Gabriela Serrano
DRAMA 3309
M 10 a.m.
December 1, 2010
Comparing Performances of “A Raisin in the Sun”
What happens to play about the American Dream? Is it forgotten after one sees it or does it prevails in one’s mind for decades? Can it captivate and become an epic story? Can a play about dreams become history like Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun did on its opening night? The answer to all those questions is probably uncertain because this play since 1959 has a special value not only to African Americans, but to anyone who dreams of a better future. A play about fighting obstacles and social issues in the name of hopes and dreams definitely becomes timeless and surpasses skin color. Revivals of Raisin have come and gone and the value of its message it is one thing where theatre critics have no question or differences about. However, it seems that when it comes towho interprets Walter it is when play reviewers often use a magnifying glass to qualify the actor because of what the character represents.
African American dreams are often deferred, but fortunately, to Hansberry her dream did come true. A Raisin in the Sun is a play about failed dreams during a racist struggling period. Those times are history, and so is what Hansberry did on Wednesday March 4 of 1959, the opening night of A Raisin in the Sun at the Barrymore Theatre. What she did was a “miracle” according to the article “DramatistAgainst Odds” by Nan Robertson. It was the first time the producers presented a play, first time the director directed a Broadway play, first Broadway play for Sidney Poitier; but most importantly, first play she published and first Negro play by a woman on a Broadway stage. “Critical Praise” is what the play received that day. "New York Critics Laud 'A Raisin in the Sun” is an article written a few days after it opened. There it mentions all the positive reviews from other newspapers. It mentions how it “made history,” that it was a “theatrical magic,” and a “superior play.” This was the first time the character of Walter Lee appeared onstage, that is why it is impossible to criticize or compare Poitier’s performance. He and the rest of the cast received nothing but praises and honorable mentions.
Revivals around the country have had mixed reviews. They all agree that the play still appeal to a great audience because of its relevant themes. This is probably because as it says in a New York Times article, that still possesses “identifying issues that would continue to shape African American life…” (Bentley). However, play critics do not go to a revival to see how the audience receives the play. After reading several articles, I found that critics go to see how Walter is interpreted and by whom. For example, the first words in a New York Times article by Ben Bentley are “Sean Combs.” This clearly states that the whole article is going to be mostly about this celebrity. Bentley argues that the 2004 revival was a “dreary affair” because apparently Combs performance left space for Walter to grow and he did not fit into the Walter that Sidney Poitier portrayed. He says that since Combs has had a sustained triumph, it is too difficult to see him as a Walter. Bentley says that Combs is nothing but a “handsome self-assured face” and that the only right choice he made was to put his hands on his face. However, he does say that he liked the rest of the cast because in their faces one was able to see what was happening without need for words. I think that Bentley is somehow exaggerating and went to the theater with biases towards Combs.Since I did not saw Poitier or Combs on Broadway, I decided to watch both movie versions because of Bentley’s comments. I found how great actor is Sidney Poitier, but I did not saw a bad interpretation of Walter by Sean Combs. In fact, I think that Combs was a good representation of a contemporary Walter.
Just as the previous article’s first words were Sean Combs, in another one is “Sidney Poitier”. This time was again published in The New York Times but it was a review about a Chicago’s revival in 2006. Anita Gates wrote it and there she says that the message of the play still was successfully achieved despite the lack of good direction of Secret Scott. She believes that the main character of this play is Walter because “he represented a changing consciousness among black Americans as civil rights movement lay around the corner” (Gates). However, her entire article mostly talks about the plot instead of describing the performance or criticizing how “Walter” did. Another review about other ‘Raisin in the Sun production falling short was one by Rich Frank titled “Theater: ‘Raisin in Sun,’ Anniversary in Chicago.” This one also talks about how the play “changed America Theater forever.”
