Creativity Crisis: What of the American Mind?

So recently, this interesting article made its way across the LMDA (Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas) mailing server. It discusses current falling of American CQ (Creativity Quotient).

Also of related interest is this article. If one is looking to be creative, it might be best to get out of one's own way.

Noises Off: Survival as an Artist

Cruising the blogosphere, we recently came across a discussion of how one works to survive as an artist, possibly the best analysis can be found at this link.

Importance of Intermission

We recently found this article on the importance of the intermission.

Whence the Musical?

Recently, while musing on the conditions of theatre in our nation, particularly some of the dreck that has been passing in the big musical houses these days, I stumbled across this. The Savannah Dramaturgy respectfully submits the following as one of our greatest fears for the future of dramatic arts.

Critics in the Blogosphere: Hitting Close to Home

I recently found this piece over at Parabasis while cruising the blogosphere. I felt it particularly pertinent to us here at The Savannah Dramaturgy given the fact that criticism is a big part of what we do here.

However, I would note that he hits completely on the nose regarding Blog Suspicion in terms of much that is done. However, The Savannah Dramaturgy does not exist for the purpose of criticism alone. Critics are, by their nature, disinterested outsiders who give feedback.

This is not the mission of our publication here, as we are, instead, highly interested that our community as a whole flourish. Critical reviews are only worth the time if you think that the figures involved can do better, after all. It is our sincere hope that we may join with thespians in Savannah in order to construct a sustainable dramatic enterprise.

As such, we remain your faithful servants, The Savannah Dramaturgy.

Some More of the Business Model

Recently, I was cruising the blogosphere, and found the following ideas regarding our business model from Chris Ashworth. Aside from churches, it is a simple PRESENCE in the community at large that might be something we consider.

Some considerations for a Working Model of the Beautiful Process

While recently cruising the blogosphere, I stumbled across a discussion regarding the nature of the dramatic arts, particularly in terms of its relationship to the community.

Over at 99 Seats, there is a discussion comparing theatre to sports in terms of the nature of the activity and relationship to the community, particularly as an economic generator.

However, some very cogent responses are found at the Mission Paradox blog, in the fact that there is a certain fragmentation in theatre that makes things less similar to sports teams and more similar to churches.

Indeed, the tag at the end of Mission Paradox, "Go Serve Somebody," may very well be one of the single best pieces of advice for the advancement of our beautiful process. We, as individuals and institutions, are community trustees and should act accordingly.

And for the Pocketbook Naysayers

For all those would-be arts advocates out there:

As opposed to trying to slog through the entirety of Americans for the Arts latest arts impact study, the good folks at the blog createquity.com have not only provided an excellent analysis, but also an effective summary of that analysis.

The analysis can be had here.
The summary can be found here.

Open the Gates!

Recently, while perusing the latest issue of Arts Update from Americans for the Arts, I found this interesting link from an Australian publication known as The Age.

It simply reinforces a great deal of what we have been getting at here at The Savannah Dramaturgy, and thought that it was worth a read. It can be had here.