tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.comments2023-04-16T02:55:43.210-05:00Midnight Honesty at NoonTravis Bedardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910773650224346555noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-70674239402679819072008-08-08T12:24:00.000-05:002008-08-08T12:24:00.000-05:00#3 is a great point.A full house at 1/2 price is b...#3 is a great point.<BR/>A full house at 1/2 price is better than a 1/2-house at full price.<BR/><BR/>I know they're not wicked comparable. But I think of church last week. Our 9:30 was packed, and when the folks knew the songs and sang along, there was some serious worship happening. At the 11, it was still a pretty good set, worship-wise, but you could definitely feel the difference in the room. The dynamics play a big part of the set, much more than I give it credit for too often.<BR/><BR/>Granted, the purpose of our playing isn't in and of itself, but it needs to be .... I don't know, unnoticably good? We need to add and not subtract.<BR/><BR/>I would wonder if there were some comparisons that could be made btw seeker-sensitive churches (of which we are one to an extent), and community theatre.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-18074959434255026892008-07-27T20:51:00.000-05:002008-07-27T20:51:00.000-05:00The entire idea of artists working on the admin/pr...The entire idea of artists working on the admin/producing side has to be predicated on large organizations. An organization with room and budgets for lots of assistants. I have a three person admin staff {including myself} at my theatre. We are all artists and true say when someone goes off to do a job it is a huge blow to the company. Yes I support them and their endeavours but really when the Development director wants to go off for 4 weeks to assistant direct then a lot of their job comes to a halt.<BR/>You can only afford that for so long. The companies work just can't stand still and so the burden gets greater on those who remain and finally you figure what the heck ...lets hire someone who wants to be a development director and let the artists be artists.<BR/><BR/>PhilipObsidian Theatrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-54737944068776513822008-07-26T11:16:00.000-05:002008-07-26T11:16:00.000-05:00I agree completely with most of what you're saying...I agree completely with most of what you're saying. I'd add that this is all sourced in an obsolete pre-bourgeois mythology of art as some pure thing governed by mystical and arbitrary powers of creativity, genious and talent. The artist's lot will get worse and worse as long as they continue to buy into this myth. <BR/><BR/>The part i disagree with is the "mechanics of it alone are iffy" section. Yes, the institutions don't want actors who know business, and indeed can't run well with artists running them. But that's because the insitutions have grown too big and beaurocratic to be run by the artists, and this big beaurocratic growth is anti-art at its core. <BR/><BR/>Actors starting their own companies are failing in the business world because these big institutions are sucking up all the funds, press, and talent while producing less art than artist-run enterprises. <BR/><BR/>But the big institutions are in decline as well, because the wealthy donors who sustain those institutions are dying. These donors want the semblance and status of art rather than the messy art itself. <BR/><BR/>When more artists realize that allying with these institutions and serving these patrons is going to hurt them in the long run (because it's hurting theatre) more of them will learn business, start their own companies, or work with artist run companies instead. <BR/><BR/>The balance will shift, the artistic energy will return to the medium, which will cause new audiences to perk up and new money to flow in. These kinds of changes can happen rapidly, with a few good catalysts. Every artist who shuns the easy money and fame from the big institutions is an enzyme for system wide change. <BR/><BR/>This is what artist in the music industry came to understand 10 years ago, and they've made serious progress on turning things around.Ben Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04838599516482103220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-67111583696016721912008-07-25T13:36:00.000-05:002008-07-25T13:36:00.000-05:00As someone who runs a local Volunteer Income Tax A...As someone who runs a local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for performing artists, and who is asked to speak to conservatory classes about the "business side of 'Show business'", I can say your remarks are right on.<BR/><BR/>Actors in most degree programs are taught by academics, who themselves by-and-large have little or no actual experience as working performers. <BR/><BR/>They're taught first and foremost that they're ARTISTS, and that any other consideration, be it how to manage themselves as an independent business, how to actually network in their local performance community, even mundane things like what the latest standards are for headshots and resumes - are not only secondary to their artistic pursuits, but in some instances actually besmudge the "purity" of their art. <BR/><BR/>The professors themselves have no idea about the current state of the marketplace into which they're pouring these presumably talented, but otherwise hapless actors like water from a ewer, and as a result, graduates exit major academic institutions literally by the thousands each year, with absolutely no survival skills, and no exposure to the business side of the industry.<BR/><BR/>Conservatories and PATP's tend to do a better job in this regard, but even they for the most part treat performer-related business issues with less than the full attention they rightfully, and needfully, deserve.Christopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15713553200962519710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-70774565137035163912008-07-10T14:11:00.000-05:002008-07-10T14:11:00.000-05:00I ask: How many companies out there have a “Buy on...