This week I attended an annual office retreat. As someone who is naturally introverted, these types of events are sometimes a challenge for me as I do not always seek to connect with my co-workers on a personal level. I naturally prefer to compartmentalize my life and separate the personal from the professional. But just like any challenge, I usually walk away from such events feeling energized after exercising a skill/muscle I do not often use.

As part of the pre-retreat survey, we were asked to list a book that has impacted us personally or professionally. The office then bought a copy of every book for people to take away. I thought this was a great question and exercise. In combing through my book shelf it was hard to pick one book that impacted my professional growth (I veered away from the personal, as anyone who lists a book by Thomas Hardy as their favorite book always gets a funny reaction). I wanted to start my own running list, and would love to have it continue to grow:

Seven Days In The Art World by Sarah Thornton: This book is an amazing introduction to the wide scope of professions and careers in the art world. While specific to visual arts, I think it is a great read for artists of all mediums and genres to help illuminate other areas of the profession that we may not have direct contact with, but can impact our work and sector. It is also a great read if you are starting out (as I was when I read this) to get a sense of areas you may want to explore further professionally. (I also want to note that Sarah is currently living here in San Francisco - and every encounter I have had with her as art events was always really delightful. While we do not know each other personally, we would often attend the same events and I was always very impressed by any random interactions I would have with her. My point being: It's always nice supporting nice people, do you agree?)

Rebels With Applause by Scott Miller: I love a good musical. There is a sense of nostalgia and wonder whenever I see a large scale show. I think many people feel the same way. I also love working and producing material that makes a societal impact, and I am a firm believer that being able to produce a product with that message in a package that is accessible to the masses is the best way to make high volume impact change through presenting art and media. This book is a wonderful brief history of musicals that have historically done this. I think it is a must read as a theater producer, and as a theater student, to better understand the history of iconic shows and how their message can still be relevant today. 

A Challenge For The Actor by Uta Hagen: My childhood theater teacher used to say, "Theater is about life skills". Since my acting career was very short-lived (over before the age 18) I feel like I have been living this motto for the past decade. I read Hagen's work extensively in high school and was inspired at the time to "perfect the craft". Now, I think back on Hagen's work and how it influenced me as a person as a whole. Being an actor means being in tune with yourself and your surroundings. You have to excel in listening and in articulation. Reading her work as an awkward teenager had me begin to exercise these muscles for the first time and has impacted how I go through the world bother personally and professionally.

Entering Cultural Communities: Diversity and Change in the Nonprofit Arts A must read set of case studies regarding how nonprofit arts organizations are evolving pro grammatically and internally to better serve their communities in the 21st century.

What books have influenced you? Comment below!