May the Lights Do Their Magic

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by Julie, sick of summer in Somerville

I have had a very interesting, very varied career, in arts administration. I’ve had great jobs, and terrible jobs. I’ve worked in theaters, universities, concert halls, offices, and museums. I’ve worn dozens of hats over the years–marketing, box office, general management, house management, executive directorships. Twenty years ago I was able to try on a new hat–that of teacher. When I went to work for Emerson College, teaching was part of my job. Since then I’ve continued to teach arts management at different colleges in the Boston area. Had I known how much I love teaching I may have rethought my career early on, but I am blessed to have the outlet as part of life.

I strongly believe that artists and creative people need to understand how their business works. It’s not always easy to have to figure out how to do a budget, or create out a marketing plan. But that’s part of the work.

Today I am taking my class to New York City for a field trip to a Broadway producer’s office. The producer is an alum of the school. Over the next three days we’ll meet a director, a marketing exec, a tour manager, and more. We’ll also see three shows.

Now, you’d think I’d have nothing else to learn since I’ve been in the business for a long time. But you’d be wrong. I always walk away from trips like this, or from teaching in general, having learned something. That’s one of the gifts of teaching.

Theater soothes my soul. This week I need soothing. I trust that the lights of Broadway will do their magic, and allow me to escape for a few hours. Perhaps I’ll come out of the theater laughing, smiling, weeping. Who knows. What I do know is that the lights will do their magic.

Readers, what soothes your soul?

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Published by J.A. Hennrikus

One woman, three names, many books. As Julia Henry I wrote the Garden Squad series for Kensington. As J.A. Hennrikus I wrote the Theater Cop series, and as Julianne Holmes I wrote the Clock Shop series. I've been an arts administrator for my entire career, mostly in the performing arts. Currently I'm the ED of Sisters in Crime, a wonderful organization that promotes and supports crime writers. www.sistersincrime.org Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram! @JHAuthors

24 Thoughts

  3. Have fun on your excursion! Life is all about learning new things. We just have to be open to the adventure.

    For me, it’s photography. You lose yourself and become part of nature when you start seeing it through the lens of a camera. You start noticing the small things like movement, changing of the light, colors, habits, etc. You aren’t just trying to get a photo, but to show the emotion and character of what you are seeing. It’s not often that one can actually capture what one sees as things change faster than a blink of an eye sometimes. When you do, it’s the best feeling and you bask in it. Then you’re off to the next adventure – the next I’ve never captured before experience. It boils down to patience, love of the craft and never giving up. Isn’t that what life is about any ways? So keep searching for the thing that brings you joy – what soothes your soul.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. My niece is an artist and art history major and she talked to me about really looking at art and noticing details that change your perception of what you’re seeing. A fascinating conversation. Perhaps I need to explore things through a camera lens.

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  4. Have a great trip, Julie! I so hope it soothes your soul.

    I turn to nature when my soul needs to be soothed (like now). A walk or even standing outside, breathing in the air, listening to the birds and the breeze.

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  5. Your students are lucky to have you as their teacher–have a great time in New York, Julie. Like many of us, I’m also fighting for calm. Listening to well-written, well-read audiobooks helps me as I go about the house running and hanging washes or cooking. So does a brisk walk along the Aare, the river that loops around Bern; it runs at the bottom of the hill outside my apartment building.

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  8. Julie, your passion for the arts and teaching is really evident in this post. I hope the trip is everything you want it to be and more.

    I keep telling myself that someday I’ll see a play on Broadway.

    A good book, a cup of tea, and a fire (especially as the winter sets in) is always soothing.

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  9. What soothes me? What used to be called New Age music, working in yard, my very understanding hubby, and my kitty cat.

    Enjoy NY and the theater. It’s been 58 years since I did that, but I remember it well and it was wonderful.

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  10. Getting lost in a good story is one of my favorite ways to self-soothe, in whatever form it may come. A great piece of music, usually classical or just good old classic rock helps take me away as does a long nature walk. Hope your time in NYC is all you want and need! Sounds positively wonderful right now!

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