We've been learning all kinds of fun facts about one particular member of our Angels production team lately, and that is intern and production assistant Kat Martin. Just the other day we found out that Kat's dad works with a company that owns and flies the biggest kite in the world. For real, it's in the Guinness Book of World Records. It's an American flag. Also, Kat's grandfather served two terms as governor of North Carolina. Remember Gov. James Grubbs Martin? Well, that's Grandpa to Kat. Her uncle, Joe Martin, also was in the news. When the 1996 Charlotte Rep Angels controversy flared up, he went on the defensive to keep the proposed arts funding cuts from going through.
Here are her words about the experience:
"I grew up in Charlotte during the controversy surrounding the 1996 Charlotte Repertory production of Angels in America: Part One the Millennium Approaches. I was too young to know what all the fuss was about but it was very clear that there was a fuss. Everyone from politicians on the radio to artists in the paper and even my parents around the dinner table were talking about Kushner’s master work. My whole life I thought of Angels as an intimidating show that created division. I did not realize how wrong I was until NC Stage began working on their production. The show speaks for itself in its philosophical yet secular, beautiful yet grimy effect and speaks to the heart of what it means to be a modern American.
As incredible and thought provoking as the script itself, the most exciting part of this process for me has been the chance to learn more about my own uncle. Politicians used the infamous Charlotte production of Angels as a tool to spark a political debate about arts funding. During this controversy, funding for the arts was cut under the banner of censorship although many suspect it was an early piece of regional morality legislation. My uncle, Joe Martin, was a passionate opponent to the arts budget cuts. I had always heard stories of the speech he delivered to the county commission (it has become lore within my family), but I had never read it for myself. Working on this show gave me an opportunity to read Joe’s speech and I could not be more proud or revved up. The power of labels is discussed throughout the play and could not have been more pertinent to the debate in Charlotte. According to Uncle Joe, “This debate is not about the arts is it? This about something more fundamental. This is about the power of government on one hand and the nature of community on the other.”
This fundamental issue is an essential theme in Kushner’s work and creates the conversation that must happen to create true community and a true sense of “American-ness.” It is a very hopeful sign that society has become more tolerant and the NC Stage production can be produced without sparking a huge ideological controversy. This play and specifically this production will always remind me of the important role that open dialogue has in creating a tolerant cultural identity. I will always feel a sense of connection to this show because of the connection it created for me with my own uncle."
As incredible and thought provoking as the script itself, the most exciting part of this process for me has been the chance to learn more about my own uncle. Politicians used the infamous Charlotte production of Angels as a tool to spark a political debate about arts funding. During this controversy, funding for the arts was cut under the banner of censorship although many suspect it was an early piece of regional morality legislation. My uncle, Joe Martin, was a passionate opponent to the arts budget cuts. I had always heard stories of the speech he delivered to the county commission (it has become lore within my family), but I had never read it for myself. Working on this show gave me an opportunity to read Joe’s speech and I could not be more proud or revved up. The power of labels is discussed throughout the play and could not have been more pertinent to the debate in Charlotte. According to Uncle Joe, “This debate is not about the arts is it? This about something more fundamental. This is about the power of government on one hand and the nature of community on the other.”
This fundamental issue is an essential theme in Kushner’s work and creates the conversation that must happen to create true community and a true sense of “American-ness.” It is a very hopeful sign that society has become more tolerant and the NC Stage production can be produced without sparking a huge ideological controversy. This play and specifically this production will always remind me of the important role that open dialogue has in creating a tolerant cultural identity. I will always feel a sense of connection to this show because of the connection it created for me with my own uncle."
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Want to read "Uncle Joe's" opinion piece in the Charlotte Observer? Click here.
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