Treading Water

I am excited about a space we might have soon. I can't talk about it, I can't plan things with it in mind, it holds me back from finding another space. I was supposed to receive word last week. I was out of town and I've been calling since I got home- only once a day. So, I'm nudging the edges of what it would be like if I got this space- 2,500 sq feet in a shared building in downtown Tacoma. First, I would share the space further. I don't need it during the day, so it would be great for a yoga or dance instructor- dressing rooms! Sound system! WCTNW will only have 4-5 shows a year, so that's plenty of evening time to rent out. A friend from college produces touring fringe artists; it would be great to have them come to town a few times a year. There are a whole bunch of theater students in Tacoma (PLU, UPS, SOTA, Lincoln, etc.) and a ton of theater people without an affordable venue. I think we could fill the space with performing arts.

The timeline would be perfect too- the owner has some upgrades to make (sprinkler system, ADA ramp, first floor restrooms) during which we could be inside the building adding a light grid, installing a stage, walling off storage, etc. Then we would start our Spaceworks residency in August/September. So I'm thinking (awesome idea courtesy Grant) that a giant art filled month of September would be a great way to pull tons of people into the space- see what we and our building mates are all about. Have shows, cabaret, improv, music acts... whatever. I could probably convince a local brewery to sell beer (or offer discounts to people with tickets). But I can't convince anyone of anything until I actually have the space. So frustrating. I don't like to sit and wait. Especially when time is just ticking by and stuff isn't getting done.

I have a show in May, so that probably can't happen in the new space, which is sad. But even if it happens at another place, it would be nice to hand out flyers for the grand opening at the new space. If it becomes the new space. Wait...wait....wait..PANIC!!!! I do enough procrastination based panic to myself, thanks, I don't need everyone else chiming in.

Over the summer I would have to- create a board, file my 501c3 (I know, I know, I've been working on it for months. Simmer down, I've almost finished grad school and I expect magic unicorns to grant me more hours in my day) and raise $10,000. That's a years worth of rent if we split (6 months if we don't), plus a bit of money to buy equipment and make the space a theater. I would... panic a bit less. Anyhow, I think that's do-able. And then- September Space Shindig at the new building full of Spaceworks projects! Hah! Outer space party! Costume prizes!

So you see, with all of the fun ideas running around in my head, it is difficult to wait. Fortunately, I have some papers to write for school. That should keep me from clawing my eyeballs out.