“Sandman & Huey Take Pains” is about joining the circus of life. From an early age, my creative endeavors were constantly dismissed by the adults in my life. However, I found refuge in mentors and friends – particularly in my theater class – who recognized and shared the necessity to tell stories. To “take pains” is a Shakespearean term that means to try very hard. Sandman and Huey are my assurance that we live in a world where a storyteller – as simple and complex as a clown – can offer wondrous exploration, dedication, inspiration, and love.