International Creativity Month

January is International Creativity Month! To celebrate, we asked Metro Theater Company’s Producing Associate, John Wolbers a few questions about creativity.


What does creativity mean to you and why do you think it's important?

For me, creativity isn’t so much about making art as it’s the fuel that keeps us going. We’re all creative in our own way, regardless of skill or talent. Creating a simple moment to be present with ones we love, is just as important as a work of art that inspires the world. As Charles Dickens wrote, “no one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another.” That’s what creativity can do. It shines light in times of darkness and sparks what we all need most: hope.

Tell me about a time that you used creativity to solve something in an unexpected way.

Sometimes there are no good solutions when presented with a problem. Especially in 2020, that became painfully clear. So when there’s no clear path forward, my mantra has become, “rewrite the story.” I take a step back, create space for breath, and open myself up to fresh perspectives. Sometimes we have to stop looking at a problem directly, and allow ourselves to see the entire picture. Instead of asking, “What can I do to fix this problem?,” ask “What do I really want in this situation?” The creativity and imagination required to think about what we want naturally sheds light on opportunities and resources we may not have initially considered. By changing the story, we may not always solve the problem, but we can definitely make it feel a little smaller.   

What would you say to someone who says, "I'm just not a creative person."

I’d ask them to redefine “creative.” Too often, I feel, we define creativity by the greatest accomplishments from the most renowned artists. Like all the memes that went around at the beginning of the pandemic saying “Shakespeare wrote King Lear in a pandemic, what have you been doing?” Nevermind Shakespeare lived the majority of his life in a pandemic. That was his normal. Those comparisons do us a great disservice. Figuring out what to feed your family every night is an act of creativity. Figuring out what to wear each day is an act of creativity. Every day, every human, makes hundreds of tiny creative decisions and choices. Don’t take those for granted. Reframe how you think about creativity by applauding yourself for all the amazing little things you’re able to create and accomplish each and every day.  

How do you strengthen your creativity "muscles?" and what are some ways parents of young people can integrate creativity in their everyday lives?

It’s really about priorities. We grow in the ways we make space for growth. So if we want to grow our creative muscles, schedule time to be creative. It can be as simple as taking a moment to doodle in the margins of your to-do list, but it’s also important to ask for that time and space. So often we get bogged down by what we have to do, that we don’t always prioritize what we need to do for our own mental health. Ask your family or friends to help out so you can have half an hour to yourself to simply create. Paint. Write. Play dough. Whatever. It doesn’t matter if you think it’s good or not, simply taking the time to create will help you get better. One of the best ways to do that is through play. Play with your kids. Charades at bath time, making puppets out of laundry as you fold, dance parties in the kitchen while washing dishes; almost any mundane activity around the house can be turned into play, and play is inherently creative.  

You have so many creative accomplishments--what is one of your favorites?

It’s hard to pick just one. It really is a myth that you can’t earn a living in the arts. It’s not easy, but I’ve had a very fortunate career. I’ve been blessed with opportunities as an actor, playwright, director, and teaching artist to tell so many powerful stories with so many remarkable people. I guess my favorite would be the one that’s still being written. My daughter. She’s two and every day she makes me laugh, think, sigh, and melt. I can’t wait to see what we create together next.