Opera director Yuval Sharon says that opera, despite being considered one of the more archaic mediums of art, can be a powerful example of artists adapting and changing along with the world. He and his team are constantly seeking to “explore how opera, which seems like the ultimate colonialist art form, can be a vehicle for trying to unpack notions of colonialism and a colonialist view of history.” This includes emphasizing and returning to the original intent of Greek operas, which were meant to bring people together.

Actress and playwright Anna Deveare Smith’s work looks at current events from multiple points of view. She works to highlight the stories of people who are marginalized and pushed out of dominating narratives. To do this, she focuses on an “unofficial language” — listening to those who have no power or social capital and telling their stories.

Deveare Smith says too often politicians and intellectuals respond to cultural moments as quickly as possible so they can act as pundits. They share their views with a lack of nuance “in order to appear on television and sell books.” Deveare Smith prefers to speak to the people still on the ground after the cameras have left. She wants to understand the emotional truth of the situation.

Both Sharon and Deveare Smith offer their perspectives on the growing call for Confederate statues and monuments to be taken down — an issue highlighted by protesters and city governments alike. Yuval sees a connection between the monuments being taken down and the change he sees as essential to opera as an art form.

Deveare Smith makes a striking connection between removing confederate statues and #MeToo movement, which aims to expose and erase sexual harassment and assault. "Tearing down the monuments is a little bit like bringing down Harvey Weinstein. It’s a necessary thing to do to open up metaphorically all those roaches that are hiding until you turn on the lights in all of our institutions where [people are abused]."