The Rose of Athens Theatre performed the Edgar Allan Poe play “Tell-Tale Heart” on Oct. 20 at Clarke Central High School. This is one of the various performances taking place around Athens for Poe-tober. Gallery by Julie Alpaugh.
By SUNCANA PAVLIC – Managing Editor
University of Georgia (UGA) Professor of Language and Literacy Education Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor discusses her involvement with bringing Rose of Athens to perform at CCHS for Poe-tober and Poe-tober within Athens.
Digital Managing Editor Suncana Pavlic: Can you tell me what the NEA Big Read program is?
Professor of Language and Literacy Education Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor: The NEA Big Read (those must go together as “Big Read” is a program from the National Endowment for the Arts) began in 2006 under the direction of then poet-laureate Dana Gioia. The NEA had just done a study and learned that very few (less than 50 percent) of American adults were doing any pleasure reading (fiction) and way fewer were reading poetry (six to eight percent) or plays (three percent). The “Big Read” began as seed money to give to 75 communities across the U.S. to inspire leaders to buy copies of a single book of “approved” literature. (Edgar Allan Poe’s work) has been on the list since 2006 and was an attractive choice. We celebrate Halloween pretty big in Athens and Poe is a perfect spooky companion. His name is so well known and it was easy to inspire collaborators with the Poe-tober and Poe-try themes.
SP: How did you become involved with The NEA Big Read Program?
MCT: I am a poet and a professor in education. This NEA Big Read grant is perfect because it connects these two identities. I did vociferously complain about the limited number of living writers and writers of color on the list. This summer, they responded to that widespread complaint and the list looks quite differently. I will co-present on a panel at the annual (Association of Writers & Writing Programs) meeting for creative writers on the importance of diversifying literature as well as attracting diverse readers to classics. The panel will take place in February 2017 in Washington, D.C. celebrating the 50th anniversary of AWP and the 10th anniversary of the Big Read. I will co-present with the NEA director Amy Stolls as well as one of the many new writers of color on the list, Joy Harjo. I will also present with Kimiko Hahn, who is a Japanese-American writer who will present in Athens on (Nov. 12 at) 4 p.m. at the GMOA. Japanese teas and snacks will be served.
SP: How was the idea of Poe-tober conceived?
MCT: The word “Poe” is a perfect monosyllable that lends itself so nicely to word play. I felt that compressing all activities into one month would help with attracting an audience and sustaining interest. October and Poe-tober made for nice bedfellows — sonically and seasonally. It proved to be attractive for media coverage and then others creatively capitalized on the spirit. The (Athens-Clarke County) Library and (Georgia Museum of Art) will feature Poe-try events. “Nightfall” is a play based on Poe’s work and Rose of Athens will perform it as well as lead a “Poe pub crawl” around town. The alliteration, rhymes, and word play are endless with someone like Poe!
SP: Who organizes Poe-tober?
MCT: I am very lucky to find myself in a rich network of high-spirited, like-minded community members in Athens. While I planted the seed and encouraged events, partners like Carissa DiCindio and Callan Steinmann at GMOA, Cora Keber at the State Botanical Gardens, Tammy Gerson and Van Burns at the ACC Library, Marilyn Estes and Jerry Daniel of the Historic Boulevard Neighborhood, David Ragsdale at (Clarke Central High School), Lynn Bustle-Sanders at the Art School, Danielle Bailey Miller of Rose of Athens — these and many other partners were invaluable in organizing individual events that composed the whole of Poe-tober.
SP: When was POE-tober created?
MCT: The idea for Poe-tober started in fall of 2015 when internal grant competition applications were due at the University of Georgia. Only one person from an individual institution can submit an application. So I had to “win” the chance to submit an application to the NEA for funding. That application was due in January 2016. We learned in summer 2016 that we won. Then it was a quick turnaround to plan events in July/August to begin in September (our first call for Poe-inspired artwork). By the way, no artist from a high school submitted in the Poe art competition. It was the only category without submissions. Why?
SP: What are other events taking place for Poe-tober?
MCT: Oh my goodness, so many!
(On Oct. 22), Rose of Athens will perform the whole “Nightfall” play at Seney-Stovall Chapel, 7 p.m. $5 for students.
(On Oct. 26), 5 p.m., Dana Walrath will speak about comics, medicine and healing — this will speak to Poe’s struggles with grief, depression and addiction and the ways in which art-making and creative writing can connect and heal.
(On Oct. 27), there are spooky adult stories at the library and a family poetry event at the GMOA.
(On Oct. 29), folks will dress up as ravens and form a “conspiracy of ravens” in the Rumpus parade. We will meet 8:15 p.m. in front of Ciné in Poe-inspired costume.
(On Nov. 1), Kimiko Hahn will read from her book “Toxic Flora” and other poems (at) 2 p.m. at GMOA.
Also, there are Facebook events for every thing — search “Poe-tober”.
(Please see the full list and description at www.coe.uga.edu/poe)
SP: Can you tell me a little bit about the Rose of Athens? How did they become involved with Poe-tober?
MCT: Van Burns at the library knew I was working on Poe-tober in August when he received an audition call for the show. I had originally had a small budget to hire one actor to perform Poe at various events. It worked so beautifully to hire the whole theatre company instead.
SP: Why did you want to bring the Rose of Athens to CCHS?
MCT: I wanted to share Poe’s work and I also knew that of all the genres, plays get the smallest audiences and readership. But Poe’s work is so musical and filled with imagery. I think it’s at its best when it is read and heard out loud. I hoped it would stimulate students’ interest to return to Poe (so much of his work is available for free or very, very cheaply online through Kindle and Audible and the Big Read website and Poe museum) and/or perhaps get inspired by his work for the first time.
SP: Why do you believe this was a beneficial opportunity for students to engage in?
MCT: I think anything that inspires communities to talk about literature together and to have common references to names of famous writers and an understanding of their work is essential for creating an educated and involved republic. If we want healthy communities that take care of one another and take care of the environment, then we must also connect through art and literature. Paulo Freire is a famous educator who talks about the connections between “reading the word” and “reading the world” — I believe in the importance of reading to be able to live with greater justice and care for one another. If young people develop good associations with literature, then they can carry that into their adult lives.
SP: What is the importance of students to be involved in the Fine Arts and literacy practices?
MCT: I never underestimate the value of being well-read. As we can see in political debates today, it is very important to be able to read critically and think deeply so that we do not just accept what someone says at face value but we learn to bring our own good questions, to connect to the dramas and histories that have come before us, to appreciate perspective and difference. Literature expands the heart and the mind. If I can contribute in any way to that kind of opening for any student or adult in Athens, then I will have lived a good life!
