Global Change Theater: The Show Must Go On!
by Kazarian
If something unfortunate or undesirable occurred in the days of the traveling circus, the ringleader would distract the attention of the audience with a great spectacle or raucous strains of band music. “The show must go on” became the creed by which circuses kept the customers satisfied and stopped the ticket sales from waning. Even in the face of death, the illusion continued; the deception endured.
Today the media ‘ringleaders’ create spectacular distractions to avoid the sometimes upsetting reality around us. The world has become one big show, a constant barrage of low-content, high-resolution, digital madness. Instead of providing a medium to reach the masses, the media industry sensationalizes the news, making it a product to be sold, a commodity. Instead of bravely delving into new material, the entertainment industry thrives on shallow plots and lucrative films that hardly escape the realm of predictability. We need a change.
In ancient Greece, huge choruses of men gathered around stone altars to sing songs of united worship to unseen gods. For hundreds of years, audiences gathered to witness the recitations of these poetic prayers. Imagine people’s sudden surprise when Thespis, a humble chorus-member, broke away from the group of singers and took on the role of the god Dionysus. Until that moment, only sanctified priests had ever assumed the personae of gods. It took one brave soul to step out of a chorus line of rote prayers and initiate a new profession, one that still bears his name, the thespian.
I have had a love affair with the theater for centuries. I have known the stages of ancient Greece. I have donned the masks of the commedia dell’arte. I have stood upon the oaken planks and rattled rafters with heroic verse. Every man has a calling, a passion, a destiny; mine is in the theater.
I co-direct a small troupe of players who share with me a dreamy notion that theater can help change the world. The CosmoTheater troupe is comprised of actors from around the globe who are committed to expanding people’s consciousness and to helping them realize the interdependence we all share as planetary citizens. We write and perform our own original material, engaging the heart, expanding the mind, and encouraging growth. We call this material Global Change Theater, a unique blend of genres and styles that unite to entertain and enlighten audiences, as well as comfort and ascend their souls.
After witnessing the media circus at a local political rally, the CosmoTheater troupe wrote Le Cirque de Media, one of the shows in our current repertoire. Le Cirque addresses the shallowness of the mainstream media and confronts the audience with their own role in today’s society.
Global Change Theater challenges everyone, especially contemporary theater, to eliminate complacency. Many people see problems in our society but do not know how to put solutions into action. The stage is a wonderful place for that action to begin. Write plays, sing songs, and help eliminate illusion. Awaken audiences to the reality of our chaotic world. Take a small revolutionary step like Thespis took and break away from theatrical monotony. Be not discouraged, when difficulty occurs, laugh; when tragedy strikes, persevere. It is time for the show to grow on.
Editor’s Note: Information on CosmoTheater and upcoming performances of Le Cirque de Media can be obtained by calling (928) 282-9139 or emailing starmotion@globalchangemusic.org