|
Mission
The Imaginists are a theater of collaboration, experimentation, and
exploration. We are committed to making authentic, innovative theater
and expanding audiences by inviting diversity, mentoring emerging
artists, encouraging new artistic voices and creating a vital forum for
ideas and communication, honoring the importance of live performance.
The Imaginists
- Explore the possibilities
of theater from experimental new works and explorations of the
classics to puppetry and sight specific productions- rooted in an
ensemble approach
- Expand the boundaries of
who comes to see theater.
- Educate through classes,
youth ensembles, school outreach, community based theater projects
and a strong mentoring tradition.
- Strive for a visionary
theater; inspiring, provoking, innovative, and authentic.
- Honor the importance of
live performance as an event – a vital community forum for
understanding, communicating, questioning, and change.
History
The Imaginists began in 1993 as the ensemble
theater company KITUS, whose vision was a break from the traditional
venues and structure of professional and regional theaters. The group of
actors began what was essentially an experiment; how to create as a
group, listening to each individual voice in the development of material
and the life of the company; and how to connect to community or create
community through the art of theater. Intentionally placing itself in
rural areas, KITUS grew and thrived for nine years, building a
philosophy of performance and learning through their unique journey. In
2001 the original ensemble disbanded and the remaining members started
an education program that reflected the core beliefs the company had
been developing since its beginning. The Imaginists were born out of a
collective journey--from the early ensemble to the students and
community involved today, this theater is about the process of discovery
through art.
Programs
Classes
The Imaginists offer classes and workshops for ages 7 and up.
Youth ensembles
The Imaginary Ensemble (10-14) and the Imaginists Teen
Ensemble (ages 14-18) were created to teach young people the art of
theater and ensemble process. We believe the power of theater to be
life-altering, based as it is in communication, risk taking, and the
imagination. We believe that everyone has talent; everyone has the
ability to experience, to live and grow out of their artistic self.
Empowering students means challenging, inspiring and engaging them. The
Imaginists' mission is to bring strong, disciplined, imaginative voices
into the theater, the audience, and life.
Community-based theater projects
We are committed to building community and engaging community
through theater. In addition to our youth programs, classes, and Project
104 performances we create a community-based theater piece each season.
This yearly piece is an opportunity for members of our community to be
directly involved in the process of creating theater on a relevant theme
or issue. By gathering together people of differing ages, backgrounds,
and cultures in conjunction with theater professionals, we open dialogue
that is then shared with the entire community in performance.
School outreach
The arts are a vital part of
our lives. We are committed to educating young people about the power of
art. Partnering with local schools we make our programs available to any
student who wants to attend by turning NO ONE away because of financial
difficulties. Our scholarship fund is offered to any student in need. We
offer discounted school performances of our youth ensembles inviting all
local schools. The opportunity for young people to see their peers
performing is inspirational and encourages more young people to become
involved in the arts.
Project 104
Project 104 is a professional ensemble of artists who collaborate on
the development, production, and performance of exploratory works of
theater.
Who we are
Brent Lindsay (Executive Director)
Amy Pinto (Artistic Director)
Brent Lindsay is an alumnus of the Analy High School drama program
under the direction of Amy Glazer. He was professionally trained at
North Carolina School of the Arts and worked in NYC with Ensemble Studio
Theater, Living Theater, and Columbia University’s directing program. In
1994 he became a founding member of The Knights of Indulgence Theater
United States. Brent is a creator, performer, educator, and mentor with
the Imaginists.
Amy Pinto was professionally trained
at North Carolina School of the Arts and spent time working with Living
Stage in Washington D.C. before becoming a founding member of The
Knights of Indulgence Theatre United States. She is a creator,
performer, educator, and mentor with the Imaginists.
Board of Directors:
Nancy Keene (Chair)
Leighann Lindsay (Co- Chair)
Aaron Rosewater (Treasurer)
Susan Hegvold (Secretary)
News
- April 2008: Our benefit concert raised $1,802 for the
Imaginists scholarship fund. Congratulations to all the young people
who volunteered their time to make this first ever youth-organized
fundraiser a success!
- April 2008: The Imaginists are
moving!
