Guthrie Theater: A Message From Artistic Director Joseph Haj

[@JulieKick]

This is so on point and speaks my heart. And also, WHO THE HELL WOULD THUMBS DOWN THIS??? Seriously?

[@brianflood2609]

Good point on the couple of thumbs down marks.

[@paulhollywood8618]

how does this rhetoric help anyone? this dude pulls like $400k and he won't lose his job, why resign to saying "Zoom theater sucks, come back next year" when thousands of workers around the country are getting laid off and don't have his safety net? Why not use your immense resources to provide value to your community (and keep your staff on the payroll)? idk it might not work but you can give it a shot. this resignation that you have to perform in a theater for your work to have any kind of value is lazy and exclusionary

[@oliviakirby1409]

Thank God for Covid19. Killing theater. It truly has been a gift from God.

[@kristenwaterton4087]

@@paulhollywood8618 EXACTLY and thats nothing compared to the $400 MILLION that the bastards in Hollywood make for ususally selling perverted values of violence ..... How SAD are these silly superficial self indulgent " artists" that they can't figure it out yet ! That their world of escapism into fiction and it's hopeless addiction that almost everyone now has - IS A HUGE PART OF THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. Now that we are all finally face to FACE with not a random pandemic BUT the political tyranny that YES created it - And we all PASSIVELY ALLOWED to occur in our blithe disregard for being responsible engaged PATRIOTS in a DEMOCRACY...... Yr shallow art GOT us here - YES ! - WITH DISTRACTION from what really matters !!! Grow up and defend yr country and yr communities and yr families. With REALITY not more bullshit " everything is fine and dandy " FICTION. Art is beautiful and a gift from God - in a beautiful peaceful JUST society...... Now ??? # WE # ARE # AT # WAR #

[@elizabethschauer7548]

Wondering the same.

[@DuchessDale]

Nothing can replace live theatre. It is an educational tool as well as social. Creativity in present time. As an actor, director and theatre-goer, I am willing to wait till the Ghostlight safely beckons again. Thank you Mr. Haj.

[@michaellopez5948]

Mr. Haj speaks from the heart for all theater owners, artistic directors, staff, artist, and for all theaters large and small. Thank you!

[@jsr6967]

“The hearts of the audience beat together.” Beautiful and true. I look forward to being on stage and in the audience again. Thank you for this, Mr. Haj

[@topherUSA]

Sweet man. I love a man who honestly cares about the theatre. 💖💖💖

[@hiccuphaddockcheif2846]

WOW, even if i never went here in my life, I CANT WAIT TO GO, THIS WAS ON POINT, IT WAS SO INSPIRING, AND SO, SO, SO, JUST MOVING, THANK YOU, FOR WHOEVER MADE THIS UNIQUE VIDEO, THANK YOU SO MUCH, I CANT WAIT TO GO TO BOARDWAY SHOWS, AND EXPLORE THE LOVE OF THEATER

[@aaronpaley]

A beautiful statement about the meaning of theater, for now, for the future, for all times.

[@jeanconger9997]

Director Joseph Haj expresses his feelings for live theatre in a beautiful way. His encouragement for all of us to stay home until it is safe to go out again means a lot to me. We are all in this together. We will all come out stronger and show more compassion for the beautiful world we inhabit.

[@AnTeeBee]

So true and moving. Live theatre is a beautiful tradition.

[@dicknowlin8869]

BRAVO and Deep Thanks, Dear Joe Haj, for your heartfelt, wise, and profound words of support for Theater everywhere; its' history, its' future. We are thankful to have you leading the Guthrie through these very challenging, worrisome times. We look forward to the future and your exceptional productions. Stay well. Best to you and Deidre. Dick & Marit Nowlin

[@fredbaumer625]

As a subscriber for many, many years to the Guthrie, we hear and experience the same grief and hope that you expressed in your voice. Yes, we will be back when we can be back.

