Hello, all you fine theatre-loving people!
Allow me to pass along some wonderful news to all those who care about SSC.
As most of you are aware, our 2009 season was basically a do-or-die one. We had a drastically reduced budget with which to bring you three professionally produced shows, plus an intern production.
I am very pleased to say that, because of the extraordinary efforts of this magnificent staff, our extraordinary Board, our brilliant company of artists and artisans, and – most importantly – YOU, our ticket buying patrons and supporters, SSC will be around next summer to bring you more of the exciting, thrilling, and poignant theatre you have come to expect from this adventurous company! And I have every confidence that the successful model we built last summer will help us insure many fruitful seasons into the foreseeable future.
Yes, the news is good. We worked very hard to streamline expenses, while inviting as many ticket buyers as possible into our two wonderful theatres. Last season’s company deserves special thanks for their understanding, diligence, and sacrifice -- this company of actors, directors, designers, and crews who did so very much with so very little. They put together a truly memorable season while working under less-than-ideal conditions. They did it because they believed in the importance of theatre in general, and the importance of this theatre, in particular. I am profoundly grateful for their willingness, kindness, and professionalism.
I’d also like us all to thank this dedicated and hard-working Board of Directors, without whom SSC surely would not have been around for 2009 and because of whom we are surely going to be around for 2010. These are among the best people in your community and they care deeply about insuring a rich and diverse cultural life for Santa Cruz County.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also thank my extraordinary staff. Six people, each a department of one, plus three temporary and underpaid tireless assistants, all of whom sacrificed a great deal to keep SSC alive: Marcus Cato, Ann Gibb, Sara Wilbourne, Dana Werdmuller (gone, alas, for other job opportunities elsewhere), Jennifah Chard, Jessi Bond, Gina Marie Hayes, and Tina Heitzman. These few, these “happy few,” have gone way above and beyond the parameters of their job descriptions; have put in extraordinary hours and sweat and blood to make sure we continue to produce at the level of integrity you have come to expect.
But most importantly, none of this would have happened or even been worth pursuing without you, our patrons. This community stepped up in December to say loudly and clearly that SSC was and is a vitally important part of what makes Santa Cruz such a special place. You, especially, deserve our most heartfelt thanks.
I foresee a bright and positive future for SSC. I am encouraged by the success of last season and am looking forward to building on that for 2010.
Stay tuned here and elsewhere for an announcement of what’s to come in 2010. I assure you that I have been hard at work putting together SSC’s 29th exciting season.
I couldn’t be more thrilled that we’ll all get to watch it unfold together next summer!
Sincerely,
Marco Barricelli, Artistic Director
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