<I>I ask: How many companies out there have a “Buy one get in free with a friend next time” coupon? I know some folks have a but one get in for the run for free policy… but how do you bring Mohammed to the Mountain?</I><BR/><BR/>I do that if asked, usually as a "significant other" discount - since often the partner of a cast member wants to come see the show multiple times, if they bring a paying customer with them when they come back, the partner gets in free.<BR/><BR/>I've also done it when asked by audience members who REALLY wanted to see a show of mine repeatedly, and couldn't afford to keep paying for it, as well. I have no idea at all if it brings any kind of repeat business for my show or other Indie shows - though it has worked out box officewise, as I've often had repeat viewers bring more than one paying customer with them on repeat viewings - but I like doing it and will continue to.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for making me think of this - it's my policy, but I usually don't think of it until it comes up. I should tell my August actors this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-6459718398143313742008-06-30T12:10:00.000-05:002008-06-30T12:10:00.000-05:00Great pics, welcome back to Los Estados Unitos-dvGreat pics, welcome back to Los Estados Unitos<BR/><BR/>-dvAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-55858875402442597152008-06-06T12:35:00.000-05:002008-06-06T12:35:00.000-05:00All this comic talent in CPL... I sometimes think ...All this comic talent in CPL... I sometimes think folks should pay to read the stuff you guys have written.<BR/>I read all the stuff and I'm like "AND we get to play fantasy baseball TOO!"<BR/><BR/>BTW the Minnesota Twins 'relocating' to the ABA cracked me up for weeks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-48953698920267690952008-06-03T13:53:00.000-05:002008-06-03T13:53:00.000-05:00Dig Dude I digDig Dude I digDevilvethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01425758108288436683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-46721564101673055762008-05-24T02:22:00.000-05:002008-05-24T02:22:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Travis Bedardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02910773650224346555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-57545792723250369212008-04-17T16:14:00.000-05:002008-04-17T16:14:00.000-05:00Travis, I've been pulled over here by Scott link i...Travis, I've been pulled over here by Scott link in the comment section of his blog today.<BR/><BR/>There is no proper way to talk. We are creating new ways and unlearning old ways of talking. We are in the middle of a digital revolution. Since the email listservs and before, this argument is forever. This is a marvelous and good thing.Nick https://www.blogger.com/profile/13280949568861084843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-55452483768688140352008-04-17T14:23:00.000-05:002008-04-17T14:23:00.000-05:00Travis -- Well, at first I thought your defense wa...Travis -- Well, at first I thought your defense was nice, but kind of unnecessary. But this comment from Nick at RatSass in response to this post (http://theatreideas.blogspot.com/2008/04/tcg-books-wha.html) reminded me not to be so sanguine:<BR/><BR/>[Quoting me] "There can be little argument that New York exercises hegemony over the theatre scene in America, and that that hegemony can be described and revolted against. As an individual member of the NY band, you may refuse to march and play, but from the top of the stadium it still looks like I heart NY.” [end quote]<BR/><BR/>Similarly the hegemony in theatre education as practiced by universities and academia can be revolted against. As an individual teacher you may refuse to march and play, but from the top of the stadium it still looks like I heart the safety of my tenure.<BR/><BR/>And when you continually stereotype those who live in the NYC community, you also force the reverse stereotype to activate. And you appear more and more like the sour grape case of a frustrated theatre career and life. “Those who can’t do, teach.”Scott Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06465161646609405658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-17702173476609880972008-04-16T08:35:00.000-05:002008-04-16T08:35:00.000-05:00@Mac,Just something that bothers me that happens e...@Mac,<BR/><BR/>Just something that bothers me that happens every 4 months or so...<BR/><BR/>And I think that the Scott as the Yankees thing is actually really valid. He's not a victim, and he's not an underdog, but people have long ago stopped responding to what is actually out there on the field and are instead responding emotionally.<BR/><BR/>All I want is for people to be responding to the post in hand with the past as building block not agenda? <BR/><BR/>Am I making more sense yet?Travis Bedardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02910773650224346555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-25237401833690713532008-04-16T07:00:00.000-05:002008-04-16T07:00:00.000-05:00'm George Steinbrenner. Mac, you're fired! Travis,...'m George Steinbrenner. Mac, you're fired! Travis, buy me another NYC playwright RIGHT NOW!Scott Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06465161646609405658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-59492613695191044052008-04-16T06:56:00.000-05:002008-04-16T06:56:00.000-05:00I just couldn't tell which blog post was supposed ...I just couldn't tell which blog post was supposed to have triggered this, as you didn't provide a link. Based on the first sentence, it seemed like you were responding to something both recent and specific. <BR/><BR/>Incidentally, the perpetual framing of Scott Walters as a put-upon victim has become inaccurate, in my opinion. Scott has, at this point, dominated the theatrical blogosphere. All major conversations are, in some way, a response to him. In our microscopic little community, he's the New York Yankees now. Once it made sense to think of him as the underdog, but not really any more.macrogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00763086848960021250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-91113332238897805782008-04-15T23:36:00.000-05:002008-04-15T23:36:00.000-05:00Mac,It's