Seating ChartLeader of the Lobero on Bo Diddley, Fear of Failure, and Friends with Boats
Photo: Paul Wellman.
Monday, January 6, 2014
via Santa Barbara Independent
When I approached David Asbell to answer the Proust Questionnaire, the executive director of the Lobero Theatre Foundation replied, “Sure, but I’m pretty boring.”
David, who has successfully run one of Santa Barbara’s performing arts jewels for years before recently spearheading its renovation, is self-deprecating and low-key, but I would never call him boring. He’s passionate about the arts in our city, and many nonprofits in our culturally sophisticated town are indebted to his devotion and commitment. One of my personal highlights of running the Santa Barbara International Film Festival for the past decade has been to call this patron of the arts my friend.
Real the full questionnaire here… including these highlights:
What is it you like most about your job?
It seems so central and important to our community. I have always worked in the arts and this particular job gives me a sense of accomplishment like no other job I have had.
What is the best thing about the new Lobero?
The best physical thing is our new entryway, the Esplanade. It is a much nicer space to meet and gather before and during a performance.
What’s your all-time favorite memory about the Lobero?
Having a drink after the concert with Bo Diddley in one of the upstairs dressing rooms. He was getting on in life, was really tired, and just opened up to me. We didn’t talk about anything all that important, but I felt I got a sense of him as a person and he had lived this incredible life. Very special.
What is your motto?
Never leave your wallet backstage.
