Hancher

waiting and watching

It has been awhile since I last posted, mostly because there wasn't much new to say or to see. I rode over around Hancher yesterday and took a few photos. [Click on the thumbnails below for larger views.] We are functioning here at Hancher East selling tickets, planning the fall, catching up on things. I have been working on the Spot project's last two events--Cyro Baptista and Rubberbandance. I have been getting in the Spot Reporters stories from the tour and hope to get those online soon.

The cleanup continues with lots of stuff being removed (seats, stage stuff, and so on) from the Hancher building. Reports are that some of the stuff was in the parking lot for a short period (cleaning? sorting? tossing? saving?). The stage staff here got a quick inside view of Hancher last week. They said it seemed eerily empty in preparation for a big cleanout. It was also very dark and they weren't able to check out all the areas. Be sure to check out Lisa's photos here. She has been continuing to put up photos of all of this.

Around the front of the building, the crews were coming out of Hancher for an afternoon break. It must be good to get out into the nice day after working inside that building.   Then on around the building and a look inside the lobby.    

Some seats were stored next to the lobby windows that looked dirty. They must be ones past Row R that weren't wet. Dirty seats covered in plastic so they won't get dirty, I guess. The box office lobby is full of benches. The odd image there is the reflection of workers outside hiding the Box Office window as I looked inside.

On around the  river side, next to Hancher, is a staging ground for lots of work. It is interesting to see this area contrasted to the Hancher Green. The river side is desolate and a mess and the Green is being mowed and as beautiful as it was last year this time for the outdoor Joffrey performance.

I finished up with a look at lower city park. Like everywhere that flooded, things are dirty; grass, trees, and shrubs are dead, and stuff is piled up. The softball backstops are full to the top with debris, someone's garbage can sits along the river looking like it is waiting weekly pickup, and someone's wooden garden bench sits in a dead, desolate park area waiting for someone to sit and take the view all in.     

So, not much new. Just watching. And waiting. More later.

Ron

on a Sunday night

Another Sunday night and this one we can look forward to going into the Hancher (east) office tomorrow and getting busy. We are still finishing up some stuff from the past year and beginning to figure out where we go now into the new year after the summer.

I am feeling downright pensive right now after having just read through the past couple of weeks of blog entries and remembering things. Sunday two weeks ago watching the water take over Hancher. Standing across the river imagining. And that Monday when the University was told to stay home. And then the next Sunday night when we all headed back, uncertain. And, for the first time since this began, I cried.

It wasn't the sadness of what is lost. That is done and past and now just about reckoning and rebuilding. But it's kind of a melancholy thankfulness for all the messages we received. And the postivie connecting in new ways among the staff. We are all in one office suite at Lindquist which hasn't been the case before. It is kind of odd to have the stage crew across from the box office and so on. But it's nice right now.

So, I will  try to blog about new things and good things and keep you posted. Hope you will keep reading and writing.

Ron

a note from Nebraska

We received this nice note from the Lied Center in Nebraska. They are the "Hancher" there at the University of Nebraska--Lincoln. It is really good to hear from colleagues.

Greetings from Nebraska. You have been in our thoughts and prayers. Amazing progress has been made, though we know there is much to be done. Hi-fives and hugs to Chuck, Judy, and Rob... as well as the entire Hancher gang. We wish you sunny skies and all things dry!

Your friends at the Lied Center

Thanks guys,
Ron

after the flood

I wonder if it is time to say "after the flood" yet. I took a ride over to the real Hancher to see what it looked like now and thought I would post those photos. It was actually good to see. It was hopeful to see that work had begun in earnest to clean out buildings.

Ron

You can see those images here.

Chuck visits Hancher

Chuck had a chance to go into Hancher last week on June 20. The water was almost out of the auditorium  at the level of the seats but more remained below in the ochestra pit, the trap room under the stage, and all of the basement spaces. It was very dark, Chuck said, so the photos he could get were those that showed up with flash. They had boots and flashlights so obvioiusly it was difficult to really take stock. He also said that the ventilation/air conditioning system that they have attached to the building seemed to have helped in the smell.

Here are the photos he took.
Click on the image to see more.

Here is what Chuck had to say:

On Friday afternoon I met Vice President Phillip Jones in front of Hancher for a tour along with some folks from Public Safety and Facilities Management.  I was told to wear boots and bring along a flashlight and I'm glad that I was given those instructions.
 
