Comments on: Talking About Talkbacks http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2007/03/12/talking-about-talkbacks/ Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:38:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0 by: Lindsey Barlag http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2007/03/12/talking-about-talkbacks/#comment-197 Mon, 19 Mar 2007 21:42:00 +0000 http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2007/03/12/talking-about-talkbacks/#comment-197 As the Steppenwolf for Young Adults Apprentice I have had the opportunity to facilitate several Huck Finn student post-show discussions. I have also been present at almost all post-show discussions. Institutionally, Steppenwolf has made a commitment to creating a deeper relationship with its audience. After every performance at Steppenwolf, we engage with our audience in a post-show discussion. “With” is the operative word. Talking at an audience is different than participating with a group of people. These conversations should provide the time and space for applause, response, critique, examination, and the opportunity to connect the art we communally experienced to the larger framework of our lives. I believe it is important not to differentiate our audiences. Artists and educators do have a responsibility for creating artistic experiences that serve as learning processes. We also have a responsibility to engage with young adults. Yes, it is important to create work that is entertaining. But it is also important to create work that is challenging. Yes, it is meaningful to provide the chance for students to express their curiosity about how art is made. I do not think anyone at Steppenwolf (in the cast, or not in the cast) “scoffs” at this curiosity. However, it is also meaningful to explore with students the social, cultural, and political issues a piece of art raises. In support of our commitment to dialogue, Steppenwolf also provides forums for people to converse outside of the theatre. We encourage discovery, debate, and discussion between those who work at our institution and those who participate with our institution. I believe then, the Steppenwolf blog should serve as a forum for this interaction. Discovery, debate, and discussion should not only allow for positive response, but also promote examination and critique. I encourage all to participate in this astounding opportunity for dialogue that Steppenwolf has provided us with; to discover, debate, and discuss, whatever the result may be. As the Steppenwolf for Young Adults Apprentice I have had the opportunity to facilitate several Huck Finn student post-show discussions. I have also been present at almost all post-show discussions.

Institutionally, Steppenwolf has made a commitment to creating a deeper relationship with its audience. After every performance at Steppenwolf, we engage with our audience in a post-show discussion. “With” is the operative word. Talking at an audience is different than participating with a group of people. These conversations should provide the time and space for applause, response, critique, examination, and the opportunity to connect the art we communally experienced to the larger framework of our lives.

I believe it is important not to differentiate our audiences. Artists and educators do have a responsibility for creating artistic experiences that serve as learning processes. We also have a responsibility to engage with young adults. Yes, it is important to create work that is entertaining. But it is also important to create work that is challenging. Yes, it is meaningful to provide the chance for students to express their curiosity about how art is made. I do not think anyone at Steppenwolf (in the cast, or not in the cast) “scoffs” at this curiosity. However, it is also meaningful to explore with students the social, cultural, and political issues a piece of art raises.

In support of our commitment to dialogue, Steppenwolf also provides forums for people to converse outside of the theatre. We encourage discovery, debate, and discussion between those who work at our institution and those who participate with our institution. I believe then, the Steppenwolf blog should serve as a forum for this interaction. Discovery, debate, and discussion should not only allow for positive response, but also promote examination and critique. I encourage all to participate in this astounding opportunity for dialogue that Steppenwolf has provided us with; to discover, debate, and discuss, whatever the result may be.

]]> by: Amanda Dunne http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2007/03/12/talking-about-talkbacks/#comment-193 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 19:08:57 +0000 http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2007/03/12/talking-about-talkbacks/#comment-193 Working front of house on Friday mornings, I have had the chance to watch some of the Huck Finn talkbacks and I would like to say that I applaud the SYA team and the actors for their post-show discussions. Giving the students a chance to verbally respond to the play is an important part of the process—for them to get the opportunity to talk to the cast and have a forum to contextualize the piece. You never know how hard it is to facilitate a discussion until you are the one on stage moderating, and trying to moderate a discussion with 300 to 500 high school students is a daunting task. All talkbacks are going to be a little awkward—but I am happy to see that SYA balances the discussion well. They allow the students to ask production questions like “how long does it take to memorize a play” but at the same time, they challenge the students to look beyond. SYA opens the door to letting the students see why performing brings to life stories in a new and exciting way and why seeing these plays is an important part of their education. Working front of house on Friday mornings, I have had the chance to watch some of the Huck Finn talkbacks and I would like to say that I applaud the SYA team and the actors for their post-show discussions. Giving the students a chance to verbally respond to the play is an important part of the process—for them to get the opportunity to talk to the cast and have a forum to contextualize the piece.
You never know how hard it is to facilitate a discussion until you are the one on stage moderating, and trying to moderate a discussion with 300 to 500 high school students is a daunting task. All talkbacks are going to be a little awkward—but I am happy to see that SYA balances the discussion well. They allow the students to ask production questions like “how long does it take to memorize a play” but at the same time, they challenge the students to look beyond. SYA opens the door to letting the students see why performing brings to life stories in a new and exciting way and why seeing these plays is an important part of their education.

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