But one of America’s most vibrant theater cities, Chicago’s Victory Gardens Theater has remained a mainstay for half a century. In response, the Woolly Mammoth Board of Directors has called for: letter co-signer It depicts the scope and limits of what theater councilors are expected to do to strengthen the groups they have pledged to support.
“Without input from professional artists associated with the theater,” Woolley’s Board of Directors wrote of Victory Gardens: Operated as a rental house for other production companies. …”
“As volunteers who dedicate their time to beloved cultural organizations in their respective cities, what happened in Chicago was an anomaly and not the norm,” continued the Woolley Board. I’ve seen how easy it is for boards to become isolated from the needs of the artists, managers and technicians who work to create the theaters they love and support. It’s not helping us and our field.”
Several directors of Baltimore Center Stage, New Haven’s Long Wharf Theater, San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater and St. Louis’ Repertory Theater have already attached their names to a letter asking their signatories to contribute to an online fundraiser on behalf of Victory Gardens. doing. ‘ Former employee.
Unraveling at Victory Gardens Theater — The 2001 Tony Award-winning company offers world premieres by leading playwrights, including: Branden Jacobs Jenkins, Lucas Nas When Jackie Sibleys Drury — Something mysterious happened over the course of several months this year. In June, Ken-Matt Martin was removed from his duties by the board of directors after serving just 14 months as his artistic director. Playwright Erica Dickerson-Depenza canceled her popular play “Kalud Watta,” about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, midway through.
on his website, Martin pointed out He was not given a reason for his dismissal. “I have not received any disciplinary notice, formal or informal warning, and I have no complaints or documented violations brought against me,” he wrote. employees tried to form a union, so the board fired them too.
An email to the Victory Gardens communications office was bounced as undeliverable. In July, Board Chairman Charles E. Harris II said: chicago leader: “The Victory Gardens Theater Board, like many other non-profit theaters today, is committed to the future of the theater. ’” He added that the board is taking steps to create an interim manager.
The Victory Garden crisis has sparked enough anxiety to spark conversations among board members of other non-profit theaters. They were concerned about messages being sent to artists and his members of staff who might be questioning their company’s loyalty. The chairman of the Woolley Board, J. Chris He Bab, was one of those who thought the situation required an organized response.
“This is to send a statement to those who do art in American theater that this is not how the majority of us work.” All I want is for non-profit theaters to stay, don’t be afraid of the people who clearly hold this in trust.”
Another Woolley board member, Barbara Strack, said she was impressed by the former Victory Gardens artistic director’s comments. and staff,” Strzok said in an interview. “It resonated with me. As a board member, as a board member, that’s the same lens we should have.”
Woolly Mammoth’s letters reflect this philosophy. “Trusting a theater in this way is very different from directing an operation. It is a stewardship that centers on art and artists and requires trust in their talent and expertise is…”
Maria Goyanes, Woolly’s artistic director, said she was pleased that members of the board had taken it upon themselves to spread such a powerful statement. “What I really took was the idea that the board should not reassess the artistic mission of the theater without putting artists, staff and professionals at the center,” she said. “So I was like, ‘Oh, that’s great. No matter what happens, no matter how difficult it is, I really respect that.'” ”
Scott Spencer, a longtime director of Baltimore Center Stage, said he signed the letter immediately. “For me, it’s really about how to move forward. We’ve been through dangerous times, not just in culture, but in the way people approach what they do in their spare time,” he said. . “We need to evolve with it, too. As members of the board, trustees, this is not a crazy, far-fetched series of demands. I am asking.”
Center Stage is playing a leading role. Hiring several former Victory Gardens staffers, Martin has been hired to direct one of his main stage shows this season, Nia Vardalos’ show. “Small beautiful things”.
“It’s important for people to remember that they’re real people, people with kids going to college,” Martin said in an interview, referring to a former colleague. He expressed his hope that everyone he worked with in Chicago would find work.
“Anything that is done to defend people whose rugs have been pulled out,” he added, “I care.