OK, one more, and then I'm closing the laptop.
Rob Raas-Bergquist and Shane Regan have gotten a fantastic start on setting up a Community Resource Network for sharing props and costumes. I've only had time to scan this doc, and I'm really impressed. Read and share comments - they are looking for input.
Community Resource Network
Friday, August 5, 2011
Final thoughts before leaving for NoCal
Just wanted to share a few thoughts before I ditch town for a few days of much-needed rest.
First of all, I want to thank everyone who came out on Monday night, because it was incredibly energizing to share space with such smart, passionate artists. And I want to thank AJ for letting us come and play in his beautiful West of Lenin space.
And, I say play, because it was fun. I laughed, I gave an "amen," I may have done an Arsenio fist pump because I'm that old. But, the most important thing was that we got to work.
That's really why I tried to bring this meeting together, and was so happy with how it went. If something is important, if it has value, we do it. We take the same positive, generative, proactive, can-do spirit that gets every one of our productions on stage and we apply it to the art of business.*
Before I leave, I'm going to shoot a bunch of author invite to this blog around. Please use it to organize for as long as it is valuable, post info and contacts for projects, but let's get these projects a life and home of their own as soon as possible. Our aim isn't to build a new structure, but better use what we have.
Much love to everyone in this crazy, wonderful community of artists - see you next week!
JJ
* - props again to Tyrone Brown for bringing this phrase into the discussion.
First of all, I want to thank everyone who came out on Monday night, because it was incredibly energizing to share space with such smart, passionate artists. And I want to thank AJ for letting us come and play in his beautiful West of Lenin space.
And, I say play, because it was fun. I laughed, I gave an "amen," I may have done an Arsenio fist pump because I'm that old. But, the most important thing was that we got to work.
That's really why I tried to bring this meeting together, and was so happy with how it went. If something is important, if it has value, we do it. We take the same positive, generative, proactive, can-do spirit that gets every one of our productions on stage and we apply it to the art of business.*
Before I leave, I'm going to shoot a bunch of author invite to this blog around. Please use it to organize for as long as it is valuable, post info and contacts for projects, but let's get these projects a life and home of their own as soon as possible. Our aim isn't to build a new structure, but better use what we have.
Much love to everyone in this crazy, wonderful community of artists - see you next week!
JJ
* - props again to Tyrone Brown for bringing this phrase into the discussion.
Local Playwright Initiative
There was a fair amount of interest in this at the forum and even more at the pub afterward. I originally floated this idea after the Outrageous Fortune discussion last spring.
You can get the original, loosest, highest-level proposal here. Lots more to be talked about at a first meeting - I really believe this kind of vertical-integration is important, and will require being very clear and specific on respective costs and values to potential participating orgs.
I guess what I'm saying is - it takes a leap of faith. Many of the best things do.
I've got a list already - I'll pull together a first get-together after I return to Seattle next week.
You can get the original, loosest, highest-level proposal here. Lots more to be talked about at a first meeting - I really believe this kind of vertical-integration is important, and will require being very clear and specific on respective costs and values to potential participating orgs.
I guess what I'm saying is - it takes a leap of faith. Many of the best things do.
I've got a list already - I'll pull together a first get-together after I return to Seattle next week.
The Space Committee
The issue of performance and rehearsal space availability was mentioned time and again on Monday. There are a lot of issues on the table - using the venues we have, finding new space, non-traditional spaces, and working with the DPD. The notes below are the starting point as forwarded by Dan Tarker, Roy Arauz and Aaron more. As always, either reach out to the directly or email me if you want to get connected with the project leads.
Here is an off the cuff mission statement. We'll refine it as we move forward.
The mission of the space committee is threefold:
• To talk with independent theatre companies about their challenges and needs in regards to securing rehearsal and performance spaces.
• To connect with current theatre venues offering rental spaces to theatres for rehearsal and performances in order to learn what their issues are and how to support their business models.
