Rachel May's Blog

A joyful noise

2009-06-15T15:14:00-04:00:00

Last night we started our summer program for Playmaking for GIrls. The girls create poems that are based on the title "Girls to..." They decide who the poem is speaking to - dads, boys, Obama, sisters... Last night, they selected moms and grandmoms. Once this was chosen, we had them close their eyes and just start saying anything that they'd want to say to their moms. The room got quiet, and suddenly, without rush or preamble, words and phrases started tumbling out... ....I love you ....don't judge me ....accept me for who I am ...I need you ...your mistakes are not mine It began to be a simple, gorgeous symphony of the thoughts and feelings that these young ladies have towards these powerful women in their lives, and I was so struck by fact that THEY HAVE THE WORDS. These kids have in their hearts what matters to them and what they want to say. They just, so often, do not have the avenue to express them, or anyone to listen. When you give them the space...the world shifts.

Gorgeous talented women on Broadway...

2009-06-10T12:06:10-04:00:00

Ok - so a woman didn't win the Tony...but here is some good news... http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/05/24/theater/20090524-patricia-cohen-women-on-broadway-multimedia/index.html

Women and the Pulitzer

2009-04-21T17:14:45-04:00:00

Um, yeah. http://www.najp.org/articles/2009/04/a-pulitzer-shortlist-bursting.html I'm just sayin'.

And if you want to get your 'feminist scholar' on...

2009-04-14T15:20:09-04:00:00

Check out Susan Heinzleman's article on infanticide... http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1030834

Why 1:23...

2009-04-14T15:17:34-04:00:00

When I first talked to Carson Kreitzer about producing her play, 1:23, almost a year ago...she said, "Did you just say you have a child? And you want to produce my play?" Little did I know that during the rehearsal process, a year later, I would not only have my husband in the show (playing McManus, one of the police) but I would also be pregnant with twins. This has definitely added to the intensity of working on a play about three mothers who drowned their children. So. Why this play? I believe so strongly in the ability of 1:23 to help us see beyond the headlines, and to challenge our own abilities for empathy and compassion in the face of three unspeakable acts. We have been fascinated for centuries about women who have committed this act, starting as far back as Medea. This riveting play examines ideas of gender and justice, by exploring the forces behind three women who drowned their own children – Susan Smith, Andrea Yates and Juana Leija. As we've grappled with this piece in rehearsals, we've talked a lot about the different ways these mothers 'brought their children' to the water. Susan Smith put them in the car and stepped out - letting gravity take the lead. You might see this as a passive way of completing her task. Juana Leija threw herself and the children into the river. Andrea Yates physically held each child under the water until they stopped moving, the most physical and visceral process of all three. As I hold my daughter every day, I think about this and recognize that the forces which shaped each of these women's experiences are so complex, that they challenge my notions about 'right and wrong' and how we like to categorize and parcel events so that we don't have to face them honestly. This play does what only theatre can do – and in these times, I think we need work like this more than ever.

Why? I'll tell you why...

2009-01-16T14:46:11-05:00:00

In the arts, we're often required to justify our very existence. Which often strikes me as strange, since the peace, beauty, intellectual stimulation, personal connections and so much more that come from encounters with art have always been an ESSENTIAL part of my life. It's non-negotiable to me. Here's why. Have you ever seen the movie, Joe Versus the Volcano? In the opening scene, gray-clad workers trudge gloomily towards a huge cement structure. When they go inside a flickering, sickening greenish-florescent light sways slowly overhead. Everyone is glum, gloom, doom. And then he finds a little lamp with a colorful painted lampshade. He plugs it in, and for one brief moment, the world is illuminated with color, light, energy, breath. LIFE. Art works. Try to go through a day without it. I've been reading a lot about this, and about the arts and why we should survive, not despite but even because of this current economy. A few things have caught my eye... - this blogpost shared by our outgoing board chair articulates this perfectly : http://www.cygresearch.com/burksblog/. - And this just about made me weep. http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0116/p13s03-algn.html It is exciting to see that the arts may soon take their place in the national conversation. This is where the arts belong.

Good news about Fulton County!

