Pachyderms In Enclosed Spaces

One of the latest contributions to Thomas Cott’s always sharp You’ve Cott Mail newsletter features a trio of posts examining the value of addressing pachyderms in enclosed spaces. There’s a particularly intriguing contribution from Rebecca Atkinson-Lord via The Guardian’s [UK] Theatre Blog where the author considers the positive potential of increased transparency and a culture that doesn’t punish those for exposing unhealthy practices.

Granted, the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 contains whistleblower protections that extend to nonprofit organizations but I’m not aware of a single instance where it has been set into motion for a performing arts organization. But set aside something as profound as whistleblower protections and focus instead on simply fostering a culture of improved self-regulation where field manages to weed out bad apples and one has to wonder whether or not the field of performing arts would receive a passing grade.

I’m still wrapping up the last few days’ worth of work in my week of living dangerously (it’s been a great ride so far) but Cott’s pointer crossed my mind in conjunction with an article by Robert Trussell in the 4/30/15 edition of the Kansas City Star about the Lyric Opera of Kansas City eliminating the position of artistic director and assigning those duties to the current administrative executive.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go buy some peanuts.