Great Performances Season 48 Episode 105 The Arts Interrupted

On season 48 episode 105 of Great Performances, titled "The Arts Interrupted," viewers are taken on a journey through the unprecedented times of 2020 and how it affected the performing arts industry. COVID-19 forced the world to shut down, and the impact on the arts was significant. The episode explores how artists and performing arts institutions were forced to adapt to a new way of creating, rehearsing, and presenting art.

The episode features performances by various artists who found unique ways to continue creating despite the pandemic. “The Arts Interrupted” showcases the work of choreographer and dancer Kyle Abraham, who captured the experience of isolation and turmoil in a new piece called “Indy,” which was performed outside with a socially distanced audience. Musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, and Angelique Kidjo also performed in intimate concerts filmed in their homes.

The episode also delves into the challenges faced by performing arts organizations. It highlights the struggles they faced in staying afloat and keeping their employees paid, while their venues remained closed. The pandemic brought a new level of uncertainty and an urgent need for fundraising to support their continued existence.

The documentary-style episode features interviews with artists and administrators, including Metropolitan Opera general manager Peter Gelb, who discusses the decision to cancel its entire 2020-2021 season, and the Harlem School of the Arts, which had to pivot to online classes to keep their students engaged. There are also in-depth discussions on how the pandemic further exposed existing inequities in the arts, such as the lack of diversity in leadership positions.

Overall, “The Arts Interrupted” takes viewers on a poignant journey through a tumultuous year for the performing arts. The episode weaves together stories of perseverance, resilience, and creative innovation. It asks the question, what happens when the world shuts down, and the arts are forced to be silent? The answer lies in the extraordinary efforts of artists and arts organizations who found ways to endure and continue to bring beauty and meaning to the world.