Pendulum Theatre Company - Artistic Director

FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

began to broaden and I found myself intrigued by directing and
playwriting as well. I became fascinated by the story as a whole, not just
my place in it as an actor. What is each story trying to say? Who are
these characters and why are they important? Why does an audience
need to see this story and these characters come to life? How does each
production entertain or inform? These questions drive me and keep me
coming back to the stage, time and time again.

I truly believe that theatre is an art form that provides one of the
strongest connections between artist and audience member. It’s a living
organism that requires both for its survival; they feed off of each other’s
energies. Sitting in a theater, watching a story unfold in front of your
eyes, stimulates the senses in a unique way. I am in constant awe of
how this art form can transform people. But I’m also saddened by the
toll this life can have on the artists involved.

Artists usually get involved in the arts because they have a burning
passion to create and share that creation with others. But theatre is, by
and large, not a lucrative business, and years of toiling in full-time “day
jobs” while spending long evening and weekend hours in rehearsals and
performances has left many theatre artists exhausted, drained, and
sapped of creative vitality. This is why I have become passionate about
creating financial stability for the local theatre artist; providing a place to
explore their craft and thrive in their art – a company that can offer
stability in an unpredictable market.

Theatre is becoming increasingly more individualistic. Different artists
come together, each do their own thing, and then move on to their next
productions. Actors perform for an audience, but rarely meet the people
they are performing for. Audience members, a key piece of every
production, are often kept at arms length and not brought into the
process until opening night. Pendulum wants to change that. We want
to include the audience in new and exciting ways: inviting them to sit in
on rehearsals, participate in behind-the-scenes programs, and engage in
personal talk-back sessions with actors and members of the artistic team.
Theatre needs to return to its ensemble-based roots.

I am confident that we are creating a company that can not only address
these needs, but fulfill them. I hope you will enjoy being a part of
Pendulum’s ensemble. I hope you will come to love the outcome of our
work as much as we will love creating it for you. I look forward to
meeting each and every one of you throughout the course of our
journey together. I am grateful for your curiosity as we venture into the
unknown. Until we meet…

God bless,
Karla Reck