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What is the relationship between theatre, storytelling, and community?

In a larger sense, what is the role of art in times of resistance and unrest politically?

Today we are #LiveInTheHive with Seth Gordon, author of the new book, Crossroads in the American Theatre: New Leaders in a New Age.

This book is a must read for theatre geeks, theatre lovers and for those who understand the importance of art and the communal experience of live theatre in these dark and challenging times. 

The American theatre is at a crossroads. After a worldwide pandemic and the social reckonings that took place just before and around the pandemic, the way non-profit theatres lead their institutions and produce their plays is being reexamined almost from scratch.

As we witness the collapse of institutions and systems nationally in real time, media, financial, education, religion, etc. the American theatre, too, has been called to evolve, and to re-connect with the greater community it serves. Seth Gordon, and the artistic leaders he interviews for this book, reflect deeply on the future of American theatre and it’s supporting structures. And they offer hope for emerging theatre-making.

In this illuminating episode…

• Seth offers a brief history of theatre in the USA, in particular the emergence of our national non-profit theatre institutions – the move from a strictly business model into a model that served the creation of art and it’s relationship to community, rather than the creation of profit. The ideal of non-profit theatre vs commercial theatre.
• Theatre is an instrumental element of a thriving TOWN SQUARE that supports and enriches the community it serves.
• How did the pandemic affect the faltering existence of non-profit industrial complex? Did it cause it, or simply illuminate it? 
• How have streaming services contributed to the disconnect from live theatre? We must reinvigorate the loyalty of the theatre to its community AND vice versa.
• Theatre is an “essential form of democracy” and the massive IRONY of the attack on and erosion of democracy ushered in by 47 and his regime and the pulling of federal funding coinciding with reevaluation of live theatre institutions (artistic institutions in general). Art is RESISTANCE.
• A social message vs. entertainment While the classics are relevant, is it time for brand new voices and different play structures?
• Does the Board of Directors’ role need reimagined?
• Theatre will always survive, but it may not be structured in the same way.
• All this and so much more…

Full bio/resources:

https://www.ou.edu/finearts/drama/about/people

https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-gordon-619b165/

Buy HERE. Also available at The Drama Bookstore, NYC.

Connect with your host Sandra Bargman:

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