inspirational

i was packing up my desk for a move at work today and came across a bunch of fortunes that i've recieved over the past year. i'd like to share some of them:

AQUARIUS: be simultaneously well-grounded and energetic. Keep your feet on the ground as you attempt to reach a new personal best. Find ways to derive excitement from repetitive tasks.

-you will soon embark on a business venture.

-now is a lucky time for you - take a chance.

-your talents will bring you the highest status and prestige.

-you will always possess a charm and sense of humor that attracts others.

-courage is the mastery of fear - not the absence of fear.

-aim high, time flies.

-you will overcome difficult times.

-your talents will be recognized and suitably rewarded.

-there are many unexpected & thrilling surprises in store for you!

-YOUR CHOICES WILL CHANGE THE WORLD

it's oddly inspiring to read these little tidbits. i'm ready to conquer the world. after a little vacation...

reflection

the holidays are in full swing and looking back, i believe that i started this blog last march. i have not come far. it's silly to me that this is so difficult. this year has presented a difficult plethora of deviation from the status quo, but the one thing that has remained constant is my love of art. it can still stir emotion, create elation or placate me in a matter of moments. i believe in the end this love will guide me on my life journey.

i went to a dear friend/colleague's "preview" doctoral recital last weekend. it was exciting and sad at the same time to hear her sing. she has come a long way in four years. i feel like i've lost my edge. i also ran into my old opera theatre director. it has always easy for me to slough off the suggestions of my family (ie grandma and mom, aunts. etc.) that i should get back into singing, but when someone that really knows what they're talking about tells you, "you shouldn't let that die," you think, "crap. what have i been doing with my life?"

perhaps it would be easier to get back into it if i could focus solely on singing and not have to deal with a mind-numbing eight hour work day every day. sadly, that eight hours a day is a means to a living (or at least food and booze).

i took a class over the summer that dealt with "the Power of Purpose." one thing that i did take away from it is that the fear, or even a slight apprehension, of failure is no reason to not try something, because there is no guarantee of success. ever. it is all what you take away from it in the end.

i've identified two legitimate elements that should help focus this process.

one. learning how to obtain financial backers.

two. making time in my schedule where i can be fully vested in this project.

i am being proactive in both of these areas. i will be taking a few classes over the next few months that deal with donors, volunteers and financial management for non-profits. i have also been trying to schmooze with some people that i see great potential in. build friendships. create excitement in the idea of furthering art. i have also set random reminders on my calendar to check up on my progress. each time a reminder goes off, i'll post something. this way we'll both know if i'm being a lazy ass or not.

on that note. it's time for a food coma. merry christmas to all. even if you don't celebrate, you can still enjoy a day off in honor of it.

The Holidays... Again.

if i said that great strides have been made in the last 5 months, i'd be a damn liar. however i feel that some progress has been made. as i wander the streets of mpls, i see bountiful opportunity for performance spaces. no time like the recession, right?

i've been reading a lot of plays and books on administration, coaching and developing theatres. i'm also preparing to finish my masters degree. i have changed my focus to management in nonprofit agencies. i'm hoping it will shed additional light on the challenges we're facing and how to handle them.

we have done more work with the musical. we have a really great story line and have done some amazing character development. we have also been in contact with a composer who i hope will really help this take off.

i have also started singing again. it helps me get back into the performance mind set. and THAT is exciting.

beginnings, again

i don't know how to drive stick. but i would imagine that starting something like this is similar to learning how to drive stick. you're going to stall a few times before you really get rolling.

the last week brought the untimely passing of my grandmother. may she rest in peace. we will be honoring her memory with the "violet mae performance space" (or something to that effect) once we have established our space. with her passing i have gained new vigor for this idea. this creation. this art.

while i haven't been super focused on the company over the last few months, i have begun collaborations on an original musical which will debut with the company. let's just say, you won't want to miss it.

times are hard

it's been an emotional month. grandmas, lovers. it's been full of trials. not much has happened with the business in that time. but i'm excited to get back on the band wagon and make some magic.

difficult already

i knew that a business plan wouldn't be easy but for real! one step at a time. it may be a while before another post. i need to sufficiently wrap my brain around this one. we learn as we go, no?

on a side note, i don't remember music being this hard. i guess that's what happens when you stop for a few years. but we will prevail!

a collaboration

today L. and i sat down and discussed at great length what we saw this company doing and how it would act within the community. we threw ideas around like involvement and investment, collaboration and actually becoming apart of art. the idea is that everyone will be able to take something away from every show because of a series of checks and balances that will be put into place. they will challenge the artist to look at their art in new ways as well as challenge the patrons and audiences to invest in an idea or concept. it's like art challenging art and people challenging people. and throughout the whole process everyone comes together to be apart of art.

the thing is, i actually believe this! good thing too otherwise i think we'd be on a sinking ship.

so for the next 15 months hopefully you'll see us grow and evolve into something that will challenge you and likewise will encourage you to challenge us. after all that is the idea behind all of this.

beginnings

there is a beginning to everything. you could say that this beginning started a few years ago when i first got the idea in my head that opening a theatre company would be something that interests me. something that i wouldn't mind doing for the rest of my life. but there are certain events that really urge you to start. there are two in my case.

1. i really hate my job. i wake up and think, "crap." i get to work and am immediately bored by the prospect of 8 hours in front of my computer. i've actually gained 33lbs since i started working there. i am unhappy with all of this. so the thought of getting up and actually doing something that i love, thrills me.

2. i am about to lose my first grandparent. this will be the first family member to pass away and at the ripe age of 25 i realized that i need to start doing what i love. because life is short. and precious. and i don't want to be in her position in 50 years and think, "i never did what i loved, and what i was good at."

so we have beginnings.

the proclamation was actually quite abrupt but for the first time it actually felt obtainable. "i am going to put on a musical." this simple statement set my gears into motion and i just happened to tell the right person about this proclamation. L. together we are laying the groundwork for a collaborative arts company that promotes joining the efforts of local artists to put together new productions and art gallery shows. it is community based. it is a network for artists. it is a way to meet new people. it is affordable. it is inspirational. it is a beginning.

let the artsy juices flow

juice is flowing everywhere

i say, leave the mess. in fact, don't just leave it, play in it. spread it out. let it really sink in.

i've started this blog in an effort to chronicle the process of building an arts company from the ground up.

there's plenty of juice flowing... don't miss a drop of it.