10/01/2016
Published in the The Downey Patriot
Theatre Is About Community, Not Buildings
by Sylvia Blush
Downey Resident, Bill’s Shorts Two Producer/Director
You may or may not have heard about our theatrical production of Bill’s Shorts Two which closed August 24, 2016 to a full house at Epic Lounge in Downtown Downey. It would not have been for lack of effort. It takes a village to put on an event of any size and our small tribe was busily building costumes, set pieces, designing lights, memorizing lines and shaping a night of mostly original comedic plays all while working full time jobs. The artists who auditioned or joined the production did so because of what theatre is to them.
Theatre is about people, not buildings. Theatre is about the collective experience in creating the work for the audience and the communal participation in receiving the performance. It takes a small army of selfless, talented and innovative minds willing to extend themselves beyond their call of duty to execute a shared creative vision. For the artists both on and offstage, theatre is a life source; it is the inspiration and exhalation of ideas; it is the fuel which manifests required energy to labor physically and mentally over the careful or abandoned creation of “What if?”; it is a haven for the sensitive, curious, misunderstood, controversial, hopeful, relegated, celebrated and gregarious souls; it is the water that births, renews and washes over artistic existence. Theatre is the hybrid of real life events and living “truthfully under” extraordinary “circumstances” (Sanford Meisner) and the extraordinary in this case begins with the unsung heroes of our production.
The Downey Arts Coalition (DAC), Dr. Zak Downey Dental, My Funny Bartender, Eurton Electric, Zaragoza Family Trust, GlennFest 2016 and Cocoon gave generously to Bill’s Shorts Two both in kind and financial support. The most essential offering came from owner David Devis of Epic Lounge. David’s backing of all arts supersedes personal gain. Although Epic Lounge is mostly known for their night club events, David has hosted numerous projects created by and for the community. Free events like, film screenings, art shows, organization meetings, improv classes, Make Music Downey and play readings by the DAC to name a few. He has also given space to charity groups. You may have attended a Relay for Life or Avon Walk for Breast Cancer or a more personal benefit like Laphapalooza or Bringing Tina Home; both fundraising events for the families struggling with the sudden loss of a loved one. David may think he runs the self-proclaimed “Downey’s Eclectic Performance Venue” but by my estimation he also runs a community center dedicated to serve the community.
So, when I think of creating my art, I immediately think of creating it in Downey at Epic Lounge. Because, theatre is about people, not buildings, and Bill’s Shorts Two was about creating community in a space that welcomed the collective artistic spirit. Epic Lounge is theatre and at the Lounge theatre is epic.
Disclaimers: Sylvia Blush serves on the board with the Downey Arts Coalition. Julianna Stephanie Ojeda directed one of the 5 shorts presented in Bill's Shorts Two.
