{"id":1159,"date":"2023-05-01T10:48:16","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T10:48:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/?p=1159"},"modified":"2023-08-28T10:48:50","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T10:48:50","slug":"snehal-desai-takes-over-at-ctg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/snehal-desai-takes-over-at-ctg\/","title":{"rendered":"Snehal Desai Takes Over at CTG"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Snehal Desai Takes Over at CTG<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Into the Breach<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

By Steven Leigh Morris<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”553″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

\n

Photo by Kim Newmoney<\/em><\/p>\n

Snehal Desai is leaving his post as producing artistic director of Little Tokyo-based East West Players (EWP) to become artistic director of Center Theatre Group (CTG), replacing Michael Ritchie, who stepped down December 31, 2021, and joining Managing Director Meghan Pressman. (Since Ritchie\u2019s departure, CTG has been operating with a quartet of associate artistic directors.)\u00a0 At EWP, Desai produced and directed three of the highest grossing and most attended shows in the company\u2019s 57-year history.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Desai is no stranger to working with CTG. He\u2019s co-produced shows not only with them, but also with Pasadena Playhouse, Rogue Artists Ensemble, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, the Robey Theatre Company, The Fountain Theatre, API Rise, the Japanese-American Community Cultural Center, and TAIKOPROJECT. Only the third artistic director at CTG since the organization was founded in 1967, he\u2019s the first to be appointed based on an extended tenure of work in Los Angeles, as well as the first Person-of-Color to lead the organization in its 56-year-history.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Desai is a graduate of Emory University and the Yale School of Drama.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>He met with Stage Raw on Zoom in late April<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”1161″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

\n

The Mark Taper Forum and its moat: looking towards The Ahmanson Theatre<\/em><\/p>\n

_______________________________________________________________<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cSo I think we are definitely at an inflection point, because these larger organizations\u2019 earned revenue is a huge part of their base budget, and that may not be the model moving forward.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

_______________________________________________________________<\/strong><\/p>\n

STAGE RAW<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0I\u2019m going to come in as a bit of an asshole, which is sort of my job, but it\u2019s not directed at you \u2014 it\u2019s to raise questions. And my skepticism is in no way a comment on you or your skills or ability, it\u2019s a comment on the ecosystem that we all live in. So what I\u2019d like to do is start with the big picture and then narrow it down to actual policies. And the frame for this, just for historical context \u2014 you know this, but I\u2019ll just say it for the record \u2014 during the Pandemic, CTG laid off 50% of its staff. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has kind of crashed and burned. The model for these larger American institutional theaters is in deep trouble, and it has to do with the lack of financing, both government and private. I understand, correct me if I\u2019m wrong, I understand that the Taper is going to be closed for a year \u2013 is that accurate?<\/em><\/p>\n

SNEHAL DESAI\u00a0<\/strong>Uhm, so I will also preface everything by saying I\u2019m\u00a0just<\/em>\u00a0getting in there (laughter<\/em>) \u2014 we\u2019re just a week from the announcement. All of this transpired very quickly, although obviously it was a long search process. And obviously my other goal is to make sure that East West Players is taken care of.<\/p>\n

CTG is its own, large institution: it\u2019s going to take a little time to get in there. I don\u2019t know yet. That\u2019s my frank answer. Right now there is programming scheduled into the new year. There had been conversations about EWP and CTG doing [another] co-production that we were hoping to do in the new year, but yes there are significant questions around funding and support, and we\u2019re going to need to have time to change, to reevaluate things. When this happens, how soon it happens,\u00a0 I don\u2019t know yet.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”1162″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

\n

Gordon Davidson, circa 1967<\/em><\/p>\n

SR: Gordon Davidson was the last leader at Center Theatre Group invested, in any serious way, in the\u201d idea\u201d of Los Angeles, and what that might mean. Davidson was bifurcated because he had a New York commercial impulse, and at the same time, his impulse was . . . before anybody was doing it, before the words \u201cequity and inclusion\u201d were in anybody\u2019s vocabulary, he was bringing in labs and trying to ensure that all kinds of otherwise marginalized communities were invited into the Taper\u2019s rehearsal halls. There was this communitarian impulse.<\/em><\/p>\n

