Fridays with Thomas and Tuesdays with Jaime: An ArtDev Experience

By Travis LeMont Ballenger, American Voices New Play Institute Senior Producing Fellow

When Jamie Gahlon and I went to Chicago, our minds were stretched beyond belief. We went to learn more about Bucky, better prepare ourselves for the production, meet Bucky's friends and family, and get ideas for audience events surrounding the show. What we discovered was a world so complex and profound that it took me a couple of weeks to decompress - in fact I still ask myself daily "what am I doing with my life?"

 

We tried to explain to the rest of our team. I just don't think they understood. Well, they get it now.

 

In the past couple of days we've had two Bucky visitors. Last Friday, we had Thomas Zung stop in on his way home. Thomas is a major player in the architecture field and worked with Bucky on many projects, including the famous Fly's Eye Dome. This week, Jaime Snyder, Bucky's grandson, took time out of his New York family trip to join us.

 

I'm always fascinated by the way these two men think. They see synergy, the collection of forces towards a common goal. They are, at one time, able to hold on to the daily tasks and the mission, something pretty difficult to do.

 

Thomas spoke to us about bubbles of opportunity. There are many different groups and people for us to team up with who have a vested interested in the show and in Bucky's message.

 

Jaime spoke about everything from Sustainable Communities and Comprehensive Anticipatory Design to everything being connected.

 

I'm really excited that Arena is doing the Bucky show. I read the paper everyday and I become more and more afraid. Sometimes, it seems that the world is falling apart. As an artist and a young arts administrator, I wonder how my work is relevant. I'm not a person who believes that art is automatically relevant and necessary because it's art. We artists have work for the community too. It's too easy for us to forget that.

 

With the Bucky show, Arena strengthens its voice in this national conversation. We dare to ask the question, "What can the individual person do to change the world?" This is our answer. We can produce shows like R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE, The Quality of Life, and Stick Fly. We can converse with our audience and grow stronger, wiser, and more courageous together.

 

There are going to be a ton of events for Bucky. Stay tuned. If you want to help out in anyway, synergize with us, let me know.

 

"If humanity does not opt for integrity we are through completely. It is absolutely touch and go. Each one of us could make the difference"- Buckminster Fuller