The revival which the previous review analyzes was one in 1983 at the Goodman Theater. Rich says that even though it was not great, it did not “obscure the play’s strengths.” Here again it is mentioned what Walter means. Rich says that regardless of the race, Walter is another victim of the “materialistic American dream.” This is the first article that actually talks about race. He sees the play as Hansberry once described it, “a play about honest-to-God, believable, many-sided people who happened to be Negros” (Robertson). Rich mentions how the staging resembled the original production, but that the bad thing was the acting. There is a part in the article where he talks about the “strangulated imitations” compared to the original performers, but he focuses more on Walter interpreted by Bret Jennings. Rich says that thanks to Jennings’ acting, it made A Raisin in the Sun a “simplified melodrama.” I did not saw this performance, but I think it is unfair just to blame him for this. Sidney Poitier set the bar very high, but it is incorrect to come to a play with such high expectations. This revival is another interpretation of the play, it is Jennings own interpretation of Walter. Not everyone sees the play the same way.
Another play review where I did find that a revival was fairly criticized was one by Klein Alvin titled “Theater: A ‘Raisin in the Sun’ That Still Rousing.” This play review talks about the 1995 production at the George Street Playhouse in New York. He uses words like: a glowing, visionary, hope, breathtaking, timeless, universal, and humorous. He believes that the message that Hansberry wanted to send to society was “that family love is the most powerful force on earth” and that this production was able to achieve and send that message as well. It must be his favorite play too and must have seen it numerous times because he mentions that even though it is probably the 15th time seeing it, he still finds that this one gives audience a “fresh” force of hope. I think that this critic did not came in to the theatre hoping to see Poitier, Dee, or McNeil. Instead, he does give a good review of the cast performance. I do not say this because he liked it, but because he never seems to compare the first production with this new one.
The first time that I read A Raisin in the Sun for a class, race was never something we focused on. For us was just a play about people who happened to be black. This image prevails in my mind because as Hispanic I feel at some point identified with the Younger family too. I think that this is what happens to a play about the American dreams; it becomes timeless and colorblind. And because nothing ever stays the same and everything changes, it is impossible to clone Sidney Poitier and put him in every revival of ARaisinIn The Sun. That is why it is unfair to do what critics have been doing. They have been looking for Poitier everywhere they see a character named Walter Lee Younger. Of course this character is important, but it is not the only one. It was unfair to prejudge Combs performance and still unfair to use a magnifying glass in every Walter. The only thing that should matter is that the play is still relevant and that if it did or did not achieved its goal, which is to reach a multicultural audience and present a beautiful story about fighting for ones ideals and family unification.
Sources:
Klein Alvin. "A 'Raisin in the Sun' That's Still Rousing. " New York Times (1923-Current file)
22 Jan. 1995,ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2007), ProQuest. Web. 09Nov. 2010.
Gates Anita. "A 'Raisin' With Appeal, if Not Crystal Clarity. " New York Times (1923-Current
file) 5 Mar. 2006,ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 –
2007), ProQuest.Web. 09Nov. 2010.
BrantleyBen. "A Breakthrough 50's Drama Revived in a Suspenseful Mood :[Review]. " New
York Times 27 Apr. 2004, Late Edition (East Coast): New York Times, ProQuest.
Web. 09Nov. 2010.
Rich Frank. "Theater: 'Raisin in Sun,' Anniversary in Chicago. " New York Times (1923-
Current file) 5 Oct. 1983,ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851-
2007), ProQuest.Web. 09Nov. 2010.
Henry Louis Gates Jr. "At 50, Hansberry's 'Raisin' Has Ripened With a New Relevance. " The
Washington Post 15 Mar. 2009,Washington Post, ProQuest. Web. 09 Nov. 2010.
"New York Critics Laud 'ARaisinInTheSun.”Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963)
12 Mar. 1959,ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849 - 1987), ProQuest.
Web. 09Nov. 2010.
Robertson Nan. (1959, March 8). DRAMATIST AGAINST ODDS. New York Times
(1923-Current file),X3. Retrieved November 09, 2010, from ProQuest Historical
Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2007). (Document ID: 89157714).
Comparing Performances of “A Raisin in the Sun”
Guanajuato: A Piece of Culture
Legends are pieces of history. With the years, they become consecrated tales of civilizations where tellers freely venerate heroes or fictional characters. Those special heroes are remembered and transmitted generation to generation, until they turn into an important piece of the history in the places where those mythical legends born. Guanajuato, Mexico is one of those places in which legends are fundamental part of their culture. A magical city surrounded by mountains that give it a touch of mystery and legends that makes Guanajuato a unique city. Traditionally in this magnificent town, legends are one of the most exciting attractions for tourists where they are happily ready to relive and imagine magical stories told by an euphoric narrator.