2009-01-08T15:13:44-05:00:00

Hi all - Just wanted to thank you for your advocacy. I was particularly impressed during the hearing that the case was strongly made that the arts are an economic GENERATOR and are actulaly part of the financial solution. This is, in course, in addition to the incredible benefits of coming together as a community through the arts during difficult times. Please see below for details... Best, Rachel Yesterday, the Fulton County Commission approved the recommended 2009 funding for the Fulton County Arts Council level with the prescribed 8% across-the-board reduction, and no more. Please be sure to follow up by thanking the Commissioners for their support –see contact information below. Many thanks to those that made phone calls, e-mails, and personal visits that kept threats of further funding cuts at bay. At yesterday’s hearing 15 persons testified in support of arts funding. These actions matter. Below is the list of phone numbers and e-mail address of each Commissioner’s Chief of Staff. You may contact all Commissioners with your message, but more importantly call or email your own Commissioner and both at-large Commissioners, Eaves and Pitts. If you do not know who your Commissioner is call the Fulton County information line and give them your address: 404-612-8200. Commissioner Chief of Staff John Eaves (Chairman) 404-730-8206 (at large) Darryl Hicks Darryl.Hicks@FultonCountyGA.gov Robb Pitts 404-730-8210 (at large) Harriet Thomas Harriet.Thomas@FultonCountyGA.gov Tom Lowe 404-730-8218 Ralph Daniels Ralph.Daniels@FultonCountyGA.gov Lynne Riley 404-730-8213 Scott Graham Scott.Graham@FultonCountyGA.gov Emma Darnell 404-730-8222 Corey Adams Corey.Adams@FultonCountyGA.gov Nancy Boxill 404-730-8226 Sharon Allen Sharon.Allen@FultonCountyGA.gov William “Bill” Edwards 770-306-3079 Delores Baskin Delores.Baskin@FultonCountyGA.gov

SAVE PUBLIC FUNDING FOR THE ARTS

2009-01-06T15:20:23-05:00:00

If you are IN the Atlanta area and care about the arts – PLEASE take a few moments to read the information below and take at least one (or more!) action steps. Fulton County funds a tremendous number of arts and cultural organizations. Maintaining this funding is essential to the survival of many of these companies, and more importantly, to continuing to enhance and invigorate the entire Atlanta community. Best, Rachel May Producing Artistic Director Synchronicity Performance Group www.synchrotheatre.com - Urgent Reminder: The Fulton County Budget Hearing: January 7th , 10 AM 141 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta 30303 Dear Arts Advocate: It is the arrival of the New Year and that means a new budget must be set for Fulton County. The Fulton County Arts Council which is part of the county budget has historically been the largest funder of the Arts in Georgia. We urge you to strongly support continued funding for the Fulton County Arts Council. This year is unique in many ways, as you can imagine, so we must be especially vigilant and vocal. Action needed: Please do as many of these as you can. 1) Share this email with others: your friends, neighbors, educators, colleagues, art lovers, et al. We need a strong grassroots effort. 2) Snail mail a thank-you note to the commissioners, thanking them for their past support and encouraging them to continue supporting the Fulton County Arts Council (addresses below). Hard copy notes get through the clutter and really make a impression. They are simple and effective, and it will only take a few moments of your time. 3) Send emails in support of the Fulton County Arts Council budget. All departments were instructed to submit a budget with 8% cut. However, the cuts could be more. Moreover, an 8% cut will actually equate to more than an 8% cut to the contract for services budget, because certain fixed expenses must be met first. 4) Strongly encourage your audiences, sponsors, membership, and staff to add their support as well. 5) Show up at the hearing to show support, even if you don’t want to address the commission. 6) Have children write and draw pictures to send about the importance of art in their lives. 7) Visit commissioners in their office prior to the budget hearing, to thank them for their previous support. 8) You can also FAX your letters, another good way to cut through email clutter - Fax: 404-730-8254 Please note, many nonprofits believe, mistakenly, that they can not be advocates. However, this is not true and can be verified by the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest - http://www.clpi.org Background Information: When contacting your elected official it is always a good idea to let them know: - that you fully understand that they are facing complex and challenging financial issues; - that the arts are not seeking special treatment, we accept the across the board cuts, unpleasant as they may be, but we also do not want to be singled out for additional cuts; - It is also good to note what will be lost, due to less funding. Take the issue from loss of dollars to loss of services. Personal stories are always effective. The letters and emails are important. The commissioners must clearly understand that the community values and needs the arts. The Economy: Georgia, a snapshot According to an economic forecast released by the UGA Selig Center for Economic Growth. We are already in the longest downturn since the depression. This financial contraction is expected to be severe and prolonged and will likely not hit rock bottom before the 3rd Quarter of next year. Several banks have failed and several more are on the endangered list. Tourism, Georgia’s second biggest industry, is also way down. The loss of tourism and conventions results in a further loss of income revenue for municipalities, due to the loss of Hotel Motel Tax and Sales Tax. Legislation is likely to be introduced in this session to freeze property taxes and only allow local government to increase at the level 0f a cost of living increase. This will mean that local government can’t raise taxes as a way to address budget shortfall. Therefore, expect more cuts in government spending. Sales tax is way off due to a lack of consumer spending and it is a significant government revenue stream. We are experiencing unemployment, at about 7% and that does not include those whose benefits have run out, or more importantly the underemployed – those seeking full time employment, but only able to find part time work. Unemployment is expected to peak at 9 % in early 2010. The highest since the current data series began in 1976. New housing permits have plunged about 75% and are projected to drop 16.7 more in 2009. Bankruptcies and foreclosures are at an all time high. This outlook is not to project gloom and doom, but it does provide a reality check. We must have the facts and how these will impact our industry to help us all prepare for the new fiscal year. These conditions and others will play heavily into the budget decision process for local and state budgets. It also clearly demonstrates why you must be pro-active in the Fulton County budget process this year and what makes this year is so different and important. Economic Impact on the Creative and Cultural Industry At a meeting this month with my peers from across the country, we did an informal national scan of the current economic crisis and its impact on our industry. That information combined with a local metro Atlanta survey and other information reveals all income streams for the creative and cultural industry are at risk. - Lines of credit have been reduced or withdrawn. - Foundation funding has been greatly reduced or suspended. Their funds being generally tied to the stock market. - Corporations facing bankruptcies, employee layoffs and severe budget crunches are likely to cut corporate support and sponsorships. - Governments are also facing unprecedented shortfalls and this puts arts funding at a high risk. - Cultural institutions are experiencing a slow down in earned income, such as ticket sales, classes and facility rentals. -Patrons who had made multi-year pledges are calling to say will be unable to fulfill their commitment. - Fundraising events have been cancelled or postponed due to a lack of ticket sales. The Future: There is Hope on The Horizon. First of all, the arts are resilient, resourceful, creative and innovative. The survival instinct is strong and comes from a deep well of passion and dedication. Secondly, I was invited by the Obama Candidacy early last year to serve on his National Arts Policy Committee (copy attached). President-Elect Obama has a deep interest in arts and arts education. I was further encouraged with his selection of Bill Ivey, former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts and currently the Director, the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy at Vanderbilt University, to head his cultural transition team. Mr. Ivey also served on the Obama National Arts Policy Committee. While the President-Elect has a very full plate with the economy, two wars, and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, he has shown his commitment to the arts. While it may not be in the first 100 days, we will see his support for the arts forthcoming. While meeting with my peers at an Americans for the Arts, State Arts Action Network, Council meeting, in addition to the environmental national scan mentioned earlier, we also worked with consultant Stan Rosenberg, who also happens to be Senate President Pro Tem in Massachusetts. He fully understands the government process and effective advocacy. With his help we have begun developing a strategic plan for for sustaining the arts during this difficult time – including ways we might access bailout money for the cultural industry. Lastly, yes times are tough, but so are we. We will survive and the first step in that process is to be an advocate for the Fulton County Arts Council Budget. We must not let this opportunity be lost. We thank you in advance for your personal efforts in this important arts advocacy initiative. Onward! Jan Selman Executive Director The Arts Leadership League of Georgia ( ALL-GA) www.allga.org Attached: Obama National Arts Policy, Advocacy Talking Points, Washington Post Article by Michael Kaiser Fulton County : http://www.co.fulton.ga.us –To review the budget Mailing Address: 141 Pryor Street, SW, 10th floor, Atlanta Georgia 30303 Commissioner Chief of Staff John Eaves 404-730-8206 Darryl Hicks Darryl.Hicks@FultonCountyGA.gov Robb Pitts 404-730-8210 Harriet Thomas Harriet.Thomas@FultonCountyGA.gov Tom Lowe 404-730-8218 Ralph Daniels Ralph.Daniels@FultonCountyGA.gov Lynne Riley 404-730-8213 Scott Graham Scott.Graham@FultonCountyGA.gov Emma Darnell 404-730-8222 Corey Adams Corey.Adams@FultonCountyGA.gov Nancy Boxill 404-730-8226 Sharon Allen Sharon.Allen@FultonCountyGA.gov William “Bill” Edwards 770-306-3079 Delores Baskin Delores.Baskin@FultonCountyGA.gov

