Cabaret Dramaturgy Statement

Theatre is political. In 1930s Berlin, cabaret performances opened political discussion and sexual expression in an otherwise restrictive environment. In 2017 America, Cabaret the musical provides a performing arts high school the opportunity to discuss the horror of systematic genocide. Theatre gives voice to controversy and an ear to hardship. In choosing Cabaret as the mainstage show this season, the HSPVA Theatre Department seized a platform to confront today’s evils through the lens of yesterday.

Cabaret becomes more relevant with each day of rehearsal. Social tensions surrounding DACA, healthcare, and racial injustice swirl outside the Black Box theatre, mirroring the uncertain times of pre-World War II. Our production recreates a political sphere which was an attempt to return Germany to its imperial greatness while entire sections of their society were facing discrimination and extermination. Then, as now, people gathered at rallies that used propaganda, celebrated bans on citizenship, and endorsed police brutality. Yet through the power of escapism, Berlin’s cabaret scene became a place where “life was beautiful” in the midst of the chaos. Dancing, sex, and nightlife became a mask for brokenness. The goal of our show is to remove the mask. One may find the images that this show provokes to be disturbing, and they should be. We do not glorify this imagery but use it to expose evil so that we may grow out of evil into truth.

Cabaret pushes us to truly contemplate the role of art in society. If theatre is political, what are we as artists asking of our audience? What is the greater good of our art? What would I do in situations similar to Sally and Cliff and Schneider? What would you do? 

We refuse to be complacent. That is why we create art, in order to stave off stagnation and question ourselves and our society.