HowlRound Theatre Commons: Building trust and relationships across difference is key to decolonizing theatre and building arts spaces that are of and by their communities. Many community development and audience engagement strategies aim to do this critical work. However, the way we come to these practices is often with a history and language steeped in seeing groups as “other,” devoid of closely shared connection. Two often-used buzzwords to identify privileged individuals working to decenter themselves are “ally” or “accomplice.” These labels, while well intentioned, run the risk of becoming passive identities—in other words, “I’m a good person.”
3 comments:
This article points out something that I’ve noticed in a lot of articles I’ve been reading recently about creating inclusive and diverse communities in theatre. This thing is to help create a connection between people and shows the lines of shared traits rather than illuminate the differences. This is a great idea that I think really does work effectively to create equitable environments. I really love how this article talks about being an active accomplice and not just a passive practitioner of “voyeuristic altruism”, which makes sure that people are continuing not to other people. I also love that this article talks about building trusting relationships. Implicitly by saying this, the article points out how creating inclusive environments is ongoing to develop the most inclusive and equitable environment possible. Perfection doesn’t exist in human environments and this article highlights that point. Lastly, this article points out the requirement of the privileged party to put in the work and not put the responsibility on the minority group.
This article brings up a very good point about diversity and inclusion in addition to overall togetherness in theatre (cue Diversity and Inclusion Committee entrance). Overall, though the business we are all working in, whether it be in a professional landscape or an educational environment, we have to work immensely on collaboration skills and inclusion skills overall. Our society won’t get better all together just in one swing, so each need to do all we can. This article, as many others do, addresses mainly theatrical work, but I think this sort of analysis needs to be done everywhere. In different fields such as the music industry, engineering, computer sciences, I haven’t seen any articles or discussions about this stuff, and that’s not to say they aren't be made. I really appreciate the efforts of authors of articles such as these, and I think writing things like this and bringing these topics to the foreground is how we can really change the world the way we’d like to.
My favorite part in this article is that we should reframe the reason for artists being together in the same room. For so long our industry has been establish the common knowledge that things in work stay in work. And I totally see that as a great piece of advice for the sake of professionalism. But art is not just working an job. I am hoping to get the chance to just be with people because of art. This idea seemed to echo in this article several times. To witness is a path of understanding and bridging the difference between individuals, and through witnessing we can overcome the boundary that often created by language, linage or culture. Also I am deeply encouraged by the words "your struggle is part of my story". This is what all theater art should be looking into, that no one is to be left behind.
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