nothing specific... hence the utter lack ...Mac,<BR/><BR/>It's nothing specific... hence the utter lack of specficity in the post. It's just a frustration with the lack of learning that's gone on in the last three years about how this medium works, and how we all relate to one another. <BR/><BR/>Every fight that happens happens as though it were the first. We're not moving anywhere.Travis Bedardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02910773650224346555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-16020649036500952752008-04-14T09:45:00.000-05:002008-04-14T09:45:00.000-05:00Travis, what are you referring to in this post?Travis, what are you referring to in this post?macrogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00763086848960021250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-37065845078354882622008-04-12T21:00:00.000-05:002008-04-12T21:00:00.000-05:00Hey! I'm not THAT old!Hey! I'm not THAT old!Scott Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04177922467901223790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-32613452597261793332008-04-07T11:22:00.000-05:002008-04-07T11:22:00.000-05:00Thanks for making my day...Thanks for making my day...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-298888637819560382008-03-31T08:25:00.000-05:002008-03-31T08:25:00.000-05:00Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is ver...Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations :-). I will add in my blogroll =). If possible gives a last there on my blog, it is about the <A HREF="http://mp3-mp4-brasil.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">MP3 e MP4</A>, I hope you enjoy. The address is http://mp3-mp4-brasil.blogspot.com. A hug.<A HREF="5451503182" REL="nofollow"></A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-20383663428896112022008-03-28T13:12:00.000-05:002008-03-28T13:12:00.000-05:00Me, personally...I ashamedly enjoy the drama...It ...Me, personally...I ashamedly enjoy the drama...It seems to get us talking to each other more even if we tend to agree less and less. <BR/><BR/>Whereas after a closer second read, I can understand why Cote feels irritation...I think that sometimes over the past weeks, months, we (myself included) are responding to the Scott Walters that mac refers to<BR/><BR/>"I used to take issue with Scott when he was actually slandering New York artists" <BR/><BR/>rather than responding to the Scott Walters who is actually in the room blogging with us at this very moment...<BR/><BR/>There seems sometimes to me to be the need to defeat Scott by alot of the gang. that his silence or accquience would somehow validate those of us in NYLACHI. And rather than further inquiry into what he is actually saying, there can be a tendency to focus on how contentious he once was or alot of justification about intent vs results when it comes to the media side.<BR/><BR/>It is very telling to me, that the people who seem from their response to be the least in disagreement with Scott was AT themselves...<BR/><BR/>"Your concerns about expansive coverage for theatres across the country, regardless of urban proximity, <I><B>are valid and something we struggle with in every issue.</I></B> "<BR/><BR/>It seems to me, that whatever Scott was saying to AT was heard...and now a bunch of us are trying to flash a yellow card at Scott even when his opponent conceeds his point has some substance.<BR/><BR/>That being said, I also agree with Mac in that the NYLACHI folks on the blogs (most of them) have just as hard a time with, the struggle, as other artists in other areas.Devilvethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01425758108288436683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-59296494078896508962008-03-28T11:40:00.000-05:002008-03-28T11:40:00.000-05:00I completely agree with Mac. I'd also add that wha...I completely agree with Mac. <BR/><BR/>I'd also add that what bothers me about the tone is exactly what's coming out here... a combative attitude towards New York. As if guys like me, or people like Sarah Hart, are purposefully disenfranchising smaller markets.<BR/><BR/>The fact is...L.A., Chicago, New York...are centers of media, commerce, and three of the largest cities in the United States. As far as I understand, American Theatre's offices are based in New York. It's not conspiracy that makes them, therefore, exceptionally represented in the coverage.<BR/><BR/>We are all on the same side, guys. This alarmist, us vs. them rhetoric is what I reject. It creates unnecessary distrust and reduces the level of discussion. Take Scott's comments about David Cote as a key example.<BR/><BR/>So if you believe that discussion can be too New York Centric... just talk about your region. Louder. More often. I'll listen. I want to know. But telling me (as in a New York artist) to keep quiet or stay out of it or that I'm somehow oppressive... what does it achieve? How does it, actually, change the subject?Freemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01183078884824734105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-25974996972831672162008-03-28T11:31:00.000-05:002008-03-28T11:31:00.000-05:00@MacBut if you GET a convertible can we ride in it...@Mac<BR/><BR/>But if you GET a convertible can we ride in it?<BR/><BR/>And are you saying I'm not scrappy and soulful? (I assume nerd still holds) ;)Travis Bedardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02910773650224346555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-88564482212449503422008-03-28T11:24:00.000-05:002008-03-28T11:24:00.000-05:00I used to take issue with Scott when he was actual...I used to take issue with Scott when he was actually slandering New York artists, but I feel like he's laid off that for months, and I haven't really had a problem with him since. He can be a choad, sure, but he works really hard, and he's no more imprisoned by his prejudices than I am (which is to say, plenty imprisoned).<BR/><BR/>"Theater juggernaut" is hilarious, especially when imputed to a bunch of piteously struggling NY artists. I know that as a NY theater blogger, I'm supposed to somehow belong to some group of cruel cool kids from an '80s movie that all the