Perhaps nothing exemplifies a society's highest ideals and broadest ambitions more than its commitment to the arts. It's a kind of multi-generational, altruistic selfishness, a form of public self-interest, which shows us these are not mutually exclusive. Even the most solitary among us can become part of a concert audience.
Robotics finding its way into theatre is the subject of a New York Times feature story today. The story quotes department of theatre and film studies head David Saltz on the reality of robots and live theatre:
Comedy seems to come easily to robots, whose exaggerated features and stilted movements make them natural stooges. “The more you try to imitate a human, the more creepy it can get,” Ms. Knight said. “Sometimes if you make it more cartoonish, the audience can be more forgiving.”
In a more formal comedic vein a University of Georgia theater professor, David Saltz, is developing a robotic interpretation of commedia dell’arte. With its short scenes, broad characters and absence of scripted dialogue, these archetypal sketch pieces make nearly perfect dramatic vessels for robot actors.
Speaking of the good life, the UGA campus and Athens, GA are blessed with many of the qualities by which we define that concept - walkability, a great library, an eclectic mix of people, and an arts scene that is deep and wide. If we were a sports franchise, I would say our bench players would be starting for most other teams around the league - at any level. Because of the people who have been coming to the University as faculty and students for decades, the arts are a major identifier of our campus and community. The breadth of theatre offerings here has both a distinguished pedigree and ongoing vibrancy. The volume of visual artists, a pursuit for which no locale is truly hospitable, produces a level of work on par with any major city. Dance and movement are thriving. And... Canopy? Does that practice even exist anywhere else? Oh, yes, and that music scene.
And that's another thing - even writing about this subject you leave out most of it: Georgia Museum of Art, UGA Performing Arts Center, The Georgia Review. Now UGA will tie together all of these efforts in order to shine a light on all of them. A Spotlight:
The University of Georgia will spotlight the arts during a nine-day festival in November when members of the UGA Arts Council will host events and activities that include concerts, theater and dance performances, art exhibitions, poetry readings, author panels and book signings, lectures and discussions on the arts and creativity, and more.
UGA has played a foundational role in building the reputation of Athens as one of America's top destinations for the arts, providing the physical and intellectual infrastructure for study and performance that brings together students, faculty and the community.
"The arts are an integral part of the fabric of UGA, a powerful thread that helps us define ourselves and our community," said Jere Morehead, UGA senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. "As the place where so many artists, writers, actors and musicians first find their voice, UGA offers a richness of opportunity for members of the university community and audiences from throughout the area to participate in the arts."
The department of theatre and films studies will present the popular musical Chicago, directed by guest artist and Tony Award-winning choreographer and Bob Fosse protégé Chet Walker:
University Opera Theatre production of the Pirates of Penzance takes center stage this weekend:
This is the third [fully-staged, ed.] opera the university has produced since 2007, said Frederick Burchinal, the Wyatt and Margaret Anderson Professor of the Arts at UGA’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music. He also is the director of the school’s opera program.
