Starting with Yes

When I first began working in theater, I said yes to almost everything. Readings, small productions, late-night brainstorming sessions in cramped rehearsal spaces—you name it. I said yes because I wanted to learn. I wanted to work. I wanted to be part of something, even if it meant juggling three projects at once and running on very little sleep. And truthfully, those early yeses were incredibly valuable. They opened doors, introduced me to collaborators, and helped shape the kind of producer I would become.

But over time, I realized that saying yes to everything wasn’t sustainable. It left me spread thin, often giving only a piece of my focus or energy when the work deserved my full attention. I started to see that real commitment requires choice. And sometimes, the smartest move—the bravest move—is saying no.

The Power of No

“No” is a word that used to scare me. I worried it would make me seem ungrateful or closed-minded. But I’ve come to understand that saying no isn’t about shutting people out—it’s about protecting the work, the people you care about, and your own capacity to do the job well.

As a producer, I’m constantly weighing decisions. Do I sign on to this project? Do I pursue this idea? Do I commit time, money, energy? Every yes carries with it the weight of that commitment. And every no frees up space for something else—something that might be a better fit, or simply something I’m better equipped to take on at that moment.

Saying no doesn’t mean I don’t believe in someone’s vision. It just means I’ve learned to trust my gut. I’ve learned that I can’t do my best work when I’m overcommitted. And more importantly, I’ve learned that every no makes room for a more thoughtful yes.

Knowing When It’s a Yes

That doesn’t mean I say no often, or easily. The theater world thrives on collaboration, on taking chances, on unexpected magic. So when something really moves me—when a script has that heartbeat, when a creative team is locked in, when I feel that instinctual tug—I say yes, and I say it fully.

It’s important to me that my yeses come from a genuine place. I want to work on things I believe in, with people I respect. That doesn’t mean the project has to be perfect from the start. Most of them aren’t. But it has to matter. It has to have potential. And it has to align with the kind of storytelling I want to be part of.

I’ve said yes to some uncertain ventures that became career-defining moments. And I’ve passed on ideas that looked good on paper but didn’t feel right. Each decision has taught me something.

Respecting Others in the Process

Part of the art of saying no is learning how to do it with kindness. Theater is personal. Everyone is putting a piece of themselves out there, and when you say no to a project, it can feel like you’re rejecting that piece. I try hard never to let that happen. I try to give honest feedback when I can, and if I step away from something, I do it with care.

This isn’t just about maintaining relationships—it’s about basic respect. I’ve been on the other end of no. I know what it feels like to pitch something and get a polite decline or, worse, total silence. The way we communicate our decisions matters, especially in a business built on collaboration and trust.

Learning from Every Decision

Over time, I’ve developed a better sense of when to lean in and when to hold back. That sense wasn’t built overnight. It came from experience—sometimes from mistakes. I’ve said yes when I should have passed, and I’ve said no and watched someone else help that project thrive. But every decision, right or wrong, helped refine my judgment.

What I’ve learned is that there’s no perfect formula. Each project, each team, each moment in your career asks something different of you. What matters most is being clear with yourself about your values, your limits, and your long-term goals. Producing isn’t just about getting a show onstage—it’s about building a life in this art form. That requires discernment.

The Balance That Keeps You Going

The balance between yes and no is what keeps me going. It’s what makes the work sustainable, meaningful, and exciting. Too much yes and you burn out. Too much no and you miss the magic. The sweet spot is somewhere in between—a place where your choices align with your passion, your bandwidth, and your purpose.

I still say yes often. I say yes to new artists. I say yes to weird ideas that might not have a commercial future but feel alive with creativity. And I say yes to risk, because that’s where some of the best theater comes from. But I say no, too. I say no when I can’t give something my full attention. I say no when a project doesn’t feel aligned with my instincts. And I say no when I need to step back to rest and recalibrate.

As James Simon, producer, I’ve come to respect both words deeply. Each has its place. Each has its power. And together, they shape the path forward—not just for me, but for every story I help bring to life.