Artists in New York and the hype from the comeback
by Andreas Robertz
New York is breathing again – that’s the feeling. The city has been fully open again since July, masks are still required on buses and trains, but shops and restaurants can decide for themselves how they want to do it with them. Parks, beaches, outdoor pools and fitness studios are open without restrictions and if you can believe the hype on social media, many can hardly decide which party and which vernissage to attend first. In the theaters, fixtures for the new season are hectically announced and the lights will finally go back on on Broadway in September. Andreas Robertz asked the city’s artists for us how enthusiastic they really are and whether a “Back to Normal” in New York is even possible after this traumatic year?
There are picnic concerts again in Bryant Park, just behind the famous New York City Public Library. A Carnegie Hall program makes it happen. Anyone who has been vaccinated can come with blankets or chairs and bring food and drink, admission is free. The first concert will be the rock and folk musician Toshi Reagon with her band The BIGLovely.
Political rock music to kick off
Toshi Reagon’s music comes from a long tradition of political protest songs, from the civil rights movement to Black Lives Matter. That fits, because New York was shaken not only by a pandemic, but also by a historic wave of protests after the death of George Floyd. Artists of color in particular are demanding more say, more participation and more access to the city’s cultural institutions.
That is how Johnny May sees it. She has been working as an actress in the city for 40 years and has still paid her rent, she says. She hopes for a real change in mentality in society.
The nation has moved – “Back to Normal” can not exist
Johnny May: So now that mentality, the things that you used to be aware of, is not going to be the same. You’re going to have to change a way of thinking into a different way. The whole George Floyd movement is making us change, the whole nation has changed. So I love that things are going to be different.
But above all, she is happy to finally see her colleagues and the audience live again.
Johnny May: Let me tell you, let me tell you, I got had the privilege of flying down to Miami last week to see a play. I mean we were so excited. We hadn’t seen live theaters so long. I’m telling you it’s nothing like live theater. I was so sick of Zoom. I still got to wear a mask, because I don’t know if the next person has been vaccinated. Now you’re talking about this new spread, I hope they can get an under control and not go back to how it was. I hope so. So yes I’m optimistic. I want Broadway to come back. I can’t stand 42nd Street with no people.
A small pond with less fish
Actor Kendrick Merdani also can’t wait for Broadway to reopen. Before the pandemic, he was doing quite well with regular theater engagements and various television series. During the pandemic, he was able to continue teaching as an acting teacher, but had to quickly get digitally fit.
Kendrick Merdani: What came into play is the fact that you gotta be good at Zoom. You need to know, how do you audition onZzoom? How do you set up your own studio recording and for a voice over, how do you self-tape, you know? Now I don’t need to be in LA to have an audition anymore. I don’t need to be in a studio to record myself.
He now feels this new independence as a blessing, because he can audition anywhere in the country without having to leave Brooklyn. More than ever, Kendrick is convinced that if you believe in your talent, you have to work continuously on your craft, whether the theaters are open or not. Now that auditions are taking place everywhere again, he sees himself and his students in a good position:
Kendrick Merdani:: There’s a small pond with a lot of fish, it just feels very crowded, right? And so as you said one third of the fish probably left town, you know and a lot of people probably even questioned the continuation of this pursuit, a lot of people chose to create a family or maybe learn a new skill and transfer that into different career. I see it as a positive because maybe perhaps the pool has become a little less populated. So absolutely. I am optimistic.
“Back to Normal”? Everything is going too fast
Visual transgender artist LJ Roberts is more torn. Various friends died during the pandemic and the memory is still very fresh. LJ is also happy that the galleries are open again, but basically everything happens too quickly.
LJ Roberts: I remember the first vernissage a month ago. It felt really euphoric. I’ve seen people I haven’t seen in a long time and everyone was so excited. There were a lot of hugs, but it was also weird because I feel like all the sadness and trauma hasn’t left my body yet. In the art world, the faucet has been turned back on very quickly and I’m just trying to do a lot of things that were otherwise normal while I’m not fully back.
A feeling of common good would be nice
LJ refuses to pretend that the last year hadn’t happened:
LJ Roberts: The hardest thing about the open lock gates is the pressure to get back to “normal” quickly, even though nothing was normal last year. It feels so wrong to want to quickly forget everything and quickly go where it feels familiar. Instead of doing things differently, saying: let’s go back, but differently, so that people feel healthier, safer, better cared for; to have the feeling of a common good in this country, that would be nice.
New York is open again and people are visibly happy that the pandemic is apparently over for now. But it will probably never be the same again and many think that’s a good thing. The pandemic and demonstrations have shaken the city. Hopefully she won’t fall asleep again anytime soon.
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