Alex Burns of Philadelphia's Quintessence Theatre Group has been criticized by a number of female and trans actors for, in effect, robbing them of all-too-rare opportunities. He asks, "When does the community get to abort someone else’s creative impulse or vision or claim it’s not appropriate?" - Broad Street Review (Philadelphia)
Byung-Chul Han diagnosed what he called “the violence of positivity,” deriving from “overproduction, overachievement, and overcommunication.” We are so stimulated, chiefly by the Internet, that we paradoxically cannot feel or comprehend much of anything. - The New Yorker
FKA twigs (née Tahliah Debrett Barnett), the British singer/songwriter/actor, studied ballet and contemporary dance, including Graham technique, throughout her childhood and teen years. This week, at artistic director Janet Eilber's invitation, she'll perform "Satyric Festival Song." As she tells Gia Kourlas, it's a highlight of her entire career. - The New York Times
Although specific events are not yet planned, in his role as artistic ambassador, Kellogg will engage with opera audiences through post-show Q&As, panel discussions, podcasts and other community events. - Seattle Times
"The rules are always the same: 30 minutes before the meeting’s official start time, people can come, share what they are reading and find a place to sit. Then someone rings a bell or makes an announcement, and it’s reading time. For an hour, that’s it." - The Washington Post (MSN)
"I will truly believe you mean your support and sympathy when I stop seeing ads featuring these people as star attractions at your concerts; when you offer the same protections and sympathy to victims of your own institutions that you do to victims of others (hello, Curtis Institute of Music!)." - Anne Midgette
"After reaping the rewards of a protracted growth spurt, Italy‘s film industry is facing a forced slowdown as the country’s right-wing government dithers with modifications they plan to make to several key regulations, most significantly to the country’s now stalled tax incentives for film and TV production." - Variety
"Russian theatre director Zhenya Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk have been added to an official list of 'terrorists and extremists' as they await trial on charges of 'justifying terrorism' … (for) an award-winning play about Russian women who married Islamic State fighters." - Reuters
Ralph Ellison. Charles Laughton (as filmmaker). Willis Alan Ramsey, the granddaddy of alt-country. Miguel Adrover, a former fashion designer who made a coat from Quentin Crisp's old mattress. And, of course, Harper Lee. - T — The New York Times Style Magazine
As one cast member puts it, "After a couple of months … the fairy dust fades away, and you see your friends and people you really care about hurting and burnt out and not able to pay their rent." - Los Angeles Times (MSN)
The city has 360,000 residents, only 40,000 of whom live in the historic center, but receives 11 million tourists each year. Cecilie Hollberg, director of the Galleria dell' Accademia (where Michelangelo's David is located), suggests the city try a larger version of the crowd-control measures she's introduced at the museum. - The Guardian
Due to funding cuts and an existing deficit, the main gallery in Cardiff could eliminate up to 90 staff positions, and it may have to start charging for admission for the first time. Water leaks and deteriorating wiring will require closing the building if funding for repairs isn't approved. - Time Out UK
Cellist and composer Niles Luther, 27, "is kicking off his residency by composing three musical arrangements to accompany the exhibition 'Hiroshige’s 100 Famous Views of Edo' (feat. Takashi Murakami), which opened today." - Forbes
The funding received from Arts Council England (ACE) was cut by 35%, which led to WNO performances in Liverpool being cancelled in 2022, while operas in other English cities went ahead as planned. - BBC
