Taking the Leap: How Leaving Everything I Knew Led Me Somewhere Unexpected
When I left my well-established theater company in Daphne, Alabama to spend two months as the Head of Theatre at Camp Laurel in Maine, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was walking into. I had built something real on the Eastern Shore – a theater community, relationships, a thriving organization – and yet, I felt drawn to this new, unfamiliar experience. Why? It was the unknown. It was the chance to challenge myself, to do something outside of my comfort zone.
I didn’t know how it would turn out, but I knew that if I wanted to grow, I had to take that leap. It felt a little like leaving Kansas behind, but now that I’m on the other side of it, I see that the leap wasn’t just about leaving – it was about everything that followed.
My production of The Wizard of Oz, Eastern Shore Repertory Theatre, Theatre on the Bluff
Dorothy in Kansas, photo by Beth Glisson
Why I Decided to Leave Everything Behind
Sometimes we need to leave what we’ve built not because it isn’t working, but because we need to prove to ourselves that we can build something again, in a new way. That’s where growth happens – not in the success of what you’ve created, but in the courage to say, “What else is out there?”
Camp Laurel felt like the perfect “what else” for me. My husband, Karl, was hired as the Head of Rockport, the music studio, and our kids joined as campers. We knew it would be an adventure. What I didn’t know was just how much it would transform me, personally and professionally. I was definitely not in Kansas anymore – but that’s where the magic began.
Professor Marvel in Eastern Shore Repertory Theatre's The Wizard of Oz
photo by Beth Glisson
The Lessons I Learned About Taking a Leap of Faith
1. The Unknown Isn’t the Enemy – It’s the Starting Point
When I first stepped onto the Camp Laurel stage, it wasn’t just unfamiliar – it felt like I had left everything I knew behind. But here’s the thing: the unknown is where true growth happens. By stepping into a new role without the safety nets we cling to, we open ourselves up to learning, creativity, and connections we never would have imagined.
So, what if the next time you’re faced with the unknown, you treated it as a gift? What if you embraced the possibility that it could lead you somewhere extraordinary – like finding a yellow brick road you didn’t even know existed?
Dorothy and friends follow the Yellow Brick Road.
photo by Beth Glisson
2. Courage Doesn’t Wait for You to Feel Ready
We always think we need to be ready for the next big step. But, spoiler alert – you won’t ever feel completely ready. Courage doesn’t wait for the perfect moment; it shows up when you take action despite the fear. I didn’t feel ready to leave Fairhope and everything I had built, but taking that leap taught me that courage is something we practice, not something we wait for.
What leap are you avoiding because you don’t feel “ready”? What if you just… did it anyway?
A stunning dancer and backdrop during The Wizard of Oz performance
photo by Beth Glisson
3. Trust the People You Haven’t Met Yet
We often think our best opportunities come from the people we already know. But I learned something amazing at Camp Laurel – the people you haven’t met yet could be the ones who open new doors, challenge you in the best way, and help you see the world from a new perspective.
I walked into camp feeling like a stranger, but those strangers soon became the key to one of the most fulfilling summers of my life. Sometimes, trusting the unfamiliar leads to friendships and experiences you never knew you needed – like finding your very own Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion along the way.
Dorothy and her new friend Tinman share a lovely moment.
photo by Beth Glisson
4. Great Things Come from Letting Go of Control
As a director, I’m used to having a plan. At Camp Laurel, though, things didn’t always go as planned – and that’s where the magic happened. I had to trust in the process, in my cast, and in the creativity that comes from improvisation. Letting go of control opened me up to moments of brilliance I never could have orchestrated on my own.
What if you stopped trying to control every detail of your journey and left room for life to surprise you?
Discovering new views and possibilities at Camp Laurel
5. The Leap Isn’t the Hardest Part – It’s the Landing
When we talk about taking leaps of faith, we focus so much on the jump that we forget to think about the landing. But here’s the secret: the landing isn’t always what you expect, and that’s the beauty of it. I landed in a place where I had to trust myself in new ways, and I found out that I’m capable of more than I thought.
When you take your own leap, remember that the landing may look different from what you imagined – and it could be better than you ever dreamed.
Celebrating the magic at Camp Laurel
photo by Camp Laurel
Why This Leap Mattered
Looking back, this leap wasn’t just about the two months we spent in Maine – it was about discovering a new version of myself. It was about stepping into the unknown and realizing that, even when we think we’ve reached the top of what we can accomplish, there’s always a new adventure waiting. You just have to click your heels and believe that, wherever you land, it will be exactly where you’re meant to be.
What About You?
Have you taken a leap of faith recently? Or are you standing on the edge, waiting for the right moment? I challenge you to trust yourself enough to take that leap. You may not land exactly where you expect – but I promise, the view will be worth it.
