Each new year presents a moment of hope and excitement for what is ahead. As I look to our promising future, I am reminded of days past, days of strategic planning in which we committed to make decisions based on five bold values: inclusion, impact, transformation, excellence, and stability. While those five pillars are always at play in the work of arts engagement, this year The Old Globe’s Arts Engagement Department will be doubling down on two key values: impact and transformation.

For me, impact means making a measurable difference; therefore, we will be hosting our first summer camp for elementary and middle schoolers in almost 20 years. Our students need healthy environments for creative expression. We want to provide that artistic home, one where their confidence and creativity can grow, empathy can be built, and wildly imaginative stories can come to life. 

We are deepening our impact by increasing our presence and letting people know that we are here as a resource to our region. Everything from attending local job fairs at high schools and colleges, to supporting the development of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, is an opportunity to create greater awareness and access to our programs, and an opportunity to show up in our community as a good neighbor, a responsible artistic leader, and a faithful partner.

Transformation in our department means that our programs create greater possibility of sustainable change within a person or group of people. Our transformational Reflecting Shakespeare program, for example, is bursting at the seams. Gone are the days of only activating our rehabilitative program in adult carceral facilities. We have expanded our presence to bring the program to justice-involved youth and young single mothers. We currently have 11 Reflecting Shakespeare programs, operating every day of the week, from Escondido to San Ysidro—the program is literally operating all over San Diego County and is growing exponentially! We have learned that this program is for anyone, anywhere, navigating any or many of life’s challenges, and that through this program the possibility of meaningful personal transformation can be fully realized.

And this summer you will see community members participating in a mainstage production in ways they never have before! Our upcoming production of Henry 6 will be epic, to say the least. We are hosting workshops throughout the community that will radically include San Diegans by way of exploring design, building prop pieces, even being videotaped to be featured in the show. How exciting! We are transforming how the industry and other arts institutions think about and implement community engagement programming. This history-making event will change how we engage with artists, deepen existing relationships with partners, and transform how audiences experience The Old Globe, so keep an eye on our website and social handles so you can participate in ways that might be of personal interest.

There is much to be hopeful about, much to look forward too, and the year is still young. I can’t wait to see you around the theatre at this most exciting and inspiring time!

Top Photo by Rich Soublet II.