Monday, January 26, 2009 @4:13 AM
What defines an active democratic citizen? An effective protest? An audible voice of dissent? Anne Bogart offered me these interesting questions as I sampled her book
And Then, You Act. At first, I was dissatisfied with her obvious pessimism as she described culture as "violent" and the world as "unjust," "vicious," and "unbearable." Her seemingly needless use of foreign and archaic phrases also seemed to me to be needlessly haughty and, I must admit, I had her tagged as a typical, contemptuous playwright.
As I continued to read, however, I came to see that Bogart did indeed see the darker side of society. This was the basis for her point, however, which is anything but abysmal or submissive. Rather than criticize and point out inadequacies, as many other inactive writers, the main point of her narrative is to
act on these convictions. This neo-pessimism is well thought out and supported, and she then explains how powerful quality theater can be as well as how to achieve it.
From this point, my thoughts are mixed. I praise Ms. Bogart for her constructive breakdown of all that she believes to be good, and consequently lacking, about theater. I agree with her that theater is indeed a powerful tool, and that if theater strives to meet a certain standard of excellence as she wishes, the political arena will inevitably cave into the pressure of the performing arts. When I think of all of my favorite media, I find that a great deal of them incorporate much of her seven guidelines of good theater.
That isn't to say that they all do, though, and therein lies my chief complaint with her "system." I don't believe that any form of art follows a set formula, as she seems to think. Furthermore, theater, movies, music, literature, art, dance, and any other form of expression can stir powerful emotions in any different audience, regardless of her singular opinions of quality or worth. By creating her own rigid set of guidelines, she is, in fact, limiting the creating freedom and excellence that she so desires to see in the world once more. I believe that she only need look for it.
Labels: Bogart