Q: How has the crisis affected your everyday life?
A: It has cut off my future. Normally my job as a tour producer is about planning all of the details of travel, and booking classes, but no one knows what will be possible and when. Normally deposits are coming in for the next tours. Normally I know how much time I have before the next tour. Otherwise, as I am between my winter and summer tours I would be working on writing projects right now and working from my home office. So with the exception of not having a world outside, not much has changed in that part of my life.
Q: How has the crisis affected your practice?
A: In terms of writing, I find it difficult to focus on work, which is unusual for me. I would much rather be coming up with creative solutions to our current situation. The project that I have before me seems like it is from another world that has passed away.
Q: How has the crisis affected you economically?
A: My summer tour, which is about half of my income for the year, is in jeopardy. I’ve had added expenses related to travel changes from the last tour, and nothing is coming in right now.
Q: What is the role of culture in a time of crisis?
A: A lot of people who are adverse to the idea of providing for artists in any stimulus packages could not imagine spending their time in lockdown with no books, music or streaming movies. Performers will be some of the last to get their livelihoods back and yet they are some of the most generous in streaming free content to make people feel connected in this time.
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Name: Laura
Age: 50
Occupation: Writer/Ballet Master Class Tour Producer