"A story is a medicine that greases and hoists the pulleys, shows us the way out, down, in and around, cuts for us fine wide doors in previously blank walls, doors which lead us to our own knowing."
-Clarissa Pinkola Estes

This quote in particular, from Succulent Wild Woman, literally leaped off the page at me.  I was introduced to Dr. Estes through Women Who Run With the Wolves and her storytelling has had a profound effect on my life and the lives of many of my friends.  The reason why this quote grabbed my attention is because it is another way of defining how I feel about theatre and my life as an actor - a storyteller

In its rawest form, theatre is "telling stories"

Theatre is an awesome entertainer, but it also has a responsibility - a responsibility to inspire, enlighten, and educate.  Theatre is a powerful tool in creating a better world for ourselves and each other.  My credo about theatre has been that if an audience, even just one person, is affected by a story or character in such a way that his or her life, way of thinking, the way of relating to others evolves to a more loving, understanding, accepting, forgiving place, then theatre has done the world a service.

Theatre can change the world.

One of my life dreams has always been to own and operate a theatre company.  I also knew that I wanted a partner who I could share this dream with, trust and learn from.  I met Heather Roberts at the University of Florida while we were both in the graduate program for acting.  Wow, what a woman!  I knew that this was a woman I could create with.  Once we were both in New York City, the opportunity for this dream to come alive presented itself and now we are living it.  THANK YOU CREATOR!!

A name for our company was our first task.  We choose Aruru Theatre Company.  The name Aruru has deep significance to both Heather and me.  Aruru is the name of the ancient Sumerian goddess, known as Mother goddess, whom the Sumerians considered to be the creator of all Humankind.  Aruru is the Potter, a Craftswoman.  She stands for the creation of honest material success while retaining ideal and standards; to succeed through art and craft.

With this underlying philosophy, we began to create a mission statement and these are some of our thoughts:

*  To inspire artistic integrity and quality
*  To provide theatre education and community outreach programs to both adults and children
*  To raise the standards and awareness of the artistic community
*  To address social issues through education and entertainment
*  To inspire people to no longer live the ordinary life in the ordinary way
*  To present truthful, honest and professional work

Currently, Aruru is producing an original play entitles Lighten Up!, scheduled to open in March, by a new New York playwright and friend, Peter Zachari.  Lighten Up! is a comedy about one man's journey through life and his observations of his relationship with himself and society.  It is being directed by Heather Roberts, who also stars in the show with Peter Zachari, Jill Balch, Diane Bearden and myself.

Future projects include a production of Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost and a possible performance for current University of Florida students to showcase their work for New York agents and casting directors.

Tracy Salter
Aruru Theatre Company