Sunday, April 27, 2008
A couple with flags
Thinking back on our final presentation, I wonder what the people who did "Couple in a Cage" ever dealt with their own personal issues while doing this? Did they ever feel guilty for exploiting people? If you really think about it, if people never realized that this was fake then what was the point? I guess I myself felt somewhat guilty for exploiting stereotypes. Maybe not guilty, but more uneasy and I think that is why when the opportunity to present truth about a culture appeared I took it. Perhaps I felt that by doing that it would somehow valitdate what we were trying to do by focusing on what could happen when we aren't responisble theatre artist. Doing this project made me question my own hang-ups about race and made me realize that as theatre artist we have a lot of work to do.
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2 comments:
I agree with you Janelle about the uneasy feeling portraying negative stereotypes can have on the person portraying them. I think that shows our humanity. But if what we do initiates dialogue about the issues we face when we approach a different culture, then I think its worth taking the risk. A lot of things could have gone wrong with our presentation and I was glad for those who played along. But we took a big risk when we went outside and performed amidst the general public who had not entered into a performance contract. If anybody outside of the class really paid attention to what we were doing and saying, I wonder what kind of response we would have gotten from them. Audience and space play a huge part in what kind of effect any work we do as theatre artist.
-Mary
I agree with you both; it is because of these presentations and subsequent revelations that I believe I have gained a wealth of knowledge, growth, and expertise, from this experience. It never occurred to me as an actress that the same stereotypes that are perpetuated by hatred, can also be perpetuated on the stage. It is powerful to me how we ourselves can be instruments of truth – only when it comes from truth can it truly touch someone else. The power of message through representation of one another is awesome to me, and this class and opportunity have given me a new appreciation for the art of interview and performance ethnography. Theatre with purpose of understanding and reaching out is a strong principle in the art of performance, and it is interesting to be able to experience it from a different culture's standpoint. As a theatre artist, it makes me respect those such as Ana Deveare Smith, or Luis Valdez who have boldly cultivated it thus far. Through this class, I feel as if I have gained a new perspective on what it is to truly understand and represent another person and/or culture, as well as a new outlook on the conveyance of a message to the audience. I am grateful for the experience to create my own message, and look forward to incorporating and applying what I have learned into other aspects of my artistry. I have learned the importance of intention, and it has truly made a difference in me.
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