TV and Theatre
Pundits spend a great deal of time discussing the friction between live performance and mass media. Yet framing this relationship as adversarial ignores the fact that all culture exists in relation to other culture.
This is my fancy way of saying that many people who work in theatre, just like many people elsewhere, spend their rehearsal breaks talking about the Olympics, and go home to watch political convention coverage at the end of the night.
The character of James in Yohen loves boxing, as does the Ernest Perry, Jr., the actor who plays him in our production. Ernest talking about boxing sounds like talk about the Olympics–respect and awe of the excellence of athletes at their best, of witnessing moments in history where large groups of people watch a great move, of the pride of feeling connected to that greatness. Both James and his wife Sumi (played by Cheryl Hamada) negotiate their relationship with each other in balance with their relationship to their culture(s).
Meanwhile, national attention has been focused on race through the candidacy of Barack Obama. The terminology of “multiracial” or “mixed race” has been expanded and critiqued. In Obama’s words, “it is a story that has seared into my genetic makeup the idea that this nation is more than the sum of its parts - that out of many, we are truly one.” As the Democratic and Republican conventions continue, we’ll hear a number of stories redefining how we define ourselves as a nation. Yohen is one part of this larger conversation.
We’d still love to hear your stories of multiracial or cross-cultural (or whatever word you choose) relationships. To contribute photos or stories to our exhibit, email litmanage@srtp.org or post here.