Activism and Theater Arts

The term Theater Arts encompasses a wide and diverse array of topics ranging from full-blown musicals and large stage productions to local experimental and avant garde theatrical projects. The focus of this blog will be on examining changes and progress in American theater in recent years, as well as the effect of theater arts on society and current events and issues in America today. As a senior at Cornell University studying Communication and minoring in Theater Arts, this topic is one that I am very excited about, as it encompasses my core interests and studies. In addition, the interplay of performance art and pressing social issues is a topic I’ve spent a lot of time contemplating and developing unique outlooks on, and I am eager to share these with the Comm. 3600 class as well as the rest of the blogosphere.

Since theater’s earliest beginnings, with the first ever plays recorded in ancient Greece and Rome, (Greenwald & Schultz, 2001) the stage has been a definitive creative outlet for getting your voice heard. Over the centuries, but especially in recent decades, themes of some of the most well-known dramas and musicals alike have included extremely controversial topics such as racism, war, sex and sexuality, physical abuse, illegal drug use, and gay rights just to name a few.

While controversial themes in theater can sometimes be mistaken as cheap ploys for media attention, they can also be the ultimate teaching tool, a way for playwrights to express their passion and opinions in creative, entertaining, and hard-hitting ways. Plays that deal with issues that affect society, that can make people uncomfortable while making others want to stand up, take action and make a difference are the works that garner the attention of private organizations, worldwide media, and general audiences alike.

Homosexuality has been a topic of performance art pieces throughout society for years, and some of the most popular and award winning works in the theatrical world have gay themes and characters. RENT, Angels in America, and Hair, are perhaps three of the most renowned works that have captured audience’s attention, while causing both positive and negative reactions, for decades. Most recently however, a short, satirical musical theater piece was created as a tool of performance activism to demonstrate one side of a prominent social issue and try to garner new supporters to vote against Proposition 8: “a California ballot proposition that eliminates same-sex couples right to marry” (http://www.whatisprop8.com/, 2009)

First released as an internet-only satirical piece and later adapted for the live stage, “Prop 8 the musical” was performed live on February 23, 2009 on Broadway at the Defying Inequality Gay Rights fundraising event. The piece was later performed at several other live venues including California activism events and colleges and universities across the country; and was played and replayed on several national television news and political programs.

The video can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAMXclA_W-A

This example, chosen for its qualities of humor, its popularity and surrounding controversies, presents an ideal case for the power of theater arts in society. There were countless ways that the intended message (support to vote against Prop 8) could have been communicated, and indeed in the months and weeks leading up to the vote countless methods were pursued. Ads ran on TV, Facebook groups were formed, and viral marketing campaigns both online and off ensued. However, the fact that these actors, (most of whom are well known and work only in television and film) chose the form of musical theater to join together and propagate a message they felt strongly about, shows the true value and respect this art form holds in the acting community. In addition, this method was not only chosen because of its respect in the artistic community, but because it was thought that using this satirical, musical piece would be the best way to positively affect audiences. Whatever the reactions, (which in reality included massive outpourings of both public outrage and support); “Prop 8 the Musical” was indeed successful at gaining attention for a significant cause through the art of musical theater.