Following Directions
Friday, 26 March 2010
I am so bad at following directions. I mean to, I want to – follow them. Opinions are important to me, although my husband and friends will tell you that I care way too much about what other people think. Accordingly, one would assume that if I seek out guidance, I would follow the suggestions. Follow directions. And I don’t. I must have some kind of authority figure issue…

More on that later, first I’d like to share some news about three really great projects going on in Phoenix.

Over the last six months I have joined with several city, private and nonprofit parties working toward the goal of uniting performers with performance space in downtown Phoenix.

One effort relates to the conversion of downtown brown fields into viable spaces for all artists. Students in an ASU sustainability class are working their capstone projects around the study and mapping of these potential sites. Developers, real estate agents, and city officials are pushing pencils and dirt to uncover ownership and status of locations. To be sure, the road is long. The project needs anyone and everyone. See bataPHX.org for the plan and ways for you to participate.

Another effort is focused on connecting property managers and owners with performers/painters/writers in the downtown area for both temporary and permanent residency at an affordable rate. Spaces for classes, workshops, rehearsals, and working studios, - in short “Lab” space. There is virtually no developmental laboratory space in town. The theaters and working studios are desperate for space to create, stretch and reach – time not under their own roofs – because their roofs are being used to make the rent. "PhxLabProj" may be few in number, but we are tenacious in effort.

I’m also working with a website designer to create a comprehensive site listing all theaters in the Valley of the Sun. Approximately 75 houses & resident companies. As a single resource this is quite an undertaking, but I want this site to also include project-based funding for each theater or company. Nobody wants to write a check for a stupid dinner where cold chicken and warm salad are served before the live auction. Oh, and the dreaded silent auction. Yawn.

People will invest in something tangible, something that matters. I raised money for set construction because the donors were excited to walk into the little theater and touch the results of their donations. My hope is that all theaters/companies in town will take advantage of this comprehensive clearinghouse. Some are already on board. I anticipate a summer launch. Stay tuned.

And I’m writing a novel.

As such, something has to give. To that end I am taking a sabbatical from playwriting and theater production through the end of 2010.

There are two social media artists/marketers whose opinions I hold in high esteem when it comes to the professional blogging arena. So I asked Sterling (@SterlingLynch) and Dave (@DaveCharest) how to best affect a total change in the focus of this website for the next nine months. They both said something like, “Slowly. Take time to work into it. Write a few transition posts. Then announce the change.”

You know, I am so bad at following directions. See, I have this thing about authority figures…. But since they are also my friends I thought surely I would heed their advice. Mmm…not so much.

I’m so excited about these three downtown Phoenix arts projects. They are constantly on the move and change with the rising mercury. The results of each project will be as important as the process. Converting one brown field will be as important as one student submitting her capstone project. Also, I’m discovering incredible transitions within the novel. I’ve learned more about Sara – where she’s going on the bus, and why she’s there that afternoon. Also, I’m looking forward to spending more time writing for my personal blog.

As a playwright, I have appreciated your readership and your thought provoking emails. I’m looking forward to sharing this new journey with you too. I have much to learn from this process – and much to learn from you. And away we go.