A frequent complaint regarding the relationship between Middletown and the University is that there essentially is none. Suzan-Lori Parks’ 365 Days/365 Plays seems to have helped in spark the relationship. Parks’ notion of “radical inclusion”—of involving anyone and everyone in theater and having free, public performances—is wonderfully inspirational.
Besides the attraction of the festival’s unconventionality, the event’s multiple venues and times do a marvelous job of eliminating the inconvenience factor that would otherwise deter the less theater-inclined. With performances several times a day at locations as varied as Olin, Freeman Athletic Center, Typhoon, and Traverse Square, accessibility is an excuse for neither students nor Middletown residents. The Write On Playwriting Marathon, to which everyone in the Middletown area is invited, is definitely “radically inclusionary” in its vision. We sincerely thank the actors and organizers for realizing the connection with Middletown that is so often expressed but not necessarily acted on.
More importantly, 365 goes beyond just a one-time gesture from the University to the Middletown community or vice-versa. As a part of a national movement, “Wesleyan 365” is not just the story of once sequestered university’s relationship with the surrounding town, but hopefully a greater, more permanent influence that will reinvigorate the rapprochement between private institutions and the public. Green Street Arts Center is one step in this direction, as is WESU’s collaboration of student and non-University-affiliated DJs, but this is clearly a process that continuously needs to be reiterated. If somehow maintained, the momentum of 365 has the potential to perpetuate this change.
The 365 opening ceremony also exemplified how non-actors can be involved in the spirit of theater, notably in the joint performance by students and Professor Ulysse. As cliché as the “life as a play” mentality may seem sometimes, in this case theater provided students with the ready opportunity to express their opinions on race. Others should take similar chances this week.
In addition, if Suzan-Lori Parks just happened to be nominated for the now available positions of University president or Dean of the College, we would second her nomination.
Leave a Reply