Parable as Activism and other Reagon works

I didn't know what to expect going into this opera, I thought it would be like just singing but was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed this opera and Toshi Reagon’s version of Parable of the Sower. It was so easy to sing along to some of the bits yet I think Regaon also hit some key parts of the book. I wish she had added more about Lauren and Keith’s relationship and his role in the book but other than it was really good. There was a traditional beginning, no lights dimmed, it just started. I wasn't really sure when it had started because Lauren (writing in her book) was on stage and in character but there were still others on stage.

Parable as activism, I think it had a way pf bringing people together. You felt comfortable bobbing your head, even singing along to songs like “Don’t let your baby go to Olivar”. It was really beautiful to hear the audience participating. Everyone, those onstage and those spectating, it felt more connected. I also noticed how it wasn’t just a musical focus on any one character, there were guitar riffs. It was really cool when Reagon broke the 4th wall to talk directly to the audience about prevalent issues today. There was a powerful use of audio in this opera besides the obvious singing. The two in the black talk about the news, talking over each other. The buildup of the band was also an important addition to some scenes. I liked how this opera was very serious yet also had sparks of humor, “there will always be shopping” even if the world goes apocalyptic. I also didn’t notice this til later but the sheet above the stage acted as the wall for the community and it dropped when the wall fell.

This made me want to look into Reagon’s other projects. One of them was Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Creative Futures Artist-in-Residence. Through Creative Futures, Reagon is developing a series of short musicals exploring different aspects of the ideas of survival, economy and music. She does this by enegaging with local artists and researchers in this work. They put together a plan to collatboroate with local youth to to transform communities through conversations. Reagan has worked with other communities to create spaces for these convestaiosn as pictured above.

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Performance for Social Change

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