WHO: All emerging professionals in the field of theater for children and young people
WHAT: Lively discussion and cold drinks hosted by the editors of NEXT
WHEN: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 , 10 p.m.
WHERE: Café du Monument National, Montreal , Canada , during the 15th ASSITEJ World Congress and Festival

Michelle writes:

When I first started working in this field, I never thought I would want to start my own theatre company – it was honestly the furthest thing from my mind. I enjoyed working in theatre for young audiences, but for an established company and certainly not my own. Starting a theatre company seemed like such a mammoth undertaking that I was completely unprepared to tackle at that point in my career. Initially, I was content to have ownership of a specific program or project within an organization, but as the years progressed, I gradually began to think about how much I wanted to start my own company.

Why the change of heart? I can’t pinpoint the exact moment, but this feeling was generated by two things I saw happening around me. The first was the exceptionally welcoming and receptive theatre community in which I live. In Washington, D.C., new theatre companies receive great support not only from other theatre professionals, but from audiences as well. Additionally, I was inspired by the challenging theatre for young audiences I had seen over the years coming from companies just starting out. I began to formulate ideas about the type of work I would produce. As time has gone by, I have become more and more serious about starting my own theatre company. However, for the moment, that idea has been put temporarily on hold for two reasons. Currently I am working in a position which presents and produces theatre for adults. While this is not theatre geared specifically towards young people, on a daily basis my job challenges me and has allowed me to obtain a wide-range of skills and knowledge that will be useful down the road when I am finally able to take that final step and start my own TYA company. And second, by the time this issue goes to print, my husband and I will be embarking on a new adventure - starting a family. So for now, my thoughts on starting my own company center on when and how, but not if, it will happen.

Emily writes:

In the 1990s, four other women and I started our own theatre company in Seattle. I thought it was what I always wanted to do, and also thought I knew how to do it. After our first production, two of the original founders quit. We had several successes, yet never had enough cash left over to pay our actors more than a stipend. Our fundraisers were packed, but we didn’t seem to make any money on them. After two years, I had three jobs and was still trying to fit in time for rehearsal and company business. I was drained. I made the decision to leave the company in the hands of my two partners and run away to graduate school.

Now that I work for an established and well-managed organization, I often look back and marvel at how much I didn’t know about fundraising, board development, and audience cultivation. What was I thinking? If I could do it over, I would do so many things differently . . . but I have no plans to try again. The desire to start my own company has left me, for now. I’m enjoying the job security and economic stability that eluded me up to this point in my life. If I ever take the helm of a TYA organization, I predict it will be an existing company, not one that I started. I’m content right now to put my passion into individual projects under the umbrella of a wonderful creative home that’s been around a while, and (knock wood) isn’t going anywhere.

It’s a little ironic that I’m about to lose my resident teaching artist, a gigantic asset to our organization, as she starts her own company. She feels she’ll always regret it if she doesn’t try now. How can I not empathize and support her? I admire the courage of anyone who dares to push the boulder up the hill.

We are focusing this issue of NEXT on the brave and bold creators of new theatre companies for young audiences, in the hopes that it may inspire those contemplating a similar move or assist those who have already started that journey. This issue includes advice and resources for those just getting started in the process. It’s a daring venture in a time when established companies are fighting for every dollar and every audience member, and we tip out hats to you. As you plan, prepare and dare to dream, remember—the future belongs to the enthusiastic!

Michelle Kozlak is Manager of Theater Programming at the Kennedy Center in Washington,
DC. Mkozlak@Kennedy-Center.org

Emily Petkewich is Education Director/Artistic Associate at Metro Theater Company in St. Louis, MO. Emily@metrotheatercompany.org