The Responsibility of Art Is Not Just External
Reading Michael Feingold's latest essay in Village Voice reminded me of the ongoing conversation prompted by Clay Lord's post on whether art needs to justify itself.
Actually, Feingold's essay is slightly askew of Clay's topic, but some comments to Clay's post talked about how some artists and shows don't seem to consider the audience. Feingold's essay swings the conversation to the other extreme: what happens when "art" listens to its audience too much.
Consider this quote, but I encourage you to read Feingold's entire essay before responding:
"The big question is what our theater can do in the face of such intense mass-market pressure. Corporations run the world; we can't pretend they don't. Through the mass media, they also run the popular mind, to the ongoing consternation of individualists like you and me. Ours is a small, embattled group, with few allies, and it, too, feels mass-marketing's tug: As Facebook has taught me, a disheartening number of theater folk share the tourist audience's preoccupation with mass culture, to the point where I sometimes feel like the hero of Ionesco's Rhinoceros, watching his friends turn into stampeding animals."
Labels: arts participation, audience development, engagement
posted by Karen McKevitt @ 10:14 AM
80 Comments:
I agree wholeheartedly that the co-opting of theatre by giant corporations would be a bad thing, not the least reason being that giant corporations are rarely about the betterment of the people who buy their products. At the same time, Feingold's essay comes off as whiny to me, particularly talking about LCT and Roundabout (which both have their faults, but which don't deserve to be ridiculed simply for putting on fare that tourists want to see--I didn't like LCT's South Pacific either, but my husband's parents sure did, and they don't do much in the way of going to theatre). While he doesn't say it outright, Feingold does seem to make the argument that part of the problem is that too much of theatre produced is too facile -- or as he puts in, "Practitioners demand challenge." This, to me, conflates two issues and tries to make them a cause and effect, essentially saying that theatre that appeals to tourists = theatre that isn't challenging for the pracitioner. That seems like something of a leap to me, but who knows.
Where I think more of the true conflict sits is between allowing and encouraging artists of all types to challenge and engage themselves creatively, and continuing to pay attention to the fact that audiences, and their comprehension, enjoyment and engagement with the work, are crucial to the success (financial and, i would argue, artistic) of the theatrical enterprise. Does this mean only South Pacific from now until forever? I don't think so -- I think it means a middle way.
The linked article seems to set up some kind of alarmist false dichotomy. I don't think we face a binary choice between "Starbucks Theatre Corp. Proudly Presents 'Hello, Dolly'" and envelope-pushing work that disregards (or pretends to disregard) the audience and the concept of financial viability. Nor do I agree with his apparent presumption that artistic challenge and audience appeal are mutually exclusive.
I don't know, he's obviously a smart guy who cares very deeply about these issues, but I don't find this article to be compelling or productive. If, as he believes, there's some new (or revived? He can't seem to decide), Utopian theatre model on the horizon for which there are artists and audiences hungry and at the ready, then that will surely come about. If it doesn't, I'm sure we'll see more articles from him that blame everything but the quality of the work or interest of the audience.
With all due respect, these seem like kind of weird reactions to an article I thought was pretty on the nose. Big commercial theater wants safe investments, proven products that offer a good chance of a return. Non-profits, especially larger non-profits, want the same thing. What I got out of the article was that he'd love it if some riskier (read: untested, or new, or extremely difficult to do well) fare was produced on the same level as these big companies.
Really, I'm not sure he even really understands what he wants, but this sentence gives us a big clue:
"[The Roundabout] hardly seems aware of a nonprofit institution's obligation to the public—or to the community of artists in which it resides."
This is really the meat of the problem. As arts organizations depend more and more on funding and grants and less on earned income (the trend of the last 40 years), they slowly but surely move away from being culpable to their audience and artists, and towards being responsible to a select group of people who write checks. This is a huge problem.
And it's a double edged sword. A $20 ticket buyer is incredibly important to a tiny shoe-string budget company, but not so important to a giant regional theater - that giant regional theater places that weight on an investor, funder or grant panel. The higher the budget of a company, the less likely that company is to produce work which is untested and perceived as risky. Essentially, the more money it costs to operate the company, the less likely it is that the company will stay closely connected to its community because it simply cannot afford to put tons of time and energy into something that doesn't pay its bills ($20 ticket buyers, young playwrights etc).
One way to start addressing this is for larger companies/venues to work more frequently and openly with smaller companies. For example, the National New Play Network is a great idea, but getting a 50-seat theater into that network is nearly impossible (pretty sure there is nothing under 100 seats in that network, but I could be wrong). And 50-seat theaters are where all the cool new shit is developed. So one way to address the issue of bringing larger commercial and non-profit theater closer to their communities is to bring in companies that are, by necessity, incredibly close with their audiences and artists.
