We recently connected with Ray Hanna and have shared our conversation below.
Ray , so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Creativity is fueled by observation and boundless reimagination. To be truly creative, one must closely observe others—watching their interactions, habits, failures, and triumphs, as well as the scenarios they navigate. From there, the creative process involves reimagining the possibilities by asking “What if?” This exploration continues as long as curiosity intersects with these social observations, allowing creativity to flourish and evolve. Also Creativity requires being open to all opinions, possibilities and other views.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As a full-time father and financial sector employee, I also passionately serve as a part-time Artistic Director and am an “anytime” writer and director. My engagement in the arts energizes me, providing the vitality needed to handle my day-to-day responsibilities in my 9 to 5 job. It’s my day job that financially enables me to pursue my dream of running my own theatre company. Through this venture, I’ve had the opportunity to produce many original works that offer unique narratives not commonly found in today’s theatre scene. Thanks to this balance, we now have steady theatrical seasons, including the upcoming planned 2025 season, which features satires like “Dracula and Other Insidious Characters” along with two other new original comedies.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
In my journey, three key elements have been instrumental:
Passion for What I Do: My passion for storytelling, theatre, and evoking both laughter and thought in my audience is fundamental. I only commit to projects that ignite my passion, unless I am experimenting. Experimentation is something I engage in only when I have both the time and energy.
Building a Financial and Social Support Foundation: Achieving the creative and artistic freedom I enjoy today would not have been possible without establishing a stable financial and social base. These elements are crucial as they provide the support structure necessary for artists. While it’s possible to pursue art without this foundation, lacking it can lead to numerous challenges that make the journey tumultuous.
Respect: This involves treating everyone with politeness and not underestimating their contributions. Every individual plays a vital role that is crucial to them and beneficial to the broader project. Respect also means recognizing and nurturing potential—seeing what others might not see in themselves, which can reveal hidden talents and opportunities.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The biggest challenge I face mirrors a broader issue within the U.S. theatre scene, particularly in California. Audiences haven’t fully returned post-pandemic, and the theatre industry continues to be both underestimated and underfunded. It’s ironically sad that Hollywood, which thrives so close to many of these theatres, seems disconnected from the very environment that serves as a fertile breeding ground for the talents and narratives that often make their way to TV and the big screen.
In response to this, I dedicate as much time, effort, and talent as possible, alongside modest financial contributions, to keep my theatre company alive. We’re pioneering a new style of plays aimed at attracting not just traditional theatre-goers but also those who might typically stay away. However, the fundamental issue remains that theatre needs adequate funding to market itself effectively, attract audiences, and fairly compensate those who work in it. Unfortunately, only large commercial musicals seem to manage these expenses, yet they represent just a small slice of the vibrant theatre landscape.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rimovisiongroup.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rimovision_group
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rimovisiongroup
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