Bright Lights, Big City

Posted by Anonymous On 12:22 PM

Well... I didn't get into Stanford. So it looks like Beeki and I are going to be moving to Nashville this summer. Everything is still pretty fluid at this point, but we're planning on being up there for a visit next weekend. I'm trying to figure out exactly where we'll be and when, and believe me, if you're in Nashville, I'll be in touch shortly!

The goal is going to be opening a theatre company not too long from now. But first we'll need to take care of details like a place to live and a job for Beeki. She's an MFA in Directing, so if you know of any colleges or universities who are looking for the most talented 27 year old director in the country to teach and direct in their theatre department, let me know.

Meantime, I'm about to begin posting some ideas that I have for a different way to do theatre in America today. I hope you'll all provide feedback, and honest feedback at that. I've got some pretty heretical thoughts such as, "Artists like to talk a lot about how good and necessary they are for the community... but can any of them prove that?" and "Why is it so difficult to find a good production of a play on DVD?" and "Why do so many supposedly ground-breaking and important plays actually suck even if no one is willing to say so?" and "Are theatres the only organizations worse than churches at actually reaching the people they claim to target?" So, hopefully I've got some interesting answers to those questions, and hopefully the ones that I don't have answers to, I can begin to work out solutions to with your help.

See you in Nashville!

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16 Cachinnations

  1. diadelkendall Said,

    Do you know Neil Hoppe? Talented guy. Went to Baylor. Good director back in the day. I was in his True West. May have left before you got here. Now works for Lifeway/Centrifuge in Nashville. Soemone you guys need to know.

    Posted on 2/18/2009

     
  2. Chaotic Hammer Said,

    Sounds like you have a great adventure ahead!

    But for the record, Nashville is actually sort of a smallish city. I guess it's big compared to Waco, but still pretty small, as far as cities go in general.

    Posted on 2/18/2009

     
  3. Anonymous Said,

    Okay, but as a title, "Bright Lights, Smallish City" isn't really that effective. We'll call it an artistic decision.

    And I'll see you soon!

    Posted on 2/18/2009

     
  4. Amanda Said,

    um, would that be kendall cockrell?? :) if i remember correctly, neil was a friend of evan's back in the day!

    ok, well great. you guys move OUT of texas just as soon as we plan to move BACK to texas. we are hoping to be back within a year or so.

    at any rate, you know that vann's cousin lives in nashville and we have been talking about going there for forever...and in fact, sometimes we fly through there. this could be a match made in heaven!!! i miss you. when will i see you again? xoxo amanda

    Posted on 2/18/2009

     
  5. The Cliff Said,

    "Are theatres the only organizations worse than churches at actually reaching the people they claim to target?"

    What?!?!?! You mean churches aren't reaching the people they claim to target?!?!? There is a certain First Baptist Near Waco that is reaching the people they claim. First Whiteway has claimed all the rich white folk in the area!!!...oh, wait, their mission statement says ALL OF MCLENNAN COUNTY! I guess you are right then...

    Posted on 2/18/2009

     
  6. Rex Said,

    Good to hear!

    Posted on 2/18/2009

     
  7. Red Said,

    Well can I just say hallelujah?!?!?

    Sorry about Sanford, but I'm thrilled you'll be so close to us and I can finally get to know that wacky wife of yours!! (Seeing you more often will be nice to, of course.)

    Make sure to get a place with a guest room (or at least a futon/pull out sofa!) as we plan on coming on up!! ;0)

    Posted on 2/19/2009

     
  8. Beeki Said,

    I'll take wacky as a compliment. Thanks, Redonna! :)

    Posted on 2/19/2009

     
  9. euphrony Said,

    Well, congrats! I guess. It'll be fun, I'm sure.

    Posted on 2/19/2009

     
  10. Marleah Blades Said,

    Whoopee!!! The magicians at Google Maps tell me you will be less than 4 hours from here. DAYTRIP!!!!! YEEHA~!
    Oh, and we totally need to have a sit-down. Randy and I have been talking about launching an independent theater project here. (and our oldest directing faculty is gearing up to retire, by the by ...) Must chat. Must chat.

    Posted on 2/19/2009

     
  11. Anonymous Said,

    Looking forward to having you here!

    Posted on 2/19/2009

     
  12. Kelli Said,

    I am a long-time reader, but I don't think I have ever commented. I just graduated from Lipscomb University in Nashville. Mike Fernandez just took over the theatre program, and he might be looking for another teacher. It's a really small program, and I think there are only three teachers. The downside is that the university is affiliated with the churches of Christ. They don't tend to hire anyone who is not a member of the churches of Christ.

    There are three other decent-sized universities in Nashville: Belmont, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee State. Belmont is kind of affiliated with Baptists, but they seem to be moving away from their Baptist roots. TN State is a predominantly African-American school. Other than that, I don't know much about these universities.

    Posted on 2/19/2009

     
  13. Anonymous Said,

    Thanks for the info, Kelli. And thanks for saying hey! Maybe we'll see you soon.

    Posted on 2/23/2009

     
  14. A Critique on Waco Theatre Said,

    Are theatres the only rganizations worse than churches at actually reaching the people they claim to target?

    In Waco that statement rings truer than any you've said in a very long time. I hope to change all that. Or at least shine a light on the difficulties.

    Posted on 2/23/2009

     
  15. Becky, Phil and Hayden Said,

    Congratulations on the big move! (Disregard my Facebook comment.) That's really exciting!

    Posted on 2/25/2009

     
  16. Kelli Said,

    Actually, you won't see me in Nashville. I just moved to Waco to start school at Truett! If you happen to be in Nashville on a weekday, you might want to drive to Lipscomb and find Deb Holloway. She's a professor in the theatre dept., and she's really involved in local theatre. She teaches in the English dept., too, and her office is on the main floor of the Swang Center. Anyone on campus should be able to direct you to the building. Tell her that Kelli sent you. I took one of her theatre classes that was required for my major, and she is one of the nicest persons I know. She may be able to help you and Beeki with finding jobs. Also, her husband, Gary, is a Bible professor at Lipscomb and a pastor at a local church of Christ. If you are looking for a ministerial job, he might be able to help.

    Posted on 2/27/2009