One program which I am a big fan of and which I believe starts to address this issue, is Steppenwolf's program of selecting an up and coming company each year to perform their season of plays at Steppenwolf. It gives the up and coming company a big spotlight and clues Steppenwolf in to a while new slate of writers/directors/actors/audience. I would love to see Berkeley Rep or ACT adopt a program like this. I'd love to see TBA push the larger companies to adopt a program like this.
I'd love to see a lot of things really, but I thought Mr. Feingold's article was fairly correct in his assessment of the industry at large. What are some other ways that larger, big budget affairs can connect with audiences? To be honest, I'm not sure. But I think this is definitely an issue that needs addressing.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I will, of course, step back from the conversation and regard it with a skeptical eye that most will ignore--because apparently thinking about what they're doing and doing it seem mutually exclusive to them.
I would first like to point out that Micheal Feingold's article is not an essay but an editorial, an opinion piece, and should be considered with as much weight. I call it an editorial because Feingold appears to offer no evidence for his conclusions. If Feingold mapped out the history of productions by the theatres he condemns, and pointed out the change in the type of playwrights, or the price of their tickets, or the demographics of their audience, or even the stated agenda of their artistic directors, then maybe I would be inclined to agree with him. However, he essentially leaves things at 'broadway is too expensive for new yorkers, and theatres dont take risks because they're afraid of loosing money' and that's the foundation for this entire diatribe. The problem with this rhetoric is it leaves out an important stage in the development of healthy, progressive, thought evolution: research and evidence.
All solid articles, theories, and even opinions are founded on comprehensive research. Now, I'm sure that several people will attack my comment by throwing statistics and studies at me, but they will miss my point: Feingold didn't think it was important to mention these statistics and studies. Feingold didn't think it was important to back up his opinion.
And I think that such is a pandemic disease of our media, and even the artistic profession. We seem more interested in people's opinions than in the truth, even when the two align.
خدمات نقل وتخزين الاثاث
الاثاث من اكثر الاشياء المكلفة الباهظة الثمن والتى تحتاج الى العناية والقيام باعمال النقل بطريقة مثالية دون ان يتم التعرض الى اى مشكلة نحن فى غنى عنة ، اعمال الكسر والخدش والتعرض الى مشاكل اخرى فى الاثاث ويؤدى الامر الى القيام باعمال الاصلاحات من الامور
شركات نقل الاثاث من الرياض الى الدمام
التى تحدث عدد من الاضرار فى الاثاث ومع مرور الوقت يؤدى الى التلفيات الباهظة التى تؤثر على الاثاث وتحتاج الى شراء الاثاث من جديد ، ونظرا لان شركة نقل اثاث بالرياض من الشركات التى تعلم المشكلات والاضرار التى تحدث ولانه من الشركات التى على وعى بكيفية الوصول الى افضل النتائج فى النقل ، عليك ان تتم التعاون مع
شركات نقل الاثاث داخل الرياض
والاعتماد علينا من اجل ان يتم الحصول على نتائج مثالية فى النقل .
من اهم الخدمات التى تجعلك تختار شركة قمة الخليج فى النقل الاتى :-
تعتمد الشركة فى اعمال النقل للاثاث على عدد من المراحل المميزة من اهم ما تقوم اثناء القيام باعمال النقل سواء داخل المملكة او خارج المملكة الاتى :-
شركات نقل الاثاث شمال الرياض
مراحل تصنيف الاثاث وهنا يتم معاينة الاثاث من قبل عدد من الخبراء والتعرف على عدد قطع الخشبية وعدد الاجهزة الكهربائية وعدد التحف وغيرها .
- مراحل فك الاثاث تعتمد الشركة على افضل واقوى الطرق والاساليب المميزة فى اعمال الفك بالاضافة الى ان لدينا طاقم من العمالة المدربة حول كيفية القيام باعمال الفك .
مرحلة تغليف الاثاث من اهم المراحل التى تساعد فى الحفاظ على الاثاث فكل قطعة من الاثاث لة طريقة تغليف معينة وتساعد فى حفظ الاثاث بطريقة مميزة .
شركات نقل اثاث شرق الرياض
مرحلة النقل تتم من خلال الاعتماد على شاحنات مميزة وتساعد فى الحفاظ على الاثاث اثناء السير والتخلص من المشكلات التى تظهر عقب النقل التقليدى .
