ON PRODUCING A SHOW By Iesha

We had a set back. It deals with fees and contracts and rentals and other uninteresting stuff, so I won't bore you with the messy details. Suffice it to say, Chris and I had to go back to the drawing board and think of new options, fast. I would be a liar to say I am not frustrated. After weeks of coming up with a viable plan, we seem to have to start all over again. We are like racehorses freaking out, impatiently waiting for the gate to open and trying not to damage ourselves in the frustration.
It is hard to be in charge. I wanted to quit more than once. But I won't. No, I am not some sort of glutton for punishment. I won't quit because I know there are a lot of people counting on us. After fielding countless phone calls over the past two days, I was reminded yet again, this theater company is pretty special. We actually care about each other and about what we are doing. Not to say other companies don't; it is just different. And it is pretty rare. I know, I've worked with a lot of companies. Most were great and I have met fabulous people. But sometimes, if you are lucky, you come across a group that you feel like you are helping to build. That you are a PART of something. I had it in college. A small black-box theater in New Jersey that changed my life. It created important coming-of-age experiences and connections that feel just as stronge today. (Not to mention the REALLY good stories that you would only understand if you were there!) I used to believe it was simply the energy of college that made it happen, but since I definitely do not have the same youthful vigor as I did back in college, I understand it was more than that. It was because we owned it. It was ours. Each of us played a part in building something which, in turn, affected others. And being a part of something is sacred. It is what we all search for, in some way, shape or form. We all want to be a part of synergy where the sum is greater than each individual part.
For other arts groups out there reading this, I am not sure how to coach you on making that happen. It has to do a great deal with caring about the people, not only the art. I know I can have lunch/coffee/dinner with just about anyone in our company, just to catch up, even in between plays. It is the difference between "show friends" and "real friends". Show friends go into hibernation when the run is over. Real friends are, well, friends. The people you get excited to work with again, but you see them in between. And you miss them terribly when you don't.
A defining moment for me personally in Shakes Car was my baby shower. My fellow cast members conspired with my husband to surprise me with a theater baby shower. It is hard to surprise me, since I am so darn nosey, but they pulled it off. It really touched me that my crazy group of theater pirates took the time to celebrate my impending motherhood and to be joyful of my joy. And they've loved on my two little munchkins ever since.
So, producing a season is quite stressful, because I don't want to let these folks down. These people are my friends and we love working together. While going out for drinks or to a party is fun, too, the best part is creating the art. We are a team. we are all on this pirate ship together.
If you want to help please go to www.shakescar.org and join the tribe. Or leave a comment, because we could use the support!
Love & Havoc-Iesha