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I am pretty lucky.
I just got back from working with TBA theater, an amazing theater company in Anchorage, AK for two weeks. I had a wonderful time and absolutely fell in love with the staff and creative leaders at the theater. They embodied so many things that I love in a creative organization: artistic excellence, a dedication to education, unbridled passion, and endless compassion.
They are also some of the most genuinely generous and kind people I have gotten to work with.
The company is not big. This definitely was not the most well paying job I've had working in theater. But I already know I will leap at the opportunity to work with them again, and the reason is simple:
They ceaselessly give, and it inspires others to give back.
TBA is an example of a company and group of people that simply live by generosity. They don't give because they should, they give because it is inherent in everything they do. They set their ticket prices incredibly low ($10 is a full price ticket to their main stage shows - low even by community theater standards) because they believe the arts should be as accessible as possible. They create as many scholarships as possible for their classes so low income kids can attend. Although the salary is low, they do all they can to support guest artists with housing, airfare and accommodations whenever possible. While working, I felt like I was a part of the family; fellow staff would invite me to hikes, take me around Anchorage to show me the town, and gave their time and friendship. Although I have only known their artistic directors for two weeks, I already think of them as mentors and fellow artists I want to work with and for again.
TBA lives by a lesson I have experienced over and over again in my career: generosity breeds generosity. Their kindness and giving nature had resulted in a fiercely loyal audience and student base. Their staff freely give additional time because they fully believe in and support the mission of the institution. I was happy and willing and hungry for opportunities to work beyond my job requirements.
I am pretty lucky. Throughout my young career I have had amazing mentors who were generous with their time in helping me beyond what their "job description" required. When I started my youth theater, a big company lent us their space with no charge of rent, just a percentage of box office. I am the product of my own hard work - but also a large part the product of the generosity of others.
Give. Be generous. The more you give, the more you reap. Giving opens doors and invites opportunities.
I just got back from working with TBA theater, an amazing theater company in Anchorage, AK for two weeks. I had a wonderful time and absolutely fell in love with the staff and creative leaders at the theater. They embodied so many things that I love in a creative organization: artistic excellence, a dedication to education, unbridled passion, and endless compassion.
They are also some of the most genuinely generous and kind people I have gotten to work with.
The company is not big. This definitely was not the most well paying job I've had working in theater. But I already know I will leap at the opportunity to work with them again, and the reason is simple:
They ceaselessly give, and it inspires others to give back.
TBA is an example of a company and group of people that simply live by generosity. They don't give because they should, they give because it is inherent in everything they do. They set their ticket prices incredibly low ($10 is a full price ticket to their main stage shows - low even by community theater standards) because they believe the arts should be as accessible as possible. They create as many scholarships as possible for their classes so low income kids can attend. Although the salary is low, they do all they can to support guest artists with housing, airfare and accommodations whenever possible. While working, I felt like I was a part of the family; fellow staff would invite me to hikes, take me around Anchorage to show me the town, and gave their time and friendship. Although I have only known their artistic directors for two weeks, I already think of them as mentors and fellow artists I want to work with and for again.
TBA lives by a lesson I have experienced over and over again in my career: generosity breeds generosity. Their kindness and giving nature had resulted in a fiercely loyal audience and student base. Their staff freely give additional time because they fully believe in and support the mission of the institution. I was happy and willing and hungry for opportunities to work beyond my job requirements.
I am pretty lucky. Throughout my young career I have had amazing mentors who were generous with their time in helping me beyond what their "job description" required. When I started my youth theater, a big company lent us their space with no charge of rent, just a percentage of box office. I am the product of my own hard work - but also a large part the product of the generosity of others.
Give. Be generous. The more you give, the more you reap. Giving opens doors and invites opportunities.
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