• To build relationships with non-traditional or alternative spaces (store fronts, office buildings, schools, etc.) to learn how independent theatres can secure these spaces at an affordable rate.
• To develop a mechanism to deliver this information and help independent theatre companies secure space for their performances.
• To investigate possibilities surrounding developing a theatre space that can be shared by a number of independent theatres in a cooperative manner.
Here is an off the cuff mission statement. We'll refine it as we move forward.
The mission of the space committee is threefold:
• To talk with independent theatre companies about their challenges and needs in regards to securing rehearsal and performance spaces.
• To connect with current theatre venues offering rental spaces to theatres for rehearsal and performances in order to learn what their issues are and how to support their business models.
• To build relationships with non-traditional or alternative spaces (store fronts, office buildings, schools, etc.) to learn how independent theatres can secure these spaces at an affordable rate.
• To develop a mechanism to deliver this information and help independent theatre companies secure space for their performances.
• To investigate possibilities surrounding developing a theatre space that can be shared by a number of independent theatres in a cooperative manner.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
The PROJECTS!
I will endeavor to get individual posts for each project up before I head to NoCal tomorrow, but for now wanted to make sure I shared what made it to the big list on the wall on Monday. As always email me if you need help connecting with a project you are interested in.
Note, too, that I am just writing names on as they appeared on the list - help me sort out any mistakes or make important adds.
Committee to re-launch the Fringe Festival
- Jake Groshong
- Beth Raas-Bergquist
Advisory committee to connect with other festivals
- Sarah Grosman
- Maridee Slater
- Dani Prados
Coordinated Lobbying Efforts
- Jose Amador
- Andy Fife (we only added him because he and I have discussed this briefly - you aren't on any hooks, Andy, but important to that discussion)
Hive launch
- Maridee Slater
- Renata Friedman
- Dani Prados
Short Takes on Art/PechaKucha
- Carl Sander
- Jim Jewell
Local Playwright Initiative
- Jim Jewell
- Tracy Vicory-Rosenquest
- Meghan Arnette
Holes Not Drills - Marketing Meeting Re-Launch
- Jim Jewell
Seattle Public Schools Venues
- Craig Bradshaw
Community Resource Network (prop/costume sharing)
- Rob Raas-Bergquist
- Shane Regan
Coordinating Volunteers for TPS
- Can someone please remind me who took this one on?
The Space Committee
- Aaron Moore
- Dan Tarker
- Roy Arauz
If you have taken a lead on a project and I didn't list you, or you have updates, please email me. And, as I mentioned, I'll be adding single posts with as many project details as I have today.
Note, too, that I am just writing names on as they appeared on the list - help me sort out any mistakes or make important adds.
Committee to re-launch the Fringe Festival
- Jake Groshong
- Beth Raas-Bergquist
Advisory committee to connect with other festivals
- Sarah Grosman
- Maridee Slater
- Dani Prados
Coordinated Lobbying Efforts
- Jose Amador
- Andy Fife (we only added him because he and I have discussed this briefly - you aren't on any hooks, Andy, but important to that discussion)
Hive launch
- Maridee Slater
- Renata Friedman
- Dani Prados
Short Takes on Art/PechaKucha
- Carl Sander
- Jim Jewell
Local Playwright Initiative
- Jim Jewell
- Tracy Vicory-Rosenquest
- Meghan Arnette
Holes Not Drills - Marketing Meeting Re-Launch
- Jim Jewell
Seattle Public Schools Venues
- Craig Bradshaw
Community Resource Network (prop/costume sharing)
- Rob Raas-Bergquist
- Shane Regan
Coordinating Volunteers for TPS
- Can someone please remind me who took this one on?
The Space Committee
- Aaron Moore
- Dan Tarker
- Roy Arauz
If you have taken a lead on a project and I didn't list you, or you have updates, please email me. And, as I mentioned, I'll be adding single posts with as many project details as I have today.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The Lists: Creating a Commonplace
Once our speakers finished last night, we took a short break and then reconvened to have a group discussion aimed at filling out four lists: Values, Challenges, Opportunities and Projects. The last list speaks for itself, and we'll be posting project entries along with contact info for those who want to help shortly.
