Submitted by Michell (“Mitch”) Marshall.
Sadly, Woman in the Woods Productions has decided to end our operations, after seven years of bringing first rate artistic productions to the Orcas Island Community.
We are very proud of the type of events we have been able to offer, and we very much appreciate the support of our donors, sponsors and audiences who made those events possible. We nearly always sold out, except when the coronavirus dictated that we leave empty seats. Those of you who enjoyed the recent phenomenal performance by Ladies of Hip-Hop know that we have ended our run on a high note.
Our goal was to showcase very high caliber performers of color who are nationally known, and in many cases internationally known, within each artist’s category of performance. We wanted to bring to Orcas a high level of performance which “excites, entertains, and enlightens.”
Unsurprisingly, and justifiably, such artists command substantial performance fees. It is costly to bring them first to SeaTac, and then up to Orcas where we then house and feed them. In order to keep our ticket prices reasonable, the ticket price has covered only about half the cost of our performances. The rest has come from generous sponsors, individual donors and foundation grants.
In addition, a tremendous amount of the work required to put on these performances has been donated by our many wonderful volunteers – unpaid volunteers. We have had great support, and I thank everyone who has helped!
But regrettably, the costs of bringing the best caliber artists to our island have simply become too great, and our methods of financing and operating are not sufficient to sustain the type of artists we have so much enjoyed. To continue successfully, we would need to broaden our donor base, expand our volunteer team, perhaps put on more frequent events, and draw more fans for the type of events we bring. Even though so many of you have generously supported WIWP, such growth no longer seems realistic.
All good things eventually end, and for WIWP it is that time. I look back on these past seven years as an artistic success. We had excited audiences, who appreciated the great performances. We end with a bit of money in the bank, which will be turned back to the foundation whose generous grant was given to finance several future projects. We have been quite successful in many ways, and I thank all of you who helped create that success!
I want to give special thanks to three wonderful local musicians whose talents have helped us immensely: Martin Lund, Oliver Groenewald and Steve Alboucq. Each is a treasure for this community. Please continue to enjoy and support them!
I also want to express my thanks, and my admiration, to the wonderful staff at Orcas Center. They are truly a community asset, and I hope you will continue to support them, as well. I have watched Jake and Jamey work during rehearsals with our guest artists on lighting, sound and timing – and I want the Orcas community to know how many complimentary things our visiting artists have said about them. “They really know what they are doing!”
As the founder, president and namesake of Woman in the Woods, it is heartbreaking to be announcing the end of this wonderful experience. I hope what we have done will inspire others!
Thank you, so very much!
