As we announce the third season of NCRT and Redwood Curtain’s ongoing collaboration, it’s also been a chance for me to reflect on my near-decade long tenure as NCRT’s Managing Artistic Director. It has been, to say the least, a wild ride. There have been all of the regular and ongoing challenges of keeping a small community arts organization financially solvent, charting a new cooperative journey with Redwood Curtain Theatre, and – oh, right – a global pandemic in the middle there. And with this season, there is a deeply personal and impactful feeling for myself, since it is also the last announcement that will be made with me at the helm.
For folks who know me, as well as anyone who’s been paying attention the last year or so, this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. For a while now, I’ve been looking toward transitions and what would come next. I love this theater, and won’t ever stop, but change, evolution and dynamism, are good and welcome things for both myself and the theater. Since this has been planned and considered for a while, it’s also been an opportunity for a gentle and considered transfer to not just one, but three very talented and awesome individuals who are sharing my role. Nanette Voss, Shawn Wagner, and Scott ‘Q’ Marcus have already been doing the lions’ share of the work of producing, administering, and customer service for the organization, and there is no bitterness – only sweetness – in my transition, knowing that these three wonderful individuals will be supporting one another and insuring that this theater will remain a home for warmth and dreams for years to come.
And finally, I’m also not vanishing into the sunset any time soon! I will still be around, supporting the new team, working with the board of directors, and doing everything in my power to assist with fundraising and community support. Because I’m going to be particularly serious for a moment: These are unprecedented economic times, and the impact that is being felt by everyone is incredibly sobering. And this is also showing in the struggles and closures of arts organizations throughout the state, as well as our own community. We’ll always carry on, but the path is as challenging as it has ever been – which is saying quite a lot, given everything this decade has already thrown at all of us. So, it is with that in mind, and with the love in my heart for this theater – this place that has held and sheltered so much creativity and community for so long – my last ‘official request’ to you, as the Managing Artistic Director of NCRT, is to give if you can. Let us all come together, join our efforts, and support the theater and her new team of caretakers!
I am not very good at long goodbyes. But after all, this isn’t really goodbye, just a change. I’m so incredibly grateful for everything that has come before, and full of anticipation of everything that comes next!
Catch all of you on the flip side!