To me, artistic integrity means that you have standards and values, artistically, that you are unwilling to compromise. Artists sometimes compromise for reasons that are monetary, and some compromise only to have a chance to practice their art. I think it is important to maintain a certain degree of artistic integrity no matter what the cost. I recently had an opportunity to direct a play for a local group who was in need of a director and was willing to pay. One problem was the group was not allowing much time for production. They wanted to hire me with only a few weeks before the performance. Also, after reviewing the script, I realized that it was a very poorly written script and that it would probably be a bad production no matter how good the direction. Even though I would have loved the opportunity and needed the money, it was my artistic integrity that kept me from attaching my name to the work. I think this is important for artists to hold strong on their convictions within reason. I say within reason, because I also believe that artists could keep themselves from ever working if they turn down every opportunity because of their “standards.” It is rare for me to turn down work, but I am being a little more selective now-a-days.
One of my primary values as an artist is to never throw something together at the last minute. I believe in planning, and structure with flexibility. I avoid situations where my work has to be rushed because I believe that good theatre should not be thrown together. Some people say this makes the best theatre, but I have never seen polished performances and productions that were thrown together in a rush. Good theatre takes time. Creativity needs time to germinate. Time is the vehicle for creativity to grow. This is one of many values I hold.
The more integrity you have as an artist, the more people will tend to trust your work and see you as a qualified, reliable individual. Integrity goes a long way. What are your thoughts on artistic integrity?
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I feel that you couldn’t be more right. This is something that you’ve been voicing to us since Into the Woods. Whenever we were having an off-day, or just kept forgetting our lines or something…you always made it clear that you would stop the play completely and give everyone their tickets back than attach your name to “a piece of CRAP!!!!!” This always managed to give us all a kick in the pants towards the right direction, as your anger was something that none of us wished to experience. I believe that your artistic integrity was something very visible to all us actors at Gateway, remains to be something that we miss dearly, and intend to apply to our lives now. What I can say for myself now, is that your standards have helped to raise my standards as an everyday individual, and I hope to better myself as a person with hard work and planning (two things I neglected that led to the jeopardizing of roles for me last year) to achieve those standards and surpass them. It’ll take some time, but just like you said for creativity… time is my vehicle to grow and I have to use it wisely.
Thanks for your comment Sean. I wish you all the best in your future, and I consider myself fortunate to have had an opportunity to be a part of your education.
I 100% agree with this blog entry, and Sean is right: I can’t remember a day where you did anything to jeopardize the integrity of your work. I do remember you saying to us during OUR productions about how you would close the show if it was a complete disaster. Unfortunately, everywhere you see artistic integrity sacrificed for a common thing: money. I recently went to a play, invited by a friend, and it just looked god-awful. Like it was slopped together last minute. Turns out that it was done as a sort of fund raiser for the school and they had started rehearsing weeks before the show opened. It is seeing such atrocities as those that makes me appreciate what you taught us while you were here. Thank you, Mr. G.