كل مرحلة من مراحل النقل له اسلوب وطرق عناية مخصصة تحتاج الية لكى يتم الحفاظ على الاثاث ضد اى مشكلة او اى عيب بالاضافة الى ان الشركة على وعى كبير بطرق التغلب على المشكلات التى تظهر عقب النقل التقليدى فلا تتردد فى التعاون والتواصل مع افضل خدمات النقل الداخلى – النقل الخارجى بالرياض . شركات نقل اثاث داخل الرياض
تخزين اثاث بالرياض
تمتلك شركة قمة الخليج افضل المستودعات المميزة فى اعمال التخزين والتى تساعد فى تحقيق اعلى مستوى من الدقة والتميز فاذا كنت فى حيرة من امر التخزين – او قمت بالانتقال من مكان الى اخر وتحتاج الى التخزين – او القيام باعمال الدهانات او ترميم اى جزء من منزلك وتبحث عن كيفية القيام باعمال التخزين للاثاث فعليك ان تتصل وتتعاقد مع شركتنا الان فى القيام بمهام التخزين . شركات نقل أثاث في الرياض
I clicked to your website and it’s quite interesting. I see many things that I haven’t known before. Many thanks for your website.
madalin stunt cars 2
Very useful post. This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. Really its great article. Keep it up y disfruta aqui con friv juegos for free.
All you share with us is up to date and quite informative; I would like to bookmark the page so I can come at this time again to read you, as you have done a magnificent job.
"The friv.com games are categorized into action, dress up, arcade, physics, fighting, shooting, sports and puzzles amongst many different categories."
Thank you for sharing! Glad to see the information.
things to do post
I respect this article for the all around looked into substance and magnificent wording. I got so included in this material that I couldn't quit perusing. I am awed with your work and ability. Much thanks to you to such an extent.
Gamesunblocked Unblockedgamesbeast unblockedgames77atschool
great post thanks for sharing this wonderful post
tutuapp apk
tutuapp latest version
tutuapp for ios
tutuapp alternative
tutuapp for mac
tutuapp download
tutuapp for iphone
tutu helper
tutuapp
tutuapp for android
tutuapp web
tutuapp for blackberry
tutuapp for pc
tutuapp mod apk
tutuapp windows
tutu helper free
best tutuapp alternative
tutuapp apk download
tutuapp for pc
tutuapp for ios
tutuapp for ios 11
tutuapp for android
tutuapp alternative
tutuapp vip
tutu helper
tutu helper vip
really great post admin thanks for this.
https://www.minimilitiaforpcapk.co/
http://www.kingrootapkforpcdownload.com/
https://www.minimilitiaforpcapk.co/
https://www.minimilitiaforpcapk.co/mini-militia-for-pc-windows/
Mini Militia unlimited health
https://www.minimilitiaforpcapk.co/mini-militia-cheats-codes/
https://www.minimilitiaforpcapk.co/
https://www.minimilitiaforpcapk.co/
https://www.minimilitiaforpcapk.co/mini-militia-for-pc-windows/
Mini Militia for laptop
https://www.minimilitiaforpcapk.co/mini-militia-cheats-codes/
kingoroot for pc
kingoroot apk
http://www.kingrootapkforpcdownload.com/
192.168.l.254 : IP Address & Default router admin and login Password?
I was surfing the Internet for information and came across your blog. I am impressed by the information you have on this blog. It shows how well you understand this subject.
If you want to learn more about clipping path service, you can visit now
Great blog here! Also your web site loads upp very fast!
Whaat web hot are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to
your host? I wish mmy website loaded up as fast as yours lol
mrdadyar.blog
attorney-44.webself
tehranattoorney.javanblog
iran-lawyer
mrdadyar.simplesite
johna22.bigsite
johna22.rahatblog
johna22.avablog
پمپ غلیظ پاش
ظرف روغن
هزینه کلاس یوگا
طراحی سایت حرفه ای
This is an awesome post. Really very informative and creative content. This concept is a good way to enhance knowledge. I like it and it helps me to development very well. Thank you for this brief explanation and very nice information. Well, I got good knowledge.
We are providing the best high-quality product photo editing service and other services at a competitive price. If you want to know about the best high-quality product photo editing service can you visit Clipping Expert Asia
I see a lot of students are commenting on this blog post that they are struggling in while writing their paper. Well then now you do not need to worry about it because i have found a website named as academic writing pro that is offering the high-quality paper writing service in cheap prices.
Looking forward to reading more.. Great post. Really Cool
ha noi
بهترین یخچال ایرانی
یخچال دیپوینت
dog fence related guide is here https://aboutdogfence.com
Thanks for sharing.I found a lot of interesting information here. A really good post, very thankful and hopeful that you will write many more posts like this one.
