Mercer gathering drops ‘colony’ from name
Goodspeed’s annual writers retreat makes an ‘important change’
Goodspeed Musicals’ Johnny Mercer Writers Colony is now the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Grove at Goodspeed Musicals.
“Sensitivity to the current social and political climate and awareness that ‘colony’ is most commonly associated with social injustice has led to this important change,” said Jonathan Brielle, writer/ producer in residence at the annual gathering, as well as executive vice president of the Johnny Mercer Foundation, in a statement. “We have dropped the word and are thrilled to incorporate ‘Grove’ into our program. A grove is a group of trees that grow independently, yet closely together and are reliant on the group. A grove imparts community, which is the essence of our writers’ community.”
The word “colony” has five distinct definitions at meriam-webster.com. The one pertinent to the Goodspeed’s project is “a group of individuals or things with common characteristics or interests situated in close association.” But in some of its other definitions, the word can have troubling associations with slavery, subjugation and oppression of native residents.
The term “artist colony” has been in popular use since the 19th century. The 113-year-old MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire, perhaps the most famous writers retreat in the country, removed “colony” from its name in July.
The Goodspeed gathering, which began in 2013, is named for the prolific lyricist whose hits include “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” and the songs “Moon River” and “Autumn Leaves.” It invites musical theater writers and composers to stay on the Goodspeed grounds in East Haddam for a month to work on new projects.
The creative teams receive guidance and support from artists in residence, and can share their works-in-progress with each other at informal “salons.” Over 40 writers converged at Goodspeed last year, including the team behind the history-based civil rights musical “At the River I Stand,” which is receiving a workshop production this month at TheaterWorks Hartford. Many shows developed at the now-grove have gone on to be given full productions at the Goodspeed’s Norma Terris Theater in Chester.
The Johnny Mercer Writers Grove, which traditionally has happened in February, intends to meet in 2021, though it’s possible it will have to be online this year due to COVID concerns.