There was also a commercial impulse, so the two impulses were at odds, and I don\u2019t think they\u2019re contradictory, you can do both. Michael Ritchie [Gordon Davidson\u2019s successor] was more of a commercial guy and with some notable exceptions, CTG\u2019s trio of theaters (The Mark Taper Forum, The Ahmanson Theatre and the Kirk Douglas Theatre) all started to look like booking houses under his stewardship. And now you come along, and there are a couple of open questions: What will occupy these spaces, and why? So here\u2019s a rhetorical question \u2014 no, it\u2019s an earnest question: Do you feel that the American regional theater model, as it exists in 2023, is viable?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

SD: I think it\u2019s a model very much being challenged, and it\u2019s exactly as you said: We\u2019ve seen it play out at multiple theaters throughout the county. You were talking about Oregon Shakespeare Festival as one extreme; I\u2019ve seen it with my good friend Robert Barry Fleming at the Actors\u2019 Theatre of Louisville \u2014 what happened with the [demise of] HUMANA New Play Festival, stuff like The Lark, what\u2019s happening to all those institutions. So I think we are definitely at an inflection point, because these larger organizations\u2019 earned revenue is a huge part of their base budget, and that may not be the model moving forward. So there are multiple challenges hitting us. The other thing is the high cost of production. The cost of production has gone up exponentially for live performance.<\/p>\n

SR: What\u2019s the reason for that?<\/em><\/p>\n

SD: It\u2019s four-fold. One, I think it\u2019s Covid expenses, from testing to understudies. I think it\u2019s supply chain issues, then inflation, and, finally, I think it was the reckoning around wages \u2014 fair, sustainable living wages, and I think particularly even here in LA, so many folks have either left the sector or transferred to other places. . . and that [spiraling costs] is definitely not being matched by an increase in ticket revenue, I think what we\u2019re seeing is ticket prices going the other way. . . I know it\u2019s one thing to make sure the art is accessible and to bring folks back, but the scales have gone way, way off. Who is going to come in there? Is government going to help us in a sustained way?<\/p>\n

SR: That was the next question, yes.<\/em><\/p>\n

SD: That is where the large institutions can receive support in an impactful way. We look at LA Arts Recovery, things like that. Are other funders going to step in? And where are the individual donors? We always talk about the subscription model, but it\u2019s become really hard to be predictable, in terms of scheduling. Shows fall through, illnesses, outbreaks happen, and that [subscription] model used to bring in a lot of the money up front to do these shows, but now people are buying tickets later and later. It\u2019s really hard to predict \u2014 so much of our sales happen in the last 24 hours before a show performs: We go into a weekend thinking sales are really low, but it turns out great \u2014 but you\u2019re like in between, what do we do? Do we slash prices? Do we paper the house? I think the risk factor has gone up in multiple ways. . .<\/p>\n

SR What\u2019s that old joke, \u201cPlanning is so 2010s.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

SD: I think the organizations that have come out of this are the ones that have shown they can be nimble, and resilient, and they\u2019ve been largely culturally specific and theaters-of-color, because they have been able to be responsive and shift to what\u2019s been happening. It\u2019s much, much harder at the larger institutions where you have more space, more capacity. And now, everyone\u2019s looking at all of that. What nights do we program our shows? At East West Players, we used to be Thursday through Sunday, now it\u2019s Fridays through Mondays. Mondays do great. There\u2019s one theater that does Thursdays, and then Saturday, Sunday. They skip Fridays because Fridays are their lowest night.<\/p>\n

SR: That\u2019s totally a contradiction of the old wisdom.<\/em><\/p>\n

DS: That\u2019s totally it. .\u00a0 . The other thing: What it takes to get the word out, the runway, what it takes to create a sense of event that will get to all of us in terms of visibility and run-time. . . How many shows did you used to see? Before the Pandemic, in a week?<\/p>\n

