Dear Fellow Artists,

Those of you presently at HOBT have upheld the theater through seemingly endless change and kept it afloat. Sincerely, we thank you for your dedication and hard work. With all due respect for your beings and your artistry we, the undersigned, make the following requests-

As HOBT leaves both the Avalon and the neighborhoods of Phillips and Powderhorn where it has had a reciprocal relationship since its inception, we request that the theater changes its name. Most likely, this is not the first time this suggestion has been heard. All of us wish for the theater to grow and thrive in its new home. As the theater grows new legs and enters into a new home, perhaps this is the right moment to take on a new name that is befitting to what the theater is in the process of becoming. The organization is gaining momentum and new artists are finding a home within it. In a new neighborhood, in a new time, with a new focus, with new artists, perhaps this is the moment to claim a new identity both in name and image.

While we recognize the hurtful impact felt is not the impact intended, many of us who worked for decades with the theater feel the work has been used disrespectfully. We are the artists who took part in establishing HOBT’s well recognized name. We are the artists, administrators, and supporters who created, nurtured, and sustained for many years the foundation of In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater. Many of the images being used for promotion and in other ways were born from our creative work. The name ** gained respect due to our work.

Now that the theater will be in a new home and new neighborhood, we suggest it is time to start using the images of the wonderful and prolific artists who are presently at the theater and to give the theater a new name that better represents and honors the work of the present artists. We are glad that the use of the name and iconic images have given the organization a boost into its next chapter. We suggest it is time to close the chapter on its past and establish something new and wonderful in its own right. It would be a good step towards healing some broken relationships with the theater.

**For those who may not know the inspiration for the name “In the Heart of the Beast”: “I envy you. You North Americans are very lucky, you are fighting the most important fight of all– you live in the heart of the beast.” …Dr. Ernesto “Che” Guevara

Sincerely,