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Blog Post #1

 A key point that stuck out to me was the National Service Bureau's effect on the Federal Theatre Project and the FTP’s overall effect. The reach of the NSB stretched past cities, further uniting communities to theater and performance. “The NSB’s work building relationships between theater and outside institutions integrated theater into the lives and daily practices of Americans who might have otherwise ignored it.” (Osborne 16) These organizations' reach brought together communities to theater and employment relief for theater professionals. The efforts of these federal projects align with the ideals of the current Green Deal, the support of the people. The Green Deal will work to improve the economy and jobs, yes, but also the sustainability of people which I believe theater factors into. The Green Federal Theatre would push past the FTP in its efforts toward the inclusion of BIPOC, LBGTQ+, and poor working-class individuals, women, and other historically marginalized communities. Allocating a special to these groups is vital in sticking to community building and interest ideals.


In connection to my key point, the plan of a Green New Deal and Green Federal Theatre can only be possible through the changing of people's minds and understanding of the GND. Above I added a Green New Deal infographic. Through performance, more specifically performance activitsm, this is possible. Performance activism whether the true intention to invoke social change is there or not. For example, sharing social media posts that explain the action the Green New Deal hopes to take like the necessity and attractiveness of infrastructure like high-speed rail and zero-carbon housing. The performance of posting or reposting this information on one’s social platform can be genuine or not but the action and information are still being spread. 

Comments

  1. Lindsay Adamson LivingstonFebruary 7, 2023 at 11:48 AM

    Bella, I really appreciate your observation that, intent aside, once ideas about social change start circulating, they take on a life--and an influence--of their own. Do you think theatre and performance could be used to advance other elements of the GND (like climate activism, as featured in your infographic) as well as performance for its own sake? Is there room for collaboration WITHIN the stakeholders of a Green New Deal?

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