It's done
It's time I fess up to reality. I haven't been happy at this theatre for a while. And I haven't been able to enjoy the fact that I live in Hawaii due to the demands the job puts upon me (in addition to the demands I put upon my self in association with my job). And it's time it came to an end.
The fire inspection was the nail in the coffin. Yes, we weren't following fire code, though no one had informed us what fire code was. Even when asked what to prep when a staff member from the school told us of the impending inspection, all that was asked of us was to clean a bit. No one from the theatre walked through. No one from the theatre even informed us of the inspection. And all of this occurred during the crunch week before we started dress rehearsals for a show.
Not a prime time to have the power pulled...
And when we compiled with the inspector's wishes, successfully limiting us to three working outlets that none of the machines could actually reach without the aide of the banished cords, no help was offered. A temporary move in to the Education office got us through the week's notes. But once the show is up? Then what? We are still without available power.
Instead of calling an electrician immediately or negotiating with the ed office to trade spaces, mud was slung between the higher ups. Finger pointing, blame throwing and general feelings of incompetence dominated the arguments between those who have the power to actually do something about this mess.
So come next Monday, after the holiday break (which isn't a break, I'm still expected to attend a dress rehearsal on Saturday, which probably means notes on Sunday, effectively cutting the scheduled four day holiday into a normal weekend, which will be the first consecutive days off I'll be taking anyway since I got back from the Big Island) the problem will still exist.
So I am extracting myself from the situation. Adios.
APT received my resume last week shortly after the inspection incident. A contract was confirmed this morning. I will be returning to the mainland as my contracted time in Hawaii comes to a close. Now it's just a matter of when to inform them. Given last year's mentality about renewing contracts, I don't expect anyone here to brooch the subject until April. After prep work for the following season is underway, of course.
I have no love for this theatre any longer though. It's all the people from the outside that make it worthwhile...the kids who come to see the shows; the stage mom's who not only cleaned, but cooked us lunch during tech; the occasional volunteer that spends a few hours with us. But internally...I want none of it.
People in the professional realm often toss the term community theatre around with disdain. Amateurs, unpaid wannabes, and so forth. But the community theatres here are loved and adored. Because they are community. They may not pay, but they are honestly more welcoming, and often better equipped. Because they are not paid, you get the sense that they are doing the work for the love of the art. And because of that, any help no matter how little never goes unnoticed or under appreciated. I don't know what has happened to Honolulu's only 'professional' theatre to cause them to loose sight of the value of the people who work for them, or even the art form in general. But I refuse to become like them. I want to love my job again. I want to feel competent in the work that I do instead of half-assing everything to meet an insane deadline. I want to be able to sincerely smile at my co-workers knowing they enjoy what they do as well, instead of constantly hearing the same grumblings from them that rumble through my head.
This spring will be an eye opener. Despite our questions and concerns. Despite our unheeded pleas for improvements. Despite our open nagging to the management about fixing problems. The fact that none of the existing artistic staff, short of the two in command, will not be returning next season will be a complete and utter shock. One they did not see coming. They blinders are thick. And very dirty.
Now comes the question of when and how to tell them. The problems will continue. I fear they will continue even if the Board is addressed. I suppose a gracefully writ letter outlying the end of my time with them given within the next month shall suffice in informing them. I'm tempted to put off that letter until much later though. Perhaps as late as to only allow the standard two week notice. But angry as I am, I don't think I want to be vindictive. I may not be able to help further the mission of this theatre, but I certainly do not want to see it fade. Perhaps February.
And after some distance is given...once I find the joy a caring theatre community at APT I will write the board. Someone needs to open their eyes as well. Or else nothing will continue to get done...
The fire inspection was the nail in the coffin. Yes, we weren't following fire code, though no one had informed us what fire code was. Even when asked what to prep when a staff member from the school told us of the impending inspection, all that was asked of us was to clean a bit. No one from the theatre walked through. No one from the theatre even informed us of the inspection. And all of this occurred during the crunch week before we started dress rehearsals for a show.
Not a prime time to have the power pulled...
And when we compiled with the inspector's wishes, successfully limiting us to three working outlets that none of the machines could actually reach without the aide of the banished cords, no help was offered. A temporary move in to the Education office got us through the week's notes. But once the show is up? Then what? We are still without available power.
Instead of calling an electrician immediately or negotiating with the ed office to trade spaces, mud was slung between the higher ups. Finger pointing, blame throwing and general feelings of incompetence dominated the arguments between those who have the power to actually do something about this mess.
So come next Monday, after the holiday break (which isn't a break, I'm still expected to attend a dress rehearsal on Saturday, which probably means notes on Sunday, effectively cutting the scheduled four day holiday into a normal weekend, which will be the first consecutive days off I'll be taking anyway since I got back from the Big Island) the problem will still exist.
So I am extracting myself from the situation. Adios.
APT received my resume last week shortly after the inspection incident. A contract was confirmed this morning. I will be returning to the mainland as my contracted time in Hawaii comes to a close. Now it's just a matter of when to inform them. Given last year's mentality about renewing contracts, I don't expect anyone here to brooch the subject until April. After prep work for the following season is underway, of course.
I have no love for this theatre any longer though. It's all the people from the outside that make it worthwhile...the kids who come to see the shows; the stage mom's who not only cleaned, but cooked us lunch during tech; the occasional volunteer that spends a few hours with us. But internally...I want none of it.
People in the professional realm often toss the term community theatre around with disdain. Amateurs, unpaid wannabes, and so forth. But the community theatres here are loved and adored. Because they are community. They may not pay, but they are honestly more welcoming, and often better equipped. Because they are not paid, you get the sense that they are doing the work for the love of the art. And because of that, any help no matter how little never goes unnoticed or under appreciated. I don't know what has happened to Honolulu's only 'professional' theatre to cause them to loose sight of the value of the people who work for them, or even the art form in general. But I refuse to become like them. I want to love my job again. I want to feel competent in the work that I do instead of half-assing everything to meet an insane deadline. I want to be able to sincerely smile at my co-workers knowing they enjoy what they do as well, instead of constantly hearing the same grumblings from them that rumble through my head.
This spring will be an eye opener. Despite our questions and concerns. Despite our unheeded pleas for improvements. Despite our open nagging to the management about fixing problems. The fact that none of the existing artistic staff, short of the two in command, will not be returning next season will be a complete and utter shock. One they did not see coming. They blinders are thick. And very dirty.
Now comes the question of when and how to tell them. The problems will continue. I fear they will continue even if the Board is addressed. I suppose a gracefully writ letter outlying the end of my time with them given within the next month shall suffice in informing them. I'm tempted to put off that letter until much later though. Perhaps as late as to only allow the standard two week notice. But angry as I am, I don't think I want to be vindictive. I may not be able to help further the mission of this theatre, but I certainly do not want to see it fade. Perhaps February.
And after some distance is given...once I find the joy a caring theatre community at APT I will write the board. Someone needs to open their eyes as well. Or else nothing will continue to get done...
posted by Unknown at
2:06 AM
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