Creating Through Conversation

Another round of coffee's and conversations with friends and colleagues of mine have brought a few big concepts to the foreground for me:

- Non-profit is the way to go, I think.  Getting funding to sustain the growth of the operation will make more sense under the non-profit model.  Must learn to write grants...
- Partnering with a business school student who can make contacts during the business day and help me learn about city government, incorporation, permits and insurance, etc. would be really valuable.  Anyone know of a student or professor I can talk to?
- This project will be worlds less expensive if I can find an existing theatre to build it around.  There don't seem to be any vacant theatres that are available around town, but things can change with time.
- There IS both a want AND a need for this amongst the theatre community.  The Nest is a welcome idea :)

Early Identity Crisis

Several wonderful conversations have lead me to a very important question:

Should the Bird's Nest be for-profit or not-for-profit?

Oooook..... Back to the library I go for a whole new set of books.

Do you know anyone who's successfully started a for-profit venture? In the arts? Let me know!

Stay tuned..

Just wanted to say hello to the few of you who are keeping an eye on the Bird's Nest. I'm still here, still dreaming and brainstorming. Follow or subscribe by using the buttons to the right so you know when the conversation gets moving again -- I've got a stack of books and some coffee dates coming up, so I'm sure I'll be writing and needing your input on all kinds of details and ideas very soon! Within the next month I'm planning on putting a few different versions of the mission statement online and asking for feedback. Talk to you soon...

On the Map

I've always noticed vacancies dotting my favorite places in Boston and Cambridge. Now I'm doing the research.

A quick search for "pearl mass ave closing" -- a giant, 2-story art store has recently vacated my neighborhood (GIVE ME THAT SPACE, PLEASE!) -- led me to this article and this blog, which I've added to the blog roll.

So, now back to chickens and eggs. Do I run, not walk to email the names referenced in the article and inquire about the plans for these spaces and try to pitch them my heart-felt ideas? Or do I work work work on all of the planning/501c3/support(/fundraising? Nowhere near ready for that yet) and THEN seek these people out and say look what I've got brewing?

There is no Nest too small!

Piggybacking off of yesterday's thoughts, I want to pose a question.

IF this began as a scaled-down space, simply a rehearsal space that I could procure and coordinate in order to start raising money for a REAL Nest, what specifics would suit the community?

How much square-footage?
Proximity to public transportation?
WOULD YOU PAY -- even a small amount, let's say less than $25/rehearsal. Would you?
What would you want from a rehearsal space that a) I could finagle and get set up while this project grows and takes real shape b) that you'd be willing to throw a few bucks down for -- think of the small financial piece as an investment into the planning and opening of a bigger and better space to work in!

Starting Small

Much of the feedback I've been getting so far seems to suggest finding a small space and launching the most basic, stripped-down version of this project there. Starting with coordinating rehearsal space and soliciting companies to use it at a low cost which will go into Nest planning seems to be a great idea.

So.

Who knows of empty warehouses, extra rooms, or offices who might let me utilize a large conference room after hours?

Ready...set...brainstorm.

What dreams [and money] may come..

I've started researching venues around the country that seem to be doing what I desire. Hopefully soliciting free advice might yield some great stories and pointers. Hopefully I won't find out that these projects happened because the state or city government hatched the egg...because I am neither of those things.

As has been pointed out to me, the business plan has to come first. Until said advice [hopefully] hits my inbox I can't plan based on prior experience or knowledge because I have none. I can, however, list a few business-minded things I would like to see possible at the Nest.

Inexpensive rehearsal and performance space to be rented at a cost or donated for a portion of the proceeds.

Membership for patrons -- by joining the Nest one could receive discounts on tickets and classes.

A library system to house plays and arts publications for the community to read and borrow.

Gallery space to showcase local art.

Overhead music exclusively by artists whose CDs are for sale at the Nest. Local artists who will donate a small portion of CD sales can receive discounts on renting the space for performances.

Oh so much more to come...

What does actually come first? Questions on eggs and chickens

I'm having early jitters about order of operations. I'm sure these feelings are here to stay, and it's going to take a lot of courage and blind determination to keep them from thwarting my early efforts.

So. A series of cyclical questions. Answers, please.

Can I file a 501(c)(3) without a board of directors?

Do I need a board to approve the application?

How can I pitch to a board without a space in mind?

How can I get a space without money?

How can I get a loan (correctly) without a 501(c)(3)?

What questions can I ask professionals without paying a consultation fee?

How can I build a business and development plan without employees?

How can I have employees without a 501(c)(3)?

How can I file a 501(c)(3) with just me and my idea?

How can my idea go anywhere without money and space and help?

What comes first?

In Other Words: Nailing down the MISSION statement

A mission statement, however loaded with intention, is not exactly a novel. It has to really and truly encapsulate what is to be done, and serve as a "standard by which a venture is ultimately judged to be a success or failure" (thank you, Stephen Langley). So. I need to start playing with WORDS.

engage
advance
promote
explore
expand
incite
provide
enrich
educate
inspire
encourage

sustain

enable

allow

...to be continued, that's for sure.

What might one do at a Bird's Nest?

listen to or participate in a reading of a script in development.
hang out, laugh and collaborate with silly, creative people.
see a production by a local company in a convertible, black-box-style space
take a writing, acting, auditioning, directing, anything workshop
attend a costume party
listen to a presentation by an artist of some kind. of any kind.
participate in a swap meet, DIY project, game night...
create ideas for new things to do at the Nest.

Laying the Nest Egg

Ok, here goes.

I'm laying a pipe dream. Or, a Robyn's egg, as it were.

Welcome to the birth of the Bird's Nest.

Domain purchased: www.birdsnesttheatre.com

Meet me there in _xx_ years when it's hatched.

In the meantime, here's some thinks I'm thinking.

mission/values/vision:

the Bird's Nest 'twould serve the community through providing a venue for interaction and creativity. It would inspire people of all ages to be involved in the arts, and would showcase and nurture art and creation in various stages of evolution.

I see an affordable theatre space for both the patrons, productions, and proprietor. A workshop space for developing ideas. A home for community members to develop projects and maintain an ongoing conversation.

I value education, creativity, opportunity, growth, accessibility...

Forseeable (frightening) costs: RENT, phone/fax/internet, lights, plumbing, flooring, walls, mirrors, theatrical lighting, sound system and speakers, seats, signage, computers and software, liquor license?, storage, marketing

Must learn about:

small business loans

commercial real estate

non-profit organizations and grants

being a fearless entrepreneur

asking people for MONEY

how to pay oneself.