Coronavirus vs. Artists
I had been playing with the idea of blogging since I started my website. I thought it would be exciting to write about my endeavors in theatre; the rehearsals, the shows, the meetings, the challenges. Then just when I started to truly find myself as an artist, just when I was a full time working professional, just when I felt my voice could help others pave their own way, the unprecedented hit.
The Coronavirus.
I know we’re tired of talking about it. We’re tired of hearing about the quarantine, the politics, and please let’s not talk about everyone’s obsession with toilet paper.
First, I want to say, educate yourself. This Ted Talk is a great resource to learn the basics in 15 minutes, leaving you with more knowledge than you may have had before.
I am so thankful for many things, starting with a savings account, a roof, and friends who know what I’m going through. Artists are suddenly facing canceled shows, postponed performances, not to mention the loom of an economic crisis to make the current pandemic even more terrifying.
Many of my friends and peers are freelancers, waitstaff, teachers, students, and—like myself—performers. In the span of less than a week everything in our world has been put on hold. Like the entire world, our income, health, and future plans, are all in jeopardy. Every aspect of my income is very suddenly suspended above me and I’m simply waiting to see how the cards fall.
My finances are a mod podge of roles within the arts community all sewn together to create my own happy little way in the world. Suddenly, in the course of four days, all aspects of my income were postponed and put in question.
When I say all aspects of my income were affected, I’m not exaggerating, and I’m certainly not the only one.
Am I writing this for sympathy?
No. I’m writing so that others in the same situation know they’re not alone. I’m writing so that those fortunate enough to have stability in this know that the arts are hurting. That people they know, people they’ve seen create beautiful pieces of art are in trouble, that those people need kindness.
Understanding. Empathy. That’s how we’re going to get through this dim tunnel we’re all walking through.
Be kind.
If you go out to eat, tip a little extra.
If you see an artist asking for work, let them organize your desktop or create a calendar for you and Venmo them some cash.
If you have an older neighbor, offer to pick up their groceries for them.
For God’s Sake, wash your hands.
The arts are hurting, the economy is in trouble, people are scrambling, and the only way to get through it is to band together. We’re lucky to live in a time that we can connect virtually. We can Facetime, work remotely, and that’s how we need to stay connected.
If you can help, donate to a theater company. Donate to those having to postpone events. Don’t ask for a refund on your ticket to whatever event, I promise those people are already doing all they can to help.
The thing that has my heart lowest is the lack of a creative outlet. I was erasing events off my calendar, shifts were being pushed back, and dread filled my stomach. Anyone who knows me knows that I prefer to be busy, and it’s because I love being creative and collaborating with others. The disappearance of that scares me, and so I’m writing this. To you.
I hope that this provides insight into what people in the arts are facing. If this affects only two weeks of our lives, we’ll recover but we’ll be playing catch up for a while. If this gets worse, which the reality we’re facing implies it will before getting better, than we’ll need your empathy.
To my friends and artists: I want to invite you to find a creative outlet with me. Whether that be reading, writing, Skyping to work on monologues, whatever makes you feel a little more whole as we cozy up at home.
Email me at summer.m.baer@gmail.com if you want to work on something together, or just want a second pair of eyes, or someone to bounce ideas off of.
I’ve collected book recommendations and formed a lovely lengthy list that I intend to work through while sitting in my sunroom. Please join me as I read! I’ll post the list at the end of this blog post.
Lastly, let’s cling to any hope we can. Create a list (can you tell I love making lists?) of all the things you’re grateful for. All the things you want to accomplish while you’re stuck at home. Reach out to the friends you’ve been wanting to talk to.
If history has taught us anything, it’s that art endures, that people are stronger together, and that hope always prevails.
Join me as I endeavor to read every book on this list!
Books On Theatre:
1. The Mystic in the Theatre
2. 100 Essays I don’t have time to write-Sarah Ruhl
3. 7 Brief Lessons on Physics
4. A director prepares-anne bogart
5. The Actors Secret
6. The World Only Spins Forward
7. Bird by Bird
8. Letters to a Young Artist
9. The Actor and the Target
10. Backstage Handbook
11. What’s the Story? - Ann Bogart
12. How to Run a Theater- Volz
13. Commedia dell’Arte - John Rudlin
14. The Viewpoints Book - Ann Bogart
15. The Zen in the Art or Writing - Ray Bradbury
16. The Actors Art and Craft - Williams Esper and Damon Damarco
17. The Myths is Sisyphus and Other Essays - Camus
18. The Moving Body - Jacques Lecoq
19. Training of the American Actor - Arthur Bartow
20. The Invisible Actor - Yoshi Oida
21. Sister Carrie - Theodore Dreiser
22. Finishing the Hat - Stephen Sondheim
23. On Writing - Stephen King
24. Letters from Max - Sarah Ruhl
25. Station Eleven
26. Letters to a Young Poet - Rainer Maria Rilke
27. Writing in Restaurants - David Mamet
28. Zen and the Art of Archery
29. Finishing the Hat - Stephen Sondheim
30. Letters to a Young Artist
