One of my resolutions for 2009 is to make an entry at least once a week on this blog whether anyone reads it or not. I’m a little overdue with this one.
By now it’s well known that VANITIES has been postponed. I’m not sure when we’ll come back, given that there’s no end in sight to this dismal economic situation. Will having a new president in less than two weeks be the shot in the arm we need to begin spending confidently again? Maybe it’ll help. I am hoping for the spring – that’d be a good time to open!
The disappointment and anger have come and gone, and I know the entire company of VANITIES has gone through the same thing. Knowing full well that we didn’t enter this business for any sort of assurance, we still have to be allowed our grief, upset and frustration of having spent the better part of the last six months clearing our calendars for this time of year. For some, it is easy to find other work, for others, not so. And at least we were given the notice of postponement over a month before rehearsals were to begin, as opposed to right before, which would have been devastating (I can’t imagine what the cast of GODSPELL felt). We were very lucky to have had the time, albeit, it’s not very easy to find work over the holiday season. We have all dispersed and gone many separate ways, and I don’t know exactly what everyone is up to, but I hope they all find something to do in the meantime. I myself just booked a couple weeks of a workshop in February (performing) but after those couple weeks, it looks pretty bleak.
I find myself planting the seeds on many projects; not just directing. While I still propose shows, both new and old, to theatres, as well as developing new shows in readings and workshops, I am still auditioning for things, I’m working with a local theatre on some fundraising ideas for them, I’m pursuing a jazz solo career – I’m casting as many nets as I can, all in the name of creativity. Some would argue that to cast so many nets, to have that much energy focused in several directions, may not be the best way to operate, and for some, it may be better to take one thing and focus entirely on that. I suppose I feel I’d be missing out on something if I didn’t keep so many fires stoked at once. Again, being creative is what I have to offer, and I’ll find a way to keep doing it. I suppose 2009 should be dubbed “The Year of Perseverance.” We have to keep creating our own projects.
One more thing: keep supporting Theatre, no matter what. There is no economic stimulus package for Theatre. The film industry will survive, television will survive, video games, internet, etc… - these will be fine during these times. If you can’t afford to come to New York to see Broadway, off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway, etc, then please go out in your town and support your local theatre. Buy a season subscription, buy tickets show-to-show, but please support. Don’t wait until your local theatres shut down before wondering what their productions are like. You see, not only will you be gaining a wealth of entertainment and cultural enrichment; you’ll be helping out the entire industry. Shows come and go on Broadway, this we know, and as much as Broadway is changing and experiencing a slump right now, it will always be there in some capacity. But all of us, whether once in a while or consistently, depend on the theatres across the country for employment – we direct, perform and design in many of those theatres, earning not only our incomes, but health insurance and pension benefits as well. So, if you’re able, please set aside a little money this year to specifically benefit a local theatre.
And these times will get better eventually.
