Land Acknowledgement
Today I write this piece on the land of the Osage (O-say-j) and Shawandasse (Shoo-wan-das), Tula (Eastern Shawnee) people. In 1830, the Indian Removal Act forcibly removed both the Osage and Shawnee (Sh-aw-nee) people from their land. In present day, the Eastern Shawnee Tribe members offers many services in education, health, and family to help the community. In addition, the Osage tribe has formed the Osage Nation Museum to inform the public about the Osage history, cultural, and artistic expression. We honor and support the tribes and the work they are doing to better society.
COVID-19: Problematic Pandemic or The Beginning of a New Renaissance?
As we all know, due to COVID-19, theatre companies around the world were put on hold to prevent the spread of disease. Many shows that were in mid production had to either come to an unfinished close or postponement, with the possibility of being closed in the future. In addition, many employees in the entertainment industry lost their jobs due to this standstill. In the article “Hollywood’s Great Depression: Meet the Entertainment Workers Left Jobless by the Coronavirus Pandemic” by Brent Land and Gene Maddaus, they stated: “It’s the greatest economic calamity to ever hit Hollywood, Broadway and other entertainment business hubs… And it’s being felt most acutely by production designers, camera operators, makeup artists, grips, stagehands, ticket takers, casting directors and character actors, whose names may not adorn cinema marquees but whose work forms the backbone of the business.” Theatre and film companies are losing important people who bring so much to the table and there’s nothing to do to stop it.
In Britain, the financial and social struggle are closing theaters during the holidays, at which time grandparents would introduce theatre to their grandchildren (Helen Lewis, 2020). British theatre companies are losing valuable revenue and missing opportunities of cultural experience among young individuals. Even though theatre is in the dark, people have been hard at work in this darkness to bring a new light to society.
Our current theatrical blackout makes me think of other historical blackouts; for example, the blackout that occurred around 1340 due to the spread of the Bubonic Plague. However, what came out of those dark times was a flourish of art and philosophy in the Italian Renaissance. A new world was created out of a situation that delayed productivity, but did not stop creativity. COVID-19 has weakened the performing arts, but on the other hand, it has made the arts community stronger.
A key trait of an artistic leader is their ability to adapt to different situations, expected or unexpected. During this time, artistic leaders are being tested and challenged to create using different platforms. Currently, the most popular form of performance is an online platform, but this is only the beginning. Theatre amateurs and professionals are also using social media platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, and others, to spread art, performance, and helpful theatre-based tips. Some are using these platforms for the first time to find their voices, make a statement, and/or connect with other artists.
TikTok users @jer24601 and @nick_t_daly duet Dear Theodosia from Hamilton
In our time away from theatre, people have been reminded of what they lost since it is no longer available. I have had multiple people come up to me and tell me that they want to start going to plays and productions when theaters open, proving people have not forgotten about theatre and live performance. I believe the Disney+ debut of Hamilton has also had something to do with this spiked interest. Furthermore, those in the music industry have been improving their home studios for recording new songs they’ve written in quarantine. Quarantine has allowed people to explore different creative sides of themselves and share what they create with others. It is amazing to observe how current artistic leaders are being tested, while other leaders and artists are being born. No matter what happens in society, nothing can break the spirit of people who yearn to create.
Citation:
Quest Sawyer
She/Her/Hers
DSF Digital Internship Participant
University of California Pennsylvania
Theatre Major & Psychology Minor
