“O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention!
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!
But pardon, gentles all,
The flat unraised spirits that have dar’d
On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth
So great an object. Can this cockpit hold
The vasty fields of France? Or may we cram
Within this wooden O the very casques
That did affright the air at Agincourt?
O, pardon! since a crooked figure may
Attest in little place a million,
And let us, ciphers to this great accompt,
On your imaginary forces work.
Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts;
Into a thousand parts divide one man,
And make imaginary puissance;
Think, when we talk of horses, that you see them
Printing their proud hoofs i' th’ receiving earth;
For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings,
Carry them here and there, jumping o'er times,
Turning the accomplishment of many years
Into an hour-glass: for the which supply,
Admit me Chorus to this history;
Who, prologue-like, your humble patience pray,
Gently to hear, kindly to judge, our play.”
That text was taken from the opening speech of William Shakespeare’s Henry the Fifth. With these words, Shakespeare invited his audience to become active participants in the creative process by contributing to the theatrical illusion. He called for not merely spectators, but engaged and enthusiastic accomplices in the artistic act. This is art at its most dynamic: a give-and-take between the performer and the audience, a two-way exchange in which both parties have a role to play and a responsibility to fulfill.
Shakespeare began Henry the Fifth asking for the audience’s indulgence and permission: ‘…let us…on your imaginary forces work.’ And once those imaginary forces were engaged, the audience could join along, and their participation was necessary to fulfill the creative act: ‘…for ‘tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings…’
And so it is with education. I stand before you today, dear students, on behalf of the faculty, asking your indulgence as we assist you in cultivating your ‘imaginary forces.’ And to remind you that it is ‘your thoughts that now must deck our kings.’ That is to say your talents, your insights and unique qualities that will ennoble our efforts and fulfill our artistic lives on this campus. As Shakespeare needed his audience to engage with his words, so we need your energies, both artistic and intellectual, to implement the vision of teaching and learning that is possible at Interlochen. That exchange of ideas can create a true community of collaborators, all focused towards the common goals of artistic accomplishment and academic achievement.
As we examine why art matters this year, let’s not lose track of its ability to bring us together as a community. Art can be a unifier, a community-builder. And it is through collaborative efforts that we can discover a true sense of community.
After finishing my time at Interlochen as an Academy student (a 4-year Theatre major) and my undergraduate degree, I did what most young actors do and signed up for a two-year stint in the Peace Corps in West Africa. One of my proudest accomplishments during my time in the small country of Togo was the creation of a touring children’s theatre troupe. I went from classroom to classroom in the local elementary school explaining my concept, and on a hot and dusty day held auditions under a mango tree outside of the village. Many students came, and we worked together to create scripts, songs and dances relating to environmental awareness. After performing in their home village of Kante, we decided to take our little show on the road and tour to neighboring villages.
It was then that ideas of collaboration and community in art became clear to me. The village rallied behind our troupe, supporting the creative efforts of these children and sending us merrily on our way. But the real reward awaited us in the neighboring prefectures, where we were greeted with open arms and great curiosity. After one of our performances, in a small community outside of Bafilo, a village elder took me aside to thank me for the show. While he appreciated the messages of environmental awareness and conservation, what had moved him was the display of community he had just witnessed. In a country smaller than the state of West Virginia, with 37 distinct ethnic groups and languages, he was inspired by the sense of community that was established as cultural differences went unnoticed. Despite the warring history between tribes, despite the abject poverty, there was incredible joy discovered through this act of collaboration and community.
We have arrived at Interlochen today from locations all over the globe. We bring with us a wide array of talents and insights to this special place where the opportunities for collaboration are endless. But collaboration can be a challenging concept. It requires clear and consistent communication, empathy, and a willingness to share a vision. It requires a readiness to embrace change and an ability to adapt.
The reward of such work, however, can be incredibly rich. Joyful even. When the contributors to a shared vision come from varied and diverse backgrounds and work in an interdisciplinary manner, the final product is made infinitely more profound by the variety of their experiences.
Interdisciplinary study is a term you may hear a lot this year, and it is at the foundation of the Academy’s newest major – Comparative Arts. These students have come to Interlochen with the desire to study multiple artistic and academic disciplines at the highest level. They will create projects based on their specific interests while drawing on the academic and artistic resources unique to Interlochen. This presents an opportunity for our entire community to come together to support and partake in these collaborative endeavors.
Shakespeare ended that opening speech from Henry the Fifth with a request, asking his audience “…gently to hear…” and “…kindly to judge our play.” Let’s work and play together with gentleness and kindness to ignite that muse of fire, and as a community we will shine upon the brightest heaven of invention. Here’s to a wonderful year of collaboration. Thank you.