‘We will find a way to tell stories’

KANDACE CRYSTAL ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF TRINITY THEATRE COMPANY AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF AMERICAN HISTORY THEATER

Between less than favorable adjectives and four-letter words, 2020 has been a YEAR! Despite the highs and lows, 2021 is promising, and for that, I am grateful. As associate artistic director at Trinity Theatre Company, artistic director at American History Theater, and ambassador/roundtable chairperson with the Theatre Alliance, A Wing of the San Diego Performings Arts League, the possibilities to create have expanded tenfold, as have the opportunities to educate and effect positive, necessary change.

Shortly after the stay-at-home order was announced in March, I remember Sean Boyd (artistic director at Trinity Theatre Company) saying, “We are going to put a show on Zoom.” Thankfully, this was over a phone call and he was unable to see the bewildered look on my face. The magical saying of “the show must go on” really rings true, and it is something that we at Trinity fully intend to continue with even after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

There is this huge conversation around how to make theater accessible. Zoom theater is one way to bridge that gap and bring the arts to people near and far. To date, one of my favorite comments was from a parent who stated how happy the East Coast-based grandparents were following one of our arts education virtual productions since they haven't had an opportunity to see their grandchild in a show. Our motto is “Friends. Family. Community.” 2021 brings a chance to further our mission and bring these three aspects together in a nontraditional theatrical way.

As for American History Theater, the pivot to virtual productions is a vastly different process. The beauty of this hard stop to theatrical performances was a chance to re-evaluate our season as we realized how necessary in-person interaction is for our slated content. The upcoming season is an opportunity to try things we never would have considered before. It is no easy feat, but we are shooting our first production and livestreaming. Additionally, 2021 allows for a flexible season that keeps our patrons and artists safe, while still bringing awareness through the arts.

Moving into 2021 also brings to light greater issues in the world of theater. More honesty, deeper conversations, and a shift in arts leaders' responsibilities regarding social justice issues have shown us this: We have failed. So few of us have a tangible moment where we can see the changes we want, much less be a part of it. For the first time in my life, I can say I am an active player in the conversations happening regarding our footprint. In 2021, we have more programming planned through the Theatre Alliance. Not only will we keep providing resources to our members, creating action plans and educating the community, we fully intend to lead by example in every sense of the phrase — whether through meaningful roundtable discussions or bringing greater awareness through advocacy.

In all honesty, no one truly knows what 2021 will hold. The momentum to create safer, more transparent theater practices will not stop simply because the world reopens. It is our duty as theater makers to press forward with our creativity. As we hunker down during this second lockdown, there is one piece of hope I hold on to: Theater makers are resilient and resourceful. We will find a way to tell stories so long as there is an audience willing to watch, listen and support.

JAY WIGGS