We were lucky to catch up with Cynthia Meier recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cynthia, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.
Sometimes when I watch goats on a mountainside, I wonder what they’re doing out there–on the edge, in such precarious positions. But then I watch their hooves and see how securely they take each small step. Almost twenty years ago, a friend and I started The Rogue Theatre which has developed into a very successful endeavor. Most new theater companies fold before their fifth year. This was not the first theater company I began. The other two lasted a few years each. I learned a lot from those failures (if you can call them failures–perhaps “experiments” is a better word). When we began The Rogue Theatre, we consciously decided that life is short, and if we were going to make our dream a reality, we should do it now. And then we carefully watched each step and trusted that others would support us when we needed it. If you’ve ever asked someone who performed a courageous act how they felt, chances are they said they were terrified. Courage and bravery and risk are about doing something even though you’re afraid. Each year, as we prepare the budget for the next year, we don’t know for sure whether we will sell enough tickets or receive enough donations and grants to meet our expenses. But we make careful estimates and plans and we get a LOT of people involved. Dreams can soar when you get a lot of people involved.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a theater artist. Although I’ve had many jobs in my life, I’ve always been a theater artist. Even when I was 6 years old, I would gather my friends together to put on puppet shows for others. I’m still doing that. Technically, I’m the Co-Founder and Managing and Associate Artistic Director of The Rogue Theatre. I act in plays, design costumes, direct plays, adapt novels to the stage, and oversee publicity and fundraising and the business functions of the theater. My job has tremendous variety and I learn something almost every day. I work with a group of theater artists who are multi-talented and extraordinary human beings, and we perform for an audience of mostly highly educated and professional people. We perform great works of literature from ancient through contemporary sources. We are about to enter our 20th season of plays!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
A thirst for learning, an openness to sharing with others, and enthusiasm. I have always loved to learn. I like reading new things, discovering new techniques, and finding connections. I’ve explored science, anthropology, art, literature, sewing, theater, dance, politics, math, education, and history. I love sharing with others what I’ve learned and what they’ve learned. I have a great deal of enthusiasm and genuine love for people and ideas. I’ve always bristled at the idea of specialization–sometimes, I know, you have to specialize for awhile to learn something deeply, but then find the connections! Make the connections! Ask questions, read more, talk to people.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
Many years ago I went on three meditation retreats with Vietnamese Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hahn. Learning to meditate and studying his teachings have been tremendously helpful not only in making my work life successful, but in making my entire life successful. Simply learning to be mindful about how I breathe, how I talk to others, and how I take each step has guided me in so many of life’s turns.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TheRogueTheatre.org
Image Credits
Tim Fuller for The Rogue Theatre
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
