Gideon Lester
@gidlifecrisis.bsky.social
Artistic Director, Fisher Center at Bard. Dramaturg, creative producer.
New here.
New here.
Reposted by Gideon Lester
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Frank Gehry (1929 – 2025), architect of the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College. We owe him an incalculable debt of gratitude, and will honor his memory for as long as live performance flourishes at the Fisher Center.
December 8, 2025 at 1:04 AM
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Frank Gehry (1929 – 2025), architect of the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College. We owe him an incalculable debt of gratitude, and will honor his memory for as long as live performance flourishes at the Fisher Center.
“My dear Bishop,
I cannot accept your canon that we are to judge Pope and King unlike other men, with a favourable presumption that they did no wrong. If there is any presumption it is the other way, against holders of power, increasing as the power increases.”
(1/3)
I cannot accept your canon that we are to judge Pope and King unlike other men, with a favourable presumption that they did no wrong. If there is any presumption it is the other way, against holders of power, increasing as the power increases.”
(1/3)
November 27, 2025 at 9:35 AM
“My dear Bishop,
I cannot accept your canon that we are to judge Pope and King unlike other men, with a favourable presumption that they did no wrong. If there is any presumption it is the other way, against holders of power, increasing as the power increases.”
(1/3)
I cannot accept your canon that we are to judge Pope and King unlike other men, with a favourable presumption that they did no wrong. If there is any presumption it is the other way, against holders of power, increasing as the power increases.”
(1/3)
Reposted by Gideon Lester
Fisher Center LAB Choreographer in Residence Pam Tanowitz introduces Pastoral, her new work for this year’s Bard SummerScape.
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
May 6, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Fisher Center LAB Choreographer in Residence Pam Tanowitz introduces Pastoral, her new work for this year’s Bard SummerScape.
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
Reposted by Gideon Lester
Sarah Crowner discusses the concept and process of designing the stage décor for Pastoral, premiering at this year’s Bard SummerScape.
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
May 8, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Sarah Crowner discusses the concept and process of designing the stage décor for Pastoral, premiering at this year’s Bard SummerScape.
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
Reposted by Gideon Lester
Caroline Shaw discusses composing the music for Pastoral, premiering at this year’s Bard SummerScape.
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
May 14, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Caroline Shaw discusses composing the music for Pastoral, premiering at this year’s Bard SummerScape.
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
Reposted by Gideon Lester
Fisher Center LAB Choreographer in Residence Pam Tanowitz discusses the dancers and development of Pastoral, her new work for this year’s Bard SummerScape.
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
May 17, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Fisher Center LAB Choreographer in Residence Pam Tanowitz discusses the dancers and development of Pastoral, her new work for this year’s Bard SummerScape.
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
Experience the world premiere of Pastoral, June 27–29 only. 🔗 Learn more and book now at bit.ly/pastoral-su25.
🎥: A Doll’s House Pictures
Honored to announce @fishercenterbard.bsky.social ‘s new commissioning program on the subject of Hope, with a founding gift from the Civis Foundation.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/a...
Inspired in part by @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social !
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/a...
Inspired in part by @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social !
Fisher Center at Bard Announces Civis Hope Commissions (Gift Article)
The Fisher Center at Bard has announced a wave of works by artists including Suzan-Lori Parks, Courtney Bryan, Barrie Kosky and Lisa Kron.
www.nytimes.com
April 1, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Honored to announce @fishercenterbard.bsky.social ‘s new commissioning program on the subject of Hope, with a founding gift from the Civis Foundation.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/a...
Inspired in part by @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social !
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/a...
Inspired in part by @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social !
Reposted by Gideon Lester
This morning at Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HQ in DC as mandatory return to office began, this video played on loop for ~5 mins on screens throughout the building, per agency source.
Building staff couldn’t figure out how to turn it off so sent people to every floor to unplug TVs.
Building staff couldn’t figure out how to turn it off so sent people to every floor to unplug TVs.
February 24, 2025 at 2:51 PM
This morning at Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HQ in DC as mandatory return to office began, this video played on loop for ~5 mins on screens throughout the building, per agency source.
Building staff couldn’t figure out how to turn it off so sent people to every floor to unplug TVs.
Building staff couldn’t figure out how to turn it off so sent people to every floor to unplug TVs.
So grateful to @anniedorsen.bsky.social for her leadership
I did a thing, with many many others.
