Page 56 - Sonoma County Gazette May 2020

One of our premiere theaters in Sonoma County just announced the cancellation of the remainder of its 2019/2020 season. It’s a wise decision for Main Stage West in Sebastopol, knowing that the pandemic affecting all of us isn’t going to relax its grip for a while yet.
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Cancelling is not the same as shuttering, however, and thankfully MSW plans to continue producing its award-winning shows next season under new management. Outgoing Artistic Director Elizabeth Craven on the transition:
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Any creative individual, organization, A
Keith is well known as a fine actor/ director and as MSW’s first Producing Artistic Director (2011-2013). He returns to us with vital artistic vision.
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We are very pleased to announce the launch of the Creative Calendar on www.CreativeSonoma.org designed as a comprehensive listing of the amazing creative activities occurring every day in Sonoma County.
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u r r 5 5 - - y y e e a a r r a a n n n n i i v v e e r r s s a a r r y y. . B B u u t t g g i i v v e e n n n n e e w w l l y y
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r n n o o w w- - p p o o s s t t p p o o n n e e d d S t a t e o f C r e a t i v i t y
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added functionality within the calendar for posting online and streamed event listings, we are going live now.
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value, the calendar includes the ability v
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l i i n ne e & & s s t t r r e e a a m me e d d e e v ve e n nt t s s .
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Changing of the Guard at Main Stage West...
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e t t i i m m e e n n o o w w. . W W e e h h a a d d p p l l a a n n n n e e d d t t o o u u n n v v e e i i l l
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s calendar has been in the works for s
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“As you may have heard, 2020-2021 begins a new era for Main Stage West. Effective immediately we begin the transition of handing over the artistic and administrative duties of the theater to Keith Baker and Ivy Rose Miller.
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t e e r r p p r r i i s s e e c c a a n n a a d dd d S S o o n n o o m m a a C C o o u u n n t t y y
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rmances to classes. The more listings it
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ndar as extensive as possible, ranging n
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t w w i i l l l l b b e e u up p t t o o o o u u r r c c o o m m m mu u n n i it t y y t t o o m m a a k k e e
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nts and activities to the Calendar. In n
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Craven and husband John Craven built a strong reputation for their small theatre since 2011, creating a loyal
Finally, don’t forget about the MARKETPLACE - our opportunities directory of calls to artists, jobs, items for sale/rent, grant opportunities and more, generated by you!
following who appreciate their professional production values and thoughtful mix of contemporary and classic plays. They’re smart to hand the success over to two talented artists who have served both onstage and behind the scenes, who understand the theatre’s mission and its commitment to excellence.
Feel free to list all of your confirmed events, virtual and live, with emphasis on confirmed. It will save you the trouble of updating should future postponements or cancellations occur due to any health orders.
New listings will not appear immediately - our staff reviews all content before publishing them. www.creativesonoma.org/event/
Ivy Rose Miller shared her thoughts on the transition:
“I couldn’t be more excited to have the opportunity of being the Managing Artistic Director of Main Stage West. Not only have I been acting on its stage since I was a child, but John and Beth Craven have been two of my most formative artistic mentors over the last 18 years. I am honored to be trusted to carry on their incredible legacy.”
Creating Sustainable Funding for Arts in the Schools
Miller and Keith Baker have shared the stage many times, and make a good team. Miller says, “I’m thrilled to be embarking on this new adventure with my good friend and artistic partner.” Baker concurs, adding, “The core artists at Main Stage West have been my most important artistic collaborators. Helming this theater with Ivy is a dream come true, and we look forward to building on the artistic excellence for which Main Stage West is known.”
a school district’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) creates an opportunity for engagement, sustainability, and funding for arts education. Click on the button to register: www.creativesonoma.org/arts-education/
Asked what will remain and what is likely to change, Miller notes, “Main Stage West has always been progressive and bold in their play selection and we will continue in this tradition. We specifically want to showcase diverse perspectives with an emphasis on female and non-binary playwrights and narratives that explore the dynamics of gender and sexuality. In addition to new works, we will continue to stage fresh interpretations of classic plays from the canon, re-envisioned in our intimate setting.”
Visit our resource pages for Coronavirus relief, response, and recovery, all of which are continuously updated:
Main Stage West is in great hands for weathering the pandemic and maintaining its valued place in West County’s vibrant cultural landscape. We can all look forward to an exciting new chapter in its history.
Relief Funds for Creatives - 50+ funds, organized by discipline Navigating the CARES Act - with focus on nonprofits and individuals
COVID-19 Resources for Creatives - preparedness and response guides from national arts industry leaders
A Creative Place - our roundup of creative inspiration and arts education resources during shelter in place
www.creativesonoma.org/recovery-resources/
In addition to being a familiar
face on the MSW stage, Ivy Rose Miller comes to us as an experienced business woman, having spent the last five years as a manager and accountant for a local Sebastopol retail business. Ivy and Keith possess just the right combination of skills to take us into the roaring 2020s. We feel so lucky to have them aboard.”
If you are already a registered user, please LOGIN and see the event posting instructions on your dashboard.
includes, the more audiences the site will draw for all the events. So please help us make this long-requested tool work for us all.
If you have never registered on the site, please register for a user account.
If you don’t know if you are a registered user, and for questions on how to populate the site, please contact Bernadette.Marko@sonoma-county.org.
This is also a great time for you to create or update your individual, organization or business profile in our Creative Directories. Having your own profile on the site enhances your ability to cross-promote all of your activities, and it will make the event entry process much easier!
May 14 @ 2:00-3:30pm PT | Online workshop (via Zoom)
Presented by the Arts Education Alliance, learn about and discuss how
RELIEF AND RESPONSE RESOURCES
56 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 5/20