[@senatorjane]

I cried when I watched this. Ironically, just got a calendar reminder that my shift in the Box Office was due to start in 10 minutes...but, of course, it will be a long time before I will be back to work. I miss my theater family. Beautiful message, Joe.

[@oliviakirby1409]

Thank God for Covid19. Killing theater. It truly has been a gift from God.

[@senatorjane]

Olivia Kirby - you’re one sick chick, aren’t you? Bizarre.

[@JulieKick]

@@senatorjane I reported all of her copy/pasted hateful comments as hate speech and KZbin removed all of them. :)

[@senatorjane]

@@JulieKick - Thank you!

[@jbibb1963]

I'm a board member at Perseverance Theatre in Juneau, Alaska...link for this video sent by our Managing Director...I thank him and thank you for such a heartfelt and personal message. It's given me inspiration to communicate to others the importance of Theatre. Thank you again!

[@hollyritter214]

I have been so disheartened, as a teacher of acting, to be forced to go on Zoom. Still acting myself, when not directing or producing, to be forced recently to cancel/delay our Theatre opening . But your wise words, reminding me that my life is wrapped up in an ancient and grace filled tradition, have heartened me. Gives me courage. Thank you Mr. Haj, all the way from San Diego, also blessed with great Theatre. This Virus will not vanquish us.

[@adenmiller1302]

This made my heart ache. I hope we all cherish and take less for granted our plays and musicals.

[@RuthLivier]

Yes! Thank you for such beautiful words for all us who love the theater... and for those who are yet to discover their love for it.

[@restore3466]

Beautifully put. Theatre is essential its not going nowhere. Thankyou thankyou thankyou for sharing ❤️❤️❤️

[@stevenpetrillo]

This is such a well thought out, provocative and beautiful paean to live theater. Bravo. (I too can't believe people gave it a thumbs down-unbelievable).

[@coraljeanwarren269]

Thank you for this beautiful expression of theater and how it affects our souls and our hearts. I would not want to live in a world without theater. Like someone else commented, who would ever give this a thumbs down? Then I think, who would have ever voted for Trump for President? There are always those people.

[@alankootsher5841]

I have acted professionally for more than 50 years and I applaud your well-spoken, heartfelt truth. Theatre will, indeed, survive and flourish and new works reflecting this moment will arise and offer a brilliant retrospective. Thank you.

[@josephmillett8940]

Bravo, Joe. I salute you from afar, and I bless you and the Guthrie. You will come back in 2021 even stronger!

[@Yourstrulydevon]

Beautifully said. We may be in many way as we ever were, but we cannot forget how much we have evolved and as we have celebrated the “old way,” we have always been the pavers of the new. We must see this as an exciting challenge and/or a time of rest reflection. We must hold faith that everything will work out in our favor. We must open our arms to the new lessons we will learn through this that will only contribute to the bettering of us as artists. It can be so tough to see through the clouds, but if we relax in the knowing that beyond the clouds is an ever present light, we can begin to see the path towards a better tomorrow. This actor family is thinking of you all and all the others like us. We are here and we are in this together. Love to you all at The Guthrie.

[@lloydbarker]

Beautifully said. Theatre is Eternal. Thank you Mr. Haj. 🎭👏❤️

[@kahnartistworks]

I am thrilled to view this video this morning after a surprisingly moving NT Live viewing of "Barber Shop Chronicles" last night. While I am always impressed when any outfit manages to archive or film live performance "successfully," I also always feel sad to *not* have been in the audience. This is not the case with film and TV as Joseph rightly points out. Chicago's Neo-Futurists are continuing to offer The Infinite Wrench "Goes Viral"/30 virtual plays in 60 real minutes online via Patreon and KZbin but it is a non-starter for the uninitiated. David Mamet wrote "The theatre is not an imitation of anything. It is real theatre." I still recall Željko Ivanek's portrayal of Hamlet at The Guthrie in 1988. I had just begun performing at The Minnesota Opera Company, The Children's Theatre Company, and Hennipen Center for The Arts. My mind and heart we're blown open. Honestly, I didn't know what to make of the production but it still struck me deeply. Spiritually. I was 13 years old. I went to arts high schools after that and to conservatories. Eventually, I trained at Lecoq school in Paris where I now live and work. As Joseph says in this video and Mamet wrote and Chaiken taught and Punchdrunk proves - THE PRESENCE OF THE [actor/audience/architecture] is not replaceable. Baruch ha'shem, we have not yet found the technology to "replace" our alchemical ancient art of collectively converging on undefined points. We must find our way back into our craft.

