The Marquee

It is my divine pleasure to (finally) present you with a vivid portrait of my boss, complete with her freshly dyed hair. A quote from the vibrant Esty: ” I needed more color in my life, so I put it in my hair.”

She’s wildly entertaining, and apparently very colorful. Please encourage her to show it off in a little bit o’blog posting herself. Also, consider suggesting a raise for her diligent (and allegedly beautiful) intern.

1. Full Name.

Esty Dinur

2. Official Job Title.

Marketing and Communications Manager
Co-Chair for Artistic Selection, Madison World Music Festival

3. The Job Title you’d give yourself.

She Who Is Way Underpaid.

4. Most memorable theater experience.

Hmmm, just one?

Being an Israeli I very much enjoyed meeting my countrywomen and men who have come through here. The Israel Contemporary Dance Theater, who I used to know as the Kibbutz Dance Company, was one such opportunity. I enjoyed hanging out with the techies, dancers and genius choreographer/artistic director, Rami Be’er (in Israel they call him a “Total Creator”). Then I was absolutely blown out when I watched their performance. It was superbly, fantastically, outstanding and amazing! I swore that they’d return here again–and have a larger audience next time around. Theirs was, without a shred of a doubt, our best performance of that season.

It was also nice to meet the Balkan Beat Box guys. Several of them, including Tomer, Tamir and Itamar (heh heh…and Ori too) are Israelis–and the others understand a little bit of Hebrew by now. Off-stage, the quietest and most shy of them all was Tomer Yosef, the crazy soloist who ended up climbing the structure above the stage (to Ralph’s undying horror! Luckily the structure didn’t collapse). He was a sweet, normal sorta guy off-stage - and a total stage monster once these limelights hit his Mohawk.

5. Describe yourself in 5 words or less.

Adventurous, curious, intelligent, beautiful (almost as much as Lauren)

6. Your favorite way to spend a vacation day.

Duh. Adventurous, curious, intelligent, beautiful people don’t have one favorite anything. Often things aren’t perfect unless they are totally new and different.

7. How you would decorate or change your office if anything went around here. 

First and foremost, I’d have a window. Secondly, I’d have it open for the length of at least three seasons. Oxygen and natural light are such scarce commodities here in the theater’s innards!

8. If you were having a dinner party, and you could invite 3 famous people (alive or dead) who would you choose?

Well, Che Guevara, naturally. La Pasionaria. Emma Goldman. We’d come up with a plan for a better world.

9. What would we find in your refrigerator?

Organic veggies, fruits, cheese and meat. Various exotic foods. Bagels. White wine (the red is in the cabinet).

10. If you were a crayon, what color would
you be?

Sometimes purple, sometimes green, sometimes turquoise, sometimes red.

On Thursday May 25th, the U.S. Senate approved a provision to require U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to speed up visa processing for artists as part of the comprehensive immigration bill! This is a major milestone in the five-year quest to improve the visa process for foreign guest artists.

The artist visa provision was filed by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), and was included in a larger package of amendments to the Senate immigration bill. Because the amendment was part of a larger package there is no up-or-down voting record on the specific artist provision. Key support was provided by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA), Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Edward Kennedy (D-MA). The Senators below also provided crucial leadership to make sure this provision was included in the final bill.

• Sam Brownback (R-KS)
• John Cornyn (R-TX)
• Mike DeWine (R-OH)
• Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
• Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
• Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
• John Kerry (D-MA)
• Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
• Mel Martinez (R-FL)
• Charles Schumer (D-NY)
• Arlen Specter (R-PA)

While Congress has much more work to do before the contentious immigration reform bill is signed into law, this support from the Senate demonstrates the urgent need for artist visa improvements.  The debate surrounding comprehensive immigration reform is extremely complicated, and the arts community does not take a position on the over-all immigration reform measure.   However, we are hopeful that the artist visa provision will remain in the final immigration bill that is crafted during House and Senate negotiations this summer. 

The efforts to improve the visa process for guest artists is led by the Performing Arts Visa Task Force, which includes the American Arts Alliance, American Federation of Musicians, American Symphony Orchestra League, Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Dance/USA, North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents, OPERA America, and Theatre Communications Group.  