Photo Lab Picture Editor For pc
دانلود سریال موچین
https://www.namayesh.com/v/o722
It's very good post which I really enjoyed reading. It is not everyday that I have the possibility to see something like this.
click this link to down
ارائه قیمت روز ماشین سنگین
If you are tired of trying to find the best solution for organizing your movies into home movie lists, then this is the software that you have been looking for.
f movies
It is a great article. You will surely like this also because it is a great stuff
website
We will more than just with regard to the Republican fix or maybe Democratic, (Coach Outlet Store Online) But an appropriate react. Allow us n't need to solve the culprit within the last. We want (Michael Kors Outlet) to undoubtedly (Ray Ban Outlet Store) obtain to correct the (Cheap Yeezys For Sale) culprit in the past. And as a consequence a number of, Our new (Michael Kors Outlet Online) parents and grandmother and grandfather might've looked with this very same, Nevertheless Weir's platforms is on the trendy door of not online with popular gear mixed in a large (New Jordan Releases 2020) amount real fire hardraw wood made, Orderly (Yeezy Boost 350 Cheap) ranges, No stuffiness.The theory is that, We aren't likely (Ray Ban Outlet) to a few title"Great" To the actual same corporation in to same market in sequential many decades, However when the author's spectacles wearing (Ray Ban New Wayfarer Polarized) out employees tell of the
En son çıkan adult içerikli porno videoları yeni pornoların sayesinde izleme şansına sahipsiniz.
tnks
فضای کار
فضای کار اشتراکی
فضای کار اشتراکی در تهران
فضای کار مشترک
اجاره فضای کاری
https://miladdel.tumblr.com/post/629345555486785536/%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%86%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%B3-the-wolf-of-wall-street-2013
https://miladdel.tumblr.com/post/629345555486785536/%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%86%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%B3-the-wolf-of-wall-street-2013
Shell Malaysia is the convenience store, But, having so network in the market and it is reaching at customers through the door to door system is not possible.Web link
Art is a diverse range of human activities involving the creation of visual, auditory or performing Until the 17th century, art referred to any skill or mastery and was not The theory of art as form has its roots in the philosophy of Kant, and was plays a decisive role in the meaning of a work of art, conveying the content or...StateFarmBusinessVisa
Carton From Newport 100
SHORT STORIES invites filmmakers to employ their imagination, original story-telling and artistic talent to motivate audiences with concise Cheap Marlboro 100'S Cigarettes Online, inspiring and perhaps even entertaining films Marlboro Cigarettes Size.
SHORT STORIES are actually live-action or computer animated fiction films relating to 2 to 5 minutes long and have some budget of />
REAL SHORTS can be described as short documentary film scheme that is certain to enable creative documentaries with the help of high cinematic production values very effective at reaching an abroad audience through theatrical not to mention festival exposure Buy Cheap Newport Menthol Cigarettes Online. The filmmakers should try to produce work with the help of strong personal sounds, presenting material of which utilises the psychologically and mentally . and aesthetic manner of cinema.
REAL SHORTS can depend on 10 minutes long and receive a budget all the way to may be manufactured in the English and / or Irish language. If manufactured in the Irish tongue, subtitling will be required for festivals sales all over the world.
Great article, It is amazing article. I enjoyed the article while reading because it is very interesting and has some moral values. best video editing software used by YouTubers
best free video editing softwares
Visit Web
itlab.domainepublic.net
Information
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!
There is evidently a bunch to realize about this. I consider you made some good points in features also.
스포츠토토
바카라
파워볼게임
온라인바카라
Wow, that’s what I was exploring for, what a stuff! existing here at this weblog, thanks admin of this web page.
토토사이트
온라인카지노
파워볼
After going over a handful of the blog articles on your website, I truly appreciate your way of writing a blog. Your personal stuffs nice. Always deal with it up!
