You'll not see our names appear very often in conjunction with Cabrillo Music Theatre. In fact, few of the staff, actors, or volunteers are even aware of our existence... and since preferring to go by the dimunitive "e." I'm sure that in many instances we might even be considered typographical errors.

However, emily and I (erik) have been here a very long time. I first started working with the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in the winter of 1995 and shortly thereafter ran into the Cabrillo Music Theatre during the spring performance of Guys and Dolls where I designed some posters and show programs.

Since then, I've moved on to become a Creative Director for a natural products company, but have always remained active behind-the-scenes designing posters, flyers, programs for CMT and other groups. In 2000, we started this website as a fansite to help promote the group and showcase the posters that were piling up on the computer but it wasn't long before we were asked if it could be used as an "official" destination for CMT.

Incongruously, as artists and designers, emily and I are antisocial and prefer to stay "backstage"... so backstage that we stay behind computer monitors miles and miles away and only rarely get to the theatre. We avoid attention as a matter of course, and it was only begrudgingly that I allowed Carole W. Nussbaum to even list my name in the Executive Advisory Board. But the cumulative effect of the past 13 years has given me a fresh perspective...

I feel strongly that the arts enrich life for everyone. And even though I could not participate in events that required close personal group interactions, I still wanted to contribute. Theatre in particular is a source of inspiration and gives so much back to communities that embrace it that it boggles the mind to imagine living without it. So for me, designing was a logical solution. It has been an amazing journey and one that I'm very proud of being a part of. In no small part, CMT has given me a larger world to interact with and enriched my life exponentially.

I urge all of you to find an outlet to support the theatre and other artistic endevours. If it is purchasing a ticket, donating money or time, or participating in any of a thousand ways, find something that strikes a chord with you personally and do it! You will be surprised at how much will return to you for your efforts.

And for those of you out there that have difficulties with public gatherings or interacting with people, continue to look for the ways to support theatre and the arts... it's not a prerequisite to be present in person to have a deep appreciation for those things.

Sincerely,

e. and e.