“In just my first year at the University of Washington, I have learned so much. I don’t just mean about theatre history and acting methods, but I have learned invaluable interpersonal skills that have helped me grow as an individual, not just a student...I have become more confident, self-assured, and capable of successful, conflict-solving behaviors. In that way, the UW has helped me become a better partner, daughter, employee, and citizen."
- Emma Fleming, BA drama, 2023
Dear Friends of the School of Drama,
Many of my friends and colleagues have said to me over the past few months, “What a difficult time to become a new department chair.” And, of course, this summer and autumn have been difficult. But I’ve found in myself quite a different perspective. This is an amazing time to be a new chair. Yes, there are some very big challenges, and our graduating students will be entering what might be the most unknowable landscape in the performing arts in the history of this country. But the ways I’ve seen our community of artists and audiences galvanize and respond to that landscape has been inspiring. And the opportunity we all have to shift our assumptions, to detach our focus away from “the way it’s been” toward “the way it could be” or “the way it should be” is a tremendous, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
This letter is part of an annual practice of reaching out to our School of Drama friends to ask for your support. Our “Friends of Drama” funds are used for student scholarships, emergency aid, specialized equipment purchases, student and faculty projects, workshops with professional artists and much more. I’ve been reflecting a lot recently on what it means to be a friend of Drama in this tumultuous moment.
Last March, when we had to make the wrenching decision to cancel the balance of our 2019-2020 season, we reached out to our ticketholders to offer refunds, while also inviting you to consider donating back the value of your tickets. Incredibly, 133 of you did just that. Since then, many of you have proactively renewed your annual gifts, become first-time donors, or reached out to convey messages of support and friendship.
The generosity of our friends is the reason we are able to continue unabated in our mission to prepare artists and scholars of courage, character, and craft.
Your support provides our students with relevant, timely productions on which to practice their evolving craft. Your support calls us toward a culture that is more inclusive, more globally centered, and healthy for people of all identities. Your support lets our students know that there is a community out there that has their backs as they complete their studies and venture out to bravely pursue their dreams in this most unpredictable moment.
Make all this possible with a gift to the Friends of Drama fund by December 31st.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Geoff Korf
Executive Director of the School of Drama
P.S. One silver lining of these times is that you can see our shows from your own home--no plane trips or parking required. Please check out our 2020-2021 online public season at drama.uw.edu/season.
