By Jefferson Jay

To give is to receive, some say. Some believe in karma, a spiritual balancing of forces that ensures no good deed goes unrewarded. Karma’s cohort, physics, states via Newton’s Third Law of Motion, “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.” Both argue that you get out what you put in. Sound fair to you?

On a walk around town one day, I met another dad, Alex Goldau, a life coach by trade, pushing a stroller. We quickly discovered our young sons were born on the same day one year apart. Destiny decided that was enough to make us fast friends. It was meant to be. Since then, Alex and I have bonded. Over coffee, he refocused me on the primary focus of The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit, which is giving.

My Heart Belongs to the Sea (Southern California, 2017), From the Ash Studios.

A Deep Breath

We are at a magnificent vista point on our journey with The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit. Our pitch materials are being finalized. Our partner, production company Mach 8, is pursuing pitch meetings on our behalf with industry leaders and investors. It was challenging to get here and we are making a point to take it all in and enjoy this hard-earned view.

It is time to complete our goal of giving this series back to the community who created it for the stage. It is their show and giving it to them and children everywhere is the mission. Children will grow up with a fuller perspective because we gave more now. Giving is the key to this dream.

Generational Gifts

We must give the awareness of what is possible to those who have not yet had the chance to see. People need this opportunity, for once they are aware, they will remain so forever forward. Inclusivity helps everyone. For every child with autism who benefits from an inclusive environment, there is another child without a disability whose perspective grows exponentially with greater exposure, awareness and the blessing of a new friend.

Different Like Diamonds

Our differences are our strengths. They are what make us who we are. We are each delightful and singular. This awareness is a part of the gift we are here to give. This awareness is the mission of The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit.

Allies of Everyone

We are connecting with like-minded friends, allies of everyone, ready to give more now, until lessons like these no longer need to be taught. We hope you will be by our side when we arrive at the next humbling vista.

By Jefferson Jay

As humans, we have the ability to inspire, influence and lift each other up in ways that can’t be anticipated or imagined. When I worked at St. Madeleine Sophie’s center, a day center for adults with developmental disabilities, I felt these sensations every time I entered the establishment. Although I loved my work and the people I spent my days with, I had no concept of the creative tsunami just ahead.

The Birth of the Holiday Spirit

It started when I was offered the opportunity to write and direct a holiday musical. The Holiday celebration was one of the big events at St. Mad’s El Cajon facility and all were excited for Santa visits, Christmas cookies, and the annual holiday performance. 

I was excited, nervous, and all a twitter for my directorial debut. As I was also playing the music on the side of the stage I had to trust in our cast and crew to make sure everyone was where they needed to be, when they needed to be there. Everyone was amazing and it went off without a hitch. 

The live cast of The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit in action.

Emotional Outpourings

There was laughter, applause, profound appreciation and even some tears of joy in the audience. Things had far surpassed my goals, which were simply to have fun and do our best. Their best: they did. When it was all over, cleaned up, and everyone went home, I wasn’t ready to be done. Not yet.

So what does an inspired creator do in these circumstances? My answer was to create more, hang on to the characters and the moment, a week or so longer. Using the script from our first performance (now our pilot episode) as a template, I fired off seven more scripts, episodes 2-8, to create what is now our first season.

It Isn’t Hard to Feel Me Glowing

This exercise enabled me to get to know each of the characters a bit more. Each main character was the focus of one of the first season episodes. I got to develop their personalities more and it really felt like getting to know a bunch of new friends.

Each episode had about five original songs all its own and that too was a delightful creative exercise. I loved writing these shows almost as much as I loved directing them. I wrote about one episode a day for a week and was ecstatic the whole time.

Where We Went & Where We’re Going

The following fall, when my employers asked me to direct again, episode two was ready and I couldn’t wait to get back after it. Seven years later, I feel similarly, as we await the opportunity to present this inclusivity avalanche for the world to enjoy, just like our audience of family and friends did back in 2014.

It is my humble honor and pleasure to do this work. I am beyond grateful as we await the opportunity to celebrate once again, when our actors receive that applause and adoration they so richly deserve.