Letter from the Artistic Director and Co-conspiritor of Theater
In My Basement Responds to My ReviewMark S.P. Turvin
(home office) (602) 912-0117
I can be reached for comment via e-mail at: mspt@goldfishpublishers.com
Received 6/24/02
Letter from the Artistic Director and Co-conspiritor of Theater
In My Basement Responds to My ReviewFrom: "Ilana Lydia" <***@***.***>
To: "Mark Turvin"
Cc: "christopher playwright" <***@***.***>
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2002 01:09:14 -0700
Mark--
Thank you for your support! I'm glad you enjoyed the show. You
were careful to address your review
to both folks who already like experimental works, and those
who might shy away from the label--not an easy line to walk
(as I'm finding out). Thanks!
I've been thinking over what you said during the post-show
discussion--that you came in expecting something even more experimental,
and found this show structured to the point where it wasn't as
experimental as you would have hoped--and it's gotten me thinking.
I'm so used to having to defend being experimental at all,
that it's a surprise and challenge to defend my work's "accessibility"
from the other side. You are the second person to put me in this
position--the first is my artistic partner and the founder of
TIMB, Chris Danowski. Since he hasn't been around for this production, I
am especially grateful to hear this perspective on mutant.
Chris and I had been discussing what our stance should be
concerning the press and reviewers. Other members of RAT
(Regional Alternative Theaters) had, he mentioned, completely
banned reviewers from their shows, preferring to keep their
underground theaters truly underground and rely on word of mouth.
It's part of the alternative aesthetic to resist being labeled,
and the personal nature of these shows fight having a potential
audience member being told what to think of the experience before he
or she has seen it. I think the show of good faith
in your review, however, goes a long way in defending
the value of critical feedback in the alternative theater
scene. It helps to have a critic who is willing to weigh a piece
on its own terms. Thank you.
Ilana Lydia
Artistic Director
Theater In My Basement