Keegan Michael Key reads a letter on work/ life balance

Some years after the 2004 death of famed photographer Richard Avedon, his friend, theatre and film director André Gregory, wrote him a letter about the one thing on which they could never agree: the work/life balance.

[dlanska]

This man has tremendous range and talent. From sensitively passionate, as in this reading, to brilliantly comedic.

[HobsonRW]

Expecting comedy, listening to grounded and heartfelt prose exhibited with such nuance and empathy, tears, smiles, more tears and smiles....respect for both.

[zoidsfan]

As a struggling amateur illustrator I appreciate wholeheartedly the perspective of returning to a beginners mindset. I myself have pulled my hair in frustration that I have lackluster drawing skills, yet don't want to outsource my ideas for fear of what I picture in my minds eye being misconstrued in some way. So I struggle on, and have found a weird comfort in having a skill which I have to put all my effort into to achieve even a fraction of what my mind conjures.

This letter hits on that quite well. It also hits on the nature of having long bouts of not working on projects whilst simultaneously soaking in influence like a sponge. It's something that used to worry me a bunch until I found stories of artists I look up to going through similar cycles. So that wording of an artist being like a tree growing in winter is perfect.

This letter in particular speaks to me. Others can be comedic or simply well written. But this one is much more personal to my own life experiences.

[deanpapadopoulos]

Lovely letter and good delivery. The performer cared about the message and about the audience.

[jennifertharp]

What a beautifully performed plea from one friend to another and lovingly important lessons to us all.

[importantname]

I love that there are many artists around us, helping to make life more fulfilling and interesting, I am also very glad that some people build roads and fix the plumbing.

[kevincaldwell]

This letter was amazing and read so well by Keegan...so sad that the recipient never got to read it.

[danpacitti]

Truly an inspiring letter, so much more to life than just to work. What we can produce is important, but it is not the most important, for at the end of the day, who gets to enjoy the house overlooking the sea? And is it enjoyed if we have no friends with whom to truly enjoy it?

Masterfully read by Keegan.

[catmom]

So beautifully done. I was in tears. A masterful performance. Bravo!

[Lord_Brocktree]

That was beautiful. Thank you for taking the time to read that letter.

[SharonGitau]

I love this. It's so true that there's value in spreading laughter, love and compassion to the people around us. And that as artists, our life and work inform each other. This is a person who understands what's truly important in life.

[bens]

Best random find on youtube of the year.

[janemiettinen]

As an artist, Andres new discoveries in drawing gives me so much joy. I cant stop smiling!

[icarian-follies]

Letters often hold the most compelling tales.

[nodarlingart]

That fits so well in my life right now . . . thank you 🥰

[kathryning]

Dear Letters Live,

While I tend to naturally gravitate toward the humorous readings regardless of my current emotional state, I do so without prejudice for the more sentimental ones. They are equally enjoyable but perhaps too touching for me to bear at this juncture in my life. I shall listen to those in due time. As with many other listeners, my heart is in need of more laughter. If you can accommodate such a request, I would be most grateful.

Sincerely,
A listener

[jcsrst]

That was truly beautiful! What a talent❤

[marcabrams]

The classically trained multi-talented artist like KMK can’t reach this level of theatrical brilliance without also claiming a life. Where else does one gain familiarity with the best and worst of humanity.

[DnG]

Andre makes me want to draw again, like I used to when I was younger.

[mrmeglomania]

There's an Aesop Rock song called "Rings" that this reminds me of.