“Guanajuato is a city whose legends began in the 16th century during the Spanish conquest. Its strange architecture and location made it very easy to create myths about this mining town…Thanks to the narratives that reached the European continent, a large quantity of migration arose in search of gold and wealth” (Bestday). One of the city’s most famous legends is "El Callejon del Beso" (Alley of the Kiss), which was the witness of the most sincere and forbidden love ever existed in the city. Doña Carmen, was the daughter of one the richest landowners. She fell in love with a poor miner. However, her father prohibited their love for the apparent social class distinction that in them existed.
“When the father discovers his daughter kissing her lover, he takes a dagger and sticks it into her heart. As she is lying dead, one of her hands is being held by her lover who gently kisses it. The legend says that couples who kiss while standing on the third step of the staircase under the balconies will enjoy 15 years of happiness, while those who forget or avoid doing so will go through seven years of suffering” (Bestday). A timeless story that most of the times compared with the classic “Romeo and Juliette” overpasses the expectations of curious locals and tourist where they apparently admit to feel that magic energy felt in the alley of 68 cm wide. What it makes this legend become part of the history is how it describes, that love affairs were secretly carried when economically; both of the families were not monetary equality during the 17th century.
Almost every part of the world as a version of “The Weeping Woman” or “La Llorona,” in this case Guanajuato poses his own version of a legend that has made every generation to wonder about its existence. The apparent hearings of the long cry walks in Guanajuato’s allies; “breaks the silence in the middle of the night when everything is absolutely calm with her cries of grief… exactly at midnight, wearing a beautiful white nightdress and carrying something wrapped in her arms…” (Bestday). Miners returning from their turns apparently were the unfortunate ones to hear the chilling cry of a woman who had to kill her children in order to be accepted in her parent’s home again. She then chooses to commit suicide, but heaven neither accept her. That is how La LLorona and her eternal cry remains in the tunnels that lead to Alonso and the Garden Union, starting from Hidalgo Street all the way into it reaches echoes of the entire city. A traditional way to scary the misbehavior children has become “The Weeping Woman,” especially at night.
The first battle for the Mexican independence held in Guanajuato, has been one of the most fascinating episodes for the history of Mexico. They reached their first victory thanks to “El Pipila,” Juan Jose de los Reyes Martinez. He was part of the military group gathered to fight against the Spaniards, probably without his heroic act, Mexico would have not reached his independence. Pipila means ‘turkey egg’ and apparently, Martinez looked like one of those as they friends called him. “El pipila,” has become one of the most important and known legends in Mexico.
“When the Spaniards barricaded themselves inside the Alhóndiga they felt safe from harm and they hurled murderous fire down upon the freedom fighters with their muskets and the insurgents suffered much loss of life and limb until El Pípila stepped in to save the day. He strapped a big flat rock on his back to protect himself from the musket fire and crawled up to the great wooden doors of the Alhóndiga where he set them ablaze with the help of a type of wood called “ocote” (oh-KOH-teh) or what in English is known as “pitch pine.” When the doors burned away, the freedom fighters eventually gained entry and slaughtered all of the Spaniards within. El Pípila was the hero of the day and retains a special place in the heart of every Mexican” (Mrotek).
In 1833, some people were buried alive. The legend of the Mummies of Guanajuato says that because of the high rate of deaths due a cholera epidemic, “the corpses were buried almost as soon as they were pronounced dead, in order to prevent the spread of the plague” (Don Quijote). Then around 1865, mummified bodies discovered in a cemetery were exhibited for a few pesos. People around the world that heard the story became curious about them and in 1894; the cemetery opened a museum and put the mommies on display. “The natural mummification may be caused by the richness of the soil in lime and clays and the tendency of some materials to absorb humidity from the atmosphere… the bodies covered with coal and lime are the ones that are mummified, while those in zinc coffins last little more than ten years” (Las Momias)
There are 108 mummies on display, three of them are foreign, and most of them still have their clothing, which gives a clear idea of the epoch they lived. The most popular ones include a pregnant woman, a baby, two children, and the one of a French Doctor who apparently holds a bible. This last mummy was the first to be exhumed.
