obrien.qxd
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The article mentions that we’re in a sort of “hibernation” at present, but the truth is that in June of this year the Splinter Group staff and board decided to step back from “main stage” production during the next two seasons, focusing instead on restructuring our internal management, maximizing the profit potential of our popular (but previously underutilized) touring Beckett programs, and organizing the ambitious 20th Century festival. When these three big projects were added to the numerous individual writing, directing, teaching (and, in my case, child-rearing) projects the Splinter Group artists are working on this year, it became clear that local production simply couldn’t be a priority for the short-term future. So we won’t be producing any major shows in Chicago this year, but we have enough irons in the fire at present to keep this from feeling anything like a “hibernation.”
While it’s true that six of the original early 90s Splinter Group associates have moved on to other markets, it’s also true that three of them are still active with Splinter Group as “in residence” members of the collective and that we have added three newer artistic associates over the years. His use of the quote “I’m really the only one left” is only in reference to my status as the last full-time Chicagoan in the company’s original lineup. In fact, there are seven members of the current artistic ensemble, and the artistic success we’ve seen over the last few seasons is a direct result of the work of this latest group of artists.
Lewis Lazare replies:
