October 2024 | Issue No. 43

A Conversation between Rod Lathim, Producer/Director/Artist and Monica Lenches

 

I can’t recall the exact moment I first met Rod Lathim, but I do have vivid memories of co-producing a powerful play with him called “One Good Egg” in 2017. It was inspiring to see Rod bring to life a personal story written during a writing workshop by storyteller and writer, Elaine Gale. He transformed it into a one-woman show complete with music, props, costumes, and a stage set. Witnessing Elaine’s story come alive on stage at the Center Stage Theater was truly remarkable. The result was a profoundly moving story of transformation that had our audiences in stitches and tears. I attended all three sold-out performances at the Center Stage and was deeply touched each time by the authenticity of this production. Rod is one of the kindest, most genuine people I know. He’s a true treasure in our community, and I hope you have the chance to meet him and experience his light and joy.

 

 

ML: What does success mean to you and how does this understanding inform your passion for the arts?

 

RL: I measure success by being able to feel peace, fulfillment, and satisfaction from having helped make a difference in people’s lives. I channel my professional and artistic energy on creating opportunities that bring people together to learn from each other, give to and inspire each other and encourage people to see the world and each other in a renewed ‘light’ of understanding, compassion, and love. I seek opportunities which enable me to bring together collaborative efforts with non-profit and for-profit entities in education, arts, fund-raising, and social change.

 

ML: I know you primarily as a producer and director. Can you tell us about your journey to the current art medium you are embracing.

 

RL: I have always been a story-teller – whether it be through theatre, music, or the visual arts. In addition to performing arts, I have found a more solitary and inward joy in creating assemblage sculptures with vintage objects for 18 years. My medium morphed into sculpting with neon light, while incorporating vintage objects and musical instruments. Sculpting with light and working directly with energy and light – two key elements to all life – has become the ultimate medium for me. It is a perfect fusion of my spiritual life and my artistic passion. I constantly enjoy the comment from viewers of my light sculptures. “I have never seen anything like this.”

 

 

ML: As an artist, what are your vision and values?

 

RL: My goal as an artist is to invite the viewer/audience to experience something new, offer new perspectives and to reach people on a soul level. My vision is to use the power of art as a spiritual conduit to access our humanness, spark imagination and connect people to each other and the Universe. My values are Enlightenment, Empowerment, Inspiration, Connection, Introspection and Collaboration.

 

ML: Please give us a couple of examples of how you live those values on a daily basis.

 

RL: Inspiration, Collaboration and Connection dovetailed in a powerful way during the 12 plus years I spent guiding the development of the Marjorie Luke Theatre, now celebrating its 20th year serving over 130 arts organizations in Santa Barbara. I knew it would offer a high quality, accessible venue for local youth and adults in which to create, learn and inspire the community for generations to come. I bring non-profit and for-profit organizations and businesses together to create concerts, speaker series, theatre, film, and dance events for the community. I regularly donate art to such organizations as VADA at SBHS and MC their annual VADA Draw, and volunteer for Life Chronicles, The Marjorie Luke Theatre, Paradise Pit (CA AIDS Lifecycle Ride) and bring business sponsorships to support events. (See upcoming events below).

 

Part of my mission as a director/producer is to encourage and to nurture personal empowerment through safe and bold storytelling. Giving our artists the opportunity to be heard and witnessed on a stage provides them with the experience of finding their voices and embracing their empowerment. Over the years I’ve had the honor of working intensely with Elaine Gale, Neil Marcus and Michael Downey to bring their autobiographical theatrical works to the stage. Each artist/writer had potent lessons and wisdom to share with audiences. Elaine advocated for women’s empowerment, rights and freedoms; Neil Marcus taught the world new perspectives of living a bountiful, creative life with a disability, and Michael Downey exposed the harsh realities of growing up as a Black, gay man. I witnessed these artists transform their lives as they inspired their captivated audiences.

 

 

ML: How would you encourage other people to put an impact filter on how they might use their businesses or non-profits as sustainable forces for good?

 

RL: Consider sponsoring arts and educational events produced by non-profit organizations with ads, products, and peoplepower. The arts bring people together in celebratory, uplifting, and enlightening ways. Associating your business with such events will keep your business aligned with the ‘good’ in our area and brand your business as a positive community partner. Companies that encourage their employees to volunteer at exciting and inspirational events find that a strong reputation is developed with the community, camaraderie with employees and a heightened sense of purpose and service within the business.

 

ML: What’s new and exciting in your world of art at this time?

 

RL: This October I will be exhibiting art and Co-Hosting the benefit, “Unite to Light The Night” at the CAW. I am working with Director Jenny Sullivan on a staged reading of the play “The Boys Next Door” at the Ensemble Theatre benefitting New Beginnings. It is a play I have directed twice and love the authentic humanity of the characters – most living with disabilities – reflecting the work I created for Access Theatre for 18 years. I am also co-producing the Golden Globe Award-Winning singer songwriter Amanda McBroom in concert in Santa Barbara in the Spring of 2025, as a benefit for the Center for Successful Aging. I will continue to create art works, and chip away at a book I am writing of my entwined artistic and spiritual journey through this amazing life.

 

ML: To learn more about Rod and his impactful approach to the arts, visit: Website

 

I am so excited to be joining Rod at “Unite to Light the Night” for several reasons, one of them being that Unite to Light is also one of our Legacy Brands! We hope to see you there on Oct. 18th. To learn more and buy tickets, visit Website