[@JEdA-tp6rm]

Beautiful Joe, today at a online gathering we/ the SITI company spoke about this, Barney made me aware of in and I am glad i sought it out.Thank you Joe and Thank you family and community of the Guthrie Theatre, we were sorry to end THE BACCHAE so early but as you say Joe, we will be back.

[@phoebemoyer6500]

As an AEA actor and theatre teacher for 37 years I've never felt more moved and inspired. That's what we do and need and will always return to.

[@lborolboro]

YES! and Thank you....This is such a beautiful sentiment so important to hear right now...

[@johnwalthour1708]

Thank you Joe. You and the Guthrie are a treasure, and I look forward to our hearts beating in synchronicity again.

[@jaynieroberts494]

I’ve watched this numerous times. Thank you. Magenta Theater supports your stand on this.

[@diane5836]

Thank you Mr Haj. Your passion, commitment and love for the theater is deeply moving. I believe we will be back into community sooner rather than later. It won't be years. Fear not. Its turning around even as I type. May your theatre prosper as never before for the rest of 2020 and in the new year. I believe it will.

[@ricksacks]

ON tour to Edinburgh years ago I walked through a beautiful cemetery and found a gravestone with this: "Pity it is that the momentary beauties flowing from an harmonious elocution cannot, like those of poetry, be their own record, that the animated graces of the player can live no longer than the instant breath and motion that presents them or at best can but faintly glimmer through the memory or imperfect attestation of a few surviving spectators. - From about 1772, till 1802 Mr. Woods, was the favourite and leading actor on the Edinburgh stage." A beautiful comment on the treasure of experiencing live theatre and how it only existed in the moment of its performance.

[@janchambers100]

Oh, my friend. You continue to inspire. Thanks, Joe.

[@ThePokeytracy]

This made me cry. We need theatre, we need it desperately. It will return.

[@fotenetrigonis3081]

This is a great description of what Theatre truely represents! We miss so much experiencing Live the great story presentations of Theatre, Dance and performing Arts.

[@BrendaAdelman]

Thank you for this. As a theatre lover and actor this really speaks to my heart.

[@jdweissjd]

What a wonderful message. I love (and greatly miss) the Guthrie!

[@glennalt1]

You have said in a touching, heartfelt way what many of us have been thinking. There is dread and fear everywhere these days. But theater is about hope and possibility and overcoming the odds. Thank you for your willingness to- tell the truth.

[@dithdat]

As someone who creates spaces like this for a living, this is a heartfelt and VERY true testament to the "theatre will survive" mentality. All of us at Theatre Projects couldn't agree more that live theatre was created to celebrate our aliveness. This will continue because it must continue. Thank you Joseph Haj for the inspiring words!!!

[@radhikarao77]

Yes live theater is amazing. I miss it dearly. And yes American theaters, especially big theaters have been places that have consistently excluded communities of color, disability, queer identities and immigrants. As an actor of color, I have been given several more activities to play virtually since shelter in place than I was before. And I have seen writers, directors and actors highlighted-that have always been there-but never lifted. I hope that when theaters come back, we don’t go back to the same narratives that spoke to a few, and really pay attention to the diversity of voices that are now to free to play and compete with theaters such as yours, Mr Haj. And while I agree, there is nothing like live theater, I disagree with your comments about audiences not able to have an empathetic response while watching live play via virtual means. I myself have cried, laughed and experienced all emotions while watching virtual theater. As the comments suggest, your own video has made people cheer and tear up. We need a more sophisticated discussion on what to do with this time. Our predicament is begging us not to wait for this to pass, as you seem to suggest, but to create value with what we have, turn poison into medicine, take on our mission as artists to heal, provoke, reflect, mirror- this is a golden opportunity to listen to what this virus has to teach us, and bust open new doors of artistry. Some theater artists sure are trying, and it would great for you to respect it even if you can’t praise it, rather than cutting it down like you just did. I’m sorry to say, it wreaks of privilege.

