James Sims

Culture

  • Alma and the American Dream

    Alma and the American Dream

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    James Sims

    Is the American Dream a reality or fallacy? And if it still exists, who does it belong to? For Alma—the title character of Los Angeles playwright Benjamin Benne’s newest work—dreams for her first-generation daughter Angel’s future are built upon a universal hope of a better life with a slice of more immediate concerns of deportation…

  • Building an Artistic Path Forward

    Building an Artistic Path Forward

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    James Sims

    Amidst endless Zoom meetings and pivoting every possible direction while planning seasons across three iconic theatres, Center Theatre Group’s artistic team has been asking itself profound questions. How do you program art for the stage that effectively wrestles with the unpredictable world outside the stage door? And who should be at the table to make…

  • Passing the Baton: Michael Ritchie’s Final Season

    Passing the Baton: Michael Ritchie’s Final Season

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    James Sims

    After leading Center Theatre Group for more than 16 years, Michael Ritchie will retire as Artistic Director on December 31, 2021, following the long-awaited return to live, in-person performances after a devastating year-and-a-half shutdown of its three historic theatres. In 2004, the neon lights sitting atop a once historic movie house in Culver City flickered…

  • Through “Zoot Suit,” L.A. Theatre Engages a Community with Provocative Conversations

    Through “Zoot Suit,” L.A. Theatre Engages a Community with Provocative Conversations

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    James Sims

    As a way of continuing its now 50-year tradition of connecting audiences through provocation, Center Theatre Group recently launched Community Conversations—a new program allowing audiences to explore the divisive and complex themes of productions at the Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Kirk Douglas Theatre.

  • Are Ballerinas Dog or Cat People? Instagram and the New York City Ballet

    Are Ballerinas Dog or Cat People? Instagram and the New York City Ballet

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    James Sims

    Some of New York City Ballet’s top dancers are quite active on social media. Beyond Twitter, and in keeping with the beauty of a visual art form, they are Instagram shutterbugs.

  • Arts Education Social Media Resources

    Arts Education Social Media Resources

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    James Sims

    I’m happy to report that there are plenty of organizations taking to Twitter and Facebook in hopes of keeping arts in schools. Looking to join in on the conversation? I’ve assembled a list of resources you (or an arts organization) can easily use to leverage social media in favor of the arts.

  • My Summer Blogging for Lincoln Center

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    James Sims

    As summer rolled through New York City, and Broadway geared up for its latest season, I took time away from Times Square and travelled uptown, to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, where I spent the warmer months working as the cultural institutions first Blogger-in-Residence.

  • Bringing Country Music to Lincoln Center

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    James Sims

    Remember those Pace Picante Sauce television commercials that ran throughout the 1980s. “This stuff is made in New York City,” a comical cowboy would say with horror after picking up a jar of salsa. A chorus of outraged cowboys would always follow that quip, screaming “New York City!” Before moving to New York City, I…