Warren's blog

Submitted by Warren on Sun, 05/08/2011 - 5:31pm

Separate and Not Equal!

Separate and Not Equal  

The other day I was in the presence of a spectacular playwright and human being, Jennifer Fawcett. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of sitting with a woman of equal interest Ms. J. Nicole Brooks, and just recently playwright and director Ms. Coya Paz. The saying is true ...a moment can overshadow a lifetime. Interviewing each of these extraordinary women has been an artistic enlightenment. Growing up in a single parent home (with my mama), I really thought I had a grasp of women and their struggles with this male dominated, obelisk protruding society. Like most, I respected the feminist movement of previous era's, and supported the political and societal empowerment of women in the current age.  So, yeah, like most men I felt women were earning their “equal” place in the world. However, with as much "progress" as we have made over the last century or so, I was smacked in the face by the reality that woman still don't have a voice; and what was even more appalling is that woman don’t have a voice in the one arena that one would expect them too, the one place where they could feel at liberty to express themselves and tell their stories, in the way they see it...the THEATRE!
 
Epiphany: Approximately 20% of the plays produced in the U.S. are written, directed, and/or produced by women; within 80% of male oriented works, majority of the dramaturges or Literary managers and even stage managers are WOMEN! What the heck! When I was young(er) an elder once told me how in most orthodox societies the male is responsible for providing and strengthening the family unit, and the woman had the task of nurturing and passing along the family traditions (i.e. Religion, songs, stories, family tree, cooking, way of life etc.), to the children. When and why did this change? When did man decide he was the all-and-be-all in society and within the family structure? My single parent up bringing (my mama) had well informed me why the family structure is deteriorating , but also, sitting with these women has help me realized why our traditions are being lost, why the world has lost so much heart. The world is cold, hard and sterile, and it has transitioned into art imitating life. Theatrical stories are so hard, abrasive, and in many instances unilateral. We (men) don’t know what the hell we are doing (for the most part). Upon discovering the works of these women I came to realize that my most passionate work (and best performances) have been plays and films written by women. The true story tellers! They are equipped with the natural ability to receive and recite information in a way that men just aren't wired to do. (We see, we hunt, we regurgitate).
 
Yes, men are great playwrights too, and we have written plays that will stand the test of time. But women are more than great playwrights; they are the vessels that carry the essences' of who we are and what it means to be humane. So this June, I will not only stand for the ten playwrights represented in the Alcyone Festival, but I will stand for the privilege of hearing our-story penned by the ones who were destined to tell it.  
 
GO ALCYONE…GO HALCYON!!!!! 

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Submitted by Warren on Tue, 07/27/2010 - 2:56pm

Who the Heck Do You Think You Are?

I recently had lunch with a close friend (who is a fabulous actress) and my friend exasperated this story about another fellow actor in the city who is going through a bit of actor apathy. The story goes:

This actor had a successful run of a show here in Chicago for a little over a year. Afterwards, this actor had NO work for a while...a long while (sounds familiar). The actor soon found out that the successful show was being remounted in New York and so the actor went to audition, EXPECTING to get cast in the same part, and wasn't even offered a call back. This event made the actor very upset and embarrassed. The actor came back to Chicago (with a job already booked) pissed and ornery. My friend, who was also apart of this show, said the actor would come to rehearsal late at times, with a very nasty attitude and was complaining and snappy at everything and everyone.

During the rehearsal the actor also had another audition with a very...very...VERY prestigious theatre company here in city. Once again the actor EXPECTED to get a starring role. The actor was offered the call back for a smaller role. The actor totally rejected the called-back! (Note: this actor has worked for this company only once.)

My friend, asked her friend about the attitude, and why she turned down the opportunity. The actor’s response was "I deserved better. I've worked hard and they should recognize that." Meanwhile that actor was still working the current show with a smaller company.

My issue:

I don't understand where people (especially artists) get a sense of self entitlement. I know quite a few successful, full-time Chicago actors who aren't working this season. The recent scenario the actor experienced is one all actors have or will go through. It’s a growing pain; a character builder, and it takes a lot of character to overcome such obstacles.

We artists possess precious gifts that most people would kill to have. Our God given talents have informed the world of the human condition, freed individuals of their personal bondage and strife's, and will continue to be a canvas for life and lively hood. We are privileged, and should be proud when one of us can make a living doing what we do.

It disgusts me when I hear of artist who take these privileges and turn them into prestige; when the attitude transforms from gratitude to grace. Who the heck do you think you are? We shouldn't do this for the money (especially in theatre). We should do this for love and the opportunity to show our gifts to the world. We shouldn't pout and whine when we don't get the role or the job, (yeah okay, whine a little bit). We should hold our head up and strive to move on. (I mean...HELLO, rejection is apart of this industry)

It's like I always tell my children, if you won't take it seriously, someone else will. If you don't appreciate it, someone else will. Let's continue to humble ourselves daily and continue to seek a higher esthetic in our talents. Let’s appreciate the small jobs and honor the big ones. One never knows when and how the next job will come. And we cant take for granted if there will be a "next job". Enjoy your life and your life's work.

Peace and Favor forever more

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