| A Publication of the Region 2 Arts Council | Vol. 1 No. 1 | Feb/Mar ' 01 |
Bemidji is Ready for “Equus” |
Arts Advocacy Day Feb 7Last year, over 400 arts advocates came from every corner of Minnesota to thank our state legislators for supporting the arts. This year, we’d like to surpass that number. Past participants have enthusiastically reported two things about Advocacy Day. First, they felt empowered by gathering together with 400 like-minded people. Second, they say that Arts Advocacy Day is the best arts networking event of the year, because it is the only time that arts lovers of all kinds gather together in one place. Through this big day, we show what a strong, vital arts community we have in Minnesota. Participation in events like Arts Advocacy Days in the past has led to significant increases in state arts funding, including 1997’s $12 million Arts Initiative, for which the unified voice of the arts community was critical to our success. Two years ago, some legislators proposed cutting the arts by 50%, but our strong, united voice prevent the cuts. The arts appropriation is up for consideration again this year. On February 7, we’ll be out in force to say “Please support arts funding.” If you can’t come, but would still like to be an advocate for the arts, send a short letter to your legislators the first week of February. According to Rep. Alice Hausman, “Ten letters can influence a legislator.” For facts and figures about the arts in Minnesota, and for more information about Arts Advocacy Day, contact MCA at 612/338-2870 or <www.mtn.org/mca> |
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In March, after nineteen years of directing and acting in over a hundred different productions in the Bemidji area, I will bring Peter Shaffer's Equus to the Paul Bunyan Playhouse stage. Why do I think Bemidji is ready for a play like Equus? We are used to seeing musicals, comedies, and mysteries on stage -- the type of theatre that makes us leave with a little smile, feeling a little more light hearted. Occasionally, theatre groups will try something different. College theatre students engage in experimental theatre as part of the learning process. Bemidji Community Theatre has also staged different styles of theatre. Listening Winds Theatre produced Turtle Island Blues, a political and historical satire that launched Bemidji into uncharted waters. Recently, the movie Castaway made me think how often we take movies for granted. Many movies give us entertainment, but is that art? To me, Castaway is an art piece. One person, alone on the screen for three-quarters of the movie, in a small space, holds our interest. Was it also entertainment? Definitely! Theatre also can be more than mere entertainment. We do not always understand what a painter or a sculptor is trying to accomplish. A painting, a sculpture (a composition, a film, a play...) can make us think and stimulate discussion. When PBP produced Cabaret last fall, it stirred up a whirlwind of discussion. A few controversial scenes were part of that director's vision. A director interprets a play, and paints his or her own picture on stage for the audience. A play is not merely written by the playwright and performed by the actors; it is subject to the interpretation of the director. Each director has the power to interpret the same play in many different ways. When I teach acting classes, I underscore this fact through interpretation exercises. |
Bemidji is an art-happening explosion, and for an artist, this is the place and time to be adventurous. I am not about to risk my reputation with shocking theatrics, perhaps making someone miss the big picture, or the integrity of the piece; with Equus, I want to create a thought-provoking work of art. I see three reasons the time is right to present Equus: First, the Bemidji audience is hungry for challenging, thought-provoking, artistic theatre. While we should strive for artistic quality, not everything needs to be family entertainment. Second, we have the right cast of characters for the work that needs to be done both on and off stage. Artistic theatre requires the talents of not only wonderful local actors, but many accomplished artists, as well: Al Belleveau is working on sculptures; Mitch Blessing is designing and building the set; Karen Bradley is arranging the music (though Equus is not a musical); Karen Filardo is coaching stage movement; Ginny Brown is designing costumes Finally, there is me. I'm ready to accept the challenge of this production. I saw Equus on Broadway 26 years ago; I've seen the movie; I've done parts of it for Reader's Theatre; I'm ready to bring my interpretation of Equus to the stage. Think of the challenge -- for all of us! Greg Gasman is also the General Manager of Harmony Foods Co-op. He and his wife, Kay live in Laporte with their two sons. "Equus" is an intellectually-challenging play, delving into the psyche of a 17 year-old boy who uses a pick to blind six show horses in his care.
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| Serving Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods & Mahnomen Counties of NorthCentral Minnesota | |||
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If you are interested in the rest of this issue, call
us at 751-5447 or 1-800-275-5447 and we will be glad to send a copy
to you.
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