Money, Money, Money.
Posted by projectawarekc on June 16, 2009
Everything costs money. Unfortunately. Even art. I believe that there are artists out in the world full of valid voices and a message that could change the course of time, but the lack of financial support causes that inevitable ceiling to be put in place.
Jeremy started a group on Facebook to assist with our fundraising needs. We are $500 short of our goal and welcome in-kind monetary gifts of any amount. Fundraising, for me, has always been quite the challenge. And when I think of fundraising I only picture large, elaborate events: benefit dinners, auctions, dances full of black ties and glittering gowns. That could be the problem, the picture in my head and the reality of fundraising might actually be majorly left of center. But, the idea that one needs to “spend money to make money,” has never settled into the circular logic of my mind. I ask: if you have to spend money to make it, then where do you get the money to spend?
It has always been my theory that the phrase “show business” is exact and intentional and not just a cliché. To have “the show” you must have “the business” otherwise it would be “show-show.” And there have been many nights I wish upon the stars for “show-show” to be the reality merely because “the business” intimidates me. And I think I may not be the only artist out there who feels that way. Regrettably, however, the reality is that the business of the show must be present. Business makes the world run, it’s an international language that connects us to them and them to us and makes trees grow and feeds the bull dogs, and I have to always remind my self of this fact. So, I muster-up some confidence, keep the head high, move forward and ask for funding. The worst anybody could ever say is “no” – funny how that little two letter word can make a person feel. But, it must be done. I believe in this project and every project I commit myself too, I believe in theatre, but more importantly I believe in myself too much to not have my message ignored purely because of money.
Playwright Theresa Rebeck, in an interview with Eric Winick from Playwrights Horizons, said “that is why I continue to write for the theatre…it feels like as a story teller you’re actually put on the planet for this task.” If I could’ve said those exact words myself I would’ve. I have always seen my choice to write for the theatre as a calling. And a calling can not be ignored or burned on the back burner of my mind. I have to do what it takes to make the world listen no matter how outside the realm of “me” it may be. There is no such thing as a comfort-zone as an artist. And the moment I become comfortable I must shake things up. Even if it means I ask my neighbor’s brother’s girlfriend for $200 to help produce a play I completed.
It’s in the uneasiness of life that art is born. And in this time, in this moment of our century, the business of money is one necessary step to help bring forth the child.