The lobby looked fine despite the smell and dampness which were overwhelming.  Once we got into the auditorium I realized the powers of water and what flooding can do.  It was truly devastating seeing the place.  Of course it was dark so all we had for light were the flashlights.  By checking the marks on the walls we could tell that water had reached back to row R and we also saw marks on the stage about a foot above the floor.  I couldn't believe the damage that was done to the chairs in the auditorium and the carpet.  There was still water in some of the aisles but most of the water was gone although I was told there was plenty of water still in the mechanical room basement.  Phillip and I then went on to the stage and it was clear that water had done some severe damage to the stage.  It was really dark so we couldn't see everything but we certainly could tell that water had found its way to the performance area.
 
I took lots of pictures and it was very sad to see Hancher so ruined but over the weekend I kept thinking of the unusual opportunity that this gives us to make Hancher an even better place.  We've had 35 great  years of presenting wonderful artists and that will certainly continue after we get a chance to renovate and take care of the damage that was done.  We've had lots of calls and emails from people in the community and also people from around the country including artists who have performed at Hancher and they care about the hall.  All of this makes the Hancher staff feel very good.  It's a  special place to many people and our goal is to continue building on those memories. 

beginning

Today we were back at the office and it was so good to all be back. One interesting side effect of the flood is that some buildings are VERY air conditioned and some are barely air conditioned. Ours is the latter and come noon, I decided I needed to get out in the sun and warm up. I love the west steps of the Old Capitol (learned that from Dan) and so I headed there with my lunch and book to get away and warm up.

 

There was some security in being in the presence of such greatness--this great old building that survived a recent tragic fire and is such a graceful and solid symbol on campus.

Afterward, I walked back to the office and noted the changes in this small area of campus:

The ubiquitous orange fence.

And port-a-potties.

And piles of things from inside buildings.

And these strange new lifelines protruding from buildings.

neighborhood

I thought I would comment today on something beautiful. We can get back to the nitty gritty tomorrow but today I will show you our neighborhood. Actually our Nevelson. I have often thought that our campus doesn't have enough sculpture. But right out our door now in our new digs at Hancher East is the wonderful Louise Nevelson scupture. Here are some pictures. Stroll over sometime and see it. It's kind of hidden away in the courtyard. [click to enlarge]

In 1978, the Louise Nevelson piece, Voyage, was purchased and installed in the Lindquist Center’s plaza

Lisa's photos

Tomorrow we all gather in our temporary offices--Hancher East or The Hancher Annex or...--for the first time since we scrambled to leave over a week ago. We have been in touch in various ways over the week and I have to say it will be good to see everyone again. I hope we will soon start to have some sense of what is next. In the meantime, there is work to be done. The Box Office has to gear up for Summer Rep tickets, I have unfinished Spot business, Janis has year end accounting stuff, and the list goes on of just business as usual stuff. And then the new stuff to plan and do.

Anyway, here are two albums from Lisa for all who want a Hancher view of the past couple of weeks.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lisapeperkorn/HancherFlooding
and
http://picasaweb.google.com/lisapeperkorn/Flood08

Thanks Lisa. See you tomorrow.
Ron

good to hear

I think I can speak for other Hancher staff too when I say that it has been so good to hear from Hancher friends and past employees. They all seem to want to share our sadness and also encouragement as we face putting our great auditorium back together. We will need the encouragement.

This in today from Lance who was a student employee at Hancher 1999-2003:

Thank you all for your very informative blogs about the condition of Hancher Aud. I've been fortunate enough to escape the devastating flooding directly in Cedar Rapids, but some close coworkers have been washed out. Hancher is a beautiful venue and a jewel on the Iowa River for so many cultural events.

It's quite sad, but this flood has hit our cultural centers the hardest in Eastern Iowa - Hancher, the Theater Building, the art museum in Iowa City, and in Cedar Rapids the flood destroyed the National Czech Museum, African American History Museum, Paramount Theater, Theater Cedar Rapids, Penguins Comedy Club, and the Public Library, just to name a very short list. We in Eastern Iowa are so proud of our culture. We will do what we must in order to rebuild, and will work as hard as we can to restore.

Thank you, Hancher staff and friends, for staying the course. Hancher will come back even better than before.

Lance Votroubek Hancher Cafe/Box Office 1999-2003

Thanks, Lance.

Ron

pictures

David Petrie from Vermont (and former Hancher student employee 1993-95) emailed me this link for photos in the Press-Ciitzen: photo 1; photo 2; photo 3.

