Houston Chronicle: Hurricane Harvey struck the downtown arts district both above and below the belt. Not only did water inundate the streets and force its way through the front door of the Houston Ballet's Center for Dance on Preston, it also rushed underground into the parking garage below Jones Plaza. Fetid stormwaters lapped at stranded cars and eventually forced their way into sections of the maze-like tunnel system that undergirds downtown. From there, it filled the basement housing the electrical equipment and props at the Alley Theatre.
2 comments:
I really loved getting to read this article after I read and reflected on another article about the Alley Theatre last week. This article highlights the absolute strength that theatre artists and theatre itself has despite all odds, and differs from the more easily looked-at hopelessness of the current horrors in Houston. When you go to see a theatrical production or live dance or music event, you are going on an adventure. There is never total certainty that the show will go seamlessly or that you will enjoy the performance thoroughly, but I love that this article highlighted a new aspect to this adventure: the environment in which you watch a show. Not only did this writing bring up the idea that the show always goes on, but it also highlighted the newly unique experiences that patrons of the arts now get to have due to something that has started out so horrifically.
I really think this article proves the resilience of the arts community and the strong support it receives in the face of any disaster. Cities like Houston tend to garner an extremely loyal following of performing arts, and these season ticket holders and frequent performance-goers are the reason the art scene in cities can continue booming. The article lists all of the theatrical, dance, and musical groups that were forced to relocate due to the storm. It’s upsetting to know that their theaters and performance spaces were flooded and damaged; however, knowing that these venues were damaged and being upset by that is what will drive the arts crowd to keep attending performances. The locals and the tourists who attend the “alternative” performance spaces to watch the insanely talented groups perform will help to not only keep those performers employed, but those profits will go to building a new, and possibly better, theater or venue.
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