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So, as part of an initiative to put the artist and the patron at the center of our work at the theatre I work at, the Cohort Club for The Book Club Play has been born.

And I think it’s brilliant. Especially since The Book Club Play (a new play at the tail-end of its development stage) is all about community and art. It’s a perfect fit.

Here’s the gist: 20 Rochestarians of all ages, races, socio-economic statuses, and from all walks of life were selected to be a part of an experiment called the Cohort Club. These 20 folks are being welcomed with unprecedented access into the artictic process and life at our theatre wholly and completely. They received a behind the scenes tour of our building, attended the Meet and Greet with the cast, crew, and staff at the theatre last week and stayed for the first read through of the script and some of the table work. They received a copy of the script and dramaturgical packet and will recieve digital rehearsal and show reports from the stage manager daily. They have an open pass to attend at least two rehearsals a week, dress rehearsals, tech rehearsals, previews, and opening night with all the accompanying festivities. They’ll have ample opportunity to chat with the playwright, director, crew, and cast, as well as amongst themselves over social hours, food, and drinks. In return, the Cohort clubbers are asked to share their experience with the Rochester community. Many are choosing to blog about it – a concept I’m a fan of! Others are chosing to document through Twitter or FaceBook or online columns. We want to break open the theatre experience and truly involve the community in our process, leading to a deeper understanding of what we do as we connect the artist and the patron at the center of our work. And I just happen to think this is a totally mind-blowingly brilliant idea. It came from this quote:

“Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I’ll understand.” – Native American saying

So, let’s involve ’em! I’m so happy to see this trend in area professional theatre emerging. My soul is smiling.

Best quote from the first rehearsal? “Small-cast, new-play comedies are the unicorn of American Theatre. Rare, unique, and everyone wants one.”

I’ve also been inspired by the process to do something I’ve been wanting to do for some years now…join a book club! I found a young professional’s book club at Rochester’s own Writers & Books (a totally awesome organization, btw) for 20 & 30 somethings who are laid back and enjoy good books, good conversation, and good food. That’s pretty much me to a T. My roommate and I are going to our first get-together this Thursday, armed with the book on my iPad, thoughts in our brains (we hope), a bottle of wine, a devilishly delicious recipe for guacamole, and some sinful nutella brown butter and sea salt chocolate chip cookies to share. We’ll be reading and discussing “Into the Beautiful North” by Luis Alberto Urrea as part of the “If All of Rochester Read the Same Book” initiative, an annual experiment where all the hundreds of book clubs and individuals in this fair city are invited to read the same book at the same time – and then, of course, tons of activities, social events, readings and discussions with the author, etc. are scheduled around it. Is it any wonder that this is a perfect time for us to be producing The Book Club Play at the theatre? Some of the local book clubs are even reading the script and then coming to see it all together and participating in a post-show talkback with the director and cast.

Community and art – two of the things I love the most – coming together in so many beautiful and fun ways?

Brilliant.