in and driving the costume ATV into areas we weren’t allowed to go, she shared stories and insights with me about how the theatre industry worked. In exchange, I shared my knowledge of design and garment-making with her. It was a fair trade in my opinion, as we were both educating each other on the way of the arts while building a bond, breaking company park rules.
One of our responsibilities was to costume the performers for their seasonal shows. She was fearless from the start. When she was given the freedom to be creative, the cast members assigned to her looked confident, gorgeous, and stage-ready. I knew costume design was part of her studies; however, dressing an actor for theatre differs from dressing a dancer for a live performance, and she handled it effortlessly.
During that time, I remember her constantly working on production gigs for local theatres on the side, networking and building her stage management portfolio. I admired the hustle and even thought to myself a few times, it’s what I should be doing, but I was lazy. Her dedication paid off as it led to opportunities working with professional directors and equity actors.
To my delight, we were cast together on the creative team for two professional musical theatre productions. She in the stage manager role, I in costumes. And that is when I got to see my friend shine. I watched her seamlessly fit in among trained creatives, flawlessly facilitating all those lists of things that stage managers…you know…facilitate. (Note: I have no idea what a stage manager does, but it looks stressful.) Regardless, she did it, and she did it beautifully.
I think that was the first time I truly felt so proud of her. It’s not often you get a front row seat to someone building a dream piece by piece and then watching it pay off. She was unstoppable. If you doubted her, she’d prove you wrong.
By the following year, I had decided to move on, while she remained in her role for some time after. But before I left, we had one last adventure in the park and basically went and did anything I wanted because the rules didn’t apply to me anymore since I was already leaving. Obviously, I made her come along for the ride and take pictures of me; none of which will be shown here.
After that, our paths went in different directions. She continued to build her theatre resume, adding costume designer and director to her growing list of credits. Meanwhile, I moved to New York for a few months to work in the costume shop at the Rev. But before I left, I joined her on a shopping trip to source costumes for her upcoming production of The Aristocats. Afterwards, she treated me to 54th Street.
It was like one of those moments you see in the movies. When two friends are parting, both are headed down different paths with their own goals and dreams, planning to keep in touch but knowing everything can change in a heartbeat. Which it did. And when it did, she was always the first person I reached out to in my many crises moments. And like a true friend, she endured long voice notes from me night after night after night. Sorry Becka.
Despite the long distance, we stayed connected. I cheered her from afar as she continued to build her body of work in an industry that is notoriously limited and uncertain. But that didn’t stop her. She traveled a few times a year, convening with an amazing group of people that formed a digital theatre company for performing artists of different backgrounds who advocate and challenge norms in the theatre community.
And, as if her behind-the-scenes talents weren’t remarkable enough, when I returned, I got to see the performer side of Becka shine onstage singing and dancing as part of a community theatre’s tenth anniversary celebration, which to me was as much a celebration of her and all her achievements.
Now, almost four years of friendship later and countless tea, we step into the new seasons of our lives. I get to watch her embrace the playwright era of her journey, carrying forward the legacy and stories of her roots, as she gets to see me step into the next multiple creative chapters of mine.
Some people seem to arrive in this world with their paths already appearing before them. It’s as if each step reveals itself when they know the direction they want to go. I believe this is true for Becka. Though she comes from a family rooted in theatre, she continues to make a name for herself through hard work and determination. She isn’t afraid to leave things behind nor to step beyond the comfort of the familiar and take on new roles, new challenges, that lead to new possibilities.
She will say differently, of course. She would say that her path has not been without fear, struggle, sacrifice, or lack. And she would be right. Because, as creatives, we know this lifestyle is all about taking risks for personal growth at the expense of our mental health and financial stability. Some people will never venture out past their own backyards to achieve their dreams, whereas people like Becka will not hesitate to, as I like to say, get the hell outta here.
Eventually, we will have that last dinner. Where, like in the movies, we will have to part ways and go live our lives. She, a trailblazer and Broadway Professional, I, probably still sewing and crying about the latest love of my life. But here and now, I have this friend who, no matter how far I venture into mindless oblivion psychosis will still take the time to pull me out, inspire me, and show me all that I am capable of. Then afterwards, head out to direct another musical or two.
I imagine when that day comes, I will probably cry like I always do, my mind flooded with memories of our conversations, mischiefs, and happy openings. And, honestly, who knew that one person’s attempt to cause pain and misery would lead to another person who set me on a path of joy. It’s as simple as that. Two people, different journeys, a Leo and a Libra. An extrovert and an introvert. The peacemaker and the lover of chaos, celebrating each other’s successes and applauding every production we bring to life. Therein lies the power of true friendship.
