Want to hear Ginsberg's voice? You can see an animated cartoon of him reciting "America" (as well as a lot of other Ginsberg stuff) at the Official Website of the Ginsberg Trust! (Scroll to the bottom of the page.)
Thanks to the ever-inspiring Sergio Torres for first introducing me to Ginsberg's poem.
Anyone got links to any Hughes recordings?
December 29, 2006
points of origin
Every conversation has to start somewhere, and so does ours. We will begin by responding to two American poets, Langston Hughes and Allen Ginsberg, who have both addressed America in their work. The two poems can be found here and here.
Even though we're not setting out to "say" anything specific about America (at least not yet), there are still certain consequences that result from every choice we make in this process. We're starting out with two poets who, at least early in their careers, were not considered part of the "mainstream" of American literature. Their respective addresses to America come from what might have been called at the time the "margins" of American culture.
Does anyone else have any suggestions about where else we might have started? Other poets or writers (or non-writers) who spoke with or interrogated America?
Even though we're not setting out to "say" anything specific about America (at least not yet), there are still certain consequences that result from every choice we make in this process. We're starting out with two poets who, at least early in their careers, were not considered part of the "mainstream" of American literature. Their respective addresses to America come from what might have been called at the time the "margins" of American culture.
Does anyone else have any suggestions about where else we might have started? Other poets or writers (or non-writers) who spoke with or interrogated America?
December 27, 2006
our new project
Our last production at Youth Onstage!, "Over There/Over Here" by Michael Reyes, was a huge success. The play, developed in collaboration between Michael (a 22 year-old playwright and Iraq War veteran) and our ensemble of young actors, presented the war in Iraq from the perspective of America's youngest and poorest soldiers. It played to sold-out houses and received an unprecedented critical response. The New York Times called it "an impressive, poignant new work." (If you missed that play -- or want to see it again -- we've added three additional performances in 2007. Click here to buy tickets!)
We're following up that success, however, with something completely different. Our next project, called "America (a conversation)," will use music, text, and movement to engage in a dialogue with and about America. What does that mean exactly? Even we aren't sure yet. The first rehearsal is still a week and a half away! We do know, however, that the show will be created by a talented ensemble of YO!'s freshest performers, all of whom have graduated from our Community Performance School and will be making their YO! debuts with this production.
This site, too, is a work in progress. We'll be using it to track the rehearsal process. We'll update you regularly about what we've been doing in rehearsal and providing you with background information about the texts we're using. And, most importantly, since this show is "a conversation," we'll be using this site as a forum to engage in even more conversation -- amongst ourselves and also with you, our audience! We hope you'll comment on this site before and after you've seen the show, so that the conversation never stops!
We're following up that success, however, with something completely different. Our next project, called "America (a conversation)," will use music, text, and movement to engage in a dialogue with and about America. What does that mean exactly? Even we aren't sure yet. The first rehearsal is still a week and a half away! We do know, however, that the show will be created by a talented ensemble of YO!'s freshest performers, all of whom have graduated from our Community Performance School and will be making their YO! debuts with this production.
This site, too, is a work in progress. We'll be using it to track the rehearsal process. We'll update you regularly about what we've been doing in rehearsal and providing you with background information about the texts we're using. And, most importantly, since this show is "a conversation," we'll be using this site as a forum to engage in even more conversation -- amongst ourselves and also with you, our audience! We hope you'll comment on this site before and after you've seen the show, so that the conversation never stops!
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