PROJECT KNOWLEDGE- Day 32

Day 32: Princeton University's Jill Dolan and People's Light & Theatre

Our first stop this morning was at a Whole Foods near Princeton University in New Jersey, to speak with Jill Dolan, an English & Theatre Professor at Princeton (who we discovered before our first project in Mexico!). Jill's "Unhappy Thespian" Blog entry written in 2008 focusses on many of the reasons why our company feels so strongly about adding health into the training of theatre artists. This "Manifesto on Training Theatre Students" is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about the issues that affect the health of theatre students. It was an honor to be able to meet Jill after being so inspired by her words.

We had a great conversation about the future of theatre and all that she's been experiencing as an educator in the system. We talked in depth about the views expressed in her blog. Her position paper/manifesto was delivered at the Association for Theatre in Higher Education conference in Denver on August 1st, 2008. The session was called "The Elephant in the Room" and speakers were encouraged to discuss issues they felt the field ignores at its collective peril. As a company, we definitely feel that this issue is "The Elephant in the Room" within our entire industry. By voicing our concerns, taking action towards the development of our holistic technique, and discovering ways to spread our mission... we know that we will play a major role in improving the health of theatre artists around the world. Our conversation with Jill inspired and motivated us beyond belief. Jill is also the author of an incredible book called Utopia in Performance: Finding Hope At The Theatre. Check it out!

Jill is a wonderful person and is now Junior's new best friend!

Next we got on the road to Malvern, Pennsylvania to visit People's Light & Theatre. After a couple hours of driving we arrived at the theatre early (it's always a nice surprise when we get a little extra time before our meetings... it gives us time to settle our stomachs after the bounciness of the drive!).

You can tell at first glance that Peoples Light is a special theatre (look at the picture below, it looks like an estate!). On top of doing great work, the theatre has been able to bring in extra revenue every year through the restaurant and banquet hall on their property.

Abigail Adams (People's Light Artistic Director), joined us at our RVs and after meeting Junior, took us on a great tour of the different spaces they have on their property. It was fascinating touring their different spaces and talking to Abigail about how the theatre runs. One of the most impressive things about People's Light is the amount of strategic focus they give to the business side of the theatre. Unlike some institutions we've been hearing about, where the business is completely disconnected from the work of the artists, they have been able to successfully build upon the creative relationships of the artists with the community and to use their business ideas to further that connection.

Abigail was amazing in arranging us tickets to see the opening night of their show "Stretch", so after showing us around the spaces she escorted us to the theatre and we saw the show. Afterward we had a great time talking to a some of the artists and creative staff of People's Light at their opening night reception in the lobby.

We can't wait for tomorrow morning to get to have brunch with Abigail and talk to her more about what is working so well for their company.