EXiT 185 Improv Comedy

Ken Ferguson & Stacey Reed Hanlon share the Herberger Stage.

A recent article shared by Derek Neighbors of Gangplank got me to thinking about my current progress towards the dream of having my own small black box type theatre.  Having been involved with producing shows in a historic theatre that was restored but not necessarily for theatre (another story altogether) I started to question as to the “why” I think it would be a success in my own little community of Casa Grande. 

Of course, this could be applied to any small town with little to no performing arts activity being offered on a consistent basis.

Although I live in Casa Grande I have worked in the Phoenix Metro Area for the past 6 years.  I have been to and driven by numerous newly constructed performing arts centers in Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek.  Most of the time my thought is “this is too big” which is really my own assessment as to what I need vs. what that particular community needs.  However, it does seem pretty odd that in those particular locations it may be just that.

Using Chandler’s performing arts center as an example, and oh, by the way, this is simply my opinion and I am certainly prepared to be proven wrong, I never got the sense that it is actually cultivating local artists, which is really a shame. 

I understand the financial draw of a nationally known act being scheduled for a run but the balance doesn’t appear to be there to grow local artists. I’m sure this can be applied to many places and is not intended to call out a particular venue. 

Why is that my perception?  I think that organizations focus too much on funding to build structures and bring acts in and not the education and performance opportunity for local talent. 

There are exceptions to this of course.  Valley Youth Theatre has built a solid reputation for cultivating young talent; Space 55 Theatre Ensemble continues to bring original works, often developed in house and The Torch Theatre has been cultivating long form improvisation for the past few years and opening their own space this summer.

Another article shared by Carrie Vargas and written by Lauren Gunderson defines theater as a simple system:

Actor + Audience + Story = Theater. 

There is nothing else like that live experience, nothing. 

I love the internet and what it provides as far as connecting and information; social media fascinates me but nothing does it more for me than that connection made between actors and audience in a live performance. 

Here is a sad truth, at least in my mind. 

Those organizations that build beautiful new spaces, get or have access to funding are run by people that somehow forgot, never knew or have complicated that simple system: Actor + Audience + Story = Theater. 

I have had tremendous anxiety and frustration with the “powers that be” regarding that formula.  It always gets skewed and twisted and overridden because some egg head accountant type says “this doesn’t wash” or whatever jerky summation they have that says “you can’t do this”. 

Well, I am here to say, if I believe in that simple system then nothing should stand in the way of cultivating the arts in my community, with quality and integrity as critical ingredients. 

I love to work with the actor, helping them get to that place that transforms them, even on the smallest scale.  When the light bulbs come on I get rewarded.  When someone says “I never thought I could do this” and then they do, that is what drives me.  I love to connect as an actor, to challenge myself to see stories and characters from a different perspective. 

I believe that regular everyday people have the right to exercise their creative muscles on a regular basis.  Not to be satisfied with the occasional small part in the annual Christmas Play but to grow and to stretch those muscles; this brings life to so many other areas of our community. 

With the launch of BlackBox Productions, LLC my partner JJ Freyermuth and I hope to build on those ideas. 

What drives you?

If you are like me and have the perpetual ADD that accompanies many daily corporate type jobs, then you probably spend a good amount of time day dreaming of doing what you really want to do with your life. 

Hey, over here, I don’t want to lose you on this.  I am an artist dude and actually care about what you want to do.  I can only hope you will reciprocate.

Bare with me on this, I am doing this for me more than anything but figured I am not alone.  So here goes.

1. Rome was not built in a day!  Sure, some great sketches of buildings, aqueducts, and fall toga fashions may have been drawn up but the actual execution and follow through was more than one person getting excited about the sculpture they are working on.  It really comes down to vision, right?  I know, I know, we all have a vision of sorts but if you take a hard look at it you will notice it is floating on air.  We must build a foundation for which our vision will stand!
2. We don’t have time to plan! Really?  So when you are lounging and reading the graphic novel you borrowed or watching “Zoolander” for the umpteenth time you can’t really find the time to plan?  Let’s face it, planning sucks for many of us; it’s boring, uninteresting, it is not your strength.  Well, guess what neither was your “space work” or your ability to launch into an interpretive dance of Queen’s “We Are the Champions” but that never stopped you.  You have to try, right?
3. I don’t know where to start or how to do it? Jeez, if only there was a way to search for information on how to create a business plan?  Where could I look for that?  Maybe tweet the question? Nah, no one would bother.  Or perhaps a google search or heck maybe even asking people who are in the business you want to enter?  Suck it up buttercup and ask for help. Use your resources.
4. Artists aren’t serious? Karate chop to the gloin!  This is a huge problem. How many artists out there get asked the question “what do you really do for a living”?  Why? Because it’s fun?  Because not everyone can do what you do?  You can’t change perception about your career unless you treat it as such.  We must get real with this my people.  Reminds me of an old saying “My job finances my journey, it is not my journey.”  That is the sacrifice but don’t let that keep you down.  Keep at it.
5. Not enough people care about the Arts!  I refuse to believe that and if I did believe it I still wouldn’t believe it.  Look, we don’t have to live in New York, Chicago, L.A. or any other major city.  We don’t have to live in a city at all.  I happen to live in one of the poorest rural counties in the country and I find people with a like mind all the time.  We have to reach out and make ourselves available and yes, vulnerable.  The risk is worth it.