Whenever I can, I like to welcome the audience to the performance myself, rather than use our pre-recorded announcement. It’s such a joy to see your faces, and to make that direct connection. I have a standard schpiel of things I like to say, including of course a plea to turn off your cell phones. Lately I’ve been adding something like, “Doesn’t it feel good to put our phones away for a little bit?” Usually there’s a response to that, a laugh or a sigh; I see people nodding in agreement.

We spend so much time staring at our screens. I’ve been reading articles about how much more time we’re spending on our phones and on social media, and how much less time we’re spending getting out of our homes and connecting with our community. It’s been called an epidemic of loneliness, the anti-social century. And that certainly tracks with smaller houses that have become the norm since the pandemic, at Aurora and at theatres around the Bay Area and the country.

I can’t help believing that this trend is also connected to our current politics. When people don’t feel a connection to their community, it’s easy to focus on individual desires rather than the common good. Social media algorithms are notoriously skilled at nurturing resentment and fear, at emphasizing people’s differences rather than celebrating our common humanity.

Theatre is a perfect counter to all of this. Gathering in person with other members of our community, participating in a shared act of imagination, experiencing a story that reflects and expands our world; all of this serves to strengthen our bonds with each other. Humans are social creatures; we can’t experience our full humanity through a screen.

Last year, during our #SaveAurora campaign, donations from our community, alongside a vital emergency grant from the City of Berkeley, helped us weather the immediate storm. We’ve made important changes to reduce expenses, but the reality remains: the cost of making theatre has gone up, and ticket sales now cover a much smaller portion of our budget. We depend more than ever on contributions to continue presenting intimate, inclusive, inspiring live theatre. Our 2024/2025 Season has two exciting productions still to come, and we’re counting on you to help make them possible.

Will you make a donation today? Without your support, Aurora’s ability to produce theatre in downtown Berkeley remains very much at risk.

As I like to say in my curtain speech, I’m so glad to be in community with each of you.

Thank you so much for your support,

Josh Costello

Artistic Director

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