←Recommendations of Art & Class

  • Cheryl Bear: Art & Class by Matthew Ivan Bennett
    “

    A powerful look into the complexity of teaching in a censored society that dictates what students can see and asks questions about our education system. Well done.

    A powerful look into the complexity of teaching in a censored society that dictates what students can see and asks questions about our education system. Well done.

    ”
  • John Minigan: Art & Class by Matthew Ivan Bennett
    “

    It's rare to find a play that has throws totally compelling characters into intense social/political issues -- and keeps the focus clearly on both the lives of the characters AND the issues. The personal IS the political in this play. It's riveting and nuanced, with no easy answers. And its movement over the course of the story is filled with hilarious moments, gut-wrenching moments, and surprises that complicate and deepen the characters and the issues. It's a feast of a play.

    It's rare to find a play that has throws totally compelling characters into intense social/political issues -- and keeps the focus clearly on both the lives of the characters AND the issues. The personal IS the political in this play. It's riveting and nuanced, with no easy answers. And its movement over the course of the story is filled with hilarious moments, gut-wrenching moments, and surprises that complicate and deepen the characters and the issues. It's a feast of a play.

    ”
  • Rachel Bublitz: Art & Class by Matthew Ivan Bennett
    “

    A awful situation becomes the basis for a complicated and complex play. Bennett tackles censorship, art, gray areas of teaching and education, and what it feels like to be outside of a culture while living in it. ART & CLASS is funny and messy, and has a great characters for actors to dig into and grapple with.

    A awful situation becomes the basis for a complicated and complex play. Bennett tackles censorship, art, gray areas of teaching and education, and what it feels like to be outside of a culture while living in it. ART & CLASS is funny and messy, and has a great characters for actors to dig into and grapple with.

    ”
  • Kenneth Jones: Art & Class by Matthew Ivan Bennett
    “

    Matt Bennett creates a wholly American portrait is his fact-inspired tale of an immigrant art teacher in Utah who becomes a target of conservative parents and administrators: Themes of censorship, freedom of thought and freedom of expression collide with current crises of school bullying, addiction and the American suicide epidemic in the U.S. in a complicated rural landscape of children at risk, substance abuse, religious intolerance and marital uncertainty. Unforgettable characters in a world that was fresh to my eyes, ears and imagination.

    Matt Bennett creates a wholly American portrait is his fact-inspired tale of an immigrant art teacher in Utah who becomes a target of conservative parents and administrators: Themes of censorship, freedom of thought and freedom of expression collide with current crises of school bullying, addiction and the American suicide epidemic in the U.S. in a complicated rural landscape of children at risk, substance abuse, religious intolerance and marital uncertainty. Unforgettable characters in a world that was fresh to my eyes, ears and imagination.

    ”