SR: Three of four a week.<\/em><\/p>\n

DS: And how many now?<\/p>\n

SR: One or two.<\/em><\/p>\n

DS: Yep. I\u2019m the same. I think I used to see four or five. First, there isn\u2019t the quantity, but now it\u2019s just harder, there\u2019s so many shows I want to see but now I have to track the close dates. . .<\/p>\n

SR: This is very familiar. . . Damn I promised them I\u2019d get there!<\/em><\/p>\n

DS: Yep, yep. . .and so, is it that we need less performances in a week that go a longer period? I think all of that is on the table. And even when something is working, again, we have to diversify our income streams; where is the money going to come in, in any predicable way? I was just talking to another non-profit that doesn\u2019t do theater, but they do classes \u2014 they just opened up a new space and I asked then, what is your income? And they said programming is number 1, but number 2 is, \u201cWe rent out of parking spots on the weekend, and that has become our most reliable earner.\u201d<\/p>\n

SR: Is it too soon yet, or perhaps when you were being interviewed, you must have made some presentations \u2014 do you have a view for what each of the three theaters would be dedicated to, philosophically or aesthetically?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>DS: Yeah, You and I have talked a little bit about this, but the question I\u2019m asking right now is, \u201cWhat role does art play in our lives? What role does theater play? For me, it\u2019s a community building space, it\u2019s not just entertainment. It is also a place that I hope spurs social change, and that uplifts artistry. What are those thresholds? Is getting a Tony Award the mark of excellence, or is it something else? And I think what each of the venues does is based on what kinds of works that feel at home in those spaces. I think the Ahmanson is a very large venue, it is a place to do those touring shows and large-scale musicals. I think the Taper and the Kirk Douglas afford more possibilities \u2014 but to fill an 800-seat theater night after night?<\/p>\n

I think the question is \u2014 what we all want it to be or to do \u2014 is to be the place for newer innovative work. We don\u2019t want it to be another presenting house. That\u2019s for sure. Is it going to be that, once in a while? Yeah! If we get an opportunity to bring\u00a0Slave Play<\/em>\u00a0here \u2014 I think\u00a0Slave Play<\/em>\u00a0is a great play, I\u2019d want to bring it to LA, and that is the right of our spaces. But do we also want to make sure we\u2019re honoring the legacy of CTG with something like a\u00a0Twilight,\u00a0<\/em>with a\u00a0Zoot Suit\u00a0<\/em>there? Yes. but we also want to be sure we\u2019re discovering and uplifting the great new American play.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”1163″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

\n

(L\u2013R) Linda Powell (background), Andrew Garman and Larry Powell (background) in \u2018The Christians\u2019 at the Mark Taper Forum. (Photo by Craig Schwartz)<\/em><\/p>\n

And that [the Mark Taper Forum] is the space for that. What that model looks like, how often we can do that is still something of a question mark. But to me, the [Taper] space is literally a forum, a space for civic dialogue and discourse and the play works best when there are big ideas filling it. Did you see [Lucas Hnath\u2019s play]\u00a0The Christians?\u00a0<\/em>I thought that play worked really well in that space and I loved it. It was basically really simple, a guy with a mike, but its ideas, the thoughts, what was happening made the space come alive, as did [Heidi Shreck\u2019s solo show]\u00a0What the Constitution Means to Me.\u00a0<\/em>Right? Those political works, asking the questions of the day tied to identity, work well in that space. And I hope that can continue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”1164″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

\n

\u00a0Maria Dizzia in the national tour of \u201cWhat the Constitution Means to Me\u201d at the Taper (Photo by Joan Marcus)<\/em><\/p>\n

I think the Douglas \u2014 we did Kristina Wong\u2019s\u00a0Sweatshop Overlord\u00a0<\/em>there \u2014 the question for me, rather than just presenting other theater companies is, how can we be collaborating?<\/p>\n