 Esty leaves for vacation, and I don’t have contact information for this guy. I whirl my way around Esty’s roll-a-contact thing, but, as it so often happens, I am defeated. Our astute administrative assistant informs me that Hanah Jon Taylor runs the Madison Center for Creative and Cultural Arts (MCCCA), which I promptly Google. (I’m so thankful Al Gore invented the Internet!!)  As I was wandering around on the MCCCA website, I am astounded by the abundance of alliteration. These people are so seriously my soulmates, I conclude.

 Fast forward to the (almost entirely) unscripted interview (Read the previous entry if you’d like to know how my lucky self stumbled across this interview in the first place). 

 “This should only take a couple of minutes,” I assure him.

 “You have obviously never met me before,” he tells me. He’s not kidding. 

 After the lovely and amazing Susan Fox, co-creator of the MCCCA, takes the pressure off a smidgen by giving me a pen and paper, Hanah Jon Taylor immediately starts speaking. Whoa, I haven’t even asked a question yet!! “This could either be entirely effortless or a downright disaster,” I think, followed quickly by, “Crap, I’m going to run out of paper” and “Great grandmother’s spatula, I need a tape recorder!”  Breathe, breathe. 

 HJT: There’s a difference between music you hear on the radio and the music of the world. I’ve met musicians you’ve never heard of before, and these cats are better than those on the radio. The commercial can only allow for one Miles Davis in a generation. It’s a problem. He is only a representative of what’s happening in music. And artists are getting on these big record labels because of what they’re willing to give up… Jumbo shrimp is as much of an oxymoron as musical competition. 

 Jumbo shrimp? I really like this guy. I’m also deeply impressed with the way he can so nonchalantly throw the word “cat” into everyday conversation.

 HJT: To me music is not entertainment; it is a mode of communication. It expresses something that words can’t express, not only social but spiritual ideas. Today the only people who recognize creative music coming out of America are those who don’t live here…but that’s okay because pressure has always made diamonds. 

 Okay, Hanah, let’s move onto the art of improvisation. Go ahead continue to answer my questions before I ask them. I like this game.

 HJT: I don’t think compositions that are older than I am serve the time. Our generation needs to create for our time. I don’t want to duplicate but serve the moment with imaginings and ideas of the moment. You’ll hear what you’ve never heard before. Our concerts are like a fingerprint or a scene you pass on a car or train, a moment you can never forget because it’s so beautiful or painful. We’ve all had those moments. It’s like speech. I never want to have the same conversation twice. 

 I imagine that this is true. Hanah seems to have too much to say to ever say the same thing twice. Pause in conversation. Oh, ask a question, me.  
 

Me: Who are your musical idols?

HJT: John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Red Buttons. Red Buttons was on 1950s television, and he sang funny songs. He communicated to me. Same as Coltrane, he spoke to me in a way I’ve never heard a saxophonist speak. I think musicians should address sentimentality and humanity. I look for something I can identify. You hear music all over the place, but music you can identify with…you listen to it. 

 People keep shuffling in and out of the center, and Hanah takes the time to greet and shake hands with all of them, telling them to hang out until he finishes with me. The arts community needs enthusiasm and dedication like this, I am sure of it. “What else do you want to know, girl?” he inquires. 

 Me: How long have you been running the center, and who do you aim to serve?

HJT: Two years. It’s a work in progress. When we first looked through that window, we saw concrete, floor and wall. That’s it. People are astonished to look at what we’ve done here. We’re proud that we’re still open, seven days a week. Who isn’t surprised to see and feel what there is to see and feel here? Art for art’s sake. Write that down. It’s important. Art for art’s sake.

 Got it, Hanah. 

 HJT: In order for us to continue, we have to become a little more business. We are a grassroots, non-profit organization. We don’t expect to see a profit, ever. Our profit comes from what we cultivate in the community. We serve the community as the people’s art center. We make art a first-hand experience. We believe in outreach. We reach out to those who do not have arts programs. We develop individuals. Over 300 kids in the 2 years we’ve been here; that’s a sizeable chunk of kids who did not have an arts curriculum. 

