Diane Paulus Talks Public Policy In The Arts & A.R.T.'s CROSSING

Diane Paulus talks public policy and CROSSING!

Tony Award-winning director Diane Paulus lends her commendable skills to the new opera CROSSING by Matthew Aucoin, inspired by famed poet Walt Whitman's diaries, and she discusses the production and her views on the arts in public policy as part of a new interview.

"I've always aimed for the arts to be more fully integrated into our society - forget culture, just society; because I know it has had that power historically," Paulus shares.

"For me, the power of theatre is that we are uniquely poised to attack an issue through things like character and narrative and empathy," Paulus adds.

"I think in our culture... that is more critical than ever," Paulus says.

The official description of CROSSING is as follows: "Inspired by the diary Walt Whitman kept as a nurse during the Civil War, this world premiere opera by the extraordinary young composer Matthew Aucoin explores how the individual experiences of soldiers are remembered and told. As Whitman listens to wounded veterans share their memories and messages, he forges a bond with a soldier who forces him to examine his own role as writer and poet. This new opera, featuring the Boston-based orchestra A Far Cry, an ensemble at the forefront of a dynamic new generation in classical music is produced in association with Music Theatre Group. Music & libretto by Matthew Aucoin. Directed by Diane Paulus. With the chamber orchestra A Far Cry."

CROSSING runs May 29 to June 6 at the American Repertory Theater.

More information on CROSSING is available at the official site here.

Listen to the new interview with Diane Paulus here or below.