At a staff meeting this morning the marketing director, Tom Kirkpatrick, says to the group "Wouldn't it be a great idea if we had a blog that could cover the entire season in addition to the show by show blog. Everyone nodded and agreed it would be a good idea. Then he looks at me and says "and wouldn't be great if it came from our new Artistic Director." Again, all heads are bobbing up and down.

So that, my dear reader, is how I find myself writing this first installment; on our first day of the new season; at the end of our first day of rehearsal for Hello, Dolly; which happens to be my first show of my official first season as the New Artistic Director. It only seems right.

I must start with a giant disclaimer... I am not the "blogging type". I have a computer that I use for emails and documents and the occasional update of friends and family. I don't "surf" or "twitter" and I barely "Facebook" (An entity I was peer pressured in to joining and barely read). I say this to let you know that this will not be a daily occurrence like most of the blogs I hear about. I will do my best (and make no real promises) to keep up with this as the year progresses but, and I must be honest, I often times find myself running to "Catch my shadow" so the "time factor" may crunch down on me and make it unrealistic for me to achieve this to great detail. BUT I SHALL TRY!!!!

To start, I guess, requires me to go back a few steps.

Hello, my name is Marc Robin and I am the Artistic Director of the Fulton Theatre.

You have no idea how strange that is for me to say "out loud". I don't think I have actually grasped the magnitude of this position yet, or the majesty of this incredible theatre and the gift I have been given to helm it artistically. It is all still so new.

I came to the Fulton as a guest director 10 years ago. (Evita). I fell in love with the Fulton (and Lancaster) quickly and permanently. I guess throughout the years I always had a secret desire to have the job I currently hold, but I always assumed the opportunity may arise somewhere in the distant future.

As many know, the previous Artistic Director (my friend and mentor, Michael Mitchell), passed away quite suddenly last September and I found myself, as suddenly, sitting behind his desk "filling in" until decisions were made.

To say it was weird and unnerving would be an understatement of epic proportions.

As weeks passed on and talk of the impending search for a new "Artistic Director" was debated, I found myself evaluating my "flight plan" in life and all that that entails.

For over twenty years I have securely kept myself working as a freelance Director/Choreographer and I have been THRILLED, HAPPY, and HONORED to do so. But here was an opportunity to become a part of something beyond an individual play. It was a chance to be a part of the turning point of an emerging organization on the brink of becoming more than a "local" jewel. A chance to join a community and be a part of the fabric that makes that community special. In short... a chance of a lifetime.

After several months of talking and planning and reorganizing thoughts and flight plans, I find myself right where I never really dreamed I'd be.

So enough of the history lesson, let's start with today.

The Fulton Theatre is beginning its' 157th season. Crazy, right. 157 years of theatre. It's awesome. If you have ever been here you know how beautiful the space is but you might not know the history. You should Google it sometime. It's impressive. (Even the ghost stories)

Even though this is my first day of the first season etc... I actually started working on this season last December.

My partner at the Fulton (Aaron Young) and I are actually doing this as a team. (Though he doesn't have to do the blog thing!!!)

It's actually a unique situation. Most theatres have a Managing Director and an Artistic Director but they have two very different responsibilities. Aaron and I are really trying to be involved in everything. He has a say in the Artistic world of my job and I have a say in the financial world of his. It makes for good checks and balances. (I also happen to respect his opinion a great deal and consider him a close friend. If you knew him you would understand why!!!!!)

Last December while I was "Interim" (helping out), he and I began the process of picking the very season we have just begun.

If you are reading this you probably know what it is... but just in case you don't... Hello, Dolly; Dial M for Murder; Annie; Driving Miss Daisy; Noises Off; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; and Phantom. We have also included a family series (Cinderella, Nutcracker: a Holiday Musical, and Sleeping Beauty) and a cabaret series (which starts on Friday, August 21 with Gabrielle Stravelli).

Picking a season is pretty difficult. There are so many factors that go in to choosing titles. From popularity to the cast size to the availability of rights. It's quite the puzzle.

We are excited with the mix of shows this year because they are all known titles but still represent a huge cross section of issues and theatrical challenges. (AND I LOVE A GOOD CHALLENGE).

I won't spend much time talking about specific shows as we go along this year because we have a "Show" blogger for that. I will try to stick to the big picture. Also, I would love to answer questions.

It is so much easier for me to answer a question than it is to "create" something out of thin air. Besides, I much prefer talking about someone or something else, than to talk about ME!!!!

But speaking of me, It is almost "pumpkin time" and I have day two of Dolly tomorrow so I should wrap this up.

Welcome to the 2009-2010 season at the Fulton and this new site.

See you in the theatre. (That's an okay tag line, isn't it???)
M