Artists in community podcast: An intro

Editor's Note: Finally, each week in October, we'll be posting each part of this fascinating conversation. We'll start with this introduction, first teased during the summer (so you may have missed it). Thanks again to the wonderful artists who joined us. Community feels like a buzzword in the theater community these days. From creative placemaking to community-driven theater (not "community theater," mind you) to community engagement, everyone is throwing the word around. We invited six notable Twin Cities artists who are already known for both their active work in community and their talent as high quality actors, directors, writers, puppet-makers and producers to discuss the divide, if it exists, between art for the community and art for art's sake. They include the multi-talented Sha Cage; actor and Penumbra Theatre educator H. Adam Harris; actor and Pillsbury House Theatre Artistic Programs Associate Kurt Kwan; director and Hamline University Professor Carolyn Levy; puppet (and object) maker Christopher Lutter-gardella; and new Guthrie Theater Associate Artistic Director Jeff Meanza. Listen and enjoy this brief introduction to the participants then come back to MinnesotaPlaylist over the next few months to hear the details. Special thanks to the Guthrie Theater for hosting this conversation in their Kitchak Lounge in front of an invited audience.