Guanajuato mummies are famous around the world, their horror expressions will always remain as one of the most important legends in this thrilling city. Probably the museum is the most terrifying traditions, but they have become fundamental part of the must seen places in Guanajuato. The lives of those people will remain uncertain; however, they will be forever loved generation-by-generation, and famous around the world.
Guanajuato, a perfect city for those who love to walk, learn and have a good time. Without a doubt, it is a city that has a perfect template climate so, any time of the year is perfect to visit it. However, during the Cervantes International Festival is even more exiting and incredible experience. The mixture of cultures from all around the world in this magic city is the perfect mixture to encounter with the arts.
Created in 1972 in honor of the writer Miguel Cervantes Saavedra Cervantes International Arts Festival is an international cultural event, the most important in Mexico and one of the most relevant in America. It is held each October, “during 19 days, from the 3 to the 21 of October, the Cervantes International Arts Festival will summon in the city of Guanajuato, more than 2.400 artists of 27 countries of the five continents…Year after year more than 35 countries participate in this cultural event with activities such as dance, theater, opera, music and film” (Cervantes).
Because of its beautiful colonial architecture, mines, and its culture, the UNESCO (Historic Town) declared Guanajuato World Heritage Site in 1988. The place gave the country a turn around with his heroic patriots. Guanajuato has everything for every taste. Its legends may be pieces of history or fantasy, but only the person that has experienced what it feels to be on this town knows that culture has no barriers, and that knowledge is the food for the mind. It can be found in Guanajuato, it is educational, fun, and affordable.
Work Cited
CityVisions.com. Malcolm Lubliner Photography. 15 May 2008 </http://www. cityvisions.com/historicMexico/mrotek3.html>.
Don Quijote.com. don Quijote - Spanish Language School. 17 May 2008 <http://www.donquijote.org/guanajuato/info.legends4.asp>.
Martínez, Juan Pablo. Bestday.com. 2 Feb. 2007. 15 May 2008 <http:// www.bestday .com/Editorial/Guanajuato-Leyendas/>
Mummy Tombs.com. Guanajuato Mummies. 17 May 2008 <http://www. mummytombs.com /mummylocator/group/guanajuato.htm>.
Noble, John , et al. Mexico. Oakland: Lonely Planet, 2004. pg 607-610.
Pucci, Carol. "Feel of medieval Europe in central Mexico." The Philadelphia Inquirer 20 Apr.2008. 17 May 2008 <http://www.philly.com/inquirer/travel/20080418_Feel_ of_medieval_Europe_in_central_Mexico.html>.
TOMS: Shoes For Tomorrow
By: Gabriela Serrano
We usually say that we can learn about a person if we walked in their shoes, maybe by walking a mile in someone else’s shoes we might learn a little bit more about that person. But, can we learn by walking a mile without shoes? The answer is YES. We can learn about something. We can learn about poverty by walking a mile without shoes.
Last year I walked a mile barefoot here in Houston and I learned that In developing nations, children must walk for miles to school, clean water and to seek medical help. I learned that In Ethiopia, approximately one million people are suffering from Podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil. This disease is 100% preventable with basic foot hygiene and wearing shoes
I learned about how I can help them. I learned about TOMS, and I leaned about Blake Mycoskie.
He is whom I’ll be talking about today.
Last November, I walked along almost 300 people barefoot in downtown Houston. It is called TAKE THE WALK. Those walks are created to inspire people to make an impact through small actions. They are organized by a three young musicians. That band is Hanson. This nonprofit organization is a partner of TOMS shoes, that day Hanson talked about Blake Mycoskie and what he does.
Before each concert, Hanson walk one mile barefoot along their fans and for every person that walks with them they donate one dollar for five different causes. The walker decides where they want this dollar to go. It can go towards education, access to medical care, medical treatment, clean water, or shoes for Africa.
