Guest Opinion: Compassion, Empathy, Sustainability

— from Artha Kass, notes from a speech at the Orcas Center reception on Sunday, October 16 —

Artha Kass accepts retirement accolades

Twenty-three years ago, when I was visiting Orcas, still in the last stages of my decision-making process to move here, by chance I attended a community theatre event at Orcas Center. It was a production of On Golden Pond. The integrity and authenticity of the performance touched me deeply. I made my decision that night, and moved here a few years later, because I felt such an immediate and strong connection to Orcas Center.

In this chaotic crazy, assaultive world with cruelty, evil and ugliness, all around us, we need to transcend to other places of compassion, empathy, life and hope. That is what theater, music, dance and the visual arts provide.

On Friday night, right here in our own Black Box Theatre, I experienced Robert Hall’s exquisite collaborative production of Mary’s Wedding. With open, trusting, vulnerable, intelligent, talented actors, gorgeous and so effective lights, a set that took me to another place and with exceptional sound and music  – all totally integrated. I was wowed and taken to another dimension, a place of love and beauty, tenderness and courage, loss and hope,

There’s always hope here! There’s life. There’s creativity. There are abundant experiences by all of us, for all of us, for our kids and grandkids and neighbor’s kids. We gather here for shared rich experiences that enhance us that open our hearts to compassion and empathy. We share as a community; shared experiences bring us together. We must ensure Orcas Center’s vitality, its sustainability for the whole community.

I think of my first experience when I was six years old of live ballet compared with what our Orcas kids get here. My family was poor and my parents saved up for 6^th row center tickets to the great NY City Ballet, as I loved the ballet more than anything in the world – the coloring books and pictures of the beautiful ballerinas. However, the stage makeup at that time was not designed for “streaming” and television. Instead, the beautiful ballerinas looked scary and ugly with their dark and severe makeup. I was so devastated my mother had to take me out weeping.

Think of what our Orcas kids may experience—Anthony Manual’s choreography of talented local dancers, or The Bolshoi Ballet streaming live and direct from Moscow, or The Paul Taylor Dance troupe.  Or we might see a great Opera performance from the Met in NY or live theatre streamed from London. On the Center Stage or Black Box we can see musicals, touring artists, Choral Society concerts, The Olga Symphony, as well as locals’ concerts and shows throughout the year.

How moving it is to me to know all of you here, and to know that you have in some way been touched by some or many experiences here at the Center.  That I’ve played a part in providing these for you and the community …that touches me deeply.  I have been greatly rewarded by your kindness and appreciation.

But now it’s about sustainability of this treasure. Now it’s a call to action.  I urge everyone here to get more invested, more involved by participating in and supporting and ensuring the sustaining of this crucial community gem. I’ll meet with anybody… Many of you know I love meetings!

I’d like to say a special thanks to the Center’s Board of Directors, members, folks who share my deep commitment to this organization, and to all of you who serve on a committee, task forces, advisory groups or mailing parties. Thank you for devoting so many hours of your time in an effort to make the Center thrive. This is a group of compassionate and empathetic people like the rest of you all here today, so jump in and see where you can fit in more. We all want and need the Center to flourish.

I feel privileged to have been part of Orcas Center for the past 12 years, maintaining and hopefully, sustaining this vital living entity.  My spirit isn’t leaving here… It’s just expanding.

And remember, I’ll meet with anyone…as I said, I love meetings!