So, the new Board Of Directors for the Williamston Theatre Project has its first official Board Meeting in early December.
Excellent.
In prep, we’re sending out Board Packets, with lots of info, and John and I are sending letters from the Executive Director and Artistic Director. I thought I’d post mine. Click the link!
Dear Board of Directors,
Welcome aboard! I’m very excited about the future of this company, and about the things we’ll accomplish together!
As Artistic Director for The Williamston Theatre Project, I have several principles that guide me in my work. I’m a huge believer in theatre that reaches out to people and allows them to see parts of their own lives onstage. I’m also a big believer in the power of comedy, of laughter, of family, and of the imagination. So, especially in the beginning stages, our productions will represent those beliefs.
It’s also important, however, to deal with the issues of the world around us, sometimes in a more dramatic and serious fashion; as we establish ourselves, and build a relationship of trust with our audience, we will expand our season programming to include more risk-taking, hard-hitting productions. In addition, I expect the WTP to seriously pursue new works, and regularly include World Premieres or Michigan Premieres in our schedule.
I truly believe that we, all of us, can make this place something special – a place that people are excited about, and look forward to visiting – a place for Michigan artists and audiences to call home – a place where our work makes a difference.
Most of all, though, we can make a place that gives people the opportunity to not only escape from our everyday lives for a little while, but to explore our lives, as well.
That’s what the best of theatre does.
It’s what we’ll do.
Thank you for joining us on this journey!
Tony Caselli
Artistic Director
Williamston Theatre Project
It won’t go out for a few days, so I still have time to make changes. What do you all think? [EDIT: Thanks to Mary319 I’ve already made some great adjustments. Feel free to throw out any thoughts you have!] Any thoughts?
Tony Caselli 
My gut reaction– I don’t get the Wilde quote and the other quote is SO overused. I’d say that theater focuses on things that tend to become invisible in our daily lives– I think that’s why I don’t like the Wilde quote.
Also I want the second sentence to be: “I’m a huge believer in theatre that reaches out to people and allows them to see parts of their own lives onstage.”
And I’m craving a paragraph break before “It’s also important, however…”
Thanks Mary!
Yeah, I’m pretty iffy on the Wilde quote, and glad to have a backing opinion on that overused Plato quote. I think I’m gonna dig up something else.
And thanks for the cleanup of the second sentence and paragraph break!
Now, off to Microsoft Word for some cleanup!
🙂
Sorry that ended abruptly– the perpetually talking man was hanging at my desk and I had to send & walk away in order to get him to stop 🙂
I wanted to say I thought it was a great letter– especially making clear how you plan to move from traditional to experimental as you build your audience. I wish I were close enough to come see!!
Thanks! It wasn’t abrupt at all! I appreciate the feedback. After another hour of mulling, I’ve cut the quote and rewritten the ending. See what you think, and don’t hesitate to let me know! A writers POV is always useful!
Very nice letter. I have to say though you lost me a bit on the second paragraph (“Its also important, however, etc…) I think I know what you are saying but the wording seems to bog down the point or points a bit. Maybe too many points in one sentence??
I think this is a nice concise feeling for…you…and what you believe in which is…nice (at the risk of using a plebian word too many times)
I think you’re absolutely right. My ramble-on style of talking was running on high in that paragraph! (Mostly the first sentence of that paragraph!) I’ll clean it up!
Thanks!!