‘A new direction’ for theatre: Acclaimed American director to speak at USask

By Chris Putnam

Look closely enough, and you can see the influence of quantum physics on 20^th century theatre.

It’s one example that Anne Bogart notes of the essential link between theatre and society. The discovery of quantum mechanics changed the way people thought and felt, which inevitably changed theatre. The same can be said of Cubism or Freud’s theory of the unconscious mind.

“For people in the theatre, the theatre is simply a lens through which we look at all the bigger issues,” Bogart said.

Bogart is the co-founder and former co-artistic director of the famous SITI Company theatre ensemble in New York. A theatre and opera director, Columbia University professor, and author, her work and writings have been globally influential.

On Thursday, Sept. 26, Bogart comes to Saskatoon to deliver the 2024 Gail Appel Lecture at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).

Bogart said she is looking forward to her first visit to Saskatchewan as she prepares to give a talk titled What Are We Doing? that will explore how theatre might adjust to major social, cultural and political changes now underway.

The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of artificial intelligence and the unfolding United States presidential election are some of the upheavals that Bogart sees influencing society and demanding a response from the theatre.

Recent events in the election, for example, indicate a tonal shift in the U.S. away from backbiting and negativity towards joy and community, Bogart said.

“I think our culture is potentially moving in a new direction, so it certainly asks in the theatre for a new direction as well, which has to do with respect and warmth and communion and collaboration. That is a potential direction of the theatre, but it is going to take some maneuvering to figure out how to guide this new direction.”

Politics and theatre interact in a pattern that Bogart traces all the way back to Ancient Greece, where Western theatre was born alongside the invention of democracy and Greek artists grappled onstage with the new political reality.

Theatre, Bogart argues, is uniquely about social systems—both in its subject matter and in its nature as a live performance.

“When I say it’s about social systems, it’s not only about the social system in the play or the production. It’s the social system that’s happening on the stage. It’s the relationship between the actors and the audience. It’s the audience’s relationship to one another. It’s in every way asking that question: how are we getting along?” Bogart said.

The Gail Appel Lecture Series in Literature and Fine Arts was established in USask’s College of Arts and Science in 2002. Made possible by a donation from Gail Appel (BA’66) and her husband, Mark, the series brings some of the world’s most distinguished artists to speak to the USask community. This year’s lecture is the first public event hosted by the newly established School for the Arts.

“Anne Bogart has influenced generations of theatre makers across the world. The significance of her writings, her methodology and her productions have made deep impacts on the shape of the artform over the past 50 years. But Anne’s body of work is hard to distill as it’s always been on the move in the exploration of form, texture and meaning. I’m thrilled to have her here at the University of Saskatchewan and have the opportunity to hear her speak about her theatre in the context of community,” said Ken MacKenzie, assistant professor in the USask School for the Arts and chair of the Gail Appel Lecture Series.

Anne Bogart’s talk at 7 pm on Sept. 26 is free and open to the public. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

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