Mary Anna Towler's article "Ren Square Worries" (June 25) reminded me of what is the real issue surrounding this malingering "project" that seems to be going nowhere. The current projected use of a Ren Square theater space fails to take into consideration the needs, and the nature, of the multi-cultural communities within and surrounding Rochester.
Pouring millions of dollars into a theater space whose primary use is for touring companies staging theater events and "hits" from elsewhere is repetitive, wasteful of taxpayers' money, and out of touch with the realities of Rochester.
With a nation dithering its way into a recession, it's time to wise up by creating theater spaces that reflect who we are. Spaces open to change and growth that make use of Rochester's theater, dance, multi-media, literary, musical, and visual-arts talent in fresh, vigorous ways. Efforts that will identify Rochester as a vital, up-to-date, and creatively engaged community - and not just another outlet for Broadway shows.
Picture a series of small, flexible theater spaces developed within representative Rochester communities, utilizing existing structures in imaginative and flexible ways, such as store fronts, community centers, warehouses, etc. Involve creative people who are willing to explore original theater events from within the community, representing what each community is about. A mid-size, 500-seat theater in downtown Rochester might be the meeting place where the best of representative theater work can be displayed.
An example of a theater event that might kick it all off: a "Journey into Community Legends." The project would highlight acts of courage and triumph in community lives, bringing together community elders, writers, story tellers, performers, mixed media, visual artists, musicians, etc., in a shared, theatrical quest for role models to benefit youth.
The community benefits: Life experience in the making, celebrating the regeneration of the human spirit. Bringing history alive by researching the past, combining reality-based performance with the magic of creative storytelling, developing collaborative staging techniques with original source material, and documenting the process for grant opportunities, recruitment, and publicity.
This is by no means the only approach available. But it is an honest start, and not just another repetitive two step.
NED BOBKOFF, GREECE
Bobkoff is a playwright, director, and educator.