The performing arts serve many purposes. Certainly, they entertain. They can provoke thought and create dialog. In the best cases, performing arts can serve as a mirror, held up to reflect the human experience and affect the way we see our world.
Theatre, whether classic or contemporary, has the power to teach profound lessons in an entirely unique manner. Those lessons pertain to every experience common to human existence including conflict, nation-building, and, ultimately, the impact of it all. For the past 25 years, the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) in Washington, D.C., has staged works from all eras -- from those written centuries ago to those penned in recent years. While the settings and costumers may differ, very often the themes are consistent. And, it is infinitely interesting to explore them here, in the capital of the free world.
Recently, we had the great fortune to bring two special productions to STC, both of which have created opportunities for important dialog and learning. The Great Game: Afghanistan is a twelve-play series from London's Tricycle Theatre tracing the history of foreign involvement in Afghanistan from 1842 to the present day. Originally performed last fall, it will be viewed this month by a very special, particularly poignant audience. For two full days, employees from the Department of Defense -- individuals from Morale, Welfare and Recreation services -- as well as members of Congress, the diplomatic community and industry organizations will come together to watch, learn and discuss events in Afghanistan.
STC was also recently honored to host the first U.S. stop on the National Theatre of Scotland's tour of Black Watch, a production exploring war, military service, camaraderie and culture. For American audiences, it also offers a unique opportunity to experience the effects of the Iraq war on a country other than our own. To me, both of these examples represent an astonishing example of how art can serve as an invaluable tool for learning and understanding.
Each day, we watch conflicts, power struggles and war take place on the global stage. In recent years, Afghanistan and Iraq have held our gaze. Right now, we see the turmoil playing out in Egypt, as well as growing unrest in places like Jordan and Lebanon. We observe how these events are addressed by our nation's leaders. And we hold our breath as we await the impact on ourselves and the rest of the world.
So often what happens on the world stage is translated on the theatre's stage; whether that translation takes place today, tomorrow or a hundred years from now. I have seen how the arts can help to explain, explore and even define complicated issues. Theatre can elicit strong emotions, but also draw out unexpected empathy. Theatre allows us to look back at the timeless lessons the classics have to teach. But we can also look at the urgent, present day issues that productions like The Great Game: Afghanistan and Black Watch explore. It is for these reasons I believe that art -- in particular theatre -- can shorten the learning curve from experience to knowledge.
Kudos to Kahn and to the cast of the National Theatre of Scotland.