Welcome back and I hope Christmas was everything you hoped it would be. As promised last week, I want to continue with the second of three reflections on areas that the new administration might consider during its first year in office.
Assisting in that effort, and from the pen of Ms. Teresa Eyring, executive director of Theatre Communications Group from her recent column in American Theater magazine, she offers these interesting considerations:
“Separate from politics, discussions among theatre practitioners are also escalating around the idea of reinvention – new financial models for organizations, new ways of engaging artists and audiences, new ways of ensuring relevance for their work.
“The radical re-imagining of our field and its institutions has never been a more serious possibility…What investment could we make today that would pay off when and if the world returns to some form of normalcy?”
I believe that this rethinking begins in the investments we make in our local communities.
As I have shared on numerous occasions in this column, when one looks at the successes realized since the advent of the Pauls Valley Arts Council, The Toy and Action Figure Museum, and how can we forget the long term relationship with The Missoula Children’s Theatre organization and the K.A.T.I.E Project, and now the partnership that will lead one day to a new Arts and Cultural Center in the old city hall building, the nation’s economic woes as they impact the arts seem a bit more remote in The Valley.
Even though it is way to early to speculate, with the beginning of New Stages, the high school communications and theatre arts program which began in late October, we have another clear indication that vital organizations within the community see value in building for the future.
I am also of the opinion, and I believe it is born out, that one success lays the groundwork for another and yet another. I am certain that seeds of creativity are germinating even as this is being written.
Next week, some parting thoughts on the arts climate for 2009 and beyond. I for one am looking forward to that journey.
And while I have you here: As you know, I always try to keep you informed on the entertainments that will impact our cultural landscape.
Whereas Shrek-The Musical was not, I am sure, developed to become theatrical beacon lighting our way into the future of large scale stage productions, but then again, it just might become that as more and more cartoons and now action heroes are providing the foundations for new shows.
Yes, I have even heard that there is a Spiderman musical in the works.
Oh, and by the way, the early word of mouth is that Shrek had a most positive opening night and when scanning the early public relations clips of some of the musical numbers, it looks like great fun.
The folks on one website went on and on about how it was not at all what they expected – and that (fortunately for the producers) is in the positive column.
And before I forget, enjoy your New Year’s celebrations and travel safe in our town, and around our town as well.
TAS
Arts & History
Past and present
- Arts & History
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‘Anonymous’ decent fiction, though pretentious
The art of the lie is one thing humanity has never let fall into disuse and it has many uses from trying to hide something to creating a good old fashioned conspiracy theory when we don’t want to accept the facts.
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Maysville history comes to life one act at a time
Ever since the dawn of classroom based learning, teachers and administrators have struggled to find ways to engage their pupils in each semester’s curriculum.
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‘The Iron Lady’ an emotional ride through adversity
As someone who has easily dedicated a lifetime’s worth of television hours nerding out to stuff like the History Channel, it is no wonder why I always eventually cave to biographical movies on some of the most famous/infamous people to make something of their humanity.
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‘J. Edgar’ a win for DiCaprio, flat elsewhere
History can often favor the victorious and ignore a lot of wrongs, but sometimes the most vile cannot completely wash away the grime.
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Team recycles for fashion
Art in some ways can always involve taking an otherwise cast aside object and giving it new use, but for three Pauls Valley business owners, it’s also a chance encourage environmental responsibility in others.
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‘Hugo’ a beautiful exposition of art in film
Though I tend to feel slightly squeamish when it comes to movies which go overboard in the artsy department, there is a way to incorporate a refined feeling without boring the heck out of everyone.
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‘The Conspirator’ perfect commentary on blind justice
In this episode of Oklahoma Ezra and the Temple of Film we dig up yet another movie lost to the box office ages, one with a fascinating premise, but lousy attendance.
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Missoula prepares for audition rush Feb. 20
Every community has traditions which carry with them a guaranteed level of excitement and one synonymous with Pauls Valley for the past 15 years has been Missoula Children’s Theater.
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‘Moneyball’ cash in the bank for best actor
Maybe it’s because math was always a special kind of hell for me throughout the education process, but any sort of award attached to a movie where it is the major dynamic seems like a cruel joke.
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‘The Grey’ follows typical blah early year trend
As a relatively balanced movie fan, I tend to be open to the possibility of any time of the year having the chance to win over audiences, though there remains reasons why most of the awesome of the box office begins around summer.
- More Arts & History Headlines
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Secret Service Boss: 'I Apologize'
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Egyptians Vote in Historic Presidential Election
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Marches to 'Remember' Tornado Victims
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
