50 for 50 with Ira David Wood III

photo by Mathew waehner/ncdcr

photo by Mathew waehner/ncdcr

“Good theater, good art transcends all the barriers—race, color, creed, politics, religion, nationality. Once we’re able to do that, transcend the barriers, and sit down with each other, country to country, person to person, political party to political party, we change the universe. We create a light that goes forever. I believe it is that powerful. ”
— Ira David Wood III
 
 
 
 

50 for 50

50 artists celebrate North Carolina

Arts Across NC

A podcast by and about the NC Arts Council

Get Involved

Help us celebrate

 

Statewide Arts Celebration

Recently Shared

Earlier this year, Golden Globe nominated actress @evanrachelwood joined the #metoo movement by testifying to Congress about her experience with sexual assault. Her father Ira David Wood III reflected on her powerful testimony in his 50 for 50 interview: "When my children were young, we used to bring them to the theater when we would perform. I remember one night we were doing Othello. I was doing Iago, and my wife had to die onstage every night. Othello choked her to death—strangled her. My kids were sleeping in sleeping bags right offstage in the prop room, and the door was open. Every night, when Othello finally strangled Desdemona, they’d wake up, they’d look out, and they’d look to each other and go, “Mom died really well tonight,” and they would go back to sleep. So, this theater was their playhouse. I would pass by some days and look in, and my daughter would be sitting alone on the stage doing a monologue that she was making up. I just quietly watched. I’ve heard her speak now, so eloquently and beautifully, not long ago, to a Congressional committee. I sit back, and I marvel. Kahlil Gibran said, “Our children are arrows that we shoot.” We don’t know where they’re going to land, but we’re the bow that sends them forward, and we hope we’re aiming it in the right direction. I look at my grown children now, and I’m so proud of them. I’m so humbled by who and what they have become." Read more at the link in our bio.
“Investing in the arts is investing in the heart and soul of our nation, and particularly the young people who will be the future of our nation.” Ira David Wood III, our latest 50 for 50 artist, shares his thoughts on public funding for the arts in a brand new profile. Find it at the link in our bio!
The Corcoran Garage Art Wrap in Durham is complete! It's the first major public art work of the Durham SmART Initiative, a program of ours that supports arts driven economic development projects that transform downtowns. Congratulations to the Durham Arts Council, the City of Durham, NC Government, public artist Olalekan Jeyifous, the installation and fabrication teams, and the many other citizens who brought this project to life!
Yesterday WUNC’s @thestateofthings featured 2018 North Carolina Heritage Award recipient for a full episode! Take a listen at the link in our bio.
 
 

Can't find what you're looking for? Try our search feature: