And the hits keep coming!

This past week there has been a tremendous move forward with PASSION.  Things are starting to fall into line and I could not be happier.

The push started with a great meeting with Jane Sullivan and Becky Fortner, who are doing costumes. It truly was a costume mind-meld and we are knocking stuff out: getting costumes from local theatres, getting materials donated and creating pieces we need. I am so grateful to both of these women who are here to guide me through, what is typically a nerve-wracking aspect of producing.

Next, got my insurance thanks to Marty Stanberry's help. Yes, I realize that's a little dry compared to other aspects of producing but it's a BIG DEAL to me to have my actors safe - not to mention the venue would prefer a little extra padding.

Rusty Gunther got me a donkey contact. Waiting to hear if they have a full-sized donkey but a lead is a lead and I'll take it.

I am currently working on contracts for all my actors, union and non. Artists deserve to be compensated for their work. I have a company of fantastic actors and I cannot wait to begin the rehearsal process with them!

I received my very first call about tickets. Yeah, that one feels good.

I have one of my thunder sheets thanks to one Debby Lennon. If you don't know Debby, aside from her phenomenal voice, she is one of the most generous spirits I have ever met. A truly sparkling personality and a positive life-force. Thank you Debby.

PASSION, if you haven't gathered by now, is absolutely an act of love - one that will run about $20,000 in production costs. Because Spotlight Theatre has been out of the loop for a while, and grant cycles run a year or two out, there are no grants or funding for PASSION on any level: not state, local, private. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. But I did get word through Mary Magdalen (aka Bess Moynihan) that a grant agency in town would like to hear from me. Woot!

I have had more than one person ask of late, if I am getting Spotlight Theatre up and running again and the answer in NO. Producing is agonzing and I forgot how many things there are to do and I'm just as sure some of them are slipping away from me. I also get asked if I want PASSION to become a yearly thing and to that I say, "yes," I just don't want to do it by myself again. (See: labor of love, above.) I would be thrilled beyond belief if PASSION were to become a yearly or bi-annual event. If this appeals to you, here's my number, so call me maybe.

I am humbled with gratitude.




 

Being a Producer: Awesome or Awful?

I came to producing by accident. I had started Spotlight Theatre with the intention of "doing" shows where St. Louis actors would be "spotlighted." (Get it?) My, oh my, there was a steep learning curve on everything from doing contracts, getting insurance, finding designers, doing press, running box office, you name it. I did it for 5 years straight and there is not much glory in it. It's exhausting even when you have adequate help. But I actually got pretty good at it. Have even been told by peers I really respect, that I'm a good producer.

When the exhaustion reached its peak, I quit doing shows for Spotlight and that's been the norm for the past 5 years, until PASSION. Even less than 1 year ago, I didn't want to revive my company until it seemed like the only way to get PASSION produced. And that's what producers do - they get stuff done.

So here's the last couple weeks for me:
I contacted a costume designer to make the veils and sashes. She was also helpful in directing me to aerial silks which are used in the show. She will work in tandem with the costume coordinator who is already working her magic!

I've filled out Equity contract applications and have gotten a paymaster in line. (BTW, Equity in Chicago is not particularly helpful. Something I had gleefully put out of my mind the last five years and have been recently re-introduced to. Joy.)

Finding rehearsal space - another favorite activity - NOT.

Sending out press and trying to convince people to give you some in advance. This is the most exciting thing to me....why not to you?

That DONKEY!!! The donkey's head is on the chopping block if I can't find something more reasonable than $500 a weekend.

Beginning this week, I will be making phone calls regarding group sales to performances. I am forcing myself to make 20 calls a day, which may not seem like a lot, but will honestly take me all day as I have to psych myself up for each one.

So what I have in store is a ton of work which is the awful part.
And when the show's complete and I can look back at all I did to bring PASSION to the stage, that will be awesome.