 HJT: Art balances the human psyche. Those without access to art come out unbalanced. I know in my heart of hearts that a child will emerge from the community that had an experience here that will grow up and share with others. We don’t know what our future holds, but we’re here, every morning…it needs to be done. We are the people’s arts center. Our actions are unduplicated, and our efforts are sincere. 

 And with that, in one climatic swoop, he threw his pencil on his desk and leaned back, triumphant. If I was a smoker, this would be an appropriate time to light up, I felt.

If you are an inquisitive person (and I hope that you are), you may wonder what it is that I do exactly. Simply put, I’m a busy chick, so prepare yourself for a lengthy read! And if you don’t really care, then skip this entry, and stop being so self-invovled. You’re not the only one that works hard, ya’ know!

  I have been playing an epic battle of phone tag with my contact at the Isthmus and one of the artists that will be playing at Jazz Fest: Hanah Jon Taylor. It is my duty to interview each of them for a newsletter piece, due tomorrow morning. I’ve never done a serious interview before, and I am nervous. Step one is to get them on the phone, I decide.

As I am reading over my lengthy list of to-dos, Claire asks me if I would like to deliver brochures around campus. Sure, I say, it’s a nice day. “Would you mind watching my phone in case L or HJT calls? Here are the interview questions,” I tell Claire. Flinching, she begrudgingly accepts. I don’t think she’s feeling the interview thing either!

Sunglasses? Check. Checklist of places to deliver? Check. Brochures? Check. And she’s off! State Street, Dayton Street, King Street, not miss my potential interviews AND be back in time for the staff meeting? I’m feeling motivated!

I skip down State Street, stopping in select artsy stores, delivering my goodies. It goes off without a hitch, really, except that Kanopy Dance is closed, and I’ve developed scratches and red marks that the brochures are leaving behind as they dig into the crook of my arm. And the guys that keep cat-calling me. It must be the dress. I’m getting paid to have men cat-call me, I think. Word.

Now it’s time for the English department…three times. First, I grab a stack o’brochures and make my merry way to Helen C, floor 7. I approach the office and see the lights off and one lonely woman eating a sandwich at her desk. “The English department is closed between 12-1.” I glance at the clock. 12:49. Crap. I skip back to the theater, eat a salad, and run back over.

“Hi,” I say cheerfully. “I’m delivering brochures from the Wisconsin Union Theater.”

“The mailboxes are out there,” she says as she points to the hallway. I can tell this is a moment of triumph for her, as though, after years of hidden frustration, she is finally standing up to every monster with mailbox stuffers that ever made their way into her office. Okay, I’m stuffing the mailboxes myself. I’m used to dirty work; I am the intern, after all. “Good for you!” exclaims the other secretary to her as I walk out of the office.

As I am one-third of my way through the English TAs, I run out of brochures. Time for yet another trip back to the green room. As I walk in, Claire thrusts my phone at me. Nice try, sucker, I’m not done yet!! I reach for the scissors and open another box of brochures. I decide to miss and open my thumb instead.  I bleed, I bandage, I blaze onward. In the immortal words of Jefferson Starship, nothing’s gonna stop me now.

Brochures secured, again, I walk over to Ms. Helen C. There is no skipping this time. I continue to stuff, and stuff, and stuff. How many people work in this department anyway??

I am three brochures short.

Just as my anal self was about ready to head back to the green room to grab more, I look down at my bandaged thumb and decide that Wilson was really the last TA deserving of a brochure anyway.

I peruse my paper of deliveries, and discover the MCCCA (“Hanah Jon Taylor’s place,” as the people of the street call it) is on it. I pray that I’ll be able to simply get in, deliver brochures and get out, as I don’t have any of my interview questions with me, or even a pencil!
 

No such luck, of course. Just as I am leaving, Hanah Jon Taylor stops me and accuses me of selling magazines at his establishment. I can tell this guy is going to be a riot already! All right, might as well break into interview mode. (Read it as the next blog entry!).

I assure him I ain’t pushin’ no magazines. He ushers me in and talks rapidly and for what felt like forever, answering none of the questions that I had planned to ask. I desperately wish I had a tape recorder because this guy may just be the most enthusiastic person I’ve ever met and definitely quite the oratorical wizard.