Hundreds of Artists Call on N.E.A. to Roll Back Trump’s Restrictions
A letter signed by 463 playwrights, poets, dancers, visual artists and others pushes back against new grant requirements that bar the promotion of diversity or “gender ideology.”
www.nytimes.com
February 19, 2025 at 4:40 AM
So grateful to @anniedorsen.bsky.social for her leadership
Rebecca Solnit’s Hope in the Dark is more than 20 years old but is just as relevant, sane, and inspiring as ever. It should be required reading on every high school and college syllabus. @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social
February 17, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Rebecca Solnit’s Hope in the Dark is more than 20 years old but is just as relevant, sane, and inspiring as ever. It should be required reading on every high school and college syllabus. @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social
Reposted by Gideon Lester
These three horsemen of the MAGA-tech-bro apocalypse are in the position of penthouse dwellers who think their top floor apartment doesn't rest on all the floors underneath... www.meditationsinanemergency.com/no-one-knows...
No One Knows How This Will End (But I Do Not Think It Will End Well for Them)
I can sum up the Trump/Musk/Vance theory of power in five words: "We have power; you don't." Alternative version in six words: "we can do anything we want." They seem to believe that nothing is really...
www.meditationsinanemergency.com
February 16, 2025 at 11:31 PM
These three horsemen of the MAGA-tech-bro apocalypse are in the position of penthouse dwellers who think their top floor apartment doesn't rest on all the floors underneath... www.meditationsinanemergency.com/no-one-knows...
Reposted by Gideon Lester
Adams must be removed. The city cannot sustain being governed for nearly a year by a Mayor who is being coerced by Trump admin in order to escape charges.
This corruption poses a real threat to the people of the city. He should have resigned a while ago, but will not. So it’s time for him to go.
This corruption poses a real threat to the people of the city. He should have resigned a while ago, but will not. So it’s time for him to go.
February 13, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Adams must be removed. The city cannot sustain being governed for nearly a year by a Mayor who is being coerced by Trump admin in order to escape charges.
This corruption poses a real threat to the people of the city. He should have resigned a while ago, but will not. So it’s time for him to go.
This corruption poses a real threat to the people of the city. He should have resigned a while ago, but will not. So it’s time for him to go.
Reposted by Gideon Lester
Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO.
Not for me.
It’s been a wonderful 8 years working with Kennedy Center President Deb Rutter, fellow artistic advisor Renee Fleming, NSO artistic administrator Justin Ellis, and the entire NSO
Not for me.
It’s been a wonderful 8 years working with Kennedy Center President Deb Rutter, fellow artistic advisor Renee Fleming, NSO artistic administrator Justin Ellis, and the entire NSO
February 12, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO.
Not for me.
It’s been a wonderful 8 years working with Kennedy Center President Deb Rutter, fellow artistic advisor Renee Fleming, NSO artistic administrator Justin Ellis, and the entire NSO
Not for me.
It’s been a wonderful 8 years working with Kennedy Center President Deb Rutter, fellow artistic advisor Renee Fleming, NSO artistic administrator Justin Ellis, and the entire NSO
Reposted by Gideon Lester
Updated list of political leaders that seized control of artistic institutions:
Adolf Hitler
Joseph Stalin
Benito Mussolini
Francisco Franco
Mao Zedong
Pol Pot
Kim Il-sung
Nicolae Ceaușescu
Saddam Hussein
Muammar Gaddafi
Idi Amin
Donald Trump
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Adolf Hitler
Joseph Stalin
Benito Mussolini
Francisco Franco
Mao Zedong
Pol Pot
Kim Il-sung
Nicolae Ceaușescu
Saddam Hussein
Muammar Gaddafi
Idi Amin
Donald Trump
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
New Kennedy Center board elects Trump as chair. Rutter departs as president.
President Trump’s refashioned board of trustees voted him chairman in a meeting Wednesday afternoon. President Deborah Rutter told staff she was departing the institution.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 12, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Updated list of political leaders that seized control of artistic institutions:
Adolf Hitler
Joseph Stalin
Benito Mussolini
Francisco Franco
Mao Zedong
Pol Pot
Kim Il-sung
Nicolae Ceaușescu
Saddam Hussein
Muammar Gaddafi
Idi Amin
Donald Trump
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Adolf Hitler
Joseph Stalin
Benito Mussolini
Francisco Franco
Mao Zedong
Pol Pot
Kim Il-sung
Nicolae Ceaușescu
Saddam Hussein
Muammar Gaddafi
Idi Amin
Donald Trump
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Reposted by Gideon Lester
This action by the NEA is beyond odious. And a betrayal of their mission to “foster and sustain an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States.”
