I love absurdist theatre, but this was ridiculous.
This morning, a had coffee at one of the many fine java joints in Milwaukee. I had coffee with a fine upstanding citizen who also happens to be involved in some sort of leadership position supporting a nice local organization that is arts related and is most always referred to as an acronym starting with U and ending with F (here's where the absurdist theatre creeps in).
This was the conversation we had, with a few dramatic flourishes, of course.
FINE UPSTANDING CITIZEN: I was looking at the upcoming season of the group featured on pages 36-49 of "Milwaukee's Live Theater" (2009, Arcadia Publishing, by Jonathan West), and frankly I decided that I wasn't going to subscribe again this year.
ME: Really, fine upstanding citizen? Why aren't you interested in subscribing to the upcoming season of the group featured on pages 36-49 of "Milwaukee's Live Theater" (2009, Arcadia Publishing, by Jonathan West)?
FINE UPSTANDING CITIZEN: I didn't much like the line up of musicals and operas featured in the upcoming season of the group featured on pages 36-49 of "Milwaukee's Live Theater" (2009, Arcadia Publishing, by Jonathan West).
ME: Sounds like good, sound, independent thinking, fine upstanding citizen.
FINE UPSTANDING CITIZEN: Yes, but then the whole blow up happened at the group featured on pages 36-49 of "Milwaukee's Live Theater" (2009, Arcadia Publishing, by Jonathan West).
ME: Yes, I think I've heard something about that.
FINE UPSTANDING CITIZEN: Yes, and I told my spouse that I knew what we now needed to do regarding the upcoming season of the group featured on pages 36-49 of "Milwaukee's Live Theater" (2009, Arcadia Publishing, by Jonathan West).
ME: What's that, independent thinker and fine upstanding citizen?
FINE UPSTANDING CITIZEN: WE'RE ABSOLUTELY SUBSCRIBING!
ME: But free thinking, good looking, community leading, you can make a difference, fine upstanding citizen, I thought you said, "I didn't much like the line up of musicals and operas featured in the upcoming season of the group featured on pages 36-49 of "Milwaukee's Live Theater" (2009, Arcadia Publishing, by Jonathan West)."
FINE UPSTANDING CITIZEN: Oh, I don't. Not my cup of tea.
ME: So why did you just say, "WE'RE ABSOLUTELY SUBSCRIBING?"
FINE UPSTANDING CITIZEN: Well I'm in some sort of leadership position supporting a nice local organization that is arts related and is most always referred to as an acronym starting with U and ending with F.
ME: Yes? So?
FINE UPSTANDING CITIZEN: Well because I'm in some sort of leadership position supporting a nice local organization that is arts related and is most always referred to as an acronym starting with U and ending with F, I need to subscribe to the upcoming season of the group featured on pages 36-49 of "Milwaukee's Live Theater" (2009, Arcadia Publishing, by Jonathan West) so it doesn't seem like I'm taking a stance about that group.
ME: But you just said you don't really care for the musicals or operas they are planning on doing?
FINE UPSTANDING CITIZEN: Oh, no, not my cup of tea.
ME: (Silence.)
The end. (really, I think this may be the end.)
Anyone wonder anymore why I started my day as a cynic?
18 smart alecky remarks:
This makes me want to start my day with some cyanide.
You know, I think leaders have to "take one for the team" or do what is good for the many rather than what is good for the individual. So that Fine Upstanding Citizen is simply asserting opinion, but shelving it and subscribing. I don't find that action all that odd.
Given slightly different circumstances, I can easily imagine you taking the opposite side of this argument. I think there is some value in trying to understand the point of view of people who feel differently. Let us make room for people to handle their reaction to the situation how they see fit. Are we now the thought police for all employees and board members of UPAF?
Guys, gals. I'm just kind of saying, if you don't like a play, don't go to the play. I understand fine upstanding citizen, I just don't accept fine upstanding citizen.
I would subscribe cuz I heard the bairtone in two of the operas is amazing.
Given the events of the past week, this sadly makes all too much sense.
*shakes head in dismay*
Please video this dialogue (with actors playing you and the FUC - aka "Fine Upstanding Citizen") and put it on youtube for all the world to enjoy. I too love absurdist theatre. Title? WAITING FOR INSANITY... WEST'S LAST TAPE? WHO'S AFRAID OF HERMAN THE HORSE?
– Michael John Moynihan
for his sake, I hope the chairs at the theatre provide ample support for his obvious lack of spine.
