Post Past

So I have heard of Post Modern and Post Modernism.
I have heard of Post-Realism and even of Post Racial .
But I have come to the conclusion that I am now Post Past. As in Post the Past. This came clearly into focus for me at the Prismatic conference where the split in thought was most clear. There are some people who still feel defined by what has gone on historically and there are some who have put that knowledge into a secondary or tertiary position and have other objectives as they move forward. I am really not one to deny folks what they need to do but for myself and Obsidian I am really trying to look forward instead of back.

Here is a very handy fellow. Used to be a god in fact.

So Janus for whom the month of January is named after is depicted both looking backward into the past and forward into the future at the same time. Kind of like the original "this door swings both ways" But I digress.
 
It seems to me that being focused in just one direction contains the seeds of problems just waiting to be born. Thus I am attempting to be Post Past where, while cognizant of the past, I am now directing my energies towards the future and spending more time on the creation of the art that I believe in as opposed to countless hours trying to un-stack the deck of the current funding modalities.

Until the reality of the changing demographics smack the Euro-based theatres square in the face nothing will change.

Until the councils move their funding models away from giving the lion's share of funding to the anchor / venue based organizations nothing will change. So be it.

I may not be able to effect that change but I can do the best of all work so that the quality of what we do is unquestioned.

Instead of trying to force our work into venues that don't understand it I am concentrating on our work in the sure and certain knowledge that what we do will be desirable, prepared and compelling in both its quality and scope.

I want history to colour my cloak but not my glasses.

Thursday Break

Drag Queens and Epictetus   In Defense of Leaving at Intermission

Ten Things Theaters Need to Do Right Now to Save Themselves


This end of week break brought to you by The Stranger

Dear Don Rubin

Further to the last post regarding  Non-Traditional Casting and Criticism I have received permission from Tony Nardi to post this email.

Dear Don Rubin,

I just heard about your  event at Tarragon Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 21, to debate the subject of “Non-Traditional Casting and Criticism.”  I hope I can make it. I hope Rocco Galati (Constitutional lawyer and producer of the filmed version of "Two Letters... And Counting!") can make it, as well.
It's too bad I wasn't informed earlier about this panel. Given the subject of Letter Two, which specifically takes issue with cultural stereotyping by critics, directors, actors (even those from non-Anglo and non-Franco
backgrounds), and from a centuries-old infestation of colonial mindsetting, it would have been interesting to be a part of it.
I confess, I find "Non-Traditional Casting and Criticism" problematic. It presumes that there exists a normal, standard position, set by a casting God, and another standard that deviates form the norm, and, that there are
people who are "like this", 'this tight' with the casting God and could define normal for all the others. Is casting a white Canadian male as Treplev or Trigorin with a phony affected English accent considered traditional (normal) casting in Canada? The answer is ‘yes’. Has been ‘yes’ for many years.

Oh...That Old Thing

So I got this today:   Event: Non-Traditional Casting and Criticism, Canadian Theatre Critics Association



and I thought...How nice. Another discussion about the relative merits of the Spider Phaeton 

vs



the Cocking Cart 

Sunday Quickies

I hate the idea that this might be lurching our way as well.
Canary in the coal mine: Theatermaking gets scary in Hungary

 To intermission or not to intermission?
 Long Enough To Reach

Down that old road again.
 Make your auditions more color inclusive

I'm still working on this one.
The magic and challenge of 'sunk costs'

I'm not sure I'm buying as original but maybe.
First US performance of Shakespeare in the original pronunciation  

Ad Hoc Assembly

 The Ad Hoc Assembly is a loose coalition of aboriginal and culturally diverse arts organizations that have come together to re-define the working arts landscape.

AD HOC ASSEMBLY STATEMENT OF INTENT

            The Ad Hoc Assembly is comprised of Aboriginal and culturally diverse companies and artists and other organizations that support their work. This group has joined together to create a new artistic working relationship between performing artists and organizations.

            We are seeking a new model that will reflect the specific needs of the Aboriginal and culturally diverse artists and organizations; a new model that redefines the role of artists by empowering them with choices that reflect their own artistic desires.

Denis Simpson: November 1950 – October 22, 2010

the Obit

Well what can I say. Denis was an old,old friend. He was always first in line to help when we needed a powerhouse entertainer for Obsidian.
We worked together years ago on the Colored Museum which was produced at the Tarragon Theatre. There is still a picture up of the cast in the theatre.
He was the guy with the biggest heart and the widest smile.
For years we would laugh about an Irie restaurant that managed to take the full hour of our meal break to make some veggies on rice. We would look at each other and with the biggest most exagerated Jamaican accent we would proclaim "But Waaaaiiiitt" and then laugh.

I wish someone could have just said to him the other day.....But Waaaiiit Denis.