Email address for the NEA's office of civil rights in case you would like to share your thoughts: civilrights@arts.gov
Email address for the NEA's office of civil rights in case you would like to share your thoughts: civilrights@arts.gov
The mist chilling grafs from the NEA’s new compliance doc.
February 8, 2025 at 1:32 PM
This action by the NEA is beyond odious. And a betrayal of their mission to “foster and sustain an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States.”
Email address for the NEA's office of civil rights in case you would like to share your thoughts: civilrights@arts.gov
Email address for the NEA's office of civil rights in case you would like to share your thoughts: civilrights@arts.gov
Reposted by Gideon Lester
The shock and awe Musk, Vought, Bannon and Trump — are bringing will backfire if we’re smart about it. Make clear that DOGE is the Dept of Govt Extermination, not Efficiency. Let people see that their taxes are no longer paying for vital public services but to fatten the richest people on earth.
February 5, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The shock and awe Musk, Vought, Bannon and Trump — are bringing will backfire if we’re smart about it. Make clear that DOGE is the Dept of Govt Extermination, not Efficiency. Let people see that their taxes are no longer paying for vital public services but to fatten the richest people on earth.
Reposted by Gideon Lester
I finally launched my own newsletter! I'm happy to be albeit write what I want when I want. And to put a lot of short in-the-moment essays that used to be on FB at this site instead. Please subscribe! meditations-in-an-emergency.ghost.io/welcome-to-m...
Welcome to Meditations in an Emergency
We are very clearly in a lot of emergencies right now. They demand action. But action demands thought and thoughtfulness: who are we, what are our values, our goals, our allies, our possibilities, and...
meditations-in-an-emergency.ghost.io
February 2, 2025 at 8:25 PM
I finally launched my own newsletter! I'm happy to be albeit write what I want when I want. And to put a lot of short in-the-moment essays that used to be on FB at this site instead. Please subscribe! meditations-in-an-emergency.ghost.io/welcome-to-m...
Reposted by Gideon Lester
I think we should start talking about art like our lives kind of depended on it… because right now, more than ever, it kind of does.
They’re trying to make us less human. Less interested in humanity. So let’s be as interested as possible. Let’s show up for living artists too. All of it.
They’re trying to make us less human. Less interested in humanity. So let’s be as interested as possible. Let’s show up for living artists too. All of it.
January 28, 2025 at 12:01 AM
I think we should start talking about art like our lives kind of depended on it… because right now, more than ever, it kind of does.
They’re trying to make us less human. Less interested in humanity. So let’s be as interested as possible. Let’s show up for living artists too. All of it.
They’re trying to make us less human. Less interested in humanity. So let’s be as interested as possible. Let’s show up for living artists too. All of it.
Reposted by Gideon Lester
Trump's treasury nominee Scott Bessent, who is worth ~$500 million, said extending Trump's tax cuts for the rich is "the most important economic issue of the day."
When asked if we should raise the federal minimum wage above the current paltry $7.25 an hour, he said, "No, sir."
When asked if we should raise the federal minimum wage above the current paltry $7.25 an hour, he said, "No, sir."
January 27, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Trump's treasury nominee Scott Bessent, who is worth ~$500 million, said extending Trump's tax cuts for the rich is "the most important economic issue of the day."
When asked if we should raise the federal minimum wage above the current paltry $7.25 an hour, he said, "No, sir."
When asked if we should raise the federal minimum wage above the current paltry $7.25 an hour, he said, "No, sir."
Join me at Columbia on Feb 20, when I’ll be in conversation with Carol Becker about her spectacular new memoir, George’s Daughter
'George's Daughter' — Lenfest Center for the Arts
Professor of the Arts and Dean Emerita Carol Becker discusses her new memoir about the complexity of a father/daughter relationship that will “resonate with anyone whose family has come undone when ...
www.lenfest.arts.columbia.edu
January 27, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Join me at Columbia on Feb 20, when I’ll be in conversation with Carol Becker about her spectacular new memoir, George’s Daughter
Reposted by Gideon Lester
Nice to have two more arts worker friends join here. Welcome to Laura Colby of Elsie Mgmt and The Middle Woman podcast @lcbklyn2025.bsky.social and Gideon Lester of Bard College and some of the most inventive Broadway transfers you know @gidlifecrisis.bsky.social
January 27, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Nice to have two more arts worker friends join here. Welcome to Laura Colby of Elsie Mgmt and The Middle Woman podcast @lcbklyn2025.bsky.social and Gideon Lester of Bard College and some of the most inventive Broadway transfers you know @gidlifecrisis.bsky.social
Hi all - I’m new around here. Say hello!
January 27, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Hi all - I’m new around here. Say hello!