This year has been a whirlwind for me.
I arrived in Fort Worth this past January, not knowing what to expect, as I became the artistic leader of a company in transition. Should I buy a pair of cowboy boots and a hat and jump right in? Or should play it safe and get a lay of the land?
After a warm greeting from the area's artistic community I felt it was safe to jump right in and have some fun. So that's what I did. I chose a beautiful and diverse season of shows, started an acting program, commissioned a new musical, went after an NEA grant, and joined the social scene of Fort Worth making friends and building relationships.
I feel right at home here in this amazingly diverse and open-minded community of artists. There are so many theaters in Fort Worth and we all work together sharing artists, designers, ideas and set pieces. Our Live Theatre League meetings (where the heads of theater companies in the area meet monthly) feel like friendly get-togethers and everyone is so supportive and encouraging.
I love seeing shows all over the city. I opened my season with the controversial Topdog/Underdog. I wasn't sure how the community would respond but with two big musicals before it and one musical following it, I knew I wanted a dynamic play and Topdog/Underdog filled that need. I was so proud and pleased with how many letters, messages and calls I received from people who were touched by the production. I was thrilled with the reviews and I thought to myself, "here we go, we can do great things here."
So that's the plan as we move forward. I feel while we are still in the middle of a transition, we are also on the edge of artistic growth and a promising future. The whole artistic community is set for growth as the city grows. If this past year has been an example of things to come for the Fort Worth theater scene, then I am glad to be a part of this theater community's future.
◊ Editor's Note: This is the sixth in a series of year-end essays by members of the local arts community. The first was by actress Emily Scott Banks, the second by Artes de la Rosa artistic director Adam Adolfo, the third by Dallas Opera's Jennifer Schuder, the fourth by Steven Walters, and the fifth by Joel Ferrell. Through the end of the year, look for reflections from others. 
