We’ve Gotten Really Good at “Yes, and.” – Highlands Playhouse

Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: 2020/12 - December

Jimmy Lewis

“Everything was going so well early this year,” recounts Jimmy Lewis, one of Highlands most beloved theatrical performers. “Highlands Playhouse productions were selected. Hires were made. Contracts sent. Housing secured. We were coming off our best year ever with three record-breaking productions in 2019. Marshall and I had new jobs as artistic and assistant artistic directors respectively. We were thrilled, confident about the Playhouse and our careers. And suddenly … crash, bang, boom! Our theater went dark along with thousands of others around the world. Everything, everywhere was put on a rickety hold.”

Jimmy, who remains in the wings as AAD, still has to make a living. He is currently a resident of NYC looking for work with about a zillion other actors. Even with Broadway shut down, Covid rampant, and winter coming on, unshakable Jimmy remains confident that 2021 will be the beginning-of-the-end of Covid, and theatre will resurrect.

As an actor, Jimmy always thought performance was the focus. Finance didn’t often cross his mind. It was like: “Cool, let’s get a juggling octopus and land an airplane in the lobby. C’mon. How much can that cost …” But this year, as an initiate to the production side of acting, his perspective has shifted. 

Highlands Playhouse is unique in that it doesn’t count on grants and corporate subsidies. It survives off its ticket sales and donations. And when you hear how expensive performance rights, building maintenance, actor’s food/lodging, staff salaries, etc. are, you’d be amazed and darn proud of the Playhouse for its financial acuity and management. But much of that money from last year’s success has gone to getting through 2020. And yikes, there’re no plays this year to replenish it.

Another sticky wicket is from now on, thanks to Covid hired actors and crew will require bigger lodging (spatial separation) with private baths for safety’s sake. That’s another huge ka-ching.

It’s hard to plan a week ahead, let alone a year. Keeping things in line is like trying to herd jello cats. The tried-and-true method is plan for the best, prepare for the worst. We already know what the worst is and we’ve learned a lot from it. Now we apply that knowledge to the preparatory activities of January, then February, then March. Hopefully, a healthy fund-raiser at 2020’s end (donations accepted at website) will move us forward and reward our patient supporters with the finest entertainment that our ingenious artistic designers create and health rules permit.

Jimmy closes with, “In improv, every sentence begins with a ‘Yes, and …”  We’ve gotten really good at yes, and. So in 2021, whether it’s behind a mask, on video, or live on stage, one way or the other Highlands Playhouse will yes, and and bring you the best of us. And that’s a promise. We will break every leg we have for you, our devoted audience, just as you worked hard to support us.

Happy holidays, merry everything, and here’s to a wonderful new year.