S1:E8 Reimagining the future of theatre and live performance – Jesse Cameron Alick in conversation with Adrian Ellis
Guest
Jesse Cameron Alick
In conversation with
Adrian Ellis
Key Takeaways Contributor
Criena Gehrke
In this episode, Adrian Ellis speaks with Jesse Cameron Alick, about his recently published study, commissioned by the Sundance Institute, based on extensive interviews of artists, arts administrators and thought leaders. The focus is the state of live performance as we 'emerge from the cave' of Covid. They discuss the key findings and themes of the study – particularly the skepticism that artists interviewed expressed about the the commitment of larger cultural institutions to artists, to their local communities, and to equity and inclusion.
After, Adrian is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways. They discuss the moral, political, economic... and artistic! – responsibilities that 'anchor institutions' need to balance.
Date of Recording
26 August 2021
Date of Publication
9 September 2021
[00:00:00]
[THEME MUSIC]
[00:00:06]
Adrian Ellis: Hello, and welcome to The Three Bells. This podcast is one of a series brought to you by AEA Consulting and The Binnacle Foundation for the Global Cultural Districts Network, in which we explore what's happening around the world on those busy and sometimes congested intersections of cultural and urban life.
The series and supporting materials can be found at http://thethreebells.net and if you like our content, please subscribe and give us a positive review on your podcast listening platform of choice.
I'm Adrian Ellis, Chair of GCDN, and today I'm talking to Jesse Cameron Alick about a report commissioned by the Sundance Institute and just published, called, Emerging from the Cave. It’s an analysis of the ecology of the performing arts based on interviews with 70 odd artists, creatives, arts administrators, and thought leaders in the cultural sector. It’s an important report, and as we talk our way through the main analysis and the principal recommendations, I think you’ll agree. After my conversation with Jesse, I’ll be joined by Criena Gehrke for our usual key takeaway segment. So stay tuned.
[00:01:12]
MUSIC TRANSITION
[00:01:18]
Adrian Ellis: Jesse Cameron Alick is a producer, a poet, a playwright, an essayist, and a science fiction expert. But none of those reasons are directly why he's here today. He's here today because he's the author of a report commissioned by the Sundance Institute, called, Emerging from the Cave: Reimagining Our Future in Theatre and Live Performance.
I think it's an important report and I'm going to ask Jesse to talk us through it, its origins and its implications. But before I do that, Jesse, I usually like to ask our guests a little bit about themselves.
Jesse Cameron Alick: Absolutely.
Adrian Ellis: I described all those things that you are, but I missed one word out of that, which was dramaturg. And I'm guessing that when you were young, you didn't say to your mum, I want to be a dramaturg when I grow up.
Jesse Cameron Alick: (laughs)
[00:02:02]
Adrian Ellis: So I'm fascinated to know a little bit more about your professional path to your current position as the dramaturg and the Associate Artistic Director of the Vineyard Theatre in New York.
[00:02:13]
Jesse Cameron Alick: Absolutely. Well, Adrian, thank you for chatting with me today. And thank you for reading the study. Also, it was such a labour of love but um, to go way back in time, let's see.
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External Links
Emerging from the cave - Reimagining our future in theater and live performance: interactive website hosting the study and its ancillary materials – including a video presentation of the report
Sundance Institute: As a champion and curator of independent stories for the stage and screen, this nonprofit organisation provides and preserves the space for artists in film, theatre, film composing, and digital media to create and thrive
About Our Speakers
Jesse Cameron Alick is a dramaturg, producer, poet, playwright, essayist, artistic researcher and science fiction expert. He is currently the Associate Artistic Director of the Vineyard Theater in NYC. Jesse is the author of Emerging from the cave – Reimagining our future in theater and live performance, a recently published independent study commissioned by the Sundance Institute. +
Adrian Ellis is the founder of AEA Consulting (1990) and the Global Cultural Districts Network (2013). He has worked in senior management and as a board member in both museums and the performing arts and as a strategy consultant to leading clients in the cultural, public, and business sectors around the world. +
Criena Gehrke is Chief Executive Officer of HOTA, Home of the Arts. She has a diverse and eclectic background in arts management and a particular passion for the role of arts and culture in building strong and connected communities. She has worked with all tiers of government on the development and implementation of cultural policy. +
