Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 2007 - 16

was a student of his at the University of Washington. Jon asked
me, "What are the two hardest jobs to fill at regional theatre? I
told Tamara what my thoughts were when I was running Actors
Theatre of Louisville and I was curious as to what you would
say." Without hesitating I replied, "scenic artist and props
master."
"That's exactly what Jon said," said Tamara.
Now to the layman, to those outside the fold, that answer
would have been inexplicable. How can it possibly be harder to
find a props master than an actor to play Hamlet? More difficult
to find a scenic artist then a director to take on Feydeau?
But those of us who work in the professional theatre-
and most certainly all of us in this room-know that it is much
easier to find a person to take on a specific job on a single play
than to find those craftspeople who have the technique, imagination, work ethic, collegiality, intelligence and craft to create a
dozen different worlds each year. To do it under the incredible
pressure of opening nights. And to answer to a dozen different
colleagues in a truly collaborative way.
Our wonderful Production Stage Manager Glenn Bruner
has an unofficial "Equity Oath" that he administers to each actor or stage manager before their first Equity performance. It's
simple, memorable and ennobling. And it is just as applicable
to any member of USA or to any professional artisan or to any
theatre technician:
He makes them raise their hand and repeat: "I promise
that I will hold my profession and my art in the highest regard,
and treat with integrity and respect my fellow theatre artists,
the companies where I may be employed,and the audiences for
whom I have the privilege to perform."
Designers, technicians, craftspeople-artisans, managers, builders-you represent a very special breed of artist who
has dedicated a life to creating ideal worlds. Of making spaces
in which to tell stories that impact individuals and communities. The work we do in holding a mirror up to society-in
asking the tough questions that face each individual-in deeply
exploring the universal issues of what makes us the same and
what makes each of us unique-the very basic question of free
will that lives at the intersection of every human interaction. All
of that has never been more necessary than it is right now.
What a privilege to get a chance to talk to you this morning and say from my heart: For the work you all do to help us
see our world in new and transforming ways; for the integrity
you bring to each project you undertake; for the energy and
imagination and spirit you bring to each image and sound we
create, I honor you. ❖
David Ira Goldstein has directed over thirty mainstage
productions at ATC during his fifteen-year tenure as its
artistic director while also producing over 140 other
mainstage plays, workshops and presentations. He
received the 2003 Governor's Arts Award as Individual
Artist for his contributions to the arts in Arizona.

THEATRE
SPRING

2007

DESIGN

TECHNOLOGY

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 2007