Manipal Univeristy hosts talk by Kathy Perkins, renowned stage and light designer

MANIPAL: Department of European Studies, Manipal University, hosted a talk by Kathy Perkins, a renowned stage and lighting designer, known to provide her skills and expertise to many Broadway Shows, at the Old Tapmi building here.
Kathy Perkins of African American ethnicity grew up in the southern region of United States and trained to become a professional lighting and set designer. As she progressed through her career, she realized invisibility of contribution of African-American playwrights, actors, set and costume designers and lighting technicians.Usually, African-Americans were employed in musical or dance performance bits of theatre, but through her research, one can notice the amazing contribution of these people in other facets of theatre.
For a better understanding of her work and functioning of theatrical performance, she informed the audience about importance of art and aesthetic in each aspect. Perkins personally prefers to work in plays that are either historical or in regard to larger social issues as they give her opportunity to research and understand the themes better. She dwelt on universal trend of women continuing to fall prey to sexism that forces unattainable standards of beauty and demeanour.
In her question-answer session, she spoke about larger concerns of the audience ranging from inter-racial racism, schisms in feminism, the political aspect of aesthetics such as colour-blind casting and the caste system of India.
English writer and translator T P Ashok, who chaired the event, concluded by quoting poets such as Bertolt Brecht, Langston Hughes and Vydehi. He spoke about historiography coinciding with literature. He praised Kathy for a very informative yet captivating presentation.
Earlier, welcoming the gathering Neeta Inamdar, head of the department of European Studies in Manipal University stressed on the representation of women in theatrical practices. Giving examples that were close to home, she stated how the Indian stage audiences usually objectify the female performer. She also mentioned a few examples of female Indian performers such as Heera Bai Badodekar.
Followed by the welcome address, a Kannada song was performed by Geetha and Girija Siddi, who belong to the Siddi community of India. Currently, these women are involved with Perkins who is working on an international fest regarding the Black Diaspora in different parts of the world.