After a very fine dinner...
‘Tis been quite a while since I’ve set down the matters at hand. Quickly:
1. Susan and God had a great run with a great deal more positive email and random lobby “thanks” than normal. We are feeling thankful for all the great audience responses, strong reviews and resonance with the audience.
2a. The economy’s twists and turns are certainly of concern to those of us in the Arts, and especially when we’re dependant on a person or family’s discretionary funds for buying tickets. AND, when we’re needing to raise 34%-40% of our budgets from donations and grants.
2b. Taproot Theatre Company’s resubscription campaign for 2009 is significantly ahead of last year at this time. For the time being, that’s exceptionally good news – but where it ends, how close to the goal or how far beyond, no one knows. Yet. At the moment, you just keep working the plan.
2c. But as for setting the 2009 Budget. The Mainstage season, Road Company repertoire and Acting Studio plans are in motion, so the process of setting income goals and expense limits becomes a dance of faith, smarts and commitment. No one knows the trail ahead, or the ups and downs of this economy’s uniquenesses.
3. But, our time is Now. In a period of anxiety, change and panic, a Theatre of Hope should feel a strong sense of “calling” when its Constituency and City are challenged and maybe even feeling lost in the social, political and economic storm. In midst of a storm my staff is feeling the call and the assurance that we need to be committed and prayerful.
Scott, punching the cap of Cabernet grapes.
4. And, remember don’t lose hope or the connections we have to our families, friends, churches and other circles of friends. We – Pam, Peter, Lisa and I – had a terrific fall dinner at the Mt. Baker Winery. A five course dinner, with a selected wine for each course, plus another tour of the winery while they were crushing Pinot Noir grapes and had three vats of Cabernet grapes in stages of early fermentation. Really, a very fun and delightful experience of a great dinner and the art & craft of wine-making. And, it was a respite to remind me of God’s gifts of my family and the beautiful bounty of the world around us.