The “interview” lasts for almost an hour and a half. Our staff meeting starts in half an hour, and I still have to get to King Street to deliver brochures to the Isthmus. I pray I won’t run into Linda and be forced to impromptu interview her as well.

The fates smile upon me. I sprint down State Street and make it back at the office (somehow) with 15 minutes to spare. Someone get me a raise!

Arts Presenters, Yo-Yo Ma and Microsoft Call on Congress for Visa Reform

Washington- Arts Presenters President/CEO Sandra Gibson and world-renowned musician , Yo-Yo Ma, testified on visa challenges in the performing arts as part of the U.S. House of Representatives Government Reform Committee’s hearing on balancing security and openness in the visa process.

 ”This is about the intersection of culture and commerce and the critical need for access and exchange,” said Gibson.

“The vagaries of the visa process place our industry in jeopardy–facing unpredictable economic losses associated with delays and in worst-case scenarios complete cancellations of performances and tours. When performances and tours are cancelled, the American public loses out on these rich cultural experiences,” said Gibson.

In 2002, Arts Presenters conducted a survey that showed nearly 75% of organizations in our industry were presenting foreign artists. By 2005, that number dropped to almost 60%. Arts Presenters provided the committee a list of recommendations to improve the visa process.

Yo-Yo Ma’s Congressional appearance , his first in more than 15 years, added the experience of artists with the visa process.

“There is a real desire, even a need, for cultural richness and diversity today. American audiences are thirsty for new cultural experiences and are eager to understand the inside of these foreign places,” said Ma.

When asked by Committee Chairman Tom Davis (VA-11) to characterize the visa experience of visiting artists, Ma responded, “Arists lose their dignity.”

Representatives from Microsoft, Association of Equipment Manufacturers and Ingersoll-Rand spoke about how the current U.S. visa process is stifling U.S. innovation and competitiveness. Officials from the Department of State and Government Accountability Office also testified about the status of delays at the State department and the plans for improvement.

Contact: Patrick Madden, 202.207.3844

Fran Benton, 202.207.3856 

By this point, you’ve got to be asking yourself, “How many more must I suffer through??” Just a couple, I promise–unless, perhaps, you’re desiring a second round of MTS. If that is indeed the case, I think we all need a (very, very) lengthy recovery period.

But, first, Meet the Staff continues with the winner of our longest official job title contest, Ms. Lydia.

Full name: Lydia Yuk Ting Leung

Official job title: World Music Festival and International Conversation and Coffee Hour Coordinator

Job title you’d give yourself: I don’t know, but I’m kind of a big deal.

Most memorable theater experience: Looking for the green room. I never knew there was a random door to the theater near the Park Street entrance of the Union. Who would’ve thought?

Describe yourself in 5 words or less: I like donuts.

Favorite way to spend a vacation day: I can’t tell you. It has to be unplanned and spontaneous.

How would you change your office if anything went around here? I don’t have an office, but I would add some ventilation to the Green Room.

If you were having a dinner party and could invite 3 people (alive, dead, somewhere in between), who would you choose? This is a hard one…maybe Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. It could be interesting!

What would people find in your refrigerator? NOTHING! Except a yogurt, pack of sausages, and a 2 month old bottle of milk.

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Purple!  

Remember how I said almost all of our staff is accomodating? Well, that leaves room for people…uh, NOT to be. Despite my captivating beauty and charm, people do, on occasion, tell me no. I know; it puzzles me too!

“I don’t DO interviews,” remarks our operations manager, with a hint of inflated self-importance, as though he is a celebrity and people ask him to do interviews all the time. Luckily for us, he has agreed to let me do his “meet the staff” (or “MTS” as I am calling it from here on out, because, I’m L-a-z-y). So read on and enjoy Bruce’s MTS, take none of it seriously, and realize that it is all in good fun!

Full name: Bruce Beatrice Ehlinger

Job title: Operations Manager

Job title you’d give yourself: Bruce Almighty

Most memorable theater experience: It’d have to be the day they hired that incredible marketing intern. Her wit and brilliance amaze me every day.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less: Comical, Coca-Cola craving carnivore. And manly. Yes, that’s better. Manly, comical, Coca-Cola craving carnivore. *Insert grunt here*

How would you spend a vacation day: I’d have those All Campus Party people bring back that rapper guy at the Field House. Good times.