[@zoyakachadurian8246]

Thank you Mr. Haj. So true and so inspiring.

[@jeannyh]

Thanks, Joseph Haj! I'm sad to be missing so much great theater and completely understand and applaud the decisions you've made, as well as the stand you take for theater as a necessary art. I'll be back when you all are ready!

[@davenportscott9292]

Thank you for this wonderful message. I struggle to see my own theatre dark and empty, but I know we will survive. The world will need us more than ever.

[@deborahdryden5356]

Thank you so much for this, Joe. So beautifully said. Makes my heart sing.

[@siremeric]

This is the most eloquent explanation of what we theater artists do, and why we do it. Thank you, sir!

[@eagander]

Beautifully expressed, Joseph! Thank you for giving hope for our future in theatre!

[@javierrivera5421]

So moved by this...thank you for your eloquence and your candor Joseph, Through tears, I am about to share this with my Theatre students.

[@PlayMakersRepertory]

Joe, as I'm sure you know, our hearts are right there with you, beating in time. Thank you for these beautiful words. All the best!

[@oliviakirby1409]

Thank God for Covid19. Killing theater. It truly has been a gift from God.

[@srsloaf]

So Olivia, you don’t read books? You don’t watch television shows or movies? Theatre isn’t just stage work. You have a closed mind, and that is just sad. Take care.

[@bjdreviews]

@@oliviakirby1409 I'm sorry if you are going through things that make you lash out like this, at the people making up an industry that has been so impacted by CORVID-19. It's a shame. I just lost my uncle to the virus this past week. That isn't God. As James 1:26 says, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” Theatre is a beautiful thing. It offered me a place of acceptance and love when I was having a difficult time as a child. It made my eyes open to the world outside of my own experience. It allows us to have dialogues and think about difficult topics. The Greeks used it as a tool for teaching moral lessons. Hrotsvitha of Gandersheim, the first person out of antiquity to sign her name to a play, used it to shed light on the issues people faced in the Middle Ages and how to respond as a moral person against injustice. Mystery plays and miracle plays were used to help the common folk see stories of their religion rather than it being a high and mighty thing in the realm of priests. Terence wrote plays in the 160s B.C. that held so many virtuous teachings that his plays were used as educational lectures on how to live life in the Middle Ages. Mercy Otis Warren, the first female playwright in the Americas, did such things with her work that she was respected greatly by the founding fathers. Washington and Hamilton commented on her, "In the career of dramatic composition at least, female genius in the United States has outstripped the male." Abigail Adam, I believe, speaks the best to her character. She said, "God Almighty has entrusted you with Powers for the good of the World." She used her ability to write to aid the Revolution and the early years of the US. As we move forward, playwrights coming out of WWI and II used it as a way to address contemporary issues and struggles they had and continued to go through. Epic theatre was used to help the audience see the world as it was, not suspend disbelief. I still know important work being done. I have a dear friend that has been writing plays to bring international issues to light and try to help the people impacted. I may only be a costume designer, but I am so blessed and thankful to be a small part of creating characters on stage. It changed my life, allowed me to meet people, and experience the world as it's taken me so many places. Theatre isn't an easy life. I've often worked 90 hours a week to get a show done and occasionally been paid to little. I've had to finish one job at 8pm, drive 8 hours and start working on the next show at 7 the next morning. I've heard plenty of doubt from people saying I couldn't live my dream, but I made it. I get to have a life doing a job I love. I get to do something important. I don't need anyone's approval because I know the wonderful things theatre can do. It'll long outlive me. I will advocate for theatre as long as there is still air in my lungs and I know the kids coming after us all will do the same.