New year, new heart

2009-01-06T15:19:03-05:00:00

It's 2009. Yes, i know you already know that. You may have even written it on a check or typed it. But hang on, let's take a moment and breathe deep together. It is 2009. Hmm. I'm having a little trouble digesting this. I feel like I need about a month of no work, no election (and now transition) coverage, no new economy failures, no scandals, no interrupted sleep (whoops, was that my out loud "mommy" voice?).... in order to process all that last year brought to us. I need to let it all sink in. Right now I feel as though I am sifting through all of the difficulties of the last year and letting the absolute joys and soaring achievements bubble up through. Personally, I am completely and totally in love with our nearly 2-year old daughter. Professionally, my heart bursts with pride for our recent (and upcoming!) world premieres, the dedication of our artists, the powerful stories coming out of our Playmaking for Girls program, the resonant beauty of The Snow Queen, the excitement of incoming visiting artists... Spiritually, as a member of our global community, I have some deep concerns and some fierce hope. As an arts leader, I'm being asked from many circles - "how is the economic climate affecting Synchronicity?" While we are definitely feeling it (want to donate? visit www.synchrotheatre.com )...it is more importantly helping us to think about how we do what we do, and also WHY. What is the true impact of theatre, and our theatre in particular. And then, I went to the first rehearsal for Looking for the Pony on Sunday night. Andrea Lepcio, the playwright, was there in the room. The play is quite autobiographical, and tells the story of Andrea and her sister, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Through a truly theatrical structure that is both funny and insightful, this play reaches deep into my heart and overwhelms me with it's power. I have 3 sisters. The way that this play brings forth the power of that love is incredible. Through these two sisters' relationship, I'm reminded that no one can (insert adjective here: love, annoy, tickle, support, befriend, infuriate, hold) you like your sister. I cry every time I read this play. Not because of loss, but because of the unbelievable life that this woman lives and the number of people she affects with her vibrant spirit. I also laugh out loud over and over again with the playfulness and the humor that these two sisters are able to find in the midst of their trauma. They look for the pony, despite the challenges. Good theatre moves us. It brings us together with shared experiences. It provides an outlet for grief, and a catalyst for joy. When I think about how Synchronicity is being affected...I am pretty sure that we are all jacked up. We are DETERMINED to expose more people, children, families, die-hard non-arts goers....to this incredible power. We will be relentless in this pursuit, and we will fight tooth and nail for theatre and the arts to not be sidelined, but to be recognized for what they are...essential to our survival and instrumental in the creation of empathetic, loving, compassionate and intelligent human beings. Want to join us?

All the world's a stage...for men only?

2008-10-28T15:43:49-04:00:00

There is a brewing debate about the ratio of productions nationally by women playwrights...how many are submitted to theatres, and how many are produced.

if you are interested in this topic - check out these two articles:

Charging Bias by Theaters, Female Playwrights to Hold Meeting

Female Trouble

It is interesting (although rather sad but not surprising) to me that we are still facing this issue. I agree with several of the comments from the New York Times article - it is about intention. If you actively seek out plays by other than the norm (read: white men), then you will find a wealth of material - from women of color, from white women, from men of other ethnic backgrounds...

For me it is about being intentional about making our stage look like our lives - which are not all white, not all straight, not all male (or female)...if we are truly interested in building community, than the FULL community needs to be engaged in the conversation.

Read the articles. Let me know what you think.