Living in Europe, Lin-Manuel Miranda is not a household name. Hamilton is not even a household name (at least if you are talking about the musical, the race car driver is)
Lin-Manuel came in to my life through the Apple TV series Dear and Mary Poppins Returns, making an impression. He became my hero after I saw the musical Hamilton on Disney+. I was captured by the way he performed and mind blown when I learned that he also wrote every song and lyric. I've loved theater and musical since my teen years but no production, so far, spoke more to me then this piece.
Lin-Manuel Miranda is my Obi-Wan from a distance
Normally I don't easily impress, in Dutch we have a saying, everybody goes to the toilet, describing that in essence we are that we are all the same.
After Hamilton I researched Lin-Manuel, I watched and listened to more of his work. I watched and listened to interviews and I found an online community; Twitterico. Since he works a lot there is a lot of material available. Lin also works hard to remain accessible by answering his own fanmail and being active on Twitter and Instagram.
The three things that captured me and impressed me deeply, besides the songs and shows, is the way Lin-Manuel works, his energy and how he (keeps) learning. For me this is the first time I saw the way I work, learn and collaborate reflected in some one else. Not only reflected but taken to a next level.
Lin-Manuel has said in interviews that he makes choices based on feeling (a song is done when it feels right) and on where you can learn most. He works relentlessly at his dreams and is open to other opinions but he is also very true to his vision.
By being so open and accessibly he has given me the opportunity to reflect on my own life. I've learned so much by looking back on my own life choices and looking at the path that he took and is still taking. He is inspiring me and coaching me from afar without knowing that he does so.
Positivity attracts positivity
There was a moment in time when Lin was active, very active, on Twitter. He called his followers Twitterico, this name is now a proud marker for the many fans he has in te world. The fan community is very active and one of the few places on the internet also a very fun and loving place. I met many people and I'm proud to call some my friend. It is a very creative community that supports artist. If it was not for this group I would, artistically not be where I am today.
In my last blog I told you the story of a painting very much inspired by Lin-Manuel this painting would not have grown to where it is now if it was not for the pictures that the community provided and the support they gave me. If you, like me, love Lin please come visit the Facebookgroup
What do you do when you meet your hero?
Next week I'm traveling to Hamburg to see Hamilton for the first time in a theater at the last practice show before the premiere. We are staying because Lin-Manuel is coming to the premiere. I already told him what he and the community mean to me so what am I going to do when I meet him?
Honestly I can't tell you, every time I try to imagine the narrative changes. I'm hoping for a conversations, he inspires me so much from a distance I'm curious what his effect is on me if we cab talk in person and in my dreams I return the favor.
What would you do if you would ever meet your hero?
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