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Greg Allen pulls Too Much Light... rights from Neo Futurists.

Greg Allen pulls Too Much Light... rights from Neo Futurists.

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xxdrewboy85xx
#1Greg Allen pulls Too Much Light... rights from Neo Futurists.
Posted: 12/1/16 at 11:43am

Wow! This is shocking and very sad to hear. Too Much Light  is a Chicago staple and one of my favorite things to revisit any chance I get. Apologies if this has been posted already, I didn't see anything on either board. 

 

http://rubberneckwhiplash.tumblr.com/post/153890925206/donald-greg-allen-trump

 

"Greg’s letter to the press announcing his intention to pull the rights to Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind cites fascism and the Trump presidency as inspiration for his decision. He also says that he intends to, quote, “rebrand the show with a new diverse ensemble that embraces a specifically socially activist mission” with an ensemble that “will be comprised entirely of people of color, LBTQ+, artist/activist women, and other disenfranchised voices in order to combat the tyranny of censorship and oppression.” At every turn I find these statements misleading, exploitative, and dishonest – sentiments in direct opposition to the tenets of Neo-Futurism founded by Greg and his original company that continue to be upheld by the bright and dedicated members of the company today.
A few facts that I would like to share, as they do question the declared intention of Allen’s actions:
1.    As of November 30th, 2016, the active Chicago Neo-Futurist ensemble is comprised almost entirely of artists who identify as queer and gender non-conforming, people of color, artist/activist women and disenfranchised voices.

2.    The specific incident that lead to Greg’s suspension in January 2012 was best described as bullying, intimidation, and abuse of power. He tried, against policy, to eject from the show a piece of personal work on the subject of child abuse, written by a survivor of child abuse, because he found it “personally offensive.” He then walked out of a rehearsal and refused to perform in the show if it contained this material, which had already been publicly produced.

3.    In the summer of 2012, The Neo-Futurists raised $5,439.65 for support for the UCAN LGBTQ Host Home program[1], which provided housing and support to queer youth in Chicago. In order to maximize proceeds, most organizers and members of the performing ensemble voluntarily wave their pay. As the license holder of Too Much Light, Greg was entitled to 6% royalties for any performance of the show, regardless of whether he contributed work or not. Every year prior to 2012, he had waved his royalties in the same spirit as those creating and performing the art. In 2012, the same year he was suspended from the active ensemble but still the company’s salaried Founding Director, he chose to withhold his royalties, totaling $461.78.
In revoking the rights to the Chicago Neo-Futurists’ flagship show, Greg Allen directly revokes employment opportunities from the very demographic he claims to be so passionate about employing".



Updated On: 12/1/16 at 11:43 AM