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Monday, September 18, 2023
‘An active social act’: the Ukrainian playwright paying tribute to her mother on stage
Stage | The Guardian: For a year Sasha Denisova didn’t tell her mother, Olga, who lives in Ukraine, that she had written a play about her. When director Yury Urnov made plans to stage it in the US, Denisova vowed to herself every month: “I need to tell my mama. I need to tell my mama. I need to tell my mama.”
I thought this was a beautiful article! There were a few things I really enjoyed. The first thing I enjoyed was how she talked about being nervous to tell her mom she wrote a show about her. I could only imagine how nerve racking it would be to even write about such a personal story but then to have to turn to the person it is about and show it to them…I would be absolutely terrified. Another thing I loved was just how abstract the plot sounds. I like the idea of taking really heavy, difficult stories and adding a layer that makes it feel a little lighter. That way we are telling the important stories but it doesn't always have to be so dark and heavy. The last thing I really enjoyed was when she said, “I won’t call this effect therapeutic,” she says. “The emotions don’t end. It’s not like you leave these emotions through and they’re done if you’re doing a piece”. I think this is really important because I feel it is so often talked about that by producing the art you heal and overcome the emotions. However, in my experience this is not always true but that does not mean the art is not important. It just doesn't always have to be the thing that heals all the problems.
I think this is an incredibly amazing show of what art can do, and how we can impact the world around us. Sasha Denisova wrote a very cool play that I would love to read and understand the full political background behind all of it. I also love my mom a lot and it was amazing to hear the story of Denisova letting her mother know about the play. Also an incredibly ballsy move to do this right by the congress building. I applaud Sasha Denisova for having the courage to do this and stand up for an incredible cause. Now let me say I am not the most educated on this topic, and I am not the right person to gain an opinion from. However, I am appreciative of people continuing to talk about it and shed light on the war because it didn’t just fix itself. It is not just a “cause” or something like that, it is people’s lives. I am in awe of these incredibly strong people and hope to create art that calls attention like this in the future.
The Ukrainian playwright paying tribute to her mother on stage explores the powerful and emotional journey of a Ukrainian playwright honoring her mother through theater. The playwright, whose name is not mentioned in the article, creates a deeply personal and autobiographical play that delves into the complexities of mother-daughter relationships and the impact of political events on family dynamics. Through her storytelling, the playwright brings forth themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience, highlighting the universal experiences that connect us all. The article emphasizes how theater serves as a medium for self-expression and catharsis, allowing the playwright to process her own emotions and share her story with audiences. It emphasizes the transformative power of art in creating connections and sparking conversations about important social issues. The article provides insight into the creative process behind the play, revealing the playwright's meticulous attention to detail and her desire to create an authentic and immersive experience for the audience. It also touches upon the broader social and political context in Ukraine, adding depth and context to the narrative.
3 comments:
I thought this was a beautiful article! There were a few things I really enjoyed. The first thing I enjoyed was how she talked about being nervous to tell her mom she wrote a show about her. I could only imagine how nerve racking it would be to even write about such a personal story but then to have to turn to the person it is about and show it to them…I would be absolutely terrified. Another thing I loved was just how abstract the plot sounds. I like the idea of taking really heavy, difficult stories and adding a layer that makes it feel a little lighter. That way we are telling the important stories but it doesn't always have to be so dark and heavy. The last thing I really enjoyed was when she said, “I won’t call this effect therapeutic,” she says. “The emotions don’t end. It’s not like you leave these emotions through and they’re done if you’re doing a piece”. I think this is really important because I feel it is so often talked about that by producing the art you heal and overcome the emotions. However, in my experience this is not always true but that does not mean the art is not important. It just doesn't always have to be the thing that heals all the problems.
I think this is an incredibly amazing show of what art can do, and how we can impact the world around us. Sasha Denisova wrote a very cool play that I would love to read and understand the full political background behind all of it. I also love my mom a lot and it was amazing to hear the story of Denisova letting her mother know about the play. Also an incredibly ballsy move to do this right by the congress building. I applaud Sasha Denisova for having the courage to do this and stand up for an incredible cause. Now let me say I am not the most educated on this topic, and I am not the right person to gain an opinion from. However, I am appreciative of people continuing to talk about it and shed light on the war because it didn’t just fix itself. It is not just a “cause” or something like that, it is people’s lives. I am in awe of these incredibly strong people and hope to create art that calls attention like this in the future.
The Ukrainian playwright paying tribute to her mother on stage explores the powerful and emotional journey of a Ukrainian playwright honoring her mother through theater. The playwright, whose name is not mentioned in the article, creates a deeply personal and autobiographical play that delves into the complexities of mother-daughter relationships and the impact of political events on family dynamics. Through her storytelling, the playwright brings forth themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience, highlighting the universal experiences that connect us all. The article emphasizes how theater serves as a medium for self-expression and catharsis, allowing the playwright to process her own emotions and share her story with audiences. It emphasizes the transformative power of art in creating connections and sparking conversations about important social issues. The article provides insight into the creative process behind the play, revealing the playwright's meticulous attention to detail and her desire to create an authentic and immersive experience for the audience. It also touches upon the broader social and political context in Ukraine, adding depth and context to the narrative.
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