And here is his note:

I've been thinking of all of you, of course, and even considered hopping on a plane with my oldest (who was born in Iowa City but hasn't been back since she was one and we moved to Vermont).  I figured we could help with sandbags and thought it would be a great way to introduce her to the wonderful people of her birthplace. As I looked at flights -- even finding an affordable one that landed in Cedar Rapids on last Saturday -- it became very clear that we might not be able to get out of Cedar Rapids, never mind have an old friend drive up from Iowa City to fetch us. Now, looking at the damage, I don't think we could even help with clean up, the devastation looks so great.  I'm heartened by the University's statement that they'd have the cleanup completed by Fall. 

The flooding has given me the opportunity to show my daughter around town on the Web.  I showed her where we watched the Olympic Torch rally from the top level of the lobby. She saw where we fed the ducks by the Union, and the bridges I used to push her stroller over as I took her to the art museum to see Kaddish once again.

I'll take this minute to invite all of you out to Brattleboro, Vermont this summer. You can hear some wonderful chamber music, zip down to Williams MA or up to Weston to see some great theater, join Tim as he tours the Estey Organ Museum, or just lie back in a field breathing in our dry summer air.

David

KCRG

http://www.kcrg.com/floodwatch/areas/johnson/20581204.html

Hancher alum sends thoughts

Like the alumni whose comments you shared yesterday, I have been checking the website daily and am so grateful for the updates. I cannot imagine what it was like for all of you to watch what happened to Hancher, Iowa City, and so many other towns. Here in the St. Louis area, we haven't hit our worst point yet. You all will remain in my thoughts.

Sarah (Talbert) Flatt
Usher, Stagehand, House Assistant 1999-2004

another day in waiting land

It is Thursday and I think all the staff is really looking forward to getting back together in our temporary digs in Lindquist.

I finally got back out for a run today. My regular route includes all the areas that are flooded so I had to venture out into new territory. I went to check out Normandy Drive where our Graphics Assistant David lives. I couldn't see much because a police guard kept me from trying to go down the street to take a peek. Then I took a tour over to Hancher.

This is the first time I saw Hancher from the west side (Ken has been supplying the photos from there). The water had gone down but I was surprised how all the arts campus is still in the river. The lobby is still dry and looks just like it did. I pressed my nose against the window and noticed that the Auditorium outer doors were open but the inner doors weren't. I wanted so bad to see what was beyond the door into the auditorium. I also notice that one of the doors was unchained. Now I know why.

Julie found a Gazette Online story describing what was beyond those doors. She sent us the link. It is here. Jess emailed to say that she saw footage from inside Hancher on the Channel 2 News last night. I looked online but I coudn't find it posted. If anyone finds it, let me know. Jess said: "...it was a real shock. They too reported that water had reached row O. I about fell over when I saw it." I guess it is pretty much what I expected. Hmmmm. This might be harder than I thought.

While running past upper city park, I ran past a place where water had collected and then went down. The smell was incredible and I remembered 1993. That will be hard to deal with on such a wide scale.

I ran down the hill by the art bulding to check out the new Art Building West to see if that beautiful Steven Holl building was okay. It too was surrounded by water. It was interesting that in one of the New York Times articles about the flood they mentioned our two most famous architects' buildings: the Steve Holl and the Frank Gehry right across the river by the IMU. I know most of the art buidling is up a few steps so maybe it will be basically okay. [Later note: Was I wrong on this observation. It broke my heart to see the photos of the new Holl building. University Relations has put together a blog of flood stories and included is a slide show of the arts campus by Eric Dean You'll find his slideshow here.]

I then went across the Burlington Street bridge and saw for the first time the dam or whatever that is there on the south side. It was broiling and tumultuous. I was struck again by how much water and power is still there in that river.

So I guess we will all be back at Lindquist on Monday. Hal wrote to say that it was freezing there today.

I was reading an article today about the famous American woodworker and furniture maker George Nakashima. His philosophy had to do with giving trees a second life when he used the wood to make furniture by understanding how the wood grew and when cut how to make it the most beautiful. He said that  "we must consistently remember the eternal in all that we do"---that the form may change but the spirit endures.

You know how when you are in the middle of something and it seems like everything  you see relates to what  you are experiencing?  I read this and it seemed like it did relate to this current moment. We have a new form of our work at hand and the spirit of the original endures.

Yes.

Ron

hearing from folks

One of the things that has helped during the flood is hearing from people--family, friends, former collegues. I know everyone has many stories like this. I thought I would post some that came in response to the blog. Hancher staff will most appreciate these but I thought others might find them good too.

This is from Annie, a former Hancher student employee. She worked in many areas at Hancher and for over 7 years. Annie also contributed to our blog back when she was a student!

