[NEohioPAL]pd and our community

Wed Nov 16 06:57:43 PST 2005

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This is my first personal posting to NEOPAL. I write it because the PD
dialogue has sparked many feeling in me. I hope that if you read it, you
will sense my care for our community, and understand that I say all this out
of concern for the future.

When I first read the emails about the listings, I was thankful for neopal
and grateful to so many people who were ready to fight for the cause. It was
encouraging. However, as time went on, and more facts came to light, I have
become somewhat disturbed. 

It is important to speak to power and when it comes to papers, I have done
so. I have written unabashedly about specific critics' lack of
professionalism, the detrimental effect of conservativism in arts critique,
and the lack of accountability or room for dialogue in the realm of theatre
critique. The fact that most people are afraid of critics (since ultimately
critics are purely subjective and any ill-will necessarily will effect their
"objective" viewpoint) necessitates a kind of high level of accountability
for critics, which is not maintained among all our papers. Additionally, I
am disturbed by the shrinkage of arts coverage in all the local papers. I am
saddened by the lack of respect many critics and editors have for the
individuals who make up the local theatre community. Most of all, I am
saddened by our desperate reliance on these papers as we struggle to remain
relevant and economically feasible. 

I am impressed by many of the articulate letters written to the PD. However,
I share Tony Brown's sense that this conversation is getting out of control.
We are asking for respect, so we need to behave respectfully. I am not
blameless. In the past, I have written some things that were too ranting and
I regret that I did not communicate my feelings in a more calm manner,
especially since I believe that what I was saying was factual, true and
necessary. Ultimately I did not achieve my aim, however justified it might
have been, because I was unrestrained and overly emotional. Because of my
lack of tact, the stupidity I tried to alter remains dumber than ever.

If some choose to boycott, that's a time honored tradition that I support.
If others choose to continue to organize respectful letter writing
campaigns, I think that's a fine way to seek change. However, our community
will be best served through taking the time to listen and through a true
desire for dialogue. That level of discourse is not nurtured by ranting,
patronizing, and threatening emails.

I would also say that there are more problems with our arts coverage than
the Plain Dealer, and more serous issues than audition listings. I don't
mean to diminish listings, they are important, but if we are going to take a
stand why don't we do so around more critical issues. As a community we
should work toward better pre-show coverage in the weeklies. We should
advocate for top-notch level critics across the board (there are a few
bright spots, I know) and greater dialogue between arts writers and art
makers. In these three areas, the Plain Dealer is doing better than most. I
find Tony and Carolyn to be inquisitive, caring, and curious writers. Though
I often disagree with them (which makes sense since I have different values
than the field as a whole and different expectations of theatrical
experience), most (but not all) of their work has been respectful and
written with a sense of care for artists. They have clearly advocated for
theatre within the PD and we don't make their job easier by appearing to be
disrespectful.

Additionally, there are some major problems with the PD that do not involve
theatre. Their coverage of 9/11, Iraq, and other recent issues has been
deplorable. Some of you may have heard on NPR that the PD spiked stories for
fear of reprisals from the "administration." (it was on the show "On the
Media" I think.) Of course we need to react on multiple issues and we should
advocate for our own belief that art is important, but let's not forget we
are in a big world.

My experience here in Cleveland, is that our audiences are actually more
perceptive, wise, and open minded than most critics and editorial staff. The
public often rises above the critical community, and this has resulted in
sold out shows in spite of mean and flippant reviews. Some critics have even
told me that they think Cleveland audiences are unsophisticated and closed
minded. My experience in several multiple cities both nationally and abroad
has taught me otherwise. Just as our audiences rise above the critics, so we
as a community should also strive to rise above this difficulty and discuss
better ways to get listing information out. NEOPAL is an amazing thing! We
need more ideas like that. Yes, we should advocate with our papers, but we
should also advocate within our community. We are not blameless in the
lessening attention and importance the community places on theatre. When we
think of ourselves as "victims of local and national trends" we really lose
an opportunity for reflection and growth.

That's my more than two cents worth.

Thank you NEOPAL.

