This production started out as an idea floated over coffee. I had been sitting on the script for about 5 years because I needed to age into it, but I knew I loved it and had every intention of producing it someday. Grad school had just ended, and we were still in the phase of the pandemic where people hadn’t pushed for live art and concerts to be reinvigorated yet. Some shows would survive, and others would be riddled with problems ranging from covid shutdowns and funding and attendance issues to artist burnout. The turning point was near and if you had kept your ear to the ground, you could sense it. So Traci, our frequent collaborator Jeff, and I were sitting around trying to determine what to do because the Central Valley scene in California was disintegrating quickly. Traci herself, an AD of 12 years, had been forced to close her doors from the pandemic (just like so many others). While she was recalibrating and
Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services & Sierra Vista Child and Family services at Prospect Theater Project (Jack Souza, AD).looking at her options for moving forward in the community, I had just landed from Florida from a fizzled wet campfire of a close to Grad School (Covid). I floated the idea of doing a one man show in her space before she truly had to give it up; one last hurrah. Because of the pandemic we couldn’t. Poor ventilation in the space and the community had all but disappeared in the previous year. So, we discussed doing it at a local spot that was still thriving. So, I reached out to Artistic Director of Prospect Theater Project, Jack Souza. He read the script and fell in love with it and was able to give us one weekend. This was very generous considering the covid climate and the current market for events, so we took it. The amount of work we were devoting to the project quickly demanded a reassessment. One weekend didn’t quite feel like enough for the right kind of catharsis. So, over our second cup of coffee, Traci suggested we ask some other ADs around the Valley if they were into hosting us for a weekend. So, we compiled a list and began asking. Within a few weeks we had 5 venues with door splits, and I was working on bringing it to Florida State University’s Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, my Alma Mater, for a donation show to the graduating third year class. Not only that, but Jack from Prospect coordinated with local county behavioral health resource services to be at our Modesto, CA show. It was growing rapidly into something pretty extraordinary. We started a GoFundMe and secured enough money to take it to the different venues, and 15% of our total proceeds went to 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline as a donation. The production took off and was successful beyond our imagining. I had hoped it would go well but I was stunned by how a little faith, some theatre kids, and a couple cups of coffee could produce what we did. The tour came to an aptly timed close as other projects were starting to open up and we had been at it, from conception to close for 9 months. I moved to the Twin Cities and landed for a while. After about 2 months I met with Peter at the Gremlin and floated the idea of me remounting. Here we are. This show is a labor of love. If you stuck with me this far, I think you’ll also notice this show is surrounded by the idea of connection. I think this show is about moving on and healing from loss, finding love where you know it’s buried, letting people be people, remembering to laugh, and saying yes to the child that is inside of all of us. All things, I think, in some form or another, we desperately need right now. I hope you enjoy being a part of this as much as we do.
Warmly,
Chris