My good friend Barry Mendelson, long famed as the former GM of Madison Square Garden, Guinness Record Book Holder, and one of the most prolific promoters of live entertainment of the past 50 years finally convinced me to step out of the institutional bubble and survive by my wits alone. In other words, he got me to sell out.

It's harder than one would think... and the compromises necessary to make it work come much faster than I ever anticipated. I've got to admit, "art" quickly becomes a secondary concern to financial viability when there's no safety of a non-profit to ease the pain when a show hits the skids. But, honestly, from what I've seen, the non-profit world is changing and becoming more and more like the commercial one. Our regional LORT theater, Dallas Theater Center, now does broadway titles more than classics... "art" is being lost all over.

But you can't escape its resiliency. Art will always peek through the excel spreadsheet.

So I've left the cushy confines of my gilded tower at AT&T PAC and now find myself in a shared workspace in the Deep Ellum area of Dallas surrounded by hipsters and hustlers all trying to make their individual brand of lunacy work. It's a good move... there's no time for bullshit.

I'm happy to announce that I'm now the proud producer of The Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular as well as Lightwire Theater... both amazing experiences that have solid histories and established fan bases. Barry and I have also started developing new shows together... the conversation is creative and collaborative and as much art as anything I've ever done. 

​I'm looking forward to seeing where the adventure takes me...

Thanks to the local CBS station for spending a little time chatting about the Elevator Project...

I'm excited to have this initiative back in the forefront... it's a good crop this year.

Every year, the entire staff at the AT&T Performing Arts Center gathers for one day to focus exclusively on the company's "Core Values." They are (in no particular order) Customer Service, Flexibility, Achievement, Community, and Passion.

Not a bad lot as far as values go.

And, as anyone who's hired the consultant will tell you, these ideas are not aspirational - they are values that are embedded into the life-blood of the organization and its staff. They were identified by examining what we already do.

It's nice to know that we were always motivated this way... even before we cut the check to the consultant.

I didn't believe it at first, but (and I'm sure I'm not alone) these are all notions that drive my daily interactions, my decision making, my goals, my life. Lucky me that I ended up working for a place that shared my philosophy.

And on days like today, we place our practice at the forefront and celebrate it. It gives us all a chance to let our hair down and pat ourselves on the back and play a little.

My buddy Alex Hargis captured a video of how our technicians play... and I gotta say, I can't imagine a more apropos way to sum it all up. 

How often have you asked yourself what you value? And how do you celebrate it?

Enjoy the "Moody Chandelier" like you've never seen it before, and will likely never see it in person should you visit the Center.

Today is my grandfather's 95th birthday. I can't articulate how much this man means to me and how in awe I am of the changes he's seen over the course of his life.

A few months ago, I directed a production of ALL MY SONS and wrote about the old man and his life and wanted to post those thoughts here as I contemplate living for another 52 years. 

Happy Birthday, Spec.