_______________________________________________________________<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cSpiraling costs are definitely not being matched by an increase in ticket revenue, I think what we\u2019re seeing is ticket prices going the other way. . . I know it\u2019s one thing to make sure the art is accessible and to bring folks back, but the scales have gone way, way off.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

_______________________________________________________________<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”1165″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

\n

Kristina Wong in \u201cKristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord\u201d at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, a co-production with East West Players. (Photo by Javier Vasquez)<\/em><\/p>\n

SR: So you\u2019re still (if I\u2019m putting words into your mouth) you\u2019re still formulating how you\u2019re going to use these space. . . .just a lot of questions as you work this through.\u00a0 In the rumor mill, and as you know being journalists, we adhere slavishly to the rumor mill . . .<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

SD: (laughter<\/em>) Yes. . .<\/p>\n

SR: In the rumor mill, I\u2019ve heard that \u2014 well actually this is from inside sources, but, well, it was reported to me that the Board, the CTG Board, was not terribly supportive of the kind of innovation that you seem to be talking about. . . Obviously, right now you\u2019re in a honeymoon, and they\u2019re going to give you a wide berth, but is that a concern, in terms of . . . Well you\u2019ve worked with a board at East West Players. Was that a challenge?\u00a0 And do you think that will be a challenge at CTG?<\/em><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”1166″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

\n

Michael Ritchie, Judi Davidson and Gordon Davidson, circa 2015. (Photo by M Palma Photography)<\/em><\/p>\n

_______________________________________________________________<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cFor the Board, I think we had honest conversations about this: Who I am. You want to know what I\u2019m going to do? Just look back at what I\u2019ve done. I\u2019m not changing. I\u2019m only going three blocks. And I believe we can create change by uplifting our local artists. By producing LA playwrights. We can give them a platform so that work can travel nationally.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

_______________________________________________________________<\/strong><\/p>\n

SD: Yeah, I just want to take a second, in terms of vision, I think the other thing about it is, I have a vision of what role I want CTG to play locally \u2014 theater is a local art form, so I\u2019m thinking about the role CTG is going to play for the citizens of Los Angeles, and what role I want it to play nationally and globally in the theater conversation. I want it to be like The National in London. It\u2019s going to be now just a question of taking all of that to the reality of our day, in terms of the economics. And this is the place where artistic directors are creatives: These are the resources we have. What can we do? How can we make this work, and also still be in line with the mission of who we are. In my presentation to the Board I mentioned . . .. Do you know about Tony Kushner\u2019s first company, the Three Ps. You know about this?<\/p>\n

SR: No, I don\u2019t.<\/em><\/p>\n

SD: His first theater company was called Three Ps. This was like way, way back.\u00a0 And the three Ps stood for poetry, politics, and popcorn. And I told the Board I\u2019m a three-P \u201cLM\u201d \u2014 I would add laughter and music right now. So if you want to boil things down, it\u2019s in the intersection of these things that I want us to be focusing on. In terms of the values I\u2019m bringing, that I think I did at EWP and I\u2019ll continue to do, it\u2019s community mindedness, and the centering of community innovation and inclusion.<\/p>\n

I think ultimately for the Board, I think we had honest conversations about this: Who I am. You want to know what I\u2019m going to do? Just look back at what I\u2019ve done. I\u2019m not changing. I\u2019m only going three blocks. And I believe we can create change by uplifting our local artists. By producing LA playwrights. We can give them a platform so that work can travel nationally, as it did with [Anna Ouyang Moench\u2019s]\u00a0Man of God<\/em>\u00a0that we premiered at East West Players.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”1167″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

\n

Ji-young Yoo and Erin Rae Li in \u201cMan of God\u201d at Geffen Playhouse. It premiered at East West Players (Photo by Jeff Lorch)<\/em><\/p>\n

_______________________________________________________________<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI\u2019m coming into an organization now where there\u2019s four associate artistic directors but there\u2019s no other artistic [personnel], no literary staff, no new works development.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

_______________________________________________________________<\/strong><\/p>\n

SR: There must be reason why CTG has been so reluctant to do that, to actually develop new works and put them on a national platform. Do you have any theories as to that?<\/em><\/p>\n

SD: I think it\u2019s just financially and economically risky, and it might have been different priorities, and different values. And the other thing about it, that\u2019s really hard is . . .that work take time to develop. It needs development and support. I also don\u2019t just want a put a playwright up on the Taper stage, to put them under that scrutiny when their piece is not ready, when\u00a0they<\/em>\u00a0might not be ready. I think that\u2019s all a part of it too.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m coming into an organization now where there\u2019s four associate artistic directors but there\u2019s no other artistic [personnel], no literary staff, no new works development.<\/p>\n

SR: Wow. Wow. I didn\u2019t know that.<\/em><\/p>\n

SD: Yeah, so I need some time to get in there and shape what our artistic department looks like. When Michael [Ritchie] came on, there were many things going on, but I think he came in at a time of financial challenge, also.<\/p>\n

SR: Yes.<\/em><\/p>\n

SD: He made some changes and some cuts. For me, I want to figure out how I can make CTG a reliable artistic home for folks, and not just for playwrights. And so that\u2019s going to take some support. And that takes funding that you might not see the fruit of that support for a number of years. But I\u2019m so proud of the playwrights group at EWP. Alice Tuan has shepherded multiple cohorts: We did [Inda Craig-Galv\u00e1n\u2019s]\u00a0The Great Jheri Curl Debate<\/em>;\u00a0Sumo<\/em>\u00a0by Lisa Dring is going to be at La Jolla. We can develop them, we don\u2019t have to produce them all. \u00a0And I think the other thing is, financial limitations have inhibited even artists dreaming. They want to get produced and they\u2019re being told to write a three-to-five person play,<\/p>\n

SR: Yes, yes!<\/em><\/p>\n

SD: And what you need on the Taper is something a little bit more than that. You can have a three-to-five character play, but something a little bit bigger is a little bit harder to get produced, so the risks pile up.<\/p>\n

SR: Snehal, thank you so much for this. Do you have any other comments or questions for me before we sign off.<\/em><\/p>\n

SD: No, and Steven, I\u2019m glad we had this conversation, but I would love for us later in the summer or fall to re-connect because I would love to, once I get in there . . .<\/p>\n

SR: Once you have the keys to the building . . .<\/em><\/p>\n

SD: Exactly, when I have an email address and a key card, let\u2019s start with that. (laughter<\/em>)<\/p>\n

SR: I believe I\u2019m not alone in rooting for your success. I think you have a Herculean task, and I don\u2019t say that disparagingly, the challenges are profound, but if anybody can meet them, you can.<\/em><\/p>\n

SD: Yes, \u201cprofound\u201d is the right word. But I think for theater-makers and theater-lovers, there\u2019s a shared view of what they want the role of CTG to be. I love the LA theater community and this eco-system. The other thing about it is, the whole ecosystem is at an inflection point, obviously, since everything that happened with LA STAGE Alliance.<\/p>\n

I think there\u2019s the service organization of LA conversation, we\u2019re trying to build that out. And I think we\u2019re all still reeling from this very big thing, this\u00a0Pandemic<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 we\u2019re still only year, a\u00a0 year and half out, it feels like a long time. That\u2019s shifted things, and I feel like, we need our artistic spaces to be open and welcoming, they need to feel like a spaces where we can have an honest conversation or dialogue, but also to be spaces for healing and laughter. To me, that\u2019s the other thing, we all want to do the hard-hitting serious stuff, but sometimes we just need to be with each other, and to have a good time.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”902″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":828,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1159","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-notes-from-arden"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1159","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1159"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1159\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1187,"href":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1159\/revisions\/1187"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/828"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1159"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}