Skylight Finally Does Something Right

The Skylight Opera has had its share of turmoil this past summer, but it looks like its finally starting to pick itself up again. They have appointed Amy S. Jensen as the new managing director.

Article: http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/arts/60738327.html

Two points immediately pop out at me as to why Jensen is a great choice for the Skylight.

1. She is familiar with the theatre. "She and her mother, Carol, have cooked and baked for the casts of many Skylight productions." It is clear that Jensen has been a part of the Skylight family for a long time and understands the Milwaukee theatre community. She understands the problems that she will be facing, but truly wants to see the Skylight succeed. Her heart is in the right place and she is ready to work hard for this company.

2. She said, "strong communication with the board, staff, artists, patrons and donors will be an immediate priority." Skylight fell apart this summer due primarily to poor communication. The problems that arose could have been lessened if management had only communicated internally and with its patrons, donors and the rest of the community. Because of this statement, it is clear that Jensen knows how to run this theatre company honestly and successfully.

The Skylight Opera has a long road ahead of them. They have a debt of about $475,000 to deal with and still no artistic director. However, they have taken a step in the right direction, and it seems they will continue to pull the company back together.

Do we REALLY need to pull the race card again?

So, David Mamet wrote another play. This one is entitled "Race."
Then, Mamet wrote an article about his own play.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/theater/13mame.html?_r=1&ref=theater

It raises the question of "of ALL the topics you could write a play about, why RACE?"

We have a black president...doesn't that mean we've made significant progress? Is the topic of race still relevant? What can you possibly say that hasn't already been said over and over?

Mamet says, "My current play, “Race,” is intended to be an addition to that dialogue."

I will admit that I am curious. I feel that the conversation of race has reached a point of stagnation, and unless Mamet's new play is going to bring an entirely new perspective to the topic, the conversation will remain stagnant. However, Mamet claims that his play DOES address a related topic that is often kept quiet.

Says Mament, "...my current play does have a theme, and that theme is race and the lies we tell each other on the subject."

I've always thought that as long as we are still discussing race, it will be an issue. It is not until we can honestly look at another person without first seeing their ethnicity, that we have truly overcome it. However, people are so afraid to be judged as being "racist" that they lie to themselves and each other about the issue. (For more proof of this, read this article. It's somewhat lengthy, but all-in-all a good, and important, read. http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/September-2009/A-Mugging-on-Lake-Street/index.php?cparticle=1&siarticle=0#artanc)

Theatre is a great way to comment on society and taboo topics, such as race. However, it has to be done right, and it has to be done well. I'm curious to see what Mamet has in store for his audience.