VANTAGE POINTS

By Barrie Barton

Annette, a freshman in my dance class at T.C. Roberson High School, is sitting next to me in the balcony at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. Never having entered a theatre or seen a modern dance performance before, she’s both in awe and a little intimidated as we get settled in our seats. The lights dim. Pilobolus takes the stage. Fresh eyes, first time, this is her initiation into a creative and artistic world of space, place and expression.

And though I’ve experienced live performances many times before, I’m still in awe each time the artists take the stage.

My seat on this and many other occasions is L3: Enter the theatre door, turn right, take the stairs three rows up. L3 is first seat on the right. It’s not really “my” seat — but if I’m lucky to claim it, I immediately feel at home.

From here, my view of the stage is one of multiple opportune perspectives at the theatre. Over the years, through many different avenues, I’ve experienced the stage from almost every vantage point and crossed paths with countless patrons along the way. Serving as a house manager for seven years, perhaps I’ve ushered you to your seat or pointed you toward the box office. As a former dancer, I’ve felt the thrill of the curtain rising and the music starting as I danced across the stage. With 50 attendees from the N.C. Presenter’s Consortium sitting in a semi-circle beneath the spotlights, I stood center stage, leading a breakout session called “How Stories Inspire Your Cause,” where I taught participants to harness the power of their stories through speaking skills to support their organizations.

Between 2006 and 2013, I produced and choreographed five largescale Story Choreography Performances, featuring real stories from our cast members. For these shows, my sightline was from the stage manager’s station, wearing a headset and calling the light and sound cues as I watched my cast members light up and bring their experiences to vivid life.

For each individual it touches, for every group that arrives at its doors, the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts warmly says, 'Come on in, and welcome!'

From the audience to the lobby, both on- and backstage, I’m at home in this space — and I know I’m not alone. I can feel a collective connection in the lobby as guests arrive in anticipation of a performance. I feel it in the staff’s warm welcome to new performers backstage — in the conference attendees who gather in the lobby for in-depth conversations. I can see it on the faces of performers, both local and world-renowned, who receive our generous and gleeful affirmation as we stand in unison applauding their extraordinary gifts. For each individual it touches, for every group that arrives at its doors, the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts warmly says, “Come on in, and welcome!”

I’m optimistic that this will all happen again. When the time comes, its doors will open, and the curtains will rise. And when it does, stop by L3. Chances are, I’ll be there — and I’d love to meet you and chat about all you’ve enjoyed at the theatre. Then, as the theatre darkens, we’ll collectively sit, facing forward, as the magic unfolds, feeling right at home once again.

Photo courtesy of Barrie Barton