[ music ] >> WITH ME TODAY IS CHRISTY FARNBAUGH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CATCO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> I'M GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

SO EXCITED LEARN MORE ABOUT CATCO.

WHY DON'T YOU TELL US ABOUT AND IT MAYBE SOMETHING NOT EVERYONE KNOWS.

>> SURE.

CATCO WAS FOUNDED 38 YEAR AGO.

>> THAT IS QUITE A LONG TIME.

>> AS PART OF THE SCRAPPY, NEW, AVANT-GARDE, AGAINST THE TREND KIND OF THEATER GROUP, RIGHT?

AND SO ALL THESE YEARS LATER WE'RE STILL KIND OF LEANING INTO THAT.

IT ORIGINALLY STOOD FOR THE CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN THEATER COMPANY.

>> I WILL ADMIT, I DID NOT KNOW THAT.

>> IN 2010 THEY MERGED WITH PHOENIX THEATER FOR CHILDREN, SO HALF OUR FOCUS IS ON CHILDREN, THEATER IN SCHOOLS AND ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.

THEN WE USED THE TIME DURING THE PANDEMIC TO THINK ABOUT, WHAT DID THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE?

WHAT WAS OUR VISION AND PURPOSE GOING FORWARD?

SO OUR PURPOSE NOW IS TO HARNESS THE TRANS FORMATIONAL POWER OF THEATER, CONNECT TO THE CURRENT MOMENT, CURRENT NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND WORK ON INSPIRING THROUGH STORY TELLING.

>> THAT'S SO IMPORTANT.

WHAT A WONDERFUL MISSION.

>> I THINK WHAT PEOPLE WOULD FIND IS IF YOU THINK YOU KNOW CATCO FROM THE PAST, YOU ACTUALLY REALLY DON'T, BECAUSE NOTHING IS THE SAME AT CATCO PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

THAT'S WITH A LOT OF THINGS, BUT NEW ARTISTIC VISION, NEW LEADERSHIP, NEW PROGRAMMING.

IT'S FRESH AND NEW.

>> WE GOT TO GET OUT THERE AND SEE IT.

>> YES.

>> WONDERFUL!

WELL, I'M EXCITED TO GET COOK.

WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE RECIPE YOU'VE CHOSEN AND WHY IT'S SPECIAL TO YOU.

>> I'VE CHOSEN THIS RECIPE OF COUSCOUS.

I LOVE PINE NUTS.

IT WAS GINN TO ME BY MY DEAR FRIEND CAROL WHO WAS AN ARTS ADMINISTRATOR WHEN HE MET 15, 20 YEARS AGO.

AND WE HAD JUST BECOME FAST FRIENDS AND OUR FAMILY ARE FRIENDS.

CAROL IS AN AMAZING COOK, LIKE, PROBABLY BETTER THAN ME.

SHE MAKES THIS RECIPE OFTEN WHEN WE WOULD VISIT.

IT'S KIND OF MAKE AHEAD.

YOU CAN LET IT SIT ON THE STOVE UNTIL YOU'RE READY TO GO, AND IT'S A MIX OF SAVORY AND SWEET AND HEALTHY.

>> I LOVE THE IDEA OF FRIENDS SHARING RECIPES.

GREAT WAY TO STAY CONNECTED.

WHY DON'T YOU TELL US WHAT INGREDIENTS YOU NEED.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO NEED 32 OUNCE OF CHICKEN OR VEGETABLE BROTH.

ONE AND A HALF AT THE SPOONS OF SALT, ONE AND A HALF CUPS OF PLAIN COUSCOUS, ONE AND A HALF CUP OF GOLDEN RAISINS, ONE AND A HALF CUPS OF PINE NUTS, SEVEN GREEN ONIONS AND A BUTTER.

>> WHAT'S THE FIRST STEP?

>> TAKE THE BROTH, POUR IT IN A NICE BIG PAN.

WE'VE DONE THAT.

TURN ON YOUR BURNER.

START YOUR BURNER.

>> START YOUR ENGINES.

>> RIGHT.

>> HERE WE GO.

>> THAT WILL COME TO A NICE BOIL.

ADD THE SALT.

OUR SALT IS PREMEASURED.

SHAKE THAT IN THERE.

>> GREAT.

>> AND THEN YOU REALLY JUST COVER THE POT, LET THAT COME TO A PILE.

YOU'VE GOT TIME.

YOU COULD CHOP THE ONIONS.

>> WE'VE SOLVED THAT.

>> USE THIS TIME TO PREP MORE INGREDIENTS.

