Whew.
The Theatre Communications Group (TCG) conference has ended. And what a conference it was. I had a lot of experiences, highs and lows, that I am still processing. I met some incredible people, connected with friends, people I admire, colleagues, etc. So many thoughts and feelings as I pack my suitcase up and prepare to return to real life. I'm lucky that my real life is a continuation, in part, of this conference. I am a theatre maker. I am grateful that I get to do that everyday of my life.
However, the part of this work that has become my heart is the international exchange and collaboration. There were several sessions about this work, including an entire day dedicated to it with the pre-conference hosted by TCG and The Lab for Global Performances and Politics. It is so clear to me what I should be doing with my life. It is this work. I attended many different sessions at the conference. I was one of about 80 Artistic Directors in a 3 part session called the Artistic Directors Summit. I even co-moderated two of the sessions. It was interesting and I met some cool people, but I also had moments where I felt strongly this is not my place. A group of mostly men (over 40 white men) with the challenges of running their LORT theatres, managing staff, funders, etc. talking and talking and talking and my mind would drift back to the global pre-conference.
Global pre-conference at Georgetown University
This is where I belong. Working to support voices from artists around the world. Producing their work. Getting their stories out there. More, more, more. Here are some things I heard (reworded from me, I did my best) from some of these artists.
"Culture and theatre help explain global politics."
"This is much more important than you."
"We can't speak this outside of the theatre"
"I am tired of being invited to the museum of my life."
"The weight of being erased."
"Racism and genocide are dehumanizing. Theatre is about humanizing. Theatre makes us human."
Artists from around the globe gathered to talk about these issues. The work, the politics, the art. Several artists had to join via Skype because they are unable to travel for various reasons including this woman:
This is Reem Alsayyah. She is a Syrian actress and refugee. Her smile is the one of the brightest things I have ever seen. I was lucky enough to hear a bit of her story and hope one day to see her performance of Trojan Women (which was not able to come to the US because the US denied their visas.)
I hope to bring several artists I met to Revolutions so that I can share these incredible people and stories with New Mexico.
This is a complicated world. I am learning everyday. I make mistakes navigating global art and politics. I say the wrong thing, come off the wrong way, etc. It's delicate. But all I can do is apologize, pick myself up and try to keep supporting the work. I know it makes the world a better place. It creates understanding and connection. It grows love.
Also, does anyone have like... $500,000 they would like to gift me? I just want to produce this work all the time. I promise to save you a seat in the front row. :)
More thoughts soon.
Washington Monument
The Theatre Communications Group (TCG) conference has ended. And what a conference it was. I had a lot of experiences, highs and lows, that I am still processing. I met some incredible people, connected with friends, people I admire, colleagues, etc. So many thoughts and feelings as I pack my suitcase up and prepare to return to real life. I'm lucky that my real life is a continuation, in part, of this conference. I am a theatre maker. I am grateful that I get to do that everyday of my life.
However, the part of this work that has become my heart is the international exchange and collaboration. There were several sessions about this work, including an entire day dedicated to it with the pre-conference hosted by TCG and The Lab for Global Performances and Politics. It is so clear to me what I should be doing with my life. It is this work. I attended many different sessions at the conference. I was one of about 80 Artistic Directors in a 3 part session called the Artistic Directors Summit. I even co-moderated two of the sessions. It was interesting and I met some cool people, but I also had moments where I felt strongly this is not my place. A group of mostly men (over 40 white men) with the challenges of running their LORT theatres, managing staff, funders, etc. talking and talking and talking and my mind would drift back to the global pre-conference.
This is where I belong. Working to support voices from artists around the world. Producing their work. Getting their stories out there. More, more, more. Here are some things I heard (reworded from me, I did my best) from some of these artists.
"Culture and theatre help explain global politics."
"This is much more important than you."
"We can't speak this outside of the theatre"
"I am tired of being invited to the museum of my life."
"The weight of being erased."
"Racism and genocide are dehumanizing. Theatre is about humanizing. Theatre makes us human."
Artists from around the globe gathered to talk about these issues. The work, the politics, the art. Several artists had to join via Skype because they are unable to travel for various reasons including this woman:
This is Reem Alsayyah. She is a Syrian actress and refugee. Her smile is the one of the brightest things I have ever seen. I was lucky enough to hear a bit of her story and hope one day to see her performance of Trojan Women (which was not able to come to the US because the US denied their visas.)
I hope to bring several artists I met to Revolutions so that I can share these incredible people and stories with New Mexico.
This is a complicated world. I am learning everyday. I make mistakes navigating global art and politics. I say the wrong thing, come off the wrong way, etc. It's delicate. But all I can do is apologize, pick myself up and try to keep supporting the work. I know it makes the world a better place. It creates understanding and connection. It grows love.
Also, does anyone have like... $500,000 they would like to gift me? I just want to produce this work all the time. I promise to save you a seat in the front row. :)
More thoughts soon.
