11/05/2024
The Weekly Update from Interim Artistic Director Cindy Goldfield-
Greetings, Salutations, and welcome to my weekly musings-
Why theater? Why now?
So many times we theater-makers stop and ask ourselves this question. Sometimes it’s in response to a ridiculously long day of sitting at the computer working on all the stuff that goes into making theatre that no one sees….long zoom meetings, payroll, rental contracts, answering emails, paying bills etc., and then getting up from the desk and heading into the dark theater to rehearse for another stretch of long hours, collaborating with other artists, making tough decisions about artistic choices, and endeavoring to create something meaningful that audiences will want to see.
But why do we do it? Why is it important? Why now, when every pair of hands has a 24/7 entertainment machine on constant scroll? Why now, when the world is in turmoil and there is so much to be done to save our planet, our country, our friends and neighbors and strangers in the street?
Yesterday was a full day of contrasts in this theatre conundrum. I spent the morning in back-to-back production and administrative meetings for 42nd Street Moon, then got on my bike-on-Bart to go to Oakland to hold a stumble-through of one of four Spring directing projects I had booked in my free-lance life before taking on this AD position with Moon.
Stagebridge is the nation’s oldest and most renowned performing arts organization for older adults, whose mission is to foster a vibrant community for lifelong learners and performers. I was hired to direct their current project: a musical about elder abuse in the nursing home system, written by a former lawyer and advocate for California Nursing Home Reform. A group of seniors gets together every Friday afternoon in a church in Oakland to rehearse this new work, with the intent to bring awareness to this troubling subject. I arrive on my bicycle, refreshed by the quick ride in the warm sun past Lake Merritt, and we dive into bringing these characters to life. I am honored to help them in this journey, touched by the strength and vulnerability they are bringing to the work, and willingness to face the challenges of getting our aging brains to continue to create the new neural pathways required to memorize yet another script. My work with them continues on this one afternoon a week basis, until their performance in June.
Next up was first preview of tick, tick, boom at NCTC, which I was originally hired to direct and choreograph for the 22-23 season, but the “Deluge of ’23” (that damaged Moon’s rehearsal spaces so much,) did a number on the Decker theater over at NCTC, and part of their season had to be postponed until this spring. Another meaningful experience to work on a piece that is so intensely personal to so many people… the angst of turning 30 in a world that is so uncertain, the pain of losing love, the fear of death and the AIDS virus, the power of friendships…with a stellar cast and crew. AND, because my relationship with 42nd Street Moon began in that very house over 30 years ago, (when I myself had just turned 30!) I am feeling all sorts of nostalgia and quiet joy of being in the space again.
Home on the bicycle by 11:30pm, and my partner Willi (who has been a virtual stranger these last couple weeks, between his job cheffing at Skywalker Ranch and my current fire-hose schedule) asked me if I wanted to go look at the Northern Lights, which are having a “once in a life-time” opportunity for viewing in the lower 48. Well, who is going to turn down the chance to see the sun show off her lighting designer skills?
We drove up to Mt Tam and parked along the road with dozens of others looking to see the magic. Walked out to a little promentory, and with the advice from others, looked through our phone cameras to see the wonder of something I thought I would possibly never see in my life. Gorgeous pinks and greens, striations and ripples. True theatrical magic in real life!
Which brings me back to why we do it. Why we create these theatrical worlds that we fall into in the dark of the theater. Why it’s important to visit these stories and ponder the wonders and foibles of human experience. Why, whenever we can, we pay attention to the beauty and tragedy all around us. Why, as artists and supporters of art, we are in the position to literally help the world as we create theatrical experiences that uplift, inform, entrance, and crack open our hearts.
Those scrolling screens in our hands are an extension and product of our desire to be entertained, but the roots of that need, the innate drive to seek entertainment, information, and novelty, is so ancient in us. My dear friend and mentor, Giles Havergal, once spoke to a cast about how theatre is as old as one caveman saying to another, “I saw this thing, let me tell you about it”.
My current endeavor
is to create programming for
42nd Street Moon’s 24-25 Season
that will entertain, and hopefully,
bring joy, thoughtfulness, and wonder
to the hearts and minds of
YOU, our audiences.
It’s a complicated process that involves budgets, licensing rights, schedules, board approval, and the most complex, challenging and mysterious element… what will make audiences come to see it (we call this the butts-in-seats quotient!)
What will make audiences flock to see a show (even something that they have seen before) because being in that dark room with a bunch of other like-minded strangers, having a shared experience, filling ourselves up with music and light and magic, is something that can't possibly be replicated by a 6” screen in your hands, or the “replica of real life” of the art of film.
Live theatre is more visceral, nostalgic, nurturing, and profoundly part of the human experience. I look forward to welcoming each of you into Moon’s house to experience this together next season.
Until the actual season announcement,
we are continuing to offer our
“Blind Date” subscription discount
of 20% off.
And, if you are moved to help continue in the noble work of bringing theatre to life, there are lots of ways that you can participate with a financial commitment to the season or to a particular show. We will have more information on those programs (Associate Season Producers and Associate Producers for each show) coming up soon when we announce the season.
In the meantime,
we will be starting rehearsals
for our last show of the season,
the sweeping folktale of a musical
by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell,
BRIGHT STAR!
We have gathered a wonderful group of singer/actor/musicians and are getting all the design and production elements together to bring that joyful piece to you starting June 6th. I look forward to diving into that story and to seeing you all at the theatre!
Cindy
PS: if you have any young aspiring Theatre-makers in your life, we have several wonderful camp offerings this summer, featuring The Adams Family Jr, Chicago, Teen Edition, Finding Nemo, and Seussical Jr. Check out the camp info below!
