We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rick Bumgardner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rick, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I often find myself at the corner of Walk/Don’t Walk. Eight years ago something appeared on the opposite side of the street and moving me in a completely different direction than where I was going. I rarely stop walking. Even if I am not completely aware of the direction I am heading – I tend to walk.

I had studied to do theatre, getting degrees to do just that. But, I never put myself out there. Instead, I focused on raising my son, tending to my relationship, convincing myself that I would be happy doing theatre as an avocation. It is the only time in my life that I didn’t walk….I stood…on a corner watching life pass me by.

In 2017, I walked squarely toward a theatre, investing in Roxy’s Downtown, and becoming its artistic director. I divested myself from my business in Kansas City, commuting from Kansas City to Wichita frequently, sometimes weekly. I spent a good deal of time away from the man I had just married aware that my absence might be detrimental. I left friends, family, security, and my home to finally move into the profession I had always wanted.

It has been a struggle, with many losses along the way and I often find myself in new and unusual territory; but, the risk I took has rewarded me with personal recognition and awards, the theatre winning the city’s Best Live Theatre award 5 of my 8 years here. The productions I’ve got to helm and the stories that are getting told are, as the mayor of Wichita once said, “reshaping the culture of downtown Wichita.”

Has it been worth it? Yes!

Rick, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a theatre professional, a member of the Society of Directors and Choreographers (the professional union for directors and choreographers), a freelance director for a good portion of my career and am now the Producing Creative Director for Roxy’s Downtown Theatre, Inc. I have been honored by being nominated for a national Zelda Fichandler award, won my city’s Individual Arts Advocate award, had our theatre been honored by being voted Best Live Theatre in our newspaper’s “Best of…” publication. Our productions have won city-wide awards, I have won city-wide directing and acting awards. I specialize in creating powerful theatrical experiences that blend storytelling, design, and innovation. My passion is connecting audiences with bold, thought-provoking work while building a vibrant, inclusive arts community. Whether it’s staging a timeless classic or developing new, cutting-edge productions, I focus on making theatre both deeply meaningful and wildly engaging. At the end of the day, I want every performance to inspire, challenge, and bring people together.”

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I think my goal of wanting every performance to inspire, challenge, and bring people together is what drives me to continue creating. I think theatre is a conversation in the dark between the performers and the audience. I then want the audience to go out of the theater and continue that conversation with each other.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the discoveries I make every day. I always ask the creatives around me, working on a project with me, to ask themselves, before coming through the door of the theatre AND through the eyes of a child, “What will I discover today?” When I do that, I open myself to that childlike wonder and I ALWAYS discover something new, something relevant, something undiscovered in any other moment of the creative process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rickbumgardner.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smirk1108/

Image Credits

Christopher Clark
Kevin Connelly