Each of us is born with the gift of art within. It is my passion and calling to leap with others as they peel away layers of fear, insecurity, judgments, doubt and even bad habits. As they recognize their authentic talent and voice, I am by their side. It is not my job to create a series of hoops for them to prove themselves. It is my job to help them reach their highest and to champion them as they do so.
I have continually advised my students that the bigger the risk, the larger the artistic payoff. Whether studying a subject that seems greater than they are, taking on a leading stage role, beginning a business or moving to major city, students have routinely succumbed to their fears, questioned their knowledge, examined their choices and second-guessed their worth. It is at this moment - when they are the most apprehensive and frightened - that their best work often happens. When we step forward without knowing where the next foot will fall, our most profound work can happen.
As I leave formal teaching and head into a world of my own making, I am scared, apprehensive and nostalgic…It is now time for me to walk the walk and practice what I preach. Imagine the art that will follow.
As a college professor and artist, I maintained a rigorous schedule of activity and still managed to nurture multiple external projects focused on the arts, service and marginalized populations. As I leave the academy, I am ready to dive into those external projects fully. Each opportunity makes excellent use of my skill set as an artist and professional, offers career development opportunity and - hopefully - enriches arts, culture and community. Following are a list of the projects that I am currently passionate and committed.
1. In Development
a. Staging across South Dakota: Ephemeral Productions
Background: Ephemeral Productions was created in 2001 with colleague and best friend Julia Bennett (formerly a theatre professor at Augustana College). Ephemeral Productions creates outstanding theatre productions and brings award-winning literature and strong roles for women to South Dakota stages. In the past three years, Ephemeral has written and presented two original scripts: Great Women; Great Plains and Riveting Rosie: Dakota’s Women at War. EP has also created two original productions over the past two years for a charity event that raises support for Theresa’s House, an orphanage in the Congo that specifically cares for girls. Theresa’s House was founded by current Sioux Falls resident and Congolese native Theresa Kashale.
Projected activity: We have been asked after every production to consider touring our shows – Great Women and Riveting Rosie: – as they would be well received at every corner of the state. We have declined in the past because of other professional obligations. Now is the time to finally extend Ephemeral’s outreach by sending our excellent, entertaining and educational productions across the state.
Ephemeral Productions is also in the planning phase to produce the play Mrs. Klein by Nicolas Wright in an Off-Broadway venue. Tony Award Winner Michele Pawk has agreed to play the lead role. As a South Dakota theatre company we are thrilled by the challenge to show NYC "what we got!" and to bring that work back to our state.
b. Stage to Page: Melody Off-Key
Background: Melody Off-Key is children’s book and stage play. It has been performed in Sioux Falls as part of Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Summer Theatre performance. Also, it is currently in rehearsal to be performed by Holy Cross’ Standard 4A Class at the San Pedro Festival of the Arts on the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize in May, 2012. It will be the first time Holy Cross School will be included in the festival. This is particularly important as as HCS reaches the poorest children on the island; available faculty for enrichment activities is non-existent. Since January of 2011, I have traveled to Holy Cross three times – twice alone and once with a group of 18 University of Sioux Falls students. In addition to creating athletic grounds and opportunities as well as teaching in the classrooms, we have brought theatre (and this play) to the school.
Projected Activity: I am committed to seeing Melody Off-Key to publication as both a children’s book (complete with original music) and playscript, and I am in conversation with a professional children’s book illustrator.
c. Blog to Book: Theory of Dakotivity.
Background: I author a popular blog called The Theory of Dakotativity. Many of the essays included are about growing up in rural South Dakota and being raised by blue-collar parents - also native South Dakotans. The stories are rich with lesson, love and humor.
Projected Activity: I am working with a South Dakota publishing company to create a book from the blog.
d. Children at Risk - Arts Education
Background: Since 2007, I have devoted time in my daily routine as a professor, director and mentor to create and teach a theatre course at Joe Foss High School, a high school for alternative learning in Sioux Falls. In my tenure, Foss students have written and performed - under my tutorial and direction - a musical entitled Second Chances, several children's books that have subsequently been read at local elementary schools, and local commercials celebrating the legacy and impact of Joe Foss High School. I have also created camps and other performance opportunities for children locally (Sioux Falls and the surrounding communities), nationally (New York City) and internationally (Belize, Central America). I have designed syllabi, organized and trained counselors and directed the projects.
Projected Activity: I will continue constructing and actualizing fresh ideas and performance possibilities with students from Joe Foss as well as in other venues nationally and internationally
e. Television Pilot
Background: I have developed an idea for an HGTV program. The project not only provides a history of Americana architecture; it showcases compelling examples of structures in a dilapidated state that are subsequently renovated. The featured sites include one-room schoolhouses, railway depots, silos, barns, warehouses, and more. By showcasing regional sites, this project can increase national awareness of South Dakota’s rich history and beauty.
Projected Activity: I am commited to finding the financing to shoot a pilot to shop.
2. Currently In Progress
A. Theatrical Theory Trade Text. Since 2007, I have been interviewing Broadway playwrights, directors and actors on their responses to a series of concepts advocated by theatre theorist and director Anne Bogart. Ms. Bogart has "green lighted" my writing of a book to complement her theories and production work. I am currently completing interviews and will begin compiling the data into a final draft this year.
B. Consulting. Creative Consulting is the business I began two years ago; through CC, I offer motivational speaking, business communication consultation, creative problem solving and project development. I intend to launch the business at a larger level throughout the upcoming year.
C.Unstuck. For the past several years, I have been leading students and congregations on service trips. This experience gave birth to the non-profit project "Unstuck." An early-stage service organization, Unstuck assists individuals, families, churches, business and organizations in creating vacations that involve a service component. Early target includes trips to New York City and Belize, Central America. To read about previous trips to Belize, please go to www.unstuckbelize.org and my blog at http://www.dakotakim.blogspot.com/.
D. Director for hire. From community theatre to the academic stage to a business conference, I am available.
Blog life
5 years ago