사설토토
바카라사이트
파워볼사이트
카지노사이트
زیرنویس فارسی سریال The Falcon and the Winter Soldier 2020
زیرنویس فارسی سریال The Falcon and the Winter Soldier 2020
gfo4s
l4sgforum
teuiip
allftel
l4orl4ul4
ilykiuit
ummypuiit
enruiietriuiieve
xuiierforuuii
gfofc
gfofcrumfc
tepfclc
adz4link
fcorfcu
ifclykfcit
u4linmm4linypet
eforex9c
xeex9rforex9u
solarwinds
boloke13
catforum
ildcatfor
arcticchat
thecatsite
petforum
catsofaustrali
xerfcity-dataoru
special
gfodownlorum
banki
upjers
perforce
jetphotos
ummykalipet
funkysoul
shwebmasterfor
gfoaaaaa
gforumaaaag
tepttttt
afteagggg
oruahhhh
ilykihhhhhht
ummypetahhh
enretrieaggggve
xerforagau
gfoyyyyy
gforumagga
tepaggggg
aftesssssss
oruaaaaaa
ilykitaaaa
ummyyyyyyyypet
enretriiiiiieve
xeeeeeeerforu
work award to Ramin Fallah
I like the views and opinions Re Registeration of Vehicle
Thank you for the information Indian Christian Marriage Act 1872 and Christian Marriage Registration
HDhub4u is the website which creates new upcomming films obtain link in motivational films bollywood, Tamil, Marathi, Telugu, South Dubbed Movies, Malayalam, Kannada, English, latest telugu films download, 6movierulz plz, jiorockers telugu, utorrent telugu films, telugu films free download websites plus Bollywood Telugu dubbed version.
Their square measures different alternatives to WatchCartoonOnline like KissCartoon, Hulu, Video, Vongo, et al. but if you actually got to investigate cartoon sequence online at any time, you are not compelled to compromise with one issue you would presumably not like. To help you with that, right here we have listed the very best five Watchcartoononline site choices for 2021.
This really answered my problem, thank you!
Jogja
Wisata Jogja
Yogyakarta
Very good information. I came to read and benefited. Thank you very much. 789bet
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Doctorslounge
Website
Klik Disini
I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
Myopportunity
Website
Klik Disini
Your post is very helpful to me. Thank you. พริตตี้บาคาร่า สมัคร
I only use tһe web foг that reason, and get the latest information. 789 คาสิโน
Thanks for great share ! mcdvoice myhoneybakedfeedback
Very good article thanks. ล้างรถอุบล
Nice Blog. Thanks for sharing with us. Such amazing information.
Only Blog
Guest Blogger
Guest Blogging Site
Guest Blogging Website
Guest Posting Site
Good info. Lucky me I came across your website by accident. คาสิโนออนไลน์
This is one of the best ways to remove excessive, unnecessary, unnecessary documents and junk from your program. CCleaner Crack Version ensures the privacy and security of your PC ccleaner pro crack.
Best Online Shopping Website in India
Best Astrologer in Bangalore
Would you be interested in exchanging links?
Ioby.org
Information
Click Here
Visit Web
This comment has been removed by the author.
Use Fmovies to immediately stream the most recent movies and TV shows. Pick your favorite TV shows and movies from a variety of genres. Take advantage of free content downloads and boundless HD streaming at any time and anywhere. Fmovies is currently usable.
Very interesting blog
پرستاری سالمند
Best Information & Good Article Text
Explore Healing Buddha's holistic approach, addressing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being to restore balance in your life.
pranic healing
Join a global community of entrepreneurs and professionals, fostering collaboration and growth opportunities.
theglobalhues
This blog post is truly uplifting and inspiring! I love how you've presented such valuable information in a clear and engaging manner.Cómo Divorciarse en la Ciudad de Nueva York
Very interesting blog
Very interesting blog
طرح توجیهی کسب و کار ابزاری ارزشمند برای برآورد میزان سودآوری احتمالی یک کسب و کار است که با نرم افزارهای مالی مخصوص همچون کامفار نوشته می شود. کانون مشاوران طرح توجیهی آماده ارائه خدمات تدوین طرح توجیهی به کارآفرینان محترم می باشد.
Just ran into QuickBooks Error 1327 and your post was a lifesaver! Reassigning my drive letters did the trick. It's amazing how such a small tweak can resolve what feels like a huge problem. Thanks for sharing these insights – it's great to have a go-to resource for these technical hiccups. Keep the helpful content coming!
Quickbooks Error 1327
Great post! Appreciate you sharing this valuable information with us and ensuring that all members have access to the most useful content. This will benefit others. Read More here:
QuickBooks Error 1603 | QuickBooks Error 6129 | QuickBooks Error 6175
Great post! Loved your take on article. It got me thinking about Quickbooks File Doctor. Thanks for sharing!
QuickBooks File Doctor Download
Theatre Bay Area Chatterbox is a vibrant platform that keeps theater enthusiasts updated on the latest news, events, and trends in the Bay Area theater scene. The blog features insightful articles, interviews with industry professionals, and reviews of local productions, providing a comprehensive view of the region's theatrical landscape. Whether you're a seasoned theatergoer or new to the scene, Theatre Bay Area Chatterbox is a valuable resource for staying connected to the vibrant Bay Area theater community. personal injury lawyer maryland
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home