How would you change your office if anything went around here: I’d knock down all the walls first (I don’t much care for privacy). I’d install a throne of solid gold and a refrigerator, always stocked full of Coke and the reddest of meats. I’d also run cable through every room in the office so all of our staff could enjoy “Ambush Makeover” on the Style Network and re-runs of “Full House” on ABC Family. Oh, Uncle Jesse! Why did they take you away from me??

If you were having a dinner party and could invite 3 people (alive or dead), who would you choose? John Stamos (obviously), Goldie Hawn, and Bill Murray (people tell me we look alike. I don’t see it).

What would we find in your refrigerator: Coke and celery so I can make those ants on a log things, with the peanut butter and raisins. Man, I love those!

If you were a crayon, what color would you be: Purple Mountains Majesty. It speaks to me.

I am aware that all of my beautiful readers are on the edge of their seat in suspense for the conclusion of the “meet the staff” interviews. The saga continues with Ted Harks and the truth about what you really find in a man’s fridge!

Full Name: Ted Harks

Official job title: Box Office/Patron Services Manager

Most memorable theater experience:
Shaking Yo Yo Ma’s hand backstage as he thanked me for being here
following one of his performances

Describe yourself in 5 words or less:
Perpetually exhausted, but lovin’ it.

Your favorite way to spend a vacation day:
 Outdoors hiking/cycling through a state park or indoors producing my
free weekly mixed music podcast, *The RuckuS* <http://whatistheruckus.com>

How would you decorate or change your office if anything went around here:
 Decorations would include a lava lamp, string lights, modern art and
a beaded door.  Changes would include a window, 4 walls, and an /actual/
door.

If you were having a dinner party and could invite 3 people (dead, alive, somewhere in between), who would you choose? John Coltrane, Joss Whedon & Stephen Colbert

What would we find in your refrigerator: Guinness

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Theater Black, of course

Next up in our endless employee examinations…

The engaging Claire!

1. Full Name:
Claire Victoria Weissenfluh

Well, at this point in the blog, you and are the grandest of old friends, but, considering I imposed the infamous interviews on my (mostly) accomodating coworkers, it’s only fair that I follow suit and answer these (very well-written and clever) questions myself!

Onward to some insight into the mystery that is me!

Full name: Lauren Vanessa Zink

Official job title: Marketing Intern for the Wisconsin Union Theater

The job title you’d give yourself: Marketing Maiven and Alliteration Advocate

Most memorable theater experience: Doing the introduction to the La Guitara show. It was the first time I’d ever set foot on our stage, and I got a round of applause before I even opened my mouth. I know there were only, like, 8 people in the audience that knew who I was, but I felt like a superstar anyway.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less: Let’s try…passionate and sassy singing liberal…

Favorite way to spend a vacation day: What’s a vacation day?? I’d sleep until 11, eat a brunch of chocolate chip pancakes, strawberries and bacon (the real kind!) , maybe go back to bed (I have a loving relationship with naps). I’d spend awhile running around with my puppy, kicking around a soccer ball. Then I’d drive to the mall with my windows down, singing very, very loudly to the radio. I’d proceed to drop hundreds of dollars on clothing/shoes/accessories that I will be very excited about for approximately two weeks. I’d finish it off with open mic night on the terrace.  Apparently for this vacation day to work, I have to spend it both in my hometown and Madison, and it must be approximately 46 hours long!

How would you decorate your office if anything went around here: Well, first, I’d give myself an office. After that, I’d hire a contractor to put in some windows, paint the walls a deep purple and stash lots of Moroccan-inspired pillows everywhere. I’d also install a vending machine stocked with diet soda, which I would hide behind a wall of sheer, gold curtains because, frankly, it wouldn’t match.

If you were having a dinner party, and could invite 3 famous people (alive or otherwise), who would you choose? Marilyn Monroe, Buddha and Shakespeare.

What would we find in your refrigerator: Diet Mountain Dew, apples, fat-free strawberry yogurt, alfalfa sprouts, lean meat

If you were a crayon, what color would you be: magenta