Why theater remains an enduring sanctuary during human catastrophe
In short: From global pandemics to the displacement of refugees, theater has consistently survived the collapse of empires and the onset of war. This talk explores how the arts provide a resilient space for imagining a more just world when reality fractures.
Writer and director Cara Greene Epstein contextualizes the theater closures of the coronavirus pandemic by examining centuries of history where art has prevailed despite catastrophe. She argues that these periods of forced intermission offer a unique opportunity to envision a more beautiful and representative world both on and off the stage.
The resilience of performance is further illustrated by Amir Nizar Zuabi’s project "The Walk." This initiative features Amal, a giant puppet representing a nine-year-old Syrian refugee, who traveled 5,000 miles across Europe to deliver a message of hope regarding the plight of displaced people.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Cara Greene Epstein: How theater weathers wars, outlasts empires and survives pandemics
- Also: Amir Nizar Zuabi: How one puppet's 5,000 mile journey delivers a message of hope : NPR
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