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Jeffrey Gillespie: The importance of being earnest Jul 31, 2015 12:00 AM A A Living in Ashland means I am spoiled. Most days during the theater season, should I so choose, I can see one, if not two or three, artistic productions of some national or international scale. This past week, I went to three. It's no secret that I have long been enamored of our beloved 800-pound gorilla, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and this week it was no exception. I went to watch "The Count of Monte Cristo." Even by the high international standards of OSF (Paul Nicholson has said that it is the job of the festival to "better itself every year") the production was astonishing. Every actor and artist involved, backstage and front, was exceptional in their commitment and professionalism. I was seated between a child of perhaps 11 and a gentleman of advanced years. Both of them were in a state of grace, transfixed by the action and swept away in the story. Two nights later, across the valley, I was at an amateur production of Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by Livia Genise. I was pleasantly surprised by the level at which even so small a company can deliver. It's not OSF, of course (now rapidly gaining an even bigger reputation as the go-to national theater for new ideas and Tony-worthy tours de force) but many a song raised the hairs on the back of my neck. The three leads in the production — Erik Connelly, David King Gabriel and Kendra Taylor — bore up admirably under a score and lyric that has been well-traveled for nearly 45 years, and brought a new perspective that felt wholly authentic and fresh. There was also a visit to the Chuck Close exhibit at the Schneider Museum of Art at SOU. Another triumph, this time for the visual arts, showcasing works from the collection of Jordan Schnitzer; the presentation was well thought out and sensitively curated. Scott Malbaurn, the new interim director, is already raising the bar. In reflecting on these three events, I was struck by how much the level of performance and engagement has evolved in the valley since I arrived here some years ago. With OSF as the centerpiece, the shockwaves of quality from that institution have reverberated into the environs. Everyone seems to be raising their game. So what responsibility do we have as an audience? It's simple enough to describe. It's far harder to put into action. Consciousness is the key word. Awareness of the people around you. A willingness to understand and appreciate that when you are engaged in an artistic exchange, you are in a position of responsibility. Fiddling with your phone, talking to your guest, or otherwise not being fully present to the benefit of everyone else, is an insult to the evolution of the creative process. It's not enough just to plonk down your money and fall asleep. The Hawthorne effect is in full swing here, and the act and quality of observation will certainly have an impact on that which is being observed. As the quality and concentration of art, in all its forms, burgeons in this valley, so to must the ability of the population to take a moment to appreciate the scale and value of such contributions, and to make a gift in kind, financially where you are able, or by providing some form of stewardship — through volunteering, discussion, or perhaps even by creating your own art. An earnest commitment by all will expand the overall contribution exponentially. It will grow and enrich the community. It will continue to dilute old ideas about art being an environment for the privileged few. Ideally, art should be a privilege for the delighted many! Let's make it so. Let's work with our regional institutions to feed and water this latest quantum leap in quality, creative production. Let's participate wherever we can. Our kids and grandkids will thank us for it. Jeffrey Gillespie's writing has appeared in the Santa Fean and Art Collector magazines, the Portland Mercury and Willamette Week. He lives in Ashland.