The best of times
2010 has been an accomplished year for the arts in Pasadena — really
By Michael Seel 08/26/2010
What a year it has been.
The last 12 months have brought so much change to the local arts scene. With the temporary shuttering of the Pasadena Playhouse and the changes that took place within the Pasadena Symphony and POPS organizations, one would think there is nothing but trouble for the arts in our glorious city.
And these economic times — and most press coverage — would have us believe that all of our arts organizations should be experiencing rough-and-tumble troubles.
But I’m a glass half-full kinda guy.
I know the orchestras are continuing strong and the venerable Pasadena Playhouse will be back stronger than ever very soon.
Meanwhile, in my position as executive director for The Theatre @ Boston Court and Boston Court Performing Arts Center, I have heard often over the past year about great achievements by smaller organizations throughout the area.
When you look at the big picture, these achievements collectively promise to maintain Pasadena as a community of people who support and appreciate the arts.
After many years of service and creativity, Lineage Dance Co. opened a permanent home this year on South Fair Oaks Avenue. Pasadena also welcomed the Pennington Dance Group and its ARC (A Room to Create) on Colorado Boulevard. Both are nonprofit arts organizations that, with the support of our community, were able to renovate storefront properties to bring to life new places to create and experience art.
In theater, we’ve seen groundbreaking on a new home in Pasadena for A Noise Within, which next year brings its well-deserved reputation for distinctive classical theater from Glendale to the Crown City.
With the closure of the Pasadena Playhouse, Furious Theatre Co., a resident company of the Pasadena Playhouse’s Carrie Hamilton Theatre, had to scramble to pay rent for the first time since moving into the space. Remarkably, the group was quickly able to raise enough money to rent the space outright, presenting two wonderful plays so far this year and working to mount a world-premiere play very soon.
The ambitious Pasadena Musical Theatre Program, formed to engage high school and middle school students in dance, song and stage performance, is having another successful year. I had the pleasure of attending one of their culminating performances, in which more than 80 local high school students dazzled us with a full-blown musical theater production. It excites me to see so many kids participating in — and enjoying — the arts.
And, I am proud to say, Boston Court is having one of its best years to date. We have produced four world-premiere plays in a row with great critical and popular success. Due to high demand, we have actually increased our number of performances by 25 percent in the last six months. If you had asked me to predict that a year ago, I don't think I could have.
Then there are the patrons of Pasadena arts. The Showcase House for the Arts and the Pasadena Arts League, among many organizations, continue to provide grant money in support of visual and performing arts groups. Even the city has maintained its level of financial commitment to the Arts and Culture Commission, holding the line on its annual allotment of grant money despite struggles to balance its budget.
Meanwhile, our own patrons here at Boston Court have continued to astound and overwhelm us by increasing their donation levels and bringing new friends to share their experience of live theater.
I am sure there are many, many more success stories in this big little town of ours. I’d love to hear them! Drop me a line at MichaelS@BostonCourt.com or share your story with the community by sending it as a letter to the editor (kevinu@pasadenaweekly.com). Better yet, stop by Boston Court and have a chat. I’d love to talk to you about the arts over a cup of coffee.
So, despite the bad news you may hear, the arts in Pasadena are very much alive and well.
We still need your support — now more than ever — but most of us aren’t going anywhere.
You’ve made us feel welcomed and appreciated. And in return, we will keep on painting, singing, dancing, playing, acting, producing and loving what we do.
You can count on it.
Michael Seel is executive director for The Theatre @ Boston Court and Boston Court Performing Arts Center.
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