Arts Alive San Antonio

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor —

Most people probably know you as the executive director of the Overtime Theater. But you are involved with other arts organizations. Which ones?
I am the executive director of Texas Light Opera and also of Aria Creative Productions. Those are two production companies that I started. I started them so that I could bring unique and interesting shows to San Antonio that are not often done here, like lesser known plays, musicals and light opera, and also to provide a way to showcase our Texas and San Antonio talent.

But you also work full-time at USAA, right?
Yes, I do. (laughs) It’s a wonderful job, wonderful company. I work in the information products area. (She is a Senior Information Solutions Advisor/Product Owner, an expert in data analysis & interpretation.)

Back to the arts. The Overtime has been around for a while in different guises and with different people at the helm. When did you join the Overtime and what attracted you to the job?
 My boyfriend/partner and I started going there to see some plays and we really, really liked it – the uniqueness of the place and the vibe. It was casual, there was art on the walls, friendly people who gave you popcorn, very laid-back. And everybody there was a volunteer. They did all original plays or original adaptations of existing plays and musicals. We were intrigued. So, we decided to get involved, starting with building and painting sets… (Eventually) there was vacancy at the top and I was notified by a board member that I would be a great fit for the position of executive director. (Her business experience, performing arts background and enthusiasm were a winning combination.)

What has been your approach to the job so far? Have you in any way changed the Overtime’s mission?
Our mission remains the same. We are about theater-for-the-people, affordable and accessible for everyone. We encourage playwrights to submit new works to us because there are so few places where local playwrights can see their work come to life. And, yes, we also stage works that originated elsewhere and original adaptations, as already mentioned.

Are you happy with how things are developing?
Absolutely! I don’t see myself leaving any time soon. They will have to kick me out.

Who chooses what will be produced at the Overtime?
Everyone. The board of directors, myself and William Razavi who is our artistic director. We receive a lot of plays, and we read them, keeping in mind what is feasible for our stages, which are very intimate.

You have directed a number of shows yourself, right?
I have only directed musicals. That’s kind of my love and my passion. I think I came out into this world singing. I started singing at a young age (and later got a BA in Vocal Music from the University of Denver Lamont School of Music.)

This is a good place to ask you about Texas Light Opera which you co-founded.
 We usually do one production a year. We don’t have resources and funding for more than that. So, when I do a show, I really want to make it great.

If finances were not an issue, which of your several jobs would you choose to exclusively focus on?
Just one!? (laughs) I am going to be honest – I would like the opera to take off. I would like to make opera accessible and affordable to everyone and to take the scariness out of opera.

Now that all the performing arts organizations had to close due to COVID-19, how are you coping?
I am trying to keep my spirits up. This, too, shall pass. But it’s tough for Overtime. Our landlord has offered some assistance with our new lease, and the board has stepped in to help us weather the storm, and we have had some donations here and there, so that’s helping, too. We don’t need a whole lot to stay afloat. If somebody gives us $30 or $50, that pays our phone bill. Every little bit helps.

Personally, I am working from home and don’t go anywhere except to CVS and I go at night when few people are there. We are well stocked with hand- sanitizer and even toilet paper. That’s something I learned from my mom- never run out of anything.

How do you spend your personal time during this crisis?
 Going outside! Normally, I hardly ever go outside. I am always in my office or in the theater or in my car. This time has been nice because I can go out on the back patio and just take a break.

What do you see as positive recent developments in the arts in San Antonio?
Probably the new collective spaces such as The Parish, where artists and creative businesses can rent a work-space. Mark Richter (the late founder of Alamo City Opera) started something similar for the performing arts called the Performing Arts Collective, that brought together the leaders of all the local theaters. The goal was to figure out how we could help each other because we are kind of pulling (audiences) from the same segment of the population. One of the ideas he had was to have a warehouse with props and set pieces that each theater could borrow instead of having to pay each time for our own sets. Another idea was to have a space that everyone could use to put on a production. I really have that vision for San Antonio.

Let’s talk about other things. What do you think your friends and colleagues appreciate most about you?
That I am kind and nice to everyone (chuckles). I always try to put myself in the other person’s shoes. I learned that from my mom. She would always say, “How would you feel if somebody did that to you?” Mom took me all over the world where we saw a lot of poverty and tragedy, but I also saw how she treated all people with kindness… And I am fun, I laugh a lot! (laughs)

What tasks do you dislike the most?
I would say, dusting. Also, I don’t mind doing the laundry but I hate putting it away.

In times of trouble, to whom do you turn to for support and advice?
I turn to my partner of 13 years. Carl Adair. He and I share the same views and outlook on life. It’s great to have a partner with whom you can talk things out and just be with at this time of uncertainty.

Would you share a joke or a funny story with us?
I never remember jokes. As for funny stories, I sometimes feel that every day of my life is a funny story. But here’s one I am going to share. At work (at USAA), when people are stressed out about a new project or whatever, I have a way of lightening the mood by suddenly singing a real high note (she demonstrates in her beautiful operatic voice) and it makes everyone laugh. And then I get the others kind of singing, too. These are rather introverted, stressed out people but I can get them to sing. That’s my funny story. (J.W.: We would love to see a video of that!)

Do you have a life motto that you live by?
Yes, and it came from my mom who wrote it on a piece of paper. I discovered it while I was taking care of her when she got sick. I remember her saying it to me but I didn’t know where it came from until recently. The quote is from Eleonor Roosevelt who said: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Hearing that growing up as a teenager, gave me a lot of confidence. You shouldn’t let other people influence you and keep you from doing what you want to do.

Any parting words?
I am very passionate about our arts community in San Antonio and I am hoping that something good will come out of this difficult period because usually after the rain, there’s a rainbow.

To help the Overtime Theater in this time of need go to https://theovertimetheater.org/donate/