Patron of the Week: Becky Robinson-Leviton
I love any opportunity to support the folks who support me, which is why I’m so excited to be doing this Patron of the Week series. From art to activism to non-profits, so many of the people who support Broke-Ass Stuart on Patreon do other really wonderful things as well. And this is a chance to shine light on them. Wanna be featured as Patron of the Week? Become a supporter on Patreon right here.
Photo by Weidong Yang
Our Patron of the Week this time is Becky Robinson-Leviton. When she’s not stage managing and being an arts administrator she’s performing. This lady lives and breathes the arts and is even the Co-Artistic Director of a really badass dance troupe. She’s got a lot of great stuff to say. Read below:
Name: Becky Robinson-Leviton
Where do you live?: Outer Richmond, SF
Occupation: Day Job: Arts Admin/Stage Manager Real Job: I freelance as a professional contemporary dancer and choreographer. I’m the founder and Co-Artistic Director of The Phenomenal Anomalies
What’s a project you’re working on?: Well, The Phenomenal Anomalies is my main project right now. It’s a dance-theater duo that I founded with my artistic collaborator, Hannah Westbrook. We like to say that it was, “born out of a love for the awkward, mismatched, oxymoronic, and non-sequitur characterizations that overall unify humanity,” – basically just being able to embrace and laugh at the fact that we are all screwed up. Making a dance company has been the one thing I have always wanted to do, but never really had the guts to pursue. So in 2016 I just said f*** it and did it anyway. We have produced 3 pieces so far. The first one was about the correlation between falling and failure and our physical, cultural, and psychological associations with those ideas. We performed it on a giant wooden ladder and I was so intimidated to put my work out into the world that I only invited 10 people to come see it. I have gotten better since then. Last year we created Noisemaker, which was a very ridiculous, cartoon-esque piece that plays with the connection between sound and movement. And just recently, we produced Passerby, a site-specific dance that was performed on the Lincoln Park Stairs on 32nd Ave and California Street. The piece was initially inspired simply by the beauty of the steps and it’s architecture. However, it quickly became infused with the relationships and people we met on the stairs. Both our photographer and our musicians were strangers we first encountered on the stairs during rehearsal and then ended up working with. Our next piece will be about the trials and tribulations of putting on pants.
What is an accomplishment you’re really proud of?: A group I performed with was recently nominated for an Izzie Award, which is our prestigious local dance award, and I have to say that I am pretty proud of that. We didn’t win, but it was really cool to be nominated. My choreographer for that same project actually did win an Izzie for that dance which was also really amazing.
Best money saving tip: Pack your own lunch. Seriously. I save so much money that way.
What do you refuse to spend money on?: People go to all these big parties and festival nowadays that cost so much money. I won’t pay for a ticket to anything over $80, so I either don’t go, or I volunteer to get in if I am really eager. I also hardly ever spend money on new clothing since I am just going to get it sweaty and dirty almost immediately. I’d say 90% of my clothes are from second hand stores or clothing swaps. I’m such a cheap asshole.
Most expensive thing you’ve ever bought: There was that one time I was scammed into charging 5k to my credit card…
How’d that feel?: Like death.
Favorite cheap eat: The Sandwich Place on Mission. <3
Favorite dive bar: The Tee Off 🙁 R.I.P.
Best deal you’ve ever gotten: I once bought some really amazing shoes from a Goodwill for $9. They lasted for years and were super cute and unique-looking. I got compliments on them every time I wore them. Also, one time YBCA had a glitch in their membership system and I accidentally was invited to this swanky members only opening party for free. It was amazing but I felt like an impostor the entire time.
Favorite free thing to do: Walking around in nature and climbing trees.
If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?: First I’d pay off my debt, then I’d pay off my sisters debt, then pay off my mom’s home, then I’d buy myself a live/work loft dance studio apartment to house my dance company in, then I’d buy myself a puppy with whatever is left over.
One album that everyone should listen to: I’m from So-Cal so Sublime was super influential to me growing up. I still love them. Also, everyone should listen to The Coup.
Best hangover cure: Anything fried and covered in cheese.
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