Offer Help

Was re-reading my Ask for Help post, and my post about Turnabout as Fair Play.

I wanted to make a quick list of ways that, even where I am now, I can help fellow artists.  I'm sure there are more...will keep thinking.  Just want to continue turning the question from "what do I need" and "what do I believe" to "what can I give" and "what don't I know?"

Anyway.  Some ways to help artist friends:
1) Make an introduction.  Introduce a writer to a director, an actor to a teacher, a director to a producer. Don't worry about them connecting more with each other -- spread the love.
2) When you're offered comps, be sure to take two -- and give the second to an arts friend you haven't seen in a while, or who might not be able to afford the show otherwise.
3) Read their stuff.  Give positive but rigorous commentary.
4) Share what you learn -- in blog form, in person.  If you have a really great "eureka" conversation, don't keep it to yourself -- tell your theater buddies what you're picking up.
5) Promote their readings.  Promote their work.  When someone asks you what work you like, don't just name the three "safe" (or dead) artists everyone names -- tell people, loud and proud, about your awesome writer/director/actor/designer friends.
6) Create moments where people can gather.  Invite people over to do something that is somewhat artistic or useful, but keep 'em long enough to break bread, talk and laugh.
7) Give'em ten bucks for their kickstarter campaign.  It won't change the world, but it's a start.
8) Willingly offer to take young alumni from your alma mater out for coffee, to share what you can about the experience of the first few weeks/years/months.  Tell them what you can about surviving what city you're in.
9) Call the colleagues who live far away.  Remember to ask how they are -- about their lives, not just their work.
10) TELL THEM when you really like what they're working on.  TELL THEM when you don't, if you can do so in a way that's productive and kind.
11) Show up.  Whenever you can.
12) Cheer them up -- buy 'em a drink or meet up for a walk during the inevitable dark moments.

I do all of these.  I don't do any of them ENOUGH (is there such thing?).  The goal, I think, might be to do at least one of these a day, or a week.