tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post6901135705965200167..comments2024-01-07T06:59:04.212-05:00Comments on The Playgoer: Guirgis vs BlumPlaygoerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02994724588504353485noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-53700383437571951062007-08-06T17:26:00.000-04:002007-08-06T17:26:00.000-04:00I don't think criticizing Wolfe is inherently raci...I don't think criticizing Wolfe is inherently racist either. But I think the "he got too big for his britches" and "he was only out for himself" tone that often marks criticism of his tenure (given that almost all of that criticism is leveled by white men) does not stand up well to scrutiny. While the Public is a unique institution and Wolfe is a polarizing figure, you just don't hear Tim Sanford or Todd Haimes or Andre Bishop or (with one notable recent exception) Jim Nicola talked about in such personal terms. I don't believe in crying racism, but I don't believe for a second that issues of race play no part in the intensity with which some of Wolfe's detractors continue to discuss him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-45586852319552271942007-08-06T12:36:00.000-04:002007-08-06T12:36:00.000-04:00I'm so glad you asked, Carter, since it allows me ...I'm so glad you asked, Carter, since it allows me to don my professor's cap!<BR/><BR/>Basically, a "wright" is a craftsman (like "shipwright"). Its antiquated origins give away how theatre was historically often seen as less than high art. While some eras bestowed the epithet "poet" upon their dramatists, this term "playwright" has been passed down to us, instead.<BR/><BR/>Now, when it comes to making a verb of this, I'm not sure "wright" can be used as a verb. (Or not unless you're in the 16th century.) So I say it's perfectly ok to say that one takes a "playwriting" course, for instance.<BR/><BR/>But don't say "Playwrite" 'cause that means nothing. Unless you're going all Yoda and still using it as a verb. ("I playwrite long time.")Playgoerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02994724588504353485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-26038021947576555782007-08-06T12:31:00.000-04:002007-08-06T12:31:00.000-04:00playwrighting is a word, folks...look it up.http:/...playwrighting is a word, folks...look it up.<BR/><BR/>http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playwrightingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-43972212061813467942007-08-06T11:54:00.000-04:002007-08-06T11:54:00.000-04:00Off topic, but what's the deal with "playwrighting...Off topic, but what's the deal with "playwrighting" anyway?<BR/><BR/>When it is it playwrite and when is it playwright?<BR/><BR/>Is playwrite a verb? Or is it just used as a gerund, as in "playwriting"?<BR/><BR/>WTF?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-29461384657223098052007-08-06T11:51:00.000-04:002007-08-06T11:51:00.000-04:00Blum is being unfair, imho -- I wonder if he ever ...Blum is being unfair, imho -- I wonder if he ever even went to the Public regularly. But his attack is nothing compared to the unfair piling on against JoAnne Akalaitis that took place before and after George took over!<BR/><BR/>Guirgis might have more credibility if he didn't think 'playwrighting' existed in the English language.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-45287406537835661092007-08-06T10:25:00.000-04:002007-08-06T10:25:00.000-04:00Just to emend this a bit: Im NOT saying criticizin...Just to emend this a bit: Im NOT saying criticizing George Wolfe is racist. Obviously. I'm just a little surprised that Blum didn't anticipate such perceptions in his critique (perhaps even more so given the rumors of his Voice departure) and couch it in different language--like not using the word "diversity" without backing that up more.Playgoerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02994724588504353485noreply@blogger.com