The aim of the other three lists was to create a commonplace - to get down on paper some ideas we could come to rough consensus on, and from which we can proceed. Here is what we came up with (and you will see crossover amongst the lists):
Values
(think of this in term of statement of belief - modeled on NPR's "This I Believe")
- sharing/collaboration/mentoring are valuable
- we can get more people through the doors
- value to working together in lobbying efforts
- communicating and demonstrating that we take responsibility (fiscal responsibility, respect for existing structures and ourselves)
- sustainability - financial, human
- diversity and the conscious embrace of ethnic, gender, age - the need for greater diversity backstage and onstage
- there is real value in our contributions to Seattle
Challenges
- "fringe" is problematic (or maybe it isn't)
- lack of space (performance, rehearsal and shop)
- difficulties of owning/managing a space
- working with Seattle DPD
- perceived value of theatre
- education about Seattle organizations/government
- communicating with non-theater audience
- fiscal solvency/responsibility
Opportunities
- sharing of resources (space, props, costumes)
- ArtsCrush connecting with other festivals
- open ears in the Mayor's office
- modular light/sound package
- educational exchanges and mentorship
- mine the lessons learned from/by other art forms
- TPS - volunteer your time, commit your company
- underused performance space in Seattle Public Schools
There was so much more of value said. I encourage anyone who attended to share their thoughts - either email me the notes you want posted or a request to be added as a blog author. I'll try to make sense of my event notes and share them as well.
The aim of the other three lists was to create a commonplace - to get down on paper some ideas we could come to rough consensus on, and from which we can proceed. Here is what we came up with (and you will see crossover amongst the lists):
Values
(think of this in term of statement of belief - modeled on NPR's "This I Believe")
- sharing/collaboration/mentoring are valuable
- we can get more people through the doors
- value to working together in lobbying efforts
- communicating and demonstrating that we take responsibility (fiscal responsibility, respect for existing structures and ourselves)
- sustainability - financial, human
- diversity and the conscious embrace of ethnic, gender, age - the need for greater diversity backstage and onstage
- there is real value in our contributions to Seattle
Challenges
- "fringe" is problematic (or maybe it isn't)
- lack of space (performance, rehearsal and shop)
- difficulties of owning/managing a space
- working with Seattle DPD
- perceived value of theatre
- education about Seattle organizations/government
- communicating with non-theater audience
- fiscal solvency/responsibility
Opportunities
- sharing of resources (space, props, costumes)
- ArtsCrush connecting with other festivals
- open ears in the Mayor's office
- modular light/sound package
- educational exchanges and mentorship
- mine the lessons learned from/by other art forms
- TPS - volunteer your time, commit your company
- underused performance space in Seattle Public Schools
There was so much more of value said. I encourage anyone who attended to share their thoughts - either email me the notes you want posted or a request to be added as a blog author. I'll try to make sense of my event notes and share them as well.
PechaKucha Info from Carl Sander
The format for the talks is called PechaKucha, it started with architect/designers in Japan in 2003 and has spread around the world. Each speaker gets 20 slides and each slide is up for 20 second - no more, no less, so each talk runs 6 minutes 40 seconds. The PechaKucha Seattle event this Friday looks amazing.
http://www.pecha-kucha.org/night/seattle/
The other one I mentioned is Ignite Seattle. http://www.igniteseattle.com/
Here’s a link to an article in Seattle Magazine about various short forms of “idea sharing” happening around town. http://www.seattlemag.com/article/lifestyle/feature-seattle-s-idea-sharing-explosion
http://www.pecha-kucha.org/night/seattle/
The other one I mentioned is Ignite Seattle. http://www.igniteseattle.com/
Here’s a link to an article in Seattle Magazine about various short forms of “idea sharing” happening around town. http://www.seattlemag.com/article/lifestyle/feature-seattle-s-idea-sharing-explosion
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