Blog 10

Theatre is more than just a forum for us to air our differences to those willing to hear them. Theatre is an opportunity to get people who normally wouldn’t hear about these things to hear them.  My example here would be commercial theatre. Big theatres in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles are kind of known for doing fluff pieces. Most musicals that actually last are going to be your Cinderellas and Mary Poppins and Wickeds. These aren’t bad things at all. I love all of these shows, however why not pepper in some of these classics with a bit of issues? Let’s create a new dialogue from shows that make money. If you do a proper mix of them both, a message will be heard. I know this is much easier said than done, I totally get that. The world of Broadway will never change overnight nevertheless in a decade, but we could be the generation that tries.  If we bring in issues of oppression then maybe voices will be heard.

Theatre isn’t the answer to help stop these big issues. Nothing will be able to stop genocide and war, but we can certainly be an agent. I believe that theatre creates a voice that can and will be heard. If we allow theatre to be the voice of many civilians, then maybe a change could spark. Ultimately, theatre cannot save the world. I wish it could, but unfortunately not enough people care.  I don’t think that half of the politicians in office at the white house would take the time out of their day to go see a play that features oppression.  But if enough people see it and are inspired by it, the more it becomes an issue that is actually cared about and then something can be done.