Take This Job and Love It!

I’ve just been hired as the Interim Managing Director of Arizona Theatre Company.

The announcement was made the Tuesday morning following the Labor Day holiday.  As expected, this was news in both Tucson and Phoenix, as ATC is the only LORT (League of Resident Theatres) company that operates in two cities.

Two weeks into the job, I find myself haunted by a question posed by a well-meaning reporter who called upon hearing the news of my appointment.

Actually, it wasn’t just “a question.”  This was the reporter’s FIRST question.  And while there may technically have been a question-mark at its end, the words resonated more as STATEMENT than as question.  In fact, when I answered the phone, these were pretty much the very first words the reporter said!

“WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?  WHY WOULD YOU WANT THAT JOB?”

Now, it’s not like I hadn’t already thought long and hard about that question.  Taking responsibility for a non-profit organization is (I imagine) akin to adopting a child.  It’s the choice to take on an AWESOME responsibility – to volunteer for the possibility of great joy, understanding that it necessarily comes with some (potentially significant) degree of stress.

Yet, the reporter’s question deserves to be answered – but perhaps best on behalf of EVERYBODY who works in the non-profit arts & cultural sector.  By no means is this a comprehensive list, but I’m happy to get the ball rolling…

WHAT’S WRONG WITH US?  WHY WOULD WE WANT THESE JOBS?

1. Because we don’t just see “what is” – we see “what can be”,
2. Because we create the realities in which we get to live,
3. Because we understand the value and satisfaction of teamwork, (As Stanislavski said:  “There are no small parts, just small actors.),
4. Because: Applause,
5. Because “The natural condition (of theatre) is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster…Strangely enough, it all turns out well…It’s a mystery.”  (Shakespeare in Love)
6. Because arts & cultural experiences allow us to see the world through other people’s eyes,
7. Because we value creative exploration MORE than we value stuff,
8. Because nothing stops Opening Night.  Nothing!
9. Because no matter how wonderful the experience we just had, there’s an even GREATER experience coming sometime in the future,
10. Because being interested in people’s stories and perspectives is how we show respect,
11. Because we love our community and our country and believe that nurturing human creativity is among the most noble of endeavors in a democratic society,
12. Because there’s always more than meets the eye,
13. Because STRESSED spelled backwards is DESSERTS,
14. Because President John Adams was right when he said, “I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.”
15. Because the ideas and expressions that we nurture and share today honor the efforts of all who preceded us – and create the platform upon which future generations will build,
16. Because the “Earth” without “Art” is just “Eh”
17. Because we are people who never say “can’t”,
18. Because at the end of the day we’d prefer to keep on working!
19. Because people who don’t work in arts & culture value our work so highly that they’re willing to invest their time, treasure & talent just to associate with us,
20. Because art & culture are pure expressions of the unlimited potential of human spirit,
21. Because “There are so many colors in a rainbow, so many colors in the morning sun, so many colors in a flower and I see everyone.”  (Harry Chapin).
22. Because we can never get enough.
23. Because we are optimists.
24. Because we never tire of creating moments of pure magic.

 

See you at the theater!

 

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