Blake Mycoskie was born in Arlington Texas. He is 34 years old and has created 5 businesses since college. In 2002 he participated in the Amazing Race reality show; he lost, he got a silver medal. Since he loved to travel in 2006 he went to a vacation to Argentina to learn how to play polo. Once there he decided to visit several small villages along some social workers he had met.
The image of children not allowed to go t school because they did not had shoes was heartbreaking for him, primarily because they were susceptible to health risks. "When I saw these kids running around on glass, or trying to play soccer on a field that had a bunch of rocks, and had no shoes, I immediately wanted to find a way to give them shoes," Mycoskie
It was then when he decided that he wanted to help them and give them shoes. He said to himself that he was going to create a shoe company and for every shoe he would sell he will give one to a kid in need. For the first time of his life he felt the need to do something for others. The only way he could help them was to create a sustainable profit business and not a charity organization that depended on donations.
A few months later, with the help of his Polo trainer, Mycoskie created the Shoes for tomorrow Project or simple TOMS shoes as we know it today. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by caring TOMS customers.
The Mission of TOMS is that if you buy a pair today, they give a pair tomorrow. With so many health problems in the world, many people ask Mycoskie “Why shoes?” I did not choose shoes, they chose me, but I have learned a lot about shoes and, more importantly, their importance in world health and the life changing vehicle they can be to people who are at risk for foot diseases.
According to The Tropical Medicine Resource, Podioconosis is a soil transmitted disease caused by barefoot walking causing lymphatic obstruction which is extreme swelling, repeated ulcers and deformity in the feet and legs that disables them to work. They can only prevent and cure it by simple wearing shoes, but cannot afford them.
Toms started giving away shoes in Argentina and has expanded his philanthropy to Ethiopia and even New Orleans, Gulfport, Mississippi, and the Appalachian region. Currently, the company has about 100 employees with 60-70 located in California.
In just 3 years they have given over 150, 000 pairs. Shoes are made in Asia, Argentina and Ethiopia. Mycoskie said they try to provide jobs in countries where they also donate shoes in order to help local residents "take a step toward a better tomorrow."
Shoe drops are organized by local leaders and non-governmental organizations in the United States, Argentina, Ethiopia, and South Africa. The band, Hanson that I mentioned earlier joined them on our Shoe Drop in South Africa in November 2007 to deliver 50,000 pairs of shoes.
"You can just tell in their face, as they're literally stepping down and feeling the cushion of the shoes, what a new experience that is for them, and it's amazing, every time we do it,” Mycoskie.
Thirty percent of his sales are online but the company has sales in 1,400 stores worldwide.
TOMS has also supported local health and social service agencies that vaccinated nearly 800 children and developed a nutritional census in Argentina to help the government track and respond to dangerous trends in obesity and cardiac health.
By the end of this year they plan to give an additional 300, 000 including USA
GIVE 1 million shoes by 2012.
TOMS created also the One day without shoes movement to spread awareness about the impact a simple pair of shoes can have on a child’s life. On April 8th, people are asked to go a day or even just a few minutes, barefoot, to experience a life without shoes first-hand, and inspire others at the same time.
Blake Mycoskie and Toms Shoes are recognized around the world. He has won the People's Design Award, invited to the Second Annual CGI U Meeting, spoke at the TED conference (Technology, Entertainment, Design); a meeting of peers including people such as Bill Gates and JJ Abrams. He met with President Obama's Senior Administration where he presented information regarding potential in the economic plan to support small businesses in the U.S. He also won the 2009 Awards for Corporate Excellence, known as the ACE Awards that recognize American businesses that have provided global leadership.
One for One movement continues to grow, more and more companies will look to incorporate giving into what they do. TOMS has inspired other companies to implement a One for One model. For example, Ralph Lauren sells co-branded Polo Rugby TOMS, giving a matched pair with every pair sold. Element Skateboards has issued limited edition TOMS + Element shoes as well as a One for One skateboard. With every skateboard purchased, one will be given to a child at the Indigo Skate Camp in Durban, South Africa.
