Arts in the News, the 27th of November 2015
Controversy Around Casting Outside Race and Gender: The Dramatists Guild (DG) has officially released a position paper opposing “casting a character outside his or her obvious race, gender or implicit characteristics.” The DG goes on to argue that “to do so without meaningful consultation with the writer is both a moral and a legal breach” of the DG contract. Though casting is not specifically part of the contracts, DG President Dough Wright argues it is “an implicit part of the stage directions; to pretend otherwise is disingenuous.” Recent controversies around the casting of non-white actors and actresses at Clarion University, Kent State University, and the Hartford-based TheaterWorks were specifically cited in Wright’s explanation. Though no one disagrees that authors’ rights must be respected and not infringed upon, opposers have spoken out against narrow casting, encouraging creative approaches and innovation in the casting world. You can read Wright’s complete original paper here.
Street Art Solidarity for Paris: The hashtag #SprayForParis is capturing solidarity with the people of Paris through street art around the world. In a clever play on words of the original #PrayForParis hashtag that dominated Twitter and other social media in the days after the attacks, street arts and their fans have opted to show signs of support by doing what they do best. Murals can be found in Brazil, Australia, the United States, and other parts of Europe. You can find several Instagram captures of the murals here, courtesy of the Huffington Post. What a beautiful way to use art to show support and solidarity for a city that certainly knows something about appreciating art!
New Book Celebrates Dancing in America: Cultural critic Megan Pugh’s new book America Dancing: From the Cakewalk to the Moonwalk celebrates a century’s worth of creative and innovative dancing in the United States. Pugh focuses on two legendary performers (Bill Robinson and Michael Jackson), one classic on-screen team (Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers) and two innovative choreographers (Agnes de Mille and Paul Taylor). She discusses not only Broadway and ballet but also vernacular dances and how mass media has helped spread trends to new audiences. In discussing each of the key figures she identifies, she looks back into their own influences (like the influence of James Brown on Michael Jackson), painting an intricate and fascinating picture of the evolution of American dance. Pugh also delves into the role of dance in each of these people’s lives, noting the common “tension between the freedom of performance and realities of everyday life.” Her book pays tribute to past greats and presents a vision for the future of dance in the US.
Greeks Turning to Tango: The grim economic situation in Greece has citizens turning to a new pastime to blow off steam: the Argentine Tango. More and more open air dance parties–known as milongas–are popping up especially in the country’s capital. Some argue that the dance makes sense for the Greek people: “I know it sounds cliched to say the Greeks invented drama, but their character, their appreciation of tragedy, is very compatible with tango” explains Spanish Instructor Jordi Moragues. Local dance school director Ilias Anastasiou adds, “It’s not a dance for the rich, it never has been.” As their nation has been stricken with joblessness, poverty, and debt, the Greeks’ embracing of this new trend may reflect a long held belief that the tango can be used as a remedy against depression. The increasing popularity of milongas in Athens suggests that people are appreciating those therapeutical effects.