>> WHILE WE'RE WAITING FOR THAT TO BOIL, WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE IMPACT OF STORY TELLING AND HOW CATCO STRIVES TO SHINE A LIGHT ON ISSUES THAT MATTER.

>> SURE.

SO, YOU KNOW, THEATER AND THEATERICAL STORY TELLING IS A WONDERFUL WAY INTO ISSUES, BIG HAIRY ISSUES.

TAKE AN ISSUE LIKE HOUSING IN COLUMBUS.

WE HAVEN'T YET, BUT WE COULD PRODUCE A SHOW THAT'S AROUND THAT ISSUE.

AND I OFTEN SAY, I CAN'T BUILD THE HOUSE.

I CAN'T SOLVE THE BIG PROBLEM, BUT WE CAN TELL THE STORY AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND LET THEM TALK ABOUT IT, UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENS.

I'M NOT GOING TO BUILD THE HOUSE, BUT I'M GOING TO MAKE THE SPACE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHY THE HOUSE IS IMPORTANT.

>> INCREDIBLE.

>> AND THEN -- YOU CAN'T CARE ABOUT SOMETHING OR AN ISSUE UNTIL YOU KNOW ABOUT IT.

SO THROUGH A PLAY OR STORY YOU'RE CONSCIOUS IS RAISED.

YOU SHOW EMPATHY TOWARD A CHARACTER.

YOU GET TO PUT YOURSELF IN SOMEONE ELSE'S SHOES.

THERE'S THEATER MAGIC THAT GOES ON AND YOU CAN SUSPEND BELIEF FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

THAT'S REALLY THE POWER OF WHAT WE CALL TRANS FORMATIONAL STORY TELLING.

>> SOUNDS LIKE IT'S REALLY EFFECTIVE.

>> WE THINK SO.

>> YEAH.

LOOKS LIKE OUR BROTH IS BOILING NICELY.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO NEXT?

>> NEXT STEP IS TURN OFF THE BURNER.

THEN WE ADD COUSCOUS.

>> SO IT'S GOING TO SIT IN THE HOT BROTH.

>> YEAH.

AND THEN WE'LL ADD THE RAISINS.

>> LOVELY.

GET THEM ALL IN THERE.

>> JUST GOING TO GIVE THAT A LITTLE STIR.

>> AND IT WILL JUST SOAK IT ALL UP.

>> JUST ASSOCIATION IT UP.

WE'RE GOING TO COVER IT, AND LET IT SIT FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES.

THE YOU'RE MAKING THIS AT HOME, YOU CAN MAKE IT UP TO AN HOUR.

>> YOU CAN MAKE THIS AHEAD.

>> TOTALLY CAN MAKE IT AHEAD, AND AFTER YOU HAVE HAD SOME APPTIZERS AND WINE, YOU CAN GET IT READY TO GO.

>> LOVE.

THAT WHEN DOES THE BUTTER COME INTO PLAY?

>> WE'RE GOING MELT THE BUTTER.

WE'LL HAVE IT READY.

>> EXCITED ABOUT THE BUTTER.

>> WHO'S NOT.

IT'S A STICK OF BUTTER.

S THE LIKE PAULA DEEN.

>> WHILE THE COUSCOUS ABSORBS THE FLAVORS TELL ME ABOUT CATCO'S MISSION.

>> SUPPORTING NEW WORK.

AS A CONTEMPORARY THEATER COMPANY YOU MAY SEE SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER SEEN, BRAND NEW PLAY, LOCAL PLAYWRIGHT.

WE'RE COMMITTED TO DOING THAT FOR ADULTS AS WELL AS YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE MAKE THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES, WHICH ARE FAMILY SHOWS, RIGHT, AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO NEW WORK FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES.

THERE ISN'T ALWAYS A LOT A WORK NOR CHILDREN AUDIENCES.

WHEN STEVEN ANDERSON RETIRED, HE WAS PRODUCER FOR CATCO FOR TEN.

WHEN HE RETIRED THE BOARD AND A BUNCH OF FRIENDS IN TOWN CREATED AN ENDOWMENT FUND CALLED THE STEVEN C. ANDERSON FUND FOR NEW WORK FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES.

IN TIME WE HAVE A LITTLE BASE OF FUNDING THERE, AND IN TIME WE'LL BE ABLE TO TAKE THAT TO PRODUCE NEW WORK FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES.

>> THAT'S INCREDIBLE.

>> SO WE'VE DONE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT IN THE PAST.

