"What makes Austin theatre unique? An Austin Theatre Symposium" - My notes and thoughts

It’s not as much fun as it used to be.*

This quote, from a recent Albee interview, sums up the conclusions of the symposium for me.

Robert Faires, Austin Chronicle Arts Editor, opened with a brief history of theatre in Austin.  (Many of his remarks can be found in his article for HowlRound.com  http://www.howlround.com/austin-a-way-of-saying-yes.)  Enlightening and entertaining.  As a neophyte to Austin theatre, I enjoyed what he had to say.

Dr. Charlotte Canning, UT Professor in Theatre and Dance Department, moderated the panel which included, Dave Steakley, Producing Artistic Director of Zach Theatre, Rupert Reyes, Artistic Director of Teatro Vivo, a lovely woman named Lisa (didn't get her whole name, no program available, no response to my email for a list of the panelists.  Sorry, Lisa.) and the aformentioned Madge Darlington and Robert Faires.

Each shared a little of how they started in the theatre business and how they got to where they are today in Austin.  They all talked about cooperation and collaboration as a mainstay of the Austin theatre.  They talked about the difficulty of finding rehearsal and production space.  Everyone wanted more diversity and more involvement by the city government.

And there was an audible gasp and small cries of pain in the audience when Madge Darlington, Rude Mechanicals' Grrl Action Director, made an announcement which I will not repeat for fear that I misunderstood.

Each was asked for their hope for the future: resource sharing, no infrastructure, to make a living, hang on to our souls, a reason for people to come to the theatre, young voices pushing the grey heads on the panel aside.  Much of this seemed... sad and wistful.  Robert Faires, however, was more positive while acknowledging the problems currently faced, he noted that some how, theatre in Austin had survived because Austin attracted creative, intelligent people.

I left, however, sad and concerned for the future of theatre in Austin.  I hope Robert Faires is right and I am going to do everything in my power to keep Austin theatre alive.

On the ride home with my friend from Dallas who had gone with me, I asked how we could keep popular culture alive in Austin.  His response was that theatre was not popular culture.  It was like art museums, filled with the well educated and the elites.

Then I read the Edward Albee interview...


*Edward Albee, Interview - The Believer  http://www.believermag.com/issues/201309/?read=interview_albee