I just wanted to thank you for posting daily updates on the Hancher blog. I've been scanning all the news sources for pictures of Hancher, and I'm really grateful to you and Lisa Peperkorn (who has been putting photos up on Facebook) for keeping everyone in the loop. It's been horrifying and fascinating to see the water rising, and to imagine the extent of the damage inside.

I moved to the Bay Area in the summer of 2004, and haven't been back to Iowa since then, but seeing all these pictures has made me homesick for Iowa, and Hancher in particular. (I worked there for seven years--all through college and grad school--as an usher, house manager assistant, stagehand, and box office associate, so I still feel a very strong connection to Hancher and its staff.)

I can't imagine what you all must be going through right now--it would be so hard to see the building flooded and padlocked. You can't help imagining the worst. I'm thinking of you all, and I wish I could be there to help when the water recedes and the doors open again.

Anyway, I really appreciate the updates, and I hope you are all as well as you can be, under the circumstances. I miss my Hancher peeps!

-Annie

This one is from Emily who was the Education Director before Jess.

Hi Ron (and all)
I have been faithfully reading your blog and looking at the pictures.  I am so sad but also so grateful to be able to know how everyone is doing throughout this ordeal.  It is almost unimaginable to think of water on that great stage that I love but I know it can be repaired.  And looking at the picture of the outside stage door under water I couldn't help but laugh thinking of one late night after a Stefon Harris residency event, when Chuck, Kevin and I were trying to unload a giant vibraphone from the Hancher van through that door.  And I'm finally coming clean once and for all...we dented it... just a little...

I'm thinking about all of you and thank you for keeping us all posted - who cares about pictures of the Wig and Pen - I just want to know about Hancher!
-Emily

PJ and Roy are the founders of the great group San Jose Taiko. They were part of Hancher's Spot project during the second year and spent three weeks here with us going to the Iowa towns that were part of Spot.

Hi Ron,
I've been reading your blog to keep posted of Hancher and y'all!

When the first reports of the flood hit the media, the first thing I asked Roy, "Isn't Cedar Rapids close to Iowa City? I hope the University and Hancher folks are okay."

Oh, my gosh! Your photos made my heart sink and my eyes swell. We were just thinking how hot it was when we came out for our residency, and what a great time we had with all of you. I'm sure everyone is going through reflection and forward drive ("what's next?"), Behind all this heartbreak and challenge, there IS a silver lining that will build character and gratitude---a gift that will help in the healing and mending!

How is your home and garden? Sending our prayers and thinking of you all!

 PJ


And this from Hancher friend George Grilley. George and Barbara are part of the Hancher family with all the hours they volunteer for Hancher. They live in the Quad Cities.

Ron,
Thanks for posting the Hancher pictures.  It's just awful to see the reality.  I don't have the same knowledge as the staff as to the extent of the damage, but I have spent enough time in the tunnel and the pit to
understand that it's going to be a tough road back.

The good news is that I can't think of a better group of people to get the job done than the Hancher Staff!  Even though we are not experiencing any of the problems that all of you are facing, our hearts and best wishes are with you.

Waiting for the flood waters to recede has to be the worst part.  Once the waters recede you will be able to focus on the tasks needed to repair and reopen.  Now you can only imagine what will be needed, without being able to accomplish anything meaningful.

George

Michelle and her family are very special to Hancher. Michelle was the education person before Emily. They write to us from Idaho.

Hey Ron.  Thank you so much for posting these photos.  John and I have been searching the web sites to try and get a sense of what is happening there and this morning we happily found your blog site.  I'm so sorry to hear you all are having to go through this (again)!
 
I actually started at Hancher after the last flood, but I remember hearing the "bonding" stories that followed.  Last night as we heard that Hancher had in fact been closed off--our family sat around the dinner table telling our tales of that beautiful place.  My kids remembered every single performance they had experienced at Hancher as little ones---and we are fortunate to have a wonderful, long list of them to treasure.  Kelly is now (almost) 19 and Gabe 15.  I credit their early introduction to Hancher's performances as a major reason for their devotion to the arts.
 
Please know that you and all of the staff are in our hearts and minds---all these miles away.  I really wish we could be on hand to help with clean up...if within range we'd be there in a heartbeat.
 
Sending you all the best!
 
Michelle

tuesday images right here

I just posted Ken's photos from yesterday and he sent these over from this morning. He said that it looked like there was about 18 inches of water on the stage. Knowing Ken, I bet he is right on. He looked at his photos, did some measuring and calculating as to how far down the water line was and could figure it out now the the dock has reappeared.

