The Irony of Involvement in the Arts

I guess that's because when it comes to "the three T's of giving: talent, time and treasury," sometimes giving more to one organization, even for a temporarily, necessitates giving less to others.

This subject is on my mind because last Friday, August 13, 2010, I learned I was cast as the lead, Tevye the Dairyman, in "Fiddler on the Roof," the next production for Spencer Community Theatre (SCT), www.spencercommunitytheatre.com.

I was born in 1964, and during my 46 years, I've been involved with numerous musical theatre productions for several different theatre companies. My participation began during Spring Semester 1977, when I was 13 years old, with the Jakarta International School (JIS) production of Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun." I was a student at JIS, www.jisedu.org, from 1975 to 1978 and again from 1981 until graduation in 1982.

Coincidentally, 31 and a half years later, I had another first with "Annie Get Your Gun" when I played Col. Buffalo Bill Cody in SCT's production of Irving Berlin's classic musical, October 10-25, 2008. It was my first production with SCT.

My involvement in musical theatre is nothing new. I've even played leading roles before, albeit none quite as large and demanding as Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof."

SCT auditions were August 9 and 10, the seven-and-a-half-week rehearsal period is from August 16 to October 7, and the three-weekend performance period will be October 8-23, 2010. Given that Tevye is the lead, I'm scheduled for all rehearsals. During this first week of rehearsals, it's sinking in just how much I'll have to sacrifice in order to do this part justice and to be a fully involved member of this production, setting a good example for the rest of the company (production team, cast, crew and orchestra).

I'm involved in multiple facets of community life in and near the Iowa Great Lakes, and I volunteer a great deal of my time. (I'd prefer to give more "treasury" and less time, but because I have so little money to donate, I compensate by contributing more of my time.) Not all, but several of the organizations for which I'm an active volunteer are arts organizations.

As I enter the "Fiddler on the Roof" rehearsal schedule into my daily appointment book, I realize I'm going to have to miss a variety of arts and entertainment events, including several for which I'm scheduled to volunteer. With a little effort, I can find replacement volunteers to cover for me, but it still means I miss the events themselves.

The rehearsal and performance period for SCT's "Fiddler on the Roof," from August 16 to October 23, will necessitate my finding replacements to cover volunteer commitments for events sponsored by several Iowa Great Lakes arts organizations with which I'm an active member, including...

Okoboji Summer Theatre, www.okobojisummertheatre.org
Pearson Lakes Art Center, www.lakesart.org
Lakes Community Theatre, www.lakescommunitytheatre.org
Iowa Rock 'N Roll Music Association, www.iowarocknroll.com
ArtsLIVE, www.artslive.com
Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts, www.samicenter.org

As you can see, one is less available to enjoy the arts as a member of the audience and to support the arts as a patron or a volunteer when one is directly involved in the arts as a performer.

So it always strikes me as ironic that when I become a more active participant in the arts, for example, acting in a community theatre production, I become significantly less available to enjoy-through-attendance and support-through-volunteering the arts, including visual arts exhibit openings, live music concerts, performance art, live theatre, movies, etc., etc., etc.

Please do not misread the point I'm making. I'm certainly not complaining, and I have few regrets with respect to musical theatre. I've enjoyed and been grateful for a vast majority of theatre productions with which I've been involved over the years, especially my relatively recent involvement with SCT.

At the 2010 SCT Annual Meeting and Season Celebration on Wednesday, August 18, I won the "2009-2010 SCT People's Choice Award" for "BEST Supporting Actor" for my portrayal of Ali Hakim in the SCT production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!," October 14-18, 2009. How could I regret that?

In addition to being an active volunteer, I also enjoy hosting a variety of social gatherings for different groups of people. Some socials I host for the companies of theatre productions in which I've participated, others for the friends and supporters of my own small nonprofit community based organization, the Wilson Resource Center (WRC), www.wilsonresource.org, and still others for different groups and organizations with which I'm involved.

Sadly, when I'm involved in a theatre production, there just isn't enough time during the rehearsal and performance period, to adequately plan, promote and implement decent social gatherings. That is, unless they're very informal and just for small groups of people, such as a small potluck supper or a boat ride.

If only I could clone myself... Now there's a frightening thought, especially for those who know me!

In closing, more information regarding the aforementioned SCT production of "Fiddler on the Roof" is provided as follows...

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SAVE THE DATES FOR SCT PRODUCTION OF
"FIDDLER ON THE ROOF"

Spencer Community Theatre (SCT) presents
the opening production of its 51st Season, the "People's Choice Season,"
and the first show in the "new and improved" SCT Playhouse

"FIDDLER ON THE ROOF"

Based on Sholem Aleichem stories by special permission of Arnold Perl
Book by Joseph Stein
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick; Music by Jerry Bock
Directed for SCT by Curtis W. Dean (Dir.) & Jeremy Devine (Music Dir.)

Eight Performances:
Friday, October 8, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 9, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 10, 2:00 p.m. (matinee)
Friday, October 15, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 16, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 17, 2:00 p.m. (matinee)
Friday, October 22, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 23, 7:30 p.m.

Performances in the newly-renovated
SCT Playhouse
518 1st Ave. E.
Spencer, IA 51301
712-262-7336
www.spencercommunitytheatre.com

Ticket Reservations:
SCT Box Office, 712-262-7336
info@spencercommunitytheatre.com

"Fiddler on the Roof" is the Tony Award-winning musical that has captured the hearts of people all over the world as well as being voted the most popular show in Spencer Community Theatre (SCT) history by audience members and volunteers. It's been lauded by critics again and again for its moving story, compelling characters, and beautiful music.

In Anatevka, a small village in Russia, in 1905, on the eve of the Russian revolutionary period, Tevye, a poor Dairyman, tries to instill in his five daughters the traditions of his tight-knit Jewish community. He does this in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, "Fiddler on the Roof" has touched audiences around the world with its humor, warmth and honesty. It's universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.

Filled with a rousing, heartwarming score, which includes "Tradition," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," "If I Were a Rich Man," and "Sunrise, Sunset," the play is a timeless classic. No other musical has so magically woven music, dance, poignancy and laughter into such an unforgettable experience. Come be a part of SCT's tradition of musical theatre with "Fiddler on the Roof."

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Thank you for your time! Please support the arts!