We recently connected with Robert Soffian and have shared our conversation below.

Robert, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I am always happy creating. I am not a depressive. Makings things brings me joy. I never wanted to be a regular joe. Eccentrics should be celebrated.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was raised in a family who valued the humanities. My parents collected art and had a large library which they encouraged us to explore. As a child I was introduced to the works of Shakespeare, many poets and painters. My sister and I both studied the classics: Latin and Greek and many Romance languages. We traveled a great deal in Europe and visited museums and theatres. It became natural for us to be the drawn to creative work. My sister excelled in watercolors and became a classical scholar. I was more of the black sheep. For a some years I studied cultural history and archeology. I earned a BA in European History from University of Wisconsin. But I felt a pull to the performative. During the turbulent 60’s I left America and lived for many years in Europe mostly touching bases in experimental film and theatre at The New Arts Lab in London and the Filmmakers Cooperative. I lived in Amsterdam and there began to share more of my poetry which I had been writing seriously.
It was there I realized that my path was to be an artist. Although I didn’t know which was my destined discipline. In the mid 70’s I returned to the states and established several theatres in Milwaukee: Century Hall (working with Paul Sills of Second City) and The Metropole Theatre where I was artistic director. Both places were venues which showcased theatre, dance, music, poets, film etc. During this time I got married and we created had three children. It was then I discovered that Directing was to be my calling. I attended The University of Virginia and received a MFA. Thereafter I taught theatre and was Chair of the Theatre Arts Department of Shasta College for almost thirty years. I also was Artistic Director of the Root Theatre Company which toured Northern California. In total I directed close to 100 plays and produced dozens more. I continued to write both plays and poetry but I started to paint in my spare time and for years my life revolved directing, teaching and painting. I found the practice of painting to be liberating. It activated a different part of my mind. Of course all my training in cultural history, mise en scene and pictorial composition influenced how I view the painted plane. I have always been attracted to narratives whether they be textual or psychological. For the last 15 years I have devoted myself to explore the lyrical nature of us in paint. It’s my passion that allows my poetic and intellectual cores merge. I love the creative impulse. That is what I have always embraced.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

For anyone seriously involved in creative activities rejection is omnipresent. Learning how to deal with criticism and even silence can be difficult. Of course, as a director one gets reviews. One can say you take them with a grain of salt. But negative words and personal attacks can linger long after the fact. They can harm but also they can toughen you up. It is also true to not believe the good words. Don’t believe your own bullshit. If I had listened to critics I would have given up years ago. And even if your grandma says you are just like Da Vinci I suggest you ignore that as well. These rejections make you question your mission. They also can clarify your real goals and raison d’etre. It is a truism that one never learns from success. Failure motivates the stubborn if you really know what is important to your life. It’s a litmus test. Eventually ones learns to ignore all the noise and put your nose to the grindstone. I think what separates amateurs from professionals is the drive to go on. You made the decision to follow a creative way because you thought you had something to say and wanted to serve. Cry in your soup then pull your pants up and get to work! If you are lucky you will learn to accept the parts of criticism that helps you grow the work. And maybe you find that you can even see yourself clearer.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I was fortunate. I somehow figured how that I like to collaborate and lead. That I could demonstrate my ideas about life through action on stage and pictures. Working with creative people toward a goal is an amazingly positive experience. In theatre and film one forms a time limited family with a special language and code of work. It Begins and Ends and Begins again. I like that. Opposed to that experience I was lucky to find a different kind of jolt by working alone in the studio. Through the process of collaboration I am nurtured and stimulated. Likewise being alone in the studio vibe is intoxicating. Combining them is a dream!

Contact Info:

• Website: robertsoffianart.com
• Instagram: robertsoffianart
• Facebook: robertsoffian, robert soffianart