“Change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end.” – Robin Sharma
I have to admit I am a little relieved that 2016 is coming to a close. It was a challenging year, full of difficult decisions and arduous work. It was hard to say goodbye to ensemble members and our funky little Main Avenue space. But, as we hoped, support emerged when we needed it. Thanks to the Kilbourne Group, we are enjoying our temporary digs in the Broadway Theatre Garage. Audiences seem to like it too. We actually had more people at the opening of Slice of Life than we ever could have accommodated for one performance at 716 Main. So, perhaps our decision to fly the nest was a good one indeed.
Ensemble Members at Theatre B Block Party, July 2016. Photo courtesy of Kensie Wallner Photography.
As we began our 14th season, we took time to contemplate our Mission, Vision, and Values. Some remained the same: Theatre B values creative work of high artistic integrity. Theatre B values a healthy ensemble and intentional family. These values guide the way we work together every day. They reinforce our commitment to mutual respect, good humor, and the joy of artmaking. We also made a few changes. Our mission now foregrounds the community’s role in our work: The purpose of Theatre B is to invigorate civic conversation through intimate and transformative storytelling. Theatre is simply the method we use to make the world a better place. Our vision has become more lofty and worthy of the work: The vision of Theatre B is to employ a resident ensemble and guest artists who are enmeshed in the fabric of an equitable, inviting, and creative community.
Theatre B is still “in transition.” We are in the messy middle, and we are likely to be here for a while. But, the messy middle is also a time of creativity, and we are embracing the possibilities of not being tied to one place and one way of making art. We are reading a lot, meeting new people, talking with other nonprofits, artists, writers, and entrepreneurs. Collaborations and new work are likely to figure prominently next season, as we form connections in the community and offer to serve through storytelling.
We invite you to share with us your dreams for Theatre B too. As we tour a variety of buildings and locations, we are thinking deeply about how our vision can serve this community well into the future. We are committed to doing good work wherever we are, and that means making sure stories are relevant and everyone has a place in the conversation.
The ensemble is engaged and excited for the future. We hope you will continue to be a part of Theatre B’s mission, even in the messy middle. Your year-end gift encourages us to keep making art wherever we can. Together, we’ll weave the fabric of an equitable, inviting, and creative community and bring this journey of change to a gorgeous conclusion.
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” – Nelson Mandela
Here is hoping that your 2017 is full of joy, peace, and creativity!
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