His project has attracted tourist volunteers and has earned a spot on Travel and Leisure magazine's Top 20 life-changing, socially conscious tourist trips. Also, high schools and college campuses around the country have organized screens of the TOMS Shoes documentary, "Shoes for Tomorrow: The TOMS Shoes Story" as well as a Style Your Sole event where students can purchase and decorate shoes.
On an newspaper article written by Sean Poole, said that TOMS only hurts local economy by “putting shoes suppliers and retailers out of business. It perpetuates negative stigmas that contribute to poverty” …said that giving away shoes is not going to solve poverty because this takes “long –term commitment to communities.”
What Mycoskie responds to those critics is that TOMS works with their partners to make sure that receivers are those who cannot afford shoes anyways, so it is not hurting the economy. He also sais that “sometimes wearing shoes in a community where shoes are rare can actually make a child stand out in a bad way, so TOMS partners also make sure children are not experiencing a negative stigma from wearing those shoes. He said that they are not only giving away shoes, they are also educating them and us about it.
Blake Mycoskie currently lives in LA on his boat, on an interview to CBS Mycoskie said that “Once you’ve seen the happiest people you’ve ever seen in your life have had nothing you really start rethinking about all this that the world and society tells us we need to be happy.
III. He wants to be an inspiration for the youth and “show that is possible to go your own way, achieve success without sacrificing your dreams and to make a difference in the world-all at the same time,” Said Mycoskie. “I never thought I could do both at the same time.
If you need to learn more about TOMS Shoes or Its partners you can visit toms.com. And just remember that TOMS is not the name of a person it means shoes for tomorrow.
REFERENCES:
"Astrodome Studios - New Vision For Astrodome Proposed To County." Only In Houston 12
Aug. 2008: Web. 11 Apr 2010. <http://www.onlyinhouston.org/en/art/1781/>.
Astrodome Studios. Web. 08 Apr 2010. <http://astrodomestudios.net/>.
Hernandez, Pat. "Astrodome Future Discussed…Again." KUHF Houston Public Radio 16 Mar.
2010.Web. 11 Apr 2010. <http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-
display.php?articles_id=1268777661>.
Hodge, Shelby. " Reincarnation of the Astrodome." Houston Chronicle 15 Sept. 2009. Web. 10
Apr 2010. <http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/society/6620326.html
Nguyen, Andrea. "Making Movies in Texas." KIAH-TV 21 Sept. 2009. Web. 10 Apr 2010.
<http://www.39online.com/news/local/kiah-houston-movie-industry story,0,6682965.story>.
"Studio plans Astrodome documentary." KTRK-TV 27 May 2009. Web. 10 Apr 2010.
<http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=6834828>.
TOMS: Shoes For Tomorrow
Gabriela Serrano
Advanced Public Speaking
The Astrodome Studios
Specific Purpose:To persuade my audience to sign the petition and spread the news about the “Astrodome Studios Project;” because it is the best proposal so far. It tries to transform the Houston Astrodome into a production studio.
Thesis Statement:Compared to the other proposals for the Dome, the Astrodome Studios is the simply the best because it will help revitalize the state’s film and video industry, put thousands of people to work, and will be the center of commerce for the entertainment and media industries in Texas.
INTRODUCTION
I. Attention Getter
Do you know what in Houston was once considered the 8th wonder of the world?
II. Credibility
Last month when I went to the rodeo, I saw this iconic building and wondered what was going to happen with it. I had heard several rumors about it, so I found this speech as an opportunity to so some research about the Astrodome’s future. The Houston Chronicle has been writing articles on this topic for the past six years, television stations around Texas have also done feature reports about it. I have read them almost all of them, so today I am going to tell you my findings.
III. Thesis and Preview:
I’d like to talk to you of some of the proposed “Save the Dome” projects, then I am going to tell you why the Astrodome studios is the best proposal since it could revitalize the state’s film and video industry, finally I am going to tell you what you need to do in order to save the Dome and give Texas the opportunity to become the center of commerce for the entertainment and media industries.
Transition: I’ll begin by telling you that there have been three major proposals.
BODY
I. Three visionary proposals have been presented to County Judge Ed Emmett and the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation.
