Pulitzer prize-winning playwright, Tony Kushner, and a distinguished five-member panel engaged in a thought-provoking discussion Monday evening in front of a half-filled Dana auditoriumon the potential power of theatre to stimulate social and political change. Guilford’s Associate Professor of Theatre Studies Jack Zerbe began Monday night’s event with a thorough introduction of Kushner and humorous explanation of his visit to Guilford.
Kushner began with a brief, animated reading from his more recent play, in which humor is interspersed to capture and then direct the audience’s attention to serious social/political commentary.
Later, reading an article he had written describing his philosophy behind socially and politically motivated art and theatre, Kushner claimed art to be more effective than ordinary modes of action and that “…political art is energizing, interesting, and effective … it teaches and entertains.”
After the reading, Kushner joined a five-member panel, moderated by Jack Zerbe, which included Maria Irene Fornes (nationally celebrated playwright), Gerald Freedman (director and dean of theatre at the North Carolina School of the Arts), David Hammond (artistic director of Playmakers Repertoire in Chapel Hill, NC), and Dr. Donald Wolfe (emeritus director of drama at Wake Forest).
Discussion between the panel members was prompted by Zerbe, whose questions ranged from whether theatre can make a social or political difference to whether socially or politically charged theatre equals good theatre (the answers to which, respectively, were yes and yes, no, and maybe not). Each member’s position was heard at some point in the discussion, and only for a couple of minutes at the end did discussion drift off the subject at hand — usually to dabble in a humorous area of the discussion or in debate of directorial freedoms.
Closing out the evening, Zerbe asked what advice any of the panel members might have for young artists who want to make a difference socially or politically.
Gerald Freedman was the first to answer. “You have to have something to say — theatre is the medium.”
Kushner wrapped up the discussion by replying, “ … there’s a moral imperative to become active … ambition and a deep connection with the community are necessary … do the work, it takes more than just awareness.”
A reception and book signing in Boren lounge of Founders hall proceeded the reading and panel discussion. There, members of the audience met and spoke with members of the panel as well as Kushner.
“He’s so damn smart and down to earth,” said Ian Watlington, cast member of the upcoming Guilford performance of Kushner’s Perestroika.
(Part II of Kushner’s controversial Angels in America will run at Guilford on April 6, 7, and 12 – 14).