Exposition

110 E. Second St., Tulsa, OK 74103 918-596-7122 • TulsaPAC.com

PUBLISHER Tulsa Performing Arts Center WRITER/EDITOR Amanda Nichols CREATIVE DIRECTOR Andrea Maduro ADVERTISING SALES Rita Kirk

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Mark Frie CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Jen Alden VP OF OPERATIONS Bryan Clemons VP OF DEVELOPMENT AND ENGAGEMENT Sara Phoenix DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING Terri McGilbra DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION Amanda Nichols TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Scott McLarty DIRECTOR OF TICKETING SERVICES Jeff Newsome DIRECTOR OF PATRON SERVICES Tosha Hollis DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Jeremy Stevens DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES MAINTENANCE James Stewart

TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER TRUST CEO Mark Frie CHAIR Julie Smith CO-CHAIR Ken Busby TREASURER Jen Alden SECRETARY Wendy Garrett TRUSTEES Billie Barnett, Mayor G.T. Bynum, Laura Creekmur, Lori Decter Wright, Linda Frazier, Taylor Hanson, Carlye Jimerson, Felix Jones III, Jay Krottinger, Tina Peña, Glenda Silvey, Peggy Simmons EMERITUS TRUSTEE Robert J. LaFortune

Intermission is published bimonthly by the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust For advertising information, contact Rita Kirk at rkirk@tulsapac.com or 918-230-5624. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center: 918-596-2368, anichols@tulsapac.com. Current and past issues of Intermission can be viewed at issuu.com/tulsapac/docs

Thankful

Many have heard the story of a blind boy, a hat by his feet, with a sign that reads, “I am blind, please help.” There were only a few coins in the hat when a man walked by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign and wrote new words on the back, replacing it so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign returned to check on the boy. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”

The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way. I wrote, ‘Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it.’”

Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the second sign reminded people that they were lucky they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the story, be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively. When life gives you 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1,000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

I believe the arts give us all an avenue for creativity, innovation and positivity while allowing us to express and feel emotions in a uniquely collaborative way. What a gift! During this holiday season I hope we can all find opportunities to express kindness and love to all who cross our paths.

Happy Holidays to all!

Mark Frie Chief Executive Officer Tulsa Performing Arts Center Mark Frie