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Joseph Papp On Artistic Creativityby Lucy Ann MayerJoseph Papp, in his hour long speech espousing ideas like the concept that productivelydirected creativity results inincreased self-awareness and personal liberation, and the statements that “one of his best friends is William Shakespeare,” and that “the playwright is the play,” evoked strong intellectual and emotional response from the crowd in Avery Hall where he spoke on Tuesday evening, April 9. Papp’s lecture, entitled, “Creativity In The Artist,” was delivered as part of *a Spring Forum series being sponsored by the American Foundation for the Science of Creative Intelligence, On the same program was Herbert Moss, a television producer, (well-known for his work on the program, “Truth or Consequences”). Mr. Moss informatively elaborated on the Transcendental Meditation philosophy in his speech on, “The Science ’ of Creative Intelligence.”Papp’s generally relaxed but formal manner and freely flowing thoughts seemed slightly hindered by the restraints of the evening’s orientation. Had it not been for the SCI subject, Papp might have been more explicit in giving specific ideas on writers, plays and staging methods. However, the topic of his discourse was interesting and illuminating on his responses to his creative impulses, especially as they are manifested in his work as producer and director. Papp particularly stressed themeaningful importance of therelationships he has with his playwrights.Commencing on the premise that,' 4it is d ifticult to discuss the reative process outside yourself,” Papp went on to divulge humorous anecdotes and emotional responses concerning his theatrical endeavors. Creativity is at the center of Papp’s work, and it is from this that he receives his most liberating feeling. As he becomes more involved with a project, he becomes closer to himself. During his periods of maximum energy release, Papp works diligently and enduringly. As with his recent production of the World War I, racially conflicted romance, “Wedding Band,” televised by ABCt on April 24, Papp’s total emersion in his art causes him to feel light-headed, and enables him to make judgments rapidly, clearly andusually, correctly.Joseph Papp and his theatrical regime are constantly emersed in creating at the least, inspirationally adventurous, and atthe most, brilliant, stage and television plays, throughout the United States. Joe Papp is most widely known as the founder of the New York Shakespeare Festival and Public Theater, and most recently as the Producer of Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont and Mitxl E. Ne who use (formerly the Forum)Theaters. In addition, Mr. Papp is also responsible for regional touring troupes, and for the more minor but necessary activities of lecturing and fund raising.One very significant realized aim of Papp’s is to bring theater to the masses. This function is most notably accomplished by the fifteen year old, annual Shakespeare Festival which takes place each summer in Central Park's outdoor, Delaeorte Theater. Depending upon available city financed funds, two or three classic plays are presented at the Delaeorte, In recent years, Ibsen’s “Peer Gynt” (1969, starring Stacey Reach), and Shakespeare’s: “Two Gentlemen of Verona” (1971, starring Baoul Julia), “Much Ado About Nothing” 11972, starring Sam Waterston), and “King Lear” 11973, starring James Earl Jones), have been presented by the summer Festival. Subsequently, the three Shakespeare plays continued their runs on Broadway.Similarly, several of the more experimental plays produced at the Public Theater have moved to Broadway. These include “That Championship Season” and “Sticks And Bones.” (“Sticks And Bones” was also aired on television last August, after months of political censorship by CBS.) The Public Theater complex is located on Lafayette Street, just in-between New York's East and West Village. The large, old building is leasedf rom the city at the expense of one dollar per year. The complex houses six theaters, four of which are devoted to the staging of finished plays, and two of which are for works in progress. There is not only a relatively inexpensive student and senior citizen admission price, but also annual memberships. The Public Theater is also hone to The Anthology Film Archives (which regularly shows film classics), and to changing photographyexhibits.Papp is now in the process of developing a smaller, but just as productive, complex at Lincoln Center whose theaters he took over last Fall ii order to aid the Lincoln Center Repertory’s ailing financial status. The currently playing Dance of Death, starring Robert Shaw, Zoe Caldwell and Hector Elizondo, epitomizes Papp's artistic vision. Two new plays presented earlier at the Beaumont, Boom Boot Room,” starring Madeleine Kahn, and The Au Pair Man, starring Julie Harris, are two of the four nominations for this year's best play in the Tony Awards.
Newspaper Details
Poughkeepsie Miscellany News
Poughkeepsie, New York, US
Fri, Apr 26, 1974
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Hillary S.
USA 30 Sep 2022
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