INVEST IN THE ARTISTS #18: Building Community

I took part in my first PlayGround nearly fifteen years ago when we convened at A Traveling Jewish Theatre in San Francisco and participants included everyone from Jim Carpenter to Nancy Carlin to my very own roommate, Greg Bryan. 15 years later, I've just been directed by Joy Carlin, and watched Jim and Nancy in a wonderful tribute to Barbara Oliver. (My erstwhile roommate, who was/is also a PlayGrounder, has since lived in London, New York and Los Angeles. But that's another story....)

PlayGround initiates and develops new plays. It gives playwrights the opportunity to hear and see their work come to life. From an actor's standpoint, PlayGround provides regular opportunities to work on new scripts and to be cast in roles one might not normally be cast in. This adds to an actor's toolbox in ways that really can't be quantified.

But my favorite aspect of PlayGround is the way it illustrates what a vibrant, supportive and creative community we have in the Bay Area. I get to regularly see friends/colleagues/cohorts in a 'working' situation where we're not competing for work. I've gotten the chance to work with actors I admire with whom I would never ordinarily get to work (how many plays can you name off the top of your head that have more than one middle aged woman in the cast?). And best of all, I get to enjoy the work of my community in an atmosphere of mutual celebration, appreciation and respect.

INVEST IN THE ARTISTS!

Stacy Ross

Actor

As we count down twenty days of PlayGround's 20th Season Year-End Campaign, we're pleased to share with you a daily testimonial from PlayGround artists, subscribers and supporters and community leaders. To participate in the Year-End Campaign, make a tax-deductible contribution online at Causes.com or on the PlayGround website, or call us at (415) 992-6677.