Signature Stories Vol. 16 | Page 4

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Figuring out how to pay tribute to Jim Houghton in this, the last issue of Signature Stories under his leadership as Founding Artistic Director, seemed an almost impossible task. How to honor the man who, as a young actor performing lives Jim has touched over the past 25 years: more than in a Romulus Linney play, conceived of a theatre company 30 playwrights, to whom he has provided an artistic that would explore a playwright’s body of work and put the home; directors, designers, and actors, like Edward Norton writer at the center of the creative process? The man who and Peter Sarsgaard, who got their professional starts at would later imagine a residency program that would Signature; audiences, who enjoyed the fruits of his artistic guarantee productions (and health care!) to a group of decisions, transporting themselves in just the past few writers, encouraging them to build a body of work? The months from a colonial bed and breakfast to World War II man who, by sheer force of vision and will, would build two France to early 20th Century America; and the staff, who homes for the company, including one that spanned an were inspired by him and his vision on a daily basis to entire city block on West 42nd Street and was designed by do their very best work possible. You will also read words the world class architect Frank Gehry? The man who would from Jim’s wife Joyce O’Connor, the unsung hero of revolutionize access to theatre by introducing a ticket Signature Theatre, whose paychecks as an actress kept initiative that made theatre affordable for everyone? the lights on in the early days of the company. The man whose warmth, passion, artistry, and intellect Perhaps it comes from those early days of Signature, has inspired people and changed their lives? when he had his hand in everything, from folding An impossible task, indeed. programs to building sets, but those who have had the Jim Houghton is in every inch of Signature Theatre. privilege of working with Jim know that he has something It is the singular place it is because of him. But Jim to say about everything that happens at Signature, would be the first to tell you that he is not Signature whether it’s a lightbulb being out in the lobby, the Theatre. Signature Theatre is the one-of-a-kind mission. temperature of the soup at the Café, or the way a stage Signature Theatre is the playwrights and the artists and floor slopes at a certain angle. We couldn’t not ask him the audience and the staff and the context and the work to say something here. This is what he had to say: and the community. Signature Theatre is its own special being, and the best tribute that can be paid to Jim on the occasion of his retirement is to recognize that the company he built is stronger and more vital than ever. We’ve asked some friends of Signature to say a few Thank you, Jim. We love you. thoughts about Jim and his impact in this issue. 3 The handful of voices you will read here are just a David Hatkoff and Beth Whitaker small sampling of the great many people whose Signature Stories Editors