Raymond

raymond bobgan

cpt education

we believe art can change lives

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<div class=3DSection1>

This is my first personal posting to NEOPAL. I write =
it
because the PD dialogue has sparked many feeling in me. I hope that if =
you read
it, you will sense my care for our community, and understand that I say =
all
this out of concern for the future.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

When I first read the emails about the listings, I =
was
thankful for neopal and grateful to so many people who were ready to =
fight for
the cause. It was encouraging. However, as time went on, and more facts =
came to
light, I have become somewhat disturbed. <o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

It is important to speak to power and when it comes =
to
papers, I have done so. I have written unabashedly about specific =
critics’
lack of professionalism, the detrimental effect of conservativism in =
arts critique,
and the lack of accountability or room for dialogue in the realm of =
theatre
critique. The fact that most people are afraid of critics (since =
ultimately critics
are purely subjective and any ill-will necessarily will effect their =
“objective”
viewpoint) necessitates a kind of high level of accountability for =
critics,
which is not maintained among all our papers. Additionally, I am =
disturbed by
the shrinkage of arts coverage in all the local papers. I am saddened by =
the
lack of respect many critics and editors have for the individuals who =
make up
the local theatre community. Most of all, I am saddened by our desperate
reliance on these papers as we struggle to remain relevant and =
economically feasible.
<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

I am impressed by many of the articulate letters =
written to
the PD. However, I share Tony Brown’s sense that this conversation =
is getting
out of control. We are asking for respect, so we need to behave =
respectfully. I
am not blameless. In the past, I have written some things that were too =
ranting
and I regret that I did not communicate my feelings in a more calm =
manner, especially
since I believe that what I was saying was factual, true and necessary. =
Ultimately
I did not achieve my aim, however justified it might have been, because =
I was
unrestrained and overly emotional. Because of my lack of tact, the =
stupidity I
tried to alter remains dumber than ever.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

If some choose to boycott, that’s a time =
honored
tradition that I support. If others choose to continue to organize =
respectful
letter writing campaigns, I think that’s a fine way to seek =
change.
However, our community will be best served through taking the time to =
listen
and through a true desire for dialogue. That level of discourse is not =
nurtured
by ranting, patronizing, and threatening =
emails.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

I would also say that there are more problems with =
our arts
coverage than the Plain Dealer, and more serous issues than audition =
listings.
I don’t mean to diminish listings, they are important, but if we =
are
going to take a stand why don’t we do so around more critical =
issues. As
a community we should work toward better pre-show coverage in the =
weeklies. We
should advocate for top-notch level critics across the board (there are =
a few
bright spots, I know) and greater dialogue between arts writers and art =
makers.
In these three areas, the Plain Dealer is doing better than most. I find =
Tony
and Carolyn to be inquisitive, caring, and curious writers. Though I =
often
disagree with them (which makes sense since I have different values than =
the
field as a whole and different expectations of theatrical experience), =
most (but
not all) of their work has been respectful and written with a sense of =
care for
artists. They have clearly advocated for theatre within the PD and we =
don’t
make their job easier by appearing to be =
disrespectful.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

Additionally, there are some major problems with the =
PD that
do not involve theatre. Their coverage of 9/11, <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:country-region
 w:st=3D"on">Iraq</st1:country-region></st1:place>, and other recent =
issues has
been deplorable. Some of you may have heard on NPR that the PD spiked =
stories
for fear of reprisals from the “administration.” (it was on =
the
show “On the Media” I think.) Of course we need to react on
multiple issues and we should advocate for our own belief that art is
important, but let’s not forget we are in a big =
world.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

My experience here in <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:City></st1:place>,
is that our audiences are actually more perceptive, wise, and open =
minded than
most critics and editorial staff. The public often rises above the =
critical
community, and this has resulted in sold out shows in spite of mean and =
flippant
reviews. Some critics have even told me that they think <st1:City =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:place
 w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:City> audiences are =
unsophisticated and
closed minded. My experience in several multiple cities both nationally =
and
abroad has taught me otherwise. Just as our audiences rise above the =
critics,
so we as a community should also strive to rise above this difficulty =
and
discuss better ways to get listing information out. NEOPAL is an amazing =
thing!
We need more ideas like that. Yes, we should advocate with our papers, =
but we
should also advocate within our community. We are not blameless in the =
lessening
attention and importance the community places on theatre. When we think =
of
ourselves as “victims of local and national trends” we =
really lose an
opportunity for reflection and growth.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>That’s my more than two cents =
worth.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Thank you NEOPAL.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Raymond<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D1 face=3D"Eras Demi ITC"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
7.5pt;font-family:"Eras Demi ITC"'>raymond =
bobgan</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D1 face=3D"Eras Demi ITC"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
7.5pt;font-family:"Eras Demi ITC"'>cpt =
education</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D1 face=3D"Eras Demi ITC"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
7.5pt;font-family:"Eras Demi ITC"'>we believe art can change =
lives</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

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