When I was almost 68 1/2, it dawned on me that 70 would be a good retirement age. I announced this intention to the DreamWrights Board of Directors. They sent me to a Founders Transition Program, at which I learned many things. The most important thing I learned was “'I was not my job”. Most folks there were founders of for profit companies, and they didn't know what/who they would be without the company.
I was and always will be Diane Crews, and she is an artist. No I can't draw a thing. My art is visual, but I paint with words, emotions and people. That is when I realized that artists can't retire, it is not their 'job' it is who they are and what they do. I will never, Please God, stop imagining things!
Immediately after this realization I started to look for cultural grant opportunities to help fund some of my ideas for the future. Then there was a play I had always wanted to do and I called to get the rights. To my surprise, neither of these things can be done by an individual, you have to be an entity.
You know the old saying about "never say never"? Well after incorporating DreamWrights, with Steve Doud's help, I promised myself I would never go through that again. Too many papers and red tape! Now I had to do it again or Stop Doing! The latter, of course, was not an option. I then learned that lawyers can incorporate for you for money!
By March 2016 TAFE (Theatre Arts for Everyone) was a 501(c)(3) entity with a five member Board of Directors. This initial Board was powerful and supportive and had imagination! As a group we decided on the vision for TAFE. My official retirement date was September 30th. On October 2nd TAFE officially began.
But why start over you may wonder? Because I had more to give and do! Well that was the impetus but I spoke with others and we saw there was something missing in the theatres arts scene in York. TAFE is a community theatre. TAFE believes that everyone can benefit from what theatre arts can teach – confidence, how to sew on a button, how and when to be quiet or to project, creating or finding props, collating and organizing paperwork, hair braiding, responsibility, the list goes on and on! TAFE is also committed to serving those often not involved with theatre such as seniors and those with disabilities.
TAFE aims to challenge those that are experienced in theatre as well welcoming in novices. TAFE believes that every role is important – we do not place cast above crew, we do not believe that the person with the most lines should be celebrated more than anyone else, we do not believe that the same roles should go to the same people time and time again. We believe in kindness, in learning, and in personal relationships, all of which create the team art of theatre.
I can’t wait to see TAFE grow. I hope you will come along for the ride!
Diane Crews