The good news is that there are very interesting theatres, both alive and dead, within walking distance of the conference hotel. So on the Thursday or Friday when we have some time, we can visit at least a few spaces to see what's happening (in some cases not much) there.
This post has two sections. First, the dead theatres, which I am investigating in terms of their plans for regeneration. Second, the 'alive' theatres, which I am investigating both for the history of the damage by K and their plans for the future. I have planned a third section, which is smaller and grassroots companies. Thanks for your suggestions, as I have added "What is the most important thing for ATHE to know about your work?" to the interview.
THE DEAD ONES There seem to be three major, central theatres, which before the Hurricane were the major institutions of performance. They were all majorly damaged and are still shut down. They are:
The city-owned Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts(slowly being restored)
I can't get through to them on the phone. I'll keep trying. For the meantime, here's some history of the destruction and rebuilding of the theatre:
Need to find out: what's happened since this article was published?
http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/2006-07-04/cover_story.php Both the Municipal Auditorium and the Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts are shuttered -- and the city has terminated its contract with the national company that managed both facilities.
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| Photo by Cheryl Gerber |
The Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts has been empty since Hurricane Katrina flooded it, and six months after being pumped out, the city still has not started repairs.
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Both buildings were severely damaged by the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Beyond pumping out flooded basements and removing soaked carpet and water-damaged debris -- all paid for with FEMA funds and completed by early December -- nothing much has happened in either building, and neither is currently being restored.
Matters of damage assessments, applications for additional FEMA funds and the beginning of the city's bidding process have dragged on for months. Without electricity (and the dehumidifying effects of air conditioning), both city properties will continue to deteriorate through the hot summer.
Here's a link from
Times-Picayune Updates
Sunday, September 17, 2006http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:QcVtVHWxIqUJ:www.nola.com/weblogs/print.ssf%3F/mtlogs/nola_tpupdates/archives/print184633.html+mahalia+jackson+theatre&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=uk&client=firefox-aMore Theatres:
The privately run Saenger Theatre and Orpheum remain closed due to severe flooding of basement electrical systems.
As a result of significant damages sustained by Hurricane Katrina, the Saenger Theatre has been forced to postpone the entire 2005-2006 season. Patrons may obtain refunds at the point of purchase. Built in 1927 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Saenger Theatre has suspended operations until such time as a re-opening plan can be developed.
I've called the Saenger but the online number has been disconnected.
The Orpheum's website is offline, and the only number listed for them is Ticketmaster.
So my first attempts to call these 3 venues: failed!
The Live Ones: Major theatres who have revitalized after K.
This is going to be where the contacts and regenerations are made:
Southern Rep has revitalized its mission, staging a mix of works by local playwrights and fresh-off-off-Broadway pieces.
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux on Jackson Square has been rebuilt, with a renovated theatre, a new orchestra pit, and a season of musicals.
Le Chat Noir is a cabaret venue which also stages small-scale theatre. They have a new modern performance space.
On the other side of the French Quarter, the Marigny Theatre has rebuilt
and the Westwago Theatre has been completely rebuilt (part of the Jefferson Performing Arts Society).
Anthony Bean Community Theatre and Acting School looks like a good contact for regeneration in Education, as does the Actor's Theatre of New Orleans.
So these companies are my next contacts! You win some, you lose some, I suppose. A day of learning about the theatre scene, both alive and dead, for sure.
Like many in our group, images help me to connect to a place. Here are photographs taken by Robert Polidori. His images are collected in a book entitled After the Flood. He went to NO in 2005 and 2006. I selected five of his images--all indoor shots. To me they function as records of the lives of those who lived in those rooms and records of the destruction caused by the storm and the water. [With no disrespect intended]: the way Polidori took these photos, the rooms look like stages. Or giant Cornell boxes. But, of course, they are not staged.