JW, you are missing the point on this one. Arts leaders and other arts organizations are silent on the Skylight issue because it would be wildly inappropriate for them to comment or take a position. Do you honestly think UPAF, which is the Skylight's largest donor (or for that matter, any other large corporate, foundation or individual donor) should take a public position on issues at the Skylight? These organizations need to be neutral and leave the management (or pratfalls) of the Skylight to the Skylight Board, which has the legal obligation to manage the Skylight and clean up its own mess. Same thing goes for the Mayor, the GMC, the Cultural Alliance and many corporate and foundation supporters of the Skylight who have remained completely silent. FUC is in an awkward spot and needs to subscribe to avoid taking a position which suggests he "agrees" with others who have recklessly made subscription renewals a protest issue.
You also obviously know (but did not bother to mention) that these leaders and organizations are very likely working behind the scenes to address any concerns they have. If they ultimately disagree with those decisions, they will politely and quietly decline support in the future, not make a big stink about it. Artists in this community may not like it, but the evil corporate world is deliberate and process-oriented. It does not wear its heart on its sleeve. It appreciates the concerns of the artistic community which has asked a number of good questions (and also some really paranoid, misguided ones), but is concerned that some in that community have gone too far, possibly inflicting irreparable harm to an organization they claim to love.
With the Skylight we are seeing an obvious difference between the communication style of the artists and corporate leaders. Artists should not perceive that difference as ambivalence, but they should think hard about what it means in a community where the lions' share of support for the performing arts is provided by a very small group of individuals, foundations and corporations and should think twice before taking cheap shots at those who voluntarily support and fund Milwaukee's unusually vibrant arts community.
Pink Suit - Perhaps you are unaware that JW in fact holds a position that most would consider, in fact, an "Arts Leader". Hmmmm.
You also say "With the Skylight we are seeing an obvious difference between the communication style of the artists and corporate leaders. Artists should not perceive that difference as ambivalence..."
I personally, don't know any corporation that would make an announcement as important as this one by sending a short email to a newspaper columnist after business hours. Can you imagine what would have happened had Midwest Airlines announced their impending sale to Republic Airways via an email?
Just sayin'
Michaela, thanks for your comment.
I am aware that JW is an arts leader, just not the corporate type. We all love him for that.
As for the difference in communication styles, let me clarify that I was referring not to how the Skylight handled its own communication, but to the communication style of the broader corporate community. Those people do their talking directly with the decision-makers and not in an online forum. The artists don't necessarily have that same access (or at least can't get a return call at this time), so a passionate discussion online is a good alternative -- maybe the corporates are all just as upset about what happened at the Skylight and are working towards the same end. We won't know until the whole thing plays out.
Pink suit said: "Those people do their talking directly with the decision-makers and not in an online forum. The artists don't necessarily have that same access (or at least can't get a return call at this time), so a passionate discussion online is a good alternative"
No. NO NO NO! Online discussion as a terrible fucking alternative.
Admins playing their cards close to their chest and marginalizing artists to "passionate" ineffectual discussion online is an INSULT TO THE ARTISTS THAT GIVE THOSE ADMINS A JOB.
This attitude alone is reason enough to unsubscribe from Skylight, UPAF, The Journal etc.
Your priorities and the priorities of these organizations (and probably half their donors) are completely ass-backwards and ultimately anti-art. Your "support" which puts fundraising and the idea of art as status or potential economic stimulator or whatever, above artists as creators of valuable expressive objects and experiences is not fucking support at all, it is DEATH.
I honestly cannot beleive that artists put up with this kind of condescention from you people. It's pathetic and disgusting. ugh. The FUC isn't the only one who needs to grow a spine.
Ben, I am sure you honestly believe that the arts community would be better off without the $20 Million plus that UPAF, corporate and foundation supporters put into the performing arts groups annually. I respectfully disagree and believe it would be a complete disaster for our community. You can get your way by convincing those who subscribe to your views to withdraw their performing talents from the big-business arts groups. We'll see which model turns out to be more sustainable in the long term.
And Ben, please show a little respect for arts supporters who are not "artists" but who love the arts and have an honest and passionate disagreement with your world-view. Name-calling and four letter words really have no place in a forum of ideas and healthy debate.
Link below to comments from Christine Harris, an Arts Leader, head of the Cultural Alliance and former President of UPAF.
http://www.culturalalliancemke.org/node/68
"We'll see which model turns out to be more sustainable in the long term."
That's the fucking plan exactly.
"Name-calling and four letter words really have no place in a forum of ideas and healthy debate."
Oh, but polite condescention and marginalization do have a place?
Here's a deal: i'll stop telling you how to spend your money when you stop telling me how to talk. In the mean time you can keep your filthy green paper.
JW: i would have given the Fine Upstanding Citizen an actual name. Kevin, Keith, Kirk maybe.
or how about this: Fine Upstanding Citizen Kevin Harold Ethan Allen Daniel?
or Fine Upstanding Citizen Kirk William Andrew Davidson.
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