No stranger to the stage, John Gibson worked at Live Arts for 18 years, from 1992 to 2010. During his run as executive and artistic director, Gibson introduced youth programs and new works, advocated for under- represented playwrights, and launched pay-what-you-can performances, among other initiatives. Since moving to Atlanta in 2011, Gibson has worked as an organizer and leader, striving to build better and more resilient communities. As he returns to town to helm Live Arts’ production of The Wizard of Oz, we put the once-again director in the HotSeat.
Name: John Gibson
Age: 59
Pronouns: he/him
Hometown: Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Job(s): Writer, community organizer, once-upon-a-time theater director
What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn? Whether as a writer, an organizer, or a director, boredom and discomfort are your greatest allies. That microsecond where I get bored or annoyed obligates me to initiate change.
What is acting/performing to you? Theater was my daily practice from ages 8 to 44. I then set it down completely for 15 years—rarely even an audience member. I never felt burned out—I just wanted new ways to engage with the world. But curiosity got the best of me—could I still do it? Is it like riding a bicycle? The answer will be onstage from November 22 to December 15. Come judge for yourself.
Why is supporting performing arts education important? Lots of higher-order reasons, but here’s what I learned as a kid
actor: Be nice, show up early, help clean up, don’t touch other people’s stuff, learn your lines, and don’t share mascara (pink eye—that’s why). Also, you can’t know when, but someday clean underwear will really matter.
Most fulfilling aspect of directing for the stage: Failing better.
Favorite city to perform/work in: Wherever those dear hearts and like minds gather. They know who they are.
Favorite venue to perform/work in: The unlikely or undiscovered one. In Charlottesville, none could ever top the coal tower.
What are you currently watching? This seems (or is) insane, but for the last few months, I’ve watched the 1939 Wizard of Oz almost every day. Hundreds of times now.
What are you currently listening to? “Follow, follow, follow, follow!”
Go-to karaoke song: “My Way”
Proudest accomplishment: Loving whole-heartedly and faithfully, twice in a lifetime. And: Building a robust community, also twice.
Celebrity crush: I had a lot of them growing up—Donnie Osmond, Robbie Benson, Scott Baio—the dark-haired, big-eyed, square-jawed types. Reader, I married him.
Who’d play you in a movie? I used to get confused for John Malkovich every once in a while.
Who is your hero? I actually keep a list. Nearly a hundred names. Thinking a lot lately about Pauli Murray, Wes Anderson, Savitri Durkee, John Lewis, and Wendell Berry.
Best/worst part of living here: The best and the worst part of living here is that I don’t live here. It forces Charlottesville into a purely nostalgic modality, which is its long-time preference.
Favorite Charlottesville venue: Various basements, leaky warehouses, overgrown gardens, and fire traps, all long since condemned or torn down, replaced with things fancier, safer, and saner.
Favorite Charlottesville landmark/attraction: Steve Tharp and Sandy McAdams.
Bodo’s order: Everything bagel with liverwurst, onion, horseradish, and mustard.
Describe a perfect day: Thursday has always been my secret favorite.
If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be? It’s all such a miracle, from every vantage point. Glad to take the roll of the dice.
If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? The good knees, perfect eyesight, and 32-inch waist I had through my 20s, minus the arrogance.
Are there any superstitions you abide by? All of them—ladder avoiding, salt throwing, non-crack stepping. There are too many invisible forces to take any chances.
Most embarrassing moment: The amount of time I’ve spent on these interview questions is pretty far up there.
Best Halloween costume you’ve worn: When, as an 8-year-old, you get paid to dress up and scare people, you realize: Halloween is for civilians.
Do you have any pets? Projects, ideas, causes, opinions, grudges. Oh—and two dogs.
Subject that causes you to rant: So. Many. Please do not get me started on the devil’s bargain we made, trading incandescent light bulbs for survival of the species.
Favorite curse word? Or favorite word: I swear like a sailor. To choose a favorite curse word would be like choosing a favorite child. I love them all for different reasons. My most overused word is “tedious.”
Most used app on your phone: Questions about “your phone” are tedious.
Hottest take/most unpopular opinion: Everything is going to be okay.
What have you forgotten today? Almost all of yesterday.