WE'VE HAD PLAY FESTIVALS AND LET AUDIENCES SEE PLAYS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT, BEING WORKED ON IN THE MOMENT FROM THE ACTORS ALL THE WAY TO FULL PRODUCTION, AND IT'S OUR GOAL TO PRODUCE SOME OF THOSE NEW WORKS.

AND IDEALLY, HOPEFULLY, THEY'RE BORN HERE AND THEY'RE CREATED HERE, AND THEN THEY GO SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY AND ARE PERFORMED.

>> WHAT A GREAT USE OF FUNDING.

THEY CELEBRATE HIS LEGACY AS WELL.

>> REALLY GRATEFUL WE HAVE THAT.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OTHER CATCO INITIATIVES YOU'RE EXCITED ABOUT?

>> SO, WE STARTED THIS YEAR PAY WHAT YOU WANT.

LAST YEAR WAS OUR FIRST IN-PERSON SEASON SINCE THE PANDEMIC, AND THIS YEAR WE CONTINUED IT.

SO, BEFORE THE OPEN OF EVERY PRODUCTION, WHICH IS SATURDAY NIGHT, FRIDAY NIGHTS OF THAT SHOW ARE CALLED PAY WHAT YOU WANT.

SO IT'S A ZERO BARRIER TO ENTRY, RIGHT?

YOU CAN SHOW UP THAT NIGHT AND PAY A DOLLAR OR PAY NOTHING OR PAY $500.

WE'LL TAKE WHATEVER YOU WANT TO GIVE US.

AND WE'RE SO GRATEFUL TO THE ROBERT WAGNER COMPANY FOR SPONSORING THAT FOR US.

IT REALLY IS A CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO TRY CATCO.

IT CAN BECOME ONE OF THOSE PAY WHAT YOU WANT NIGHTS.

>> PROBABLY WILL END UP LOVING IT.

>> TRY IT ON, BRING SOME FRIENDS AND SEE IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT STRIKES YOUR FANCY.

>> SUCH A CLEVER IDEA TO GET PEOPLE IN AND WELCOME THEM TO THE THEATER SPACE.

>> THANKS.

>> VERY COOL.

WELL, IT'S SMELLING DELICIOUS.

SHOULD WE CHECK AND SEE IF IT'S ALL -- >> LOOK AT THAT.

>> IT ABSORBED ALL THAT LIQUID.

>> SURE DID.

>> WHAT DO WE DO NOW?

>> NEXT WE MELTED THE STICK OF BUTTER.

POUR THAT IN WILL.

>> NICE.

THAT ALWAYS MAKES THINGS DELICIOUS.

>> FLUFF IT UP.

MIX ALL TOGETHER.

THEN WE'RE GOING TO ADD THE PINE NUTS.

>> DELICIOUS.

AND GREEN ONIONS.

>> GREEN ONIONS, YEAH.

>> A LITTLE POP OF COLOR.

VERY NICE.

>> SO PRETTY.

>> IT REALLY IS.

AND SO SIMPLE, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU CAN MAKE THIS AHEAD, YOU CAN PROBABLY EAT IT WARM OR ROOM TEMPERATURE.

COLD?

>> IF YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE IT AHEAD, YOU JUST LET IT AND IT DO THIS LAST PART WHEN YOU'RE READY TO EAT IT.

>> LOOKS BEAUTIFUL.

>> IT'S READY TO GO.

>> IT'S COME TOGETHER SO BEAUTIFULLY.

I THINK WE SHOULD EAT IT.

I THINK WE SHOULD GIVE IT A TASTE.

>> I AGREE.

>> OKAY.

GOT SOME SPOONS HERE.

WE CAN DISH IT UP.

>> I'LL DISH IT UP A LITTLE.

>> IT'S LOVELY.

>> PRETTY WITH THAT GREEN ONION IN THERE.

>> YEAH.

OH, MY GOODNESS.

HERE YOU GO.

GET YOU A SPOON.

THERE YOU GO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

>> THIS LOOKS WONDERFUL.

>> I THINK YOU SHOULD GO FIRST.

>> A LITTLE RAISIN, A LITTLE PINE NUT.

OH, MY GOODNESS.

THAT'S REALLY DELICIOUS.

>> MM-HMM.

>> MM.

>> SURPRISED YOU LIKE IT.

>> KIND OF HEARTY, COZY.

THE RAISINS ARE SO PLUMP AND THE GREEN ONIONS GIVE THAT IT LITTLE BIT OF BRIGHTNESS.

CHRISTY, SO DELICIOUS.

NICE TO KNOW YOU LEARN ABOUT CATCO AND EATING COUSCOUS.

>> GREAT SPENDING TIME WITH YOU, THANK YOU.

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