[@oliviakirby1409]

I love it!!!! All my responses are now being removed, because the Left are the true fascists. #TRUMP2020 #KAG #DEATHTOTHEATER

[@bjdreviews]

@@oliviakirby1409 Goodness gracious. The first amendment, your right to free speech is your right to not be persecuted by the government for what you say. It has absolutely nothing to do with what companies do.

[@otispaul1]

Thank you for this! My professional theatre career began in Minneapolis. I've been acting in Los Angeles since we moved here in 1983. When we come back 'home' to Minneapolis, which is two or three times a year. We're drawn to the Guthrie, The Jungle, Mixed Blood, and many more of the wonderful venues in the Cities. Live theatre, whether performing or as part of an audience, feeds me. My appetite is never sated. I'm always hungry for more. Sharing with my LA theatre home, Antaeus. We ARE all in this together.

[@DuchessDale]

Nice to see you still theatrically active.

[@lisaoestreich2004]

When it's time, I can't wait to get back to the theater, it's the place I grew up. There is nothing like a live performance. Thank you for showing grace and humanity in the hardest of times. Someday you will be back and we will come!

[@jimmycarrane3868]

Thanks for the hope your provided in this moving and heartfelt message about live theater. We need all the hope we can get. Stay safe.

[@wendywelch6369]

Thank you for offering comfort and hope for all of us who count on this being the truth.

[@tracymichailidis6993]

Thank you for speaking so heartfully and deeply. Thank you for articulating so clearly and wisely so many of the feelings and thoughts I've had about this particular moment. Deep respect and gratitude, and faith.

[@nicholassalamone8495]

Oh Joe, it is so good to see your face and hear your message. You made my heart burst, old buddy. All love and every good thing to you and Dierdre. And to the The Guthrie and theatre makers, everywhere.

[@muelleramy2010]

brilliant and eloquent and I SO AGREE

[@bearspeakstothestars]

Truth told well - I love it. Sending solidarity from Hedgespoken Travelling Storytelling Theatre in the southwest of England.

[@susanhofflander]

Thank you, Mr. Haj. Your words are necessary and encouraging.

[@timothybrowning3457]

Beautiful Message - I'm the director of an actor training program and I'll be playing this for my incoming students tonight at our virtual orientation.

[@johnlynnmiller679]

Love everything about going to plays at the Guthrie, The Old Log Theater, The Chanhassen Theater and the downtown theaters of both Minneapolis and St.Paul...some small, some much larger but all of them places I love to attend with family and friends. I will most certainly miss this art form along with all the other ones forced to suspend their performances during this odd moment in time across our world. I surely hope all is well soon and we have the patience to to wait.

[@pmat99]

Thank you for this. As an actor in the Twin Cities, I am grateful to be a part of the thriving community. I miss practicing my art, but truly believe, as you said, we will rise again and get to tell our stories once more.

[@elizahuffman165]

Thank you Joe. Speaking from your heart and it is being received with love and hope.

[@rctells]

So eloquent and heartfelt. Thank you from Chicago. ❤️

[@sherryweeks8012]

That was beautifully put!

[@magickaleva]

Thank you so much. Theater is our human heritage. It will survive, in whatever form, as long as humans survive and retain their essence.

[@thesauk1708]

Thank you so very much for these words.

[@eyepickyou]

Thank you so much for this. As an actor this is exactly how I feel. Much love❤️

[@paulhipp]

WOW! Stunning! Beautiful! Inspiring! Thank you for posting this, Joseph Haj!

[@gsarchet]

Thank you so much for your eloquence, and not reading from a script.

[@borealissys]

Thank you, Joe, for these words. Hope to see you again soon!

[@christophersapienza2706]

Thank you for this Joe! Love from Philadelphia!

