This blog is a visual articulation of MY views of the world around me. I will present various sides of arguments, and always sum them up with my own personal take.
My more entertaining/diverse/ridiculous/lovable blog can be found at http://mrjdjude.tumblr.com/ and I'll do all of my following from that blog as well!
Thanks and enjoy!
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
Real Quick Thoughts
Here in Minneapolis, there has been a lot of debate around a particular theater’s season announcement. As a member of the theatre community, I don’t think I should really get in to the debate…
BUT, to know me is to know I always stick my head where it doesn’t belong! All I will say is that diversity is important should be integral in all decision making at theaters, ESPECIALLY at a large one. Having worked for a large one, I understand the challenges that large theaters are faced with and understand that there are a myriad of factors that go into the process. I don’t blame anyone who doesn’t produce a season that reflects the type of diversity I would like in a season. I just hope that, in their decision-making process, that diversity was a starting point, and not a negotiable detail that didn’t get fused in.
I’ll also say that I’m very intrigued by some of the people who have been really vocal about this particular theater’s announcement. Some people are being really brave, putting their artistic “necks” on the line, and speaking out (and in some cases supporting) the proposed season. I would be remiss if I didn’t say that some of those loud voices have established themselves in such a way that their comments will have no affect on their career trajectory. They’ve made it to the top of their career mountains. No matter what they say or do, their position on the top won’t change. I’m sure more people would LOVE to speak out, but for whatever reason (fear, they are still climbing out the career mountain, friendship, alliance, etc.) are choosing to stay out of it. I just don’t think we can go without saying that.
I guess these thoughts weren’t as “quick” as I wanted them to be. I just hope that we, as an American Theatre, learn from this moment and try harder to not let this conversation happen again (although we know it will, unfortunately…)
NEIGHBORS: Preview of Docu-Profile of the Show
At Mixed Blood we presented Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ play Neighbors. Freedom Radio producer Ralph Crowder attended a performance and was intrigued by the play and what it was trying to do and how it attempted to tell the story. He decided to film a documentary, of sorts, detailing the production and probing how the Black middle class is developed in America. Check out a quick clip. Hope you enjoy it.
5 Hollywood Directors Avoid Talking About Race
I might be hella late on this as I’m sure it has made its rounds in the artistic community of bloggers I belong to here on Tumblr but I couldn’t not post it. Shoutout to whomever hipped me to this (I think it was my boo Enchanta [ Dreamhard, don’t throw shade!]).
Like anything, this video and the commentary surrounding it, highlight a larger issue: lack of creativity. Now, more than ever, I am in the “season planning” process at a theater. I am culling through scripts, trying to find ones that match the mission of the theater (a mission I’m VERY PROUD of!). As I read plays, see other productions, go to readings, etc, I’m always amazed at how bland the art we make really is. We suffer from an extreme lack of creativity right now!
Casting outside of the norm opens your art to new modes of interpretation and delivery. What is there to fear about that? Just imagine how different Juno is if one of those characters are of a different race. Not even race. What about ability level (one of the highlights of my career, so far, is doing Rajiv Joseph’s Gruesome Playground Injuries entirely in ASL)?
You don’t realize the immeasurable possibilities lie within the written word until it is brought to life by an artist. We, art makers, should create platforms that allow for all artists. Understandably, more thought goes into making these types of stories possible but, take it from me, it is well worth it.
Art is about taking chances, showing humanity to humans, and enjoying the vulnerability imbedded in it all. I look forward to seeing more of that kind of art in the future.
Howlround- Zelda Fichandler: Address to the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society in Celebration of the Third Annual Zelda Fichandler Award
In the “Journal of the American New Voices Play Institute” there was an article by co-founder of Arena Stage, Zelda Fichandler. I wish I could have sat under her! What an inspiration! She is so insightful and in this article she articulates, just as well as she always has, the challenges we face in the American Theatre and proposes ways in which we can soldier forward.
I’ve been blessed to have read many of her speeches (shoutout to my Bestie, Stacey Stewart!) and I’ve been inspired by her words; but never like this one. Her words, at this time in my life, feel more like a manifesto than just a good speech. I hope to inspire the type of change I am looking forward and will go forth with her words as a constant reminder of what strong values and strong thought can do for an artist, and institution and the field.
