Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1241553
3 A Gathering Place Awaits– Mountain Play 2020 Sunday, May 3, 2020 Letter from the Executive Director & Artistic Producer e Mountain Play, a q uin te ss en ti al ri te of sp ri ng , is not happening this year. Ma y a nd Ju ne on Mo un t Tamalpais is the time when we're all supposed to gather friends, pack a picnic, and watch a spectacular musi- cal. Yet we can't gather. is doesn't seem real. People cannot join to create or wit- ness the production. ere is no technology to replace the Mountain Play experi- ence and no other experi- ence that can replace the revenue from ticket sales. e creation of a Moun- tain Play, or any play for that matter, is a time con- suming, labor intensive and substantial financial invest- ment. Plans are started 1 to 2 years before opening day, and that takes people. Peo- ple and resources that need payment to work. Dollars have been spent to get us to this point and we won't have the ticket sales to help us pay the bills. at makes us even more grateful for the advertisers, sponsors and ticket buyers who have agreed to stay with us. You all are our heroes. Yet, we will need more help. As a nonprofit com- munity theatre, we have experienced a difficult year. With the passage of AB5 (an admirable effort that unfortunately did not address the needs of com- munity theatre), power outages, fires, and now CO- VID-19, many companies have closed, limited their seasons or are now on the brink of closure. ough we budgeted to raise 40- 50% in contributions, we depend on ticket sales to survive. at is how our business works. Ticket sales pay our bills. Without sales, we and other companies will not exist. Some may think that the producer is focused on bringing in dollars to theatre but that is far from the truth. e job of the producer is to bring people to theatre - actors with in- sight, designers with artistic vision, staff with passion and smarts, volunteers with spirit, donors who believe in the company enough to support it both intellectu- ally and financially, and ticket buyers who desire entertainment and a trans- formative experience – all gathered to create a magi- cal, live moment. I believe in the power of the shared experience of theatre and look forward to the days when we can gather. For now, remember that arts, while not deemed essential by law, are most certainly of life-affirming importance. Spend your days in shelter by draw- ing, dancing, coloring … whatever your art is, do it. Engagement in the arts promotes better learning, development of self, and tools of expression. It is mental health food. Also, use those creative tools of technology to still have the shared experiences that we need. We are so proud to be- long to an industry with artists who have chosen to spend their shelter time to inspire online. ey are streaming performances, play writing classes, and virtual sing-alongs. Art- ists know the power of art and that we need to share it. We know of its power to give voice, heal, and bring unity. Please remember these currently out-of-work artists will need you when we emerge from this crisis. We've included a list of Marin companies in this publication. ey need you. You are why we do what we do. For now, please join us on social media as we con- tinue to inspire with theatre games and connection. When we can gather, please visit us and other theatres to enjoy the power of live performance. Oscar Wilde said "I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most imme- diate way in which a hu- man being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being." We'll keep sharing, but we'll need you. If you are able to help sustain this Bay Area tradition with a finan- cial contribution, please visit us at www.Mountain- Play.org today. Stay safe and be well. We'll see you soon. The California Collection Help celebrate the Mountain Play and the Sunshine State with one of our 14k and diamond or Sterling silver and white sapphire Mount Tamalpais, California Poppy & Golden Gate Bridge pendants. How do you identify with your state and what symbology moves you? 20% of the proceeds will benefit the Mountain Play Association. Please help keep this wonderful theater tradition alive during these difficult times. We are happy to ship anywhere in the U.S. Call us or email us at info@stephanhill.com 1226 Fourth Street • San Rafael • CA 94901 • 415-459-5808 • stephanhill.com Eileen Grady Ex ecutiv e D ir ec to r & Artistic Producer