[@cordeliaanderson8983]

Powerful. Well said. Thank you!!

[@Gurr_Personal]

This was such an inspiring speech. Will you please speak again from your heart about your decision to go to SAG/AFTRA for your Christmas show. I feel betrayed. Your theatre is a beacon. It's been on my wish list and most actors' wish lists forever. Why would you forsake Actors' Equity during this devastating time for stage actors and stage managers? Tell us the truth, from your heart.

[@philcrosby1]

This little theater in Richmond, VA agrees with you!! Bless you and your message.

[@stuartus]

Just beautiful, Joe...and of course, I couldn't agree more.

[@anniejuan1817]

So much of this applies to dance, too! Thank you.

[@emilychase1957]

Beautifully and movingly stated, Joe. Let's get through this difficult time, and emerge to telling stories in live theater again soon.

[@dougpawlik1275]

Thank you, Joe. Wonderful perspective and hope for actors and audiences being back in the room together.

[@edwardstaudenmayer4741]

Thank you Joe. I needed to see this today. Looking forward to having shared heartbeats again.

[@robgreenspan9389]

Thank you!

[@moiyn]

Beautiful, inspiring, heartfelt and true. Thank you.

[@pbailey01]

Thank you for your heartfelt wise message.

[@melissachin-parker78]

Fabulous and Heartening! Thank you. See you soon.

[@barbarabrooks7579]

A wonderful message speaking about theater. Thank you!

[@kmetzz1]

Yes!!! So well said!

[@randomactsofbeauty]

Thank you for speaking so eloquently and simply for all of us theatre people and our art. Theater has always been a place - should I rather say activity or process? - for dealing with crisis and change. May we come through this crucible revitalized and strengthened in our service to society.

[@farrenfore]

Dear Joe, Thank you so much for your wisdom. I now have hope.

[@emmagoldmansherman]

Beautifully said! After watching Theatre of War's presentation via Zoom tonight of Oedipus the King, one of the oldest plays we have about plagues and blind leaders, I agree wholeheartedly that theatre is a necessity, and I look forward to the days when we will gather again and know as we gather how precious it is to have the privilege to do so. Thank you for this!

[@oliviakirby1409]

Thank God for Covid19. Killing theater. It truly has been a gift from God.

[@madelinemahon5802]

M

[@robynnrodriguez7806]

A beautiful message from one of the most gifted Artistic Directors in the country. Thank you for lifting us up.....thank you for more than I can articulate at this moment in time......

[@TamaraKrinskyHost]

Absolutely beautiful, inspiring words. Thank you for this look back and look forward, as we try to figure out how to tell the story of this moment.

[@jdnavarre]

That's it, exactly! As a theatre director myself the Auroville Theatre Group, Auroville, south India - I can feel the pain under your words and also the undying certainty, the belief that we will rise again, as we have done before, after disasters, after hard times, after wars and other trials, and we will spread our wings, like the phoenix, and FLY.

[@jacobbruce161]

Thank you Mr. Haj.

[@jessicasutherland6780]

Aue, love and common bond from your invisable theatre friends in Aotearoa /New Zealand

[@madelinemahon5802]

I agree I took my 4 young children to see Inuk and the Sun the first outdoor play for children 40 or 50 years ago To this day they enjoy live performances. I myself am smitten!

[@bjh51503]

A beautiful message. Thank you.

[@bghutchins]

So well put. Thank you

[@lina-ur4lt]

Well said. Thank you.

[@scottwichmann]

Thank You, Joseph.

[@darcyshean3617]

Me thinks the reason the Guthrie is the Guthrie, is because of this man. He gets it, clearly, and then some. Beautifully expressed! .

[@emtate8]

Thank you for this message of hope.

[@josephg9465]

Thank you for this extraordinary message.

[@AdrienneHaan]

This is one of the most beautiful and most needed messages for all artists around the world! Thank you, Joseph Haj. We are all in this together, as you say! Stay safe!

[@tomkitson9040]

wonderful. YES.