We are ready to lease a great building in Santa Rosa's A
St. Arts District. This performing arts studio will provide us the
potential for incredible growth. We envision a flexible space suited
for creating new and innovative theatrical works, an expanded season
of work, youth programming and ensembles, a larger facility for
classes and workshops, as well as opportunities for artists of all
disciplines to collaborate in an affordable, artistically supportive
environment.We are planning to make the move
in May and will be ready to open the new space June 6, 2008. Here
are a few of the reasons why this move is so exciting:
- Support from
the South A Arts Alliance and the City of Santa Rosa Arts
District
- 4 galleries
within walking distance
- Numerous
artist studios in and around our building
- Restaurants,
school, Julliard Park, and bus stops within walking distance
- Central
location so that we are accessible to a wider audience and
student base
-
Opportunities for collaborations with other artists, nonprofits
and youth groups locally, nationally, and internationally
In order to make this a reality we must raise
enough money to cover the additional rent for one year and moving
costs. We have already raised $15,000 in our campaign to find a
home. We are hoping to match this amount and reach our goal of
$30,000 by our proposed opening June 6. This would enable us to
concentrate 100% on programming and productions and establishing
ourselves in a new environment. We are asking for donations of any
size to make this dream a reality. Can you help?
Download pledge form
We would not be the organization we are today
without every single one of you. You have supported our work,
understanding and appreciating the kind of theater, education, and
community we are passionate about. We believe this move has the
potential to open our organization out to include more people,
artists, students, and community. We hope that you will be part of
this exciting next stage in our growth.
Thank you,
The Imaginists Board of Directors
Brent Lindsay/ Executive Director
Amy Pinto / Artistic Director
February 2008: Job opening
We are adding the paid position of Managing Director, full time.
If you are interested, please contact Amy Pinto for more information at
431-7228 or email amy@theimaginists.org
-
Strategic planning news:
Our strategic planning process is unfolding quickly. In
December, two dozen Imaginists and friends spent an intense day
together contemplating and discussing our current situation and
brainstorming wishes for the future. Participants left the
session excited and inspired to work together toward the shared
vision that emerged. Highlights of that vision:
· The
Imaginists…a theater of collaboration,
experimentation and exploration. A home for artists to grow, explore,
and thrive. A vital forum for community debate. Rooted in the ensemble
process: artists supporting and challenging each other, trusting and
inspiring each other.
· Imaginists
programs: create community and expand audience boundaries;
bring in guest artists and visiting companies. New theatrical works and
little-performed classics, bilingual and community-based productions.
Multiple youth ensembles as well as the adult ensemble Project 104. An
education program fully integrated with our performing activities;
inspiring classes and workshops for students of all ages. Mentor
emerging artists and encourage new artistic voices.
· A
new space to be our home: inviting and environmentally friendly. An
indoor black box theater surrounded by outdoor space, designed to allow
myriad creative possibilities for our diverse projects.
· An
expanded, diversified board of directors and a paid managing
director to guide our development and carry out our business
activities, freeing the artistic directors from administrative work.
Fully-developed fundraising and community outreach programs to keep
us financially healthy and strengthen and expand our audience.
- December 2006: We have been
selected to participate in the county-wide Performance Sonoma
festival in the fall of 2007. Coordinated by the Arts Council of
Sonoma County and Community Foundation Sonoma County and funded by
the James Irvine Foundation, the festival will feature the work of
ten or more Sonoma County arts organizations on the theme of
"Crossing Borders." We will be using our funding to support our
second community-based original theater production, The Divide.
- December 2006: We have been awarded a Capacity Building
Grant from the Healdsburg Area Affiliate of the Community Foundation
Sonoma County in the amount of $5,000.00. We will be using the funds to
set and prioritize long-term goals through a strategic planning process
and to establish an effective fundraising and audience- building
program.
- September 2006: The Living Theater Project is underway! We've
collected stories and thoughts from community members ages 10-19 and 65
up. We've assembled an amazing acting ensemble of 20 youth and elders.
- coming in July 2006: summer workshops for adults and children 7 and up,
including evening classes taught by Eliot Fintushel
- April 2006: Project 104 presents Prometheus Bound
- February 2006: KITUS receives a $9,500 contribution from the
Dennis and Carol Anne Rockey Fund to support the Imagination Foundation
Scholarship Fund.
- January 2006: KITUS receives a
Healdsburg Area Affiliate Community Building Grant from the
Community Foundation Sonoma County. This grant will fund an original multi
generational community theater project to be performed in August 2006.
top |
