Porgy and Bess meets Kids and Race by Kids & Race published on 2018-07-25T20:14:59Z In this episode, Jasen interviews Courtney D. Clark, School Program Manager for the Seattle Opera. Courtney is a music teacher and singer, and she’s played the role of Bess in Gershwin’s classic (and controversial?) opera “Porgy and Bess”. Jasen and Courtney discuss the Seattle Opera’s current production, paying particular attention to the nuances of the white progressive reaction to racial themes in Porgy and Bess. For more info from the Seattle Opera regarding its collaboration with Kids and Race, as well as a partial transcript of the podcast, click the link below. http://www.seattleoperablog.com/2018/08/porgy-and-bess-meets-kids-and-race.html 00:17: Introducing Courtney 05:30: Casting for Porgy and Bess 08:36: Introducing the topic of “controversy” and “minstrelsy” in the opera. Singing parts as a metaphor for who’s given a voice in opera. 14:33: Introducing children to Porgy and Bess 19:15: Connecting the world of Porgy and Bess to modern times 22:45: Blackness on stage!!! 26:47: Closing commentary. Opportunities for kids to explore and learn at Seattle Opera.