B. The second proposal, by Commissioner El Franco Lee,was to convert the Astrodome intoa math, science and technology institute; including a planetarium. The Court did approve the feasibility study and gave proponents $50, 000 in 2008. Judge Ed Emmett, said that he liked the idea of a planetarium because it focuses on public use. However, I think this could be a great idea too, but a 50, 000 seat planetarium? I think this huge space should not be break down into all this different things they want. We already have a convention center. It would also be good to have a math, science and technology institute, but why there? The Astrodome is recognized all over the world, we really need something that really stands up from other cities.
C. The third proposal tries to transform the former stadium into a major sound stage and movie production studio.
Transition The latest proposal is my favorite and the best for the city and now I am going to tell you why.
II. The Astrodome Studios project can have a long-term economic impact to the city. Thousands of employments would be created. But most importantly, our talented actors, director, producers, etc. would not have go anywhere else in the country to look for the job they’d dreamed all of their life.
A. Texas has lost important production companies that decided to film in Louisiana because they receive better incentives from the city and because Texas does not have a complete studio space that adjusts to the technical needs of several months of filming. But if we provide them with a great location and financial incentives they can now choose to create projects in Houston; which would bring even more money to our city, and would create thousands of employments.
B. The Astrodome Studios would not interfere with the Rodeo or other Reliant Stadium because Major studio productions and events would not be scheduled during Rodeo season and game times.
C. In an article posted in the OnlyinHouston.org Web site, Dene Hofheinz Anton, daughter of the astrodome creator, said that her priority is to preserve the Dome, and that this project is cost effective and “could certainly be a win-win.”
D. The Greater Houston Global Management Group (GHGMG), a privately owned Limited Liability Company believes the Astrodome is a better-than-perfect location for such a major sound stage and studio.
E. The production studios would have a television station, a production company, and a talent agency. In that same article that I mentioned before, the president of Houston Community College NW says to support it because “Students who graduate from the College’s audio/film school will find internships and potential employment at Astrodome Studios.”
F. Just imagine all the benefits that creating a major studio production could bring. We would have international attention. Imagine all the people that would want to visit, and then they aloud also visit the museums, the shopping malls; imagine all the money that they would spend our local business. I think it the best idea.
G. However, the main reason why none of those proposals have been approved is because the Astrodome is in debt since it was renovated to try to make the “Oilers” stay with us in the late 80’s. As I mentioned at the beginning of this presentation it costing us more than four million dollars and you are going to continue paying for it for the next 22 years.
Transition: This last proposal it won't happen unless Astrodome Redevelopment signs a letter of intent and Commissioners Court approves it.
III. Harris County officials require that any new use for the Astrodome must have the backing of the general community. Supporting the Astrodome Studios is easy and there are four ways to do it.
A. Tell businesses and business leaders about Astrodome Studios. Ask them to support the project and share the Web address, www.astrodomestudios.net.
B. Call television and radio station news departments and ask them to keep their viewers informed about Astrodome Studios.
C. Write the County Commissioners asking them to support the proposal to transform the Astrodome into Astrodome Studios.
D. Tell friends, family, and colleagues to sign the petition on this page and spread the news! It will take a huge groundswell of support to convince Commissioners that this is the best new use for the Astrodome.
*Source: Astrodome Studios.com
CONCLUSION
Funding for Astrodome Studios will come from private investors, and not taxpayers. As you can see it is a great opportunity for Texas, but especially to Houston to stand out even more in the country. And it is up to you to give us the opportunity to experience “Hollywood in Houston.” Today I have told you what were and are some of the plans for the Houston Astrodome. Now it is up to you to communicate officials that are what we need because funding will come from private investors, and not taxpayers. Remember that is very easy to support the project, so I encourage you to do it.
REFERENCES:
"Astrodome Studios - New Vision For Astrodome Proposed To County." Only In Houston 12
Aug. 2008: Web. 11 Apr 2010. <http://www.onlyinhouston.org/en/art/1781/>.
Astrodome Studios. Web. 08 Apr 2010. <http://astrodomestudios.net/>.
Hernandez, Pat. "Astrodome Future Discussed…Again." KUHF Houston Public Radio 16 Mar.
2010.Web. 11 Apr 2010. <http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-
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