Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: A burgeoning theater group is pushing the limits of the stage in Fairbanks, and it wants you to be a part of it.
Revive the Red Tent is an up-and-coming theater company founded just a few years ago, but it is one that has found its place in an art world crafted to stretch the imagination and open a dialogue to higher critical thinking.
Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Fairbanks theater company pushing its artistic limits
4 comments:
Hmmmm... sounds dubious. The quote ""I think that so much of classism and racism and homophobia and sexism can be attributed to thinking, ‘I don’t know anyone like that,’" co-founder Anna Gagne-Hawes said." really makes me uneasy. To say that because you know people that think, you don't know anyone that is classist, racist, or homophobic is a bit ridiculous. I think that I'm going to have to go with Avenue Q on this one, "everyone is a little bit racist sometimes."
So while that quote makes me uneasy I do think that this new theater is a neat idea. I like that it is taking people from the community that are on the fringes and allowing their stories to be heard by the general public. I am curious what that show is and I bet it could have major impacts for some people in that community. I think that theater should always be striving to represent under represented groups but it is nice see that there is one that is specifically targeted towards that.
I lived in Fairbanks for a summer and a semester, and no matter how much you laugh at this, they have a seriously cool growing arts scene. (Google 'ice sculpture world championships') Their most recent project sounds like an awesome show, specifically tailored to the local area, using the experiences of actual women who live in Fairbanks to build the play.
I'm interested in how that was recepted, considering Fairbanks has a fascinating 'small town, help out your neighbor' feeling despite being a city of 40,000 people.
I'm glad this was posted. I'm to let my artistry friends in fairbanks know, (if they don't already) and hopefully get this new company a little more local support.
Prime example of using the arts and theatre to achieve a social change. "A goal of Revive the Red Tent is to foster discussion about minorities, women or members of society who fall into the fringe by using art to expose the lesser-knowns to the masses." I've never been to Fairbanks and don't even pretend to be familiar with the culture, political climate, or social norms of small-town Alaska. But coming from the Bible belt, I know how important it is to present alternative voices and shine light on overlooked issues. There are two small theatres close to where I grew up that do just that, and started in similar ways as RTRT: as offshoot projects that turned into something bigger. I also love that they're producing and creating their own work. Hopefully, it'll have an identity distinct to Fairbanks and Alaska, and can spark much needed conversation.
This theatre is a well needed venture in many parts of this country and I am glad to see that it is thriving within Fairbanks. I do hope that they are continue to thrive and to blend together people who normally would not mix. Something that does scare me a little is whether or not this theatre will end up ostracizing the majority. Many people may not consider this to be a problem, but I see that as a problem that should be taken into consideration. Some of the people I love the most disagree with me the most, and I hope that could happen here. That people who are a little bit racist, homophobic, or classist might start to met people who are different from themselves. That RTRT would be an avenue for people to branch out and diversify their lives.
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