SHOWCASE SUCCESS

A brief word from Jacob

A year ago, I had an idea for an ill-advised project. In this idea, a couple dozen Tucson kids took the stage for a performance that was uniquely our own, as a product of it being controlled solely by the vision of student artists. There'd be no fees, no restrictions on submissions, and, importantly, no pressure to deliver the performance of the century: the point of it would be only to do it. Of course, aside from that, there would be a benefit for everyone involved, as I thought the theater students of Tucson could learn from having a sandbox of our own to make theater, where the sole inhibitor to our artistic desires as actors, playwrights, directors, and, (God help me) producers would be our own talents and whatever shoestring budget we'd be forced to operate on.

This presented several issues. One, a budget is difficult for any teenager to obtain. Two, even if I did have the money, I am a teenager. When I sent cold offers out to venues, creatives, and actors for this project, I expected to be laughed out of the room. In my heart of hearts, I knew that this was a pipe dream and that neither I nor any other teenager should ever be trusted with the faith and the funding to pull this project off.

Yet, this past weekend, the Rigby Theater Company's Young Playwrights Showcase hit the stage at the Catalyst Creative Collective, whose kindness in lending their space to this project cannot be overstated. I was given a rough upper maximum of a hundred people in the space for each showing. In the week that ticket sales were live, we sold out both nights, and two hundred butts in seats had such a loud reaction to the events onstage that night that our contact at the Catalyst (the incredible Gabe) messaged me in shock, hearing it from his office in the back wing of the building. I made it a point to run around and shake hands with as many folks as I could after the performance; incredibly, most took delight in meeting me and the other cast members. Over and over, I heard how remarkable it was that "a group of kids pulled this off".

Without devaluing the contributions of the kids, who are all incredibly talented individuals and a breeze to work with, it's an unfair assessment to say it was entirely us. In reality, the entire community of individuals in the Tucson theater that I've met up to this point has backed the project into the success it became. Tyler Pierce and the Unity Church of Tucson provided us our rehearsal space in their pursuit of supporting local arts. The consultancy of numerous individuals, including Kaitlin Bertenshaw, Dani Wright, and Ericka Quintero gave us connections we needed to ensure our performance went off without a hitch in the blessing of a venue that we had. I've mentioned the Catalyst, whose incredible booking agent Kevin Larkin was enthusiastic and amicable. Parents volunteered to help with ticketing and concessions (Bless your heart, Tanya Buffalo). The support we received to put on this production was shocking. To all who helped: thank you all.

That's not to say the kids themselves weren't part of that as well. I was blessed to receive the talent of student artists from up in Marana, down to Vail. The contribution of time, talent, and effort from every one of our student actors, our directors, technicians, and playwrights made the project a reality. I'd like all of their names to be recorded here.

Caroline Lane is Abby Phillips, Elvis Kingman, Nia Lybeck, Brennan Garza, Andrew Coss, Atiyanna Mirza, Melyna Carrillo, Rita Munozcano, and Ethan Miller.

Spiral is Rene Cruz, Grace Christian, Liv Fredericksen, and Andrew Coss.

Jack & Quinn is Sylas-Richard Stuart Smith, in all his glory.

Worth mentioning: Elvis Kingman and Rene Cruz joined as replacements for actors who had sudden conflicts, and performed at a great standard for such a short notice. Special thanks to them both.

Tech was Adam and Tyler Fosse on sound, paired with Lani Minch on lights,  and Julia Jonas recording the event, all of whom were receptive and made fantastic work in a very short time frame. Not to mention, they're all really cool people - especially the young Tyler, who took over for his older brother with ease on our second showing.

Our student directors, Antonius D. Robello and Mahri Flannery, were both incredible to work with. Antonius, your brilliant spirit and consistent vision are always appreciated in any project you lay your hands on. Mahri, your extreme professionalism, efficiency, and fantastic directorial choices for Spiral brought an abstract piece down to reality with ease. You both exceeded all expectations for this project and became the glue that held it together.

Lastly, our student playwrights, Isis Rivenbark and Kianna Parra, wrote Spiral and Caroline Lane respectively. You each wrote fantastic pieces, and the pure joy on your faces after seeing the tangible manifestation of that work was a prize in itself. I am proud knowing this showcase and scholarship found its material in your magnificently creative hands. 

I cannot wait to work with all of you again soon.

Combining the revenue from ticket sales, concessions, and a few generous donations, we made a little over $2000, to be divided as scholarships for the student directors & playwrights. I hope that the scholarships will serve as an investment in the creatives of the future. The lot of you are more than capable of pursuing this art for the rest of your lives. Do us all a service and proceed with it.

As to what comes next: several of you have asked, and I can say so much as to inform you that this is not the end of the Rigby Theater Company. We'll announce more information as it's ready. For now, I will leave you with the hint that this next show will have a musical edge. 

At the end of both nights, Antonius concluded with a thank you. It meant a world's difference to me. Everybody involved with this project holds a special place in my heart, and I know we will work together again soon.