DC Theater Arts: When Arena Stage raised its first curtain in 1950, Harry S. Truman was finishing the first year of his second term as President of the United States. Since then, the U.S. has had 13 chief executives. Arena Stage, four. This remarkable fact has provided Arena Stage a lasting role in an ephemeral art form. The theater’s founding artistic director, Zelda Fichandler, served over 40 years. Douglas C. Wager led the company from 1991 to 1998 before passing the torch to Molly Smith, who kept it burning brightly for the next 25 years.
4 comments:
This article is pretty inspiring. It is a discussion with Hana S. Sharif about transforming arts and theater in the hands of a theater’s artistic leader. She speaks about DC and its role in theater. I have heard that DC has great theater, especially nuanced theater that isn't overdone. She refers to the city as an “ecosystem” which speaks to me. Thinking about a society as an ecosystem is very useful for an artistic space. It lets things ebb and flow, lets creativity cycle and overall is a healthy way to function. Sharif seems to have this kind of mind. The theater community needs a place that is experimental, somewhere forgiving and inspiring. I think where you make art influences it. The contextual power of a place can change everything. In this case, DC seems to not only be on the ‘come up’ I believe it is truly where she says it is.
Clearly a large change over rate in artistic directors is a bad sign and any new change in regime can be hard. I do frequently question, as a younger person in the industry, what the ideal length of time it would be to be at a theatre. My last two directors of production had both been in their positions for over twonty years and I don’t think artistically that would be enough for me. I love traveling and working in new companies with new people. Two of the three artistic directors at Arena Stage being there for over twonty-five years is insane to be. That being said, Artistic Directors also have more say in control of the company than almost anyone other entity (possibly excluding the board of directors or trustees.) I do think that a fresh new perspective is often a good thing and I do think that Hana S. Sharif is going to bring that for the company, even though they continue to be a staple of artistic leadership in the theatre industry
About a year ago, my family and I had the pleasure of visiting Arena Stage during Thanksgiving, and I was immediately captivated by both the venue and the exceptional production of "Sanctuary City" that I had the privilege of seeing. Arena Stage left an indelible mark on me, not only for its beautiful performance space but also for its commitment to delivering outstanding theater. Reading this article featuring Hana S. Sharif's leading role at Arena Stage further reinforces what I've come to understand during my time in school – the invaluable importance of soft skills in management. It's a reminder that while hard skills are crucial, the ability to connect with people, understand their perspectives, and build effective relationships can carry a manager far in their career. As someone who aspires to work in theater management, this article highlights the significance of leadership that prioritizes adaptability, collaboration, and empathy. I'm energized by the notion that leaders like Hana S. Sharif are steering theaters like Arena Stage toward a future filled with artistic excellence and meaningful connections. It serves as a source of inspiration as I continue my journey toward a career in the arts, with a profound appreciation for both the technical and interpersonal aspects of arts management.
As mentioned in previous news quiz comments, I frequented Arena Stage often in high school and have always left their productions enamored. Arena is such a beautiful building and their commitment to a crafted season every year is one I really appreciate. While I’m definitely biased, I agree with Sharif that DC theater is a really exciting place to be at this point. It’s where my career started and where I hope to return to after I graduate. We have such a vast amount of work being created at so many different levels and the lack of one “biggest theater company” really gives each group their moment to shine. One line from Sharif that stuck with me in regards to regional theatre was, “You’re able to see the collision of art and community, how art is motivating, is changing, is creating new forms of dialogue and bridges. I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to work in the regional space and this line helped me sum up my thoughts as to why. The recurring community that can exist in regional theatre is just beautiful, and I know Sharif will be able to grow the Arena community even further during her tenure!
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