I have a feeling that the photos from here on out won't be so dramatic and amazing, just sadder. Until...

Ron

monday photos here

Ken has been our photo journalist keeping us all up to date. Here are the photos from Monday, June 16.

Ron

funny

Today was a funny day. Work to do and no where to go. Feeling a little lost today. Okay but strange.

I heard from Lisa today and the Box Office needed some changes on the website. Richard and Hal set up shop in their living room and LIsa was there too. They have to sell tickets for Summer Rep and keep our online sales going. That helped to have something constructive to help with.

As the day went on I got notes from Hancher connections in San Jose and Idaho and Davenport and other places. It is good to hear that people are concerned and caring and letting us know. I will post more on that tomorrow.

I was thinking about "funny" today. Yesterday when Dan and I walked down the hill past North Hall to the Hancher walk bridge on the east side, we saw a funny thing. Some young couple had brought a picnic and were sitting along the (swollen) river having a nice lunch on a beautiful June day. A mother duck with a line of ducklings trailing behind swam past. If you didn't know that there was a tragedy happening inches away, it wouldn't have seemed "funny" at all.

My daughter sent me David Sedaris's new book for Father's Day and I started reading the first page and I wasn't far into it before I was laughing so hard I couldn't read any more. His work always does that. It made me realize that it had been awhile since I had laughed with such abandon. Maybe this book will help me get through this flood thing. Laughing is good.

Rest is good. More tomorrow.

Ron

photos

The links to Saturdays photos
and Sundays photos
are getting far down the page here so I thought I would repost the links here.

I will see what I can see today and put some up later

Ron

from our friend Kari

Our dear friend Kari--and still part of the Hancher family--commented on Saturday's post. Kari was the Stage Manager at Hancher until recently when she moved to Minneapolis area. I didn't want folks to miss her comment so I am putting here as well:

I'm coming out of my skin with the need to be there and help. I feel so far away.

Thank you for posting the Hancher pictures on your blog. I knew I could count on you. It's amazing how many pictures I can find of Old Chicago, but not a single picture of my beloved Hancher can be found from the outside world.

I am so sorry for everything that the Hancher staff must be going through. My thoughts are with you all day, every day.

Posted by: Kari Schloner |

I don't have Kari's email to get back to her so I wanted to do it here and hope she will be back and see it. Kari, thanks so much for your comments and your thoughts. Right now especially, it helps to hear that people are with us. The waiting-to-see is probably the hardest for many of us. For me being able to do the blog and pass around notes and photos really helps stay connected. After we are all back in place and off and running again, we will have to plan a celebration for everyone; we will let you know when it is! Keep commenting, keep thinking of us. We miss you.

My best,
Ron

reality

Dan and I went over today again to view Hancher from across the river. Unlike yesterday when we ended up in the IC Public Library locked in during a tornado warning, today was beautiful and sunny. Almost a perfect June day. Almost.

As the photos on KCRG-TV showed the start of the aftermath of the flood in Cedar Rapids, we started to sense the reality of what Iowa City and the UI will be like when the water goes down. My photos today were pretty much the same as yesterday's. Ken called to say he had some photos from the west side of the river of Hancher taken this morning (Sunday) if I could use them. I am mixed about saying I was glad to get them. They show much better the water level at Hancher than I could get from across the way. And that is the crux of the mixed feeling. They do show the reality from the outside. You can see Ken's photos here. (If you have trouble getting to these and the photos from yesterday, go to http://www.hancher.uiowa.edu/flood and you can see the images without the captions.)

It has been good to hear from some of the staff. Rob wrote that it is hard to be captive in Cedar Rapids and not be able to see what is going here. He went to try to help with Theatre Cedar Rapids but like Hancher on Friday, they couldn't get in to do anything. Connie wrote to say that she was volunteering over on the west side at the Red Cross shelter today. I heard from Ken, Julie, Hal, and from Cyro and Eleanora Baptista, and from someone named Jim who appreciated being able to see the photos. He said he was a 1970s grad of the School of Music  and the images broke his heart. I don't know where Jim was writing from but it was good to know others are out there watching too. Connecting right now feels good.

I am writing this late Sunday night. Dan just came in to say that the website says that the river has reached its maximum. I guess that means from now on out it will be all downhill. Well, really uphill before we have smooth sailing again. I want to end this blog entry with the words from Hal in his email today: "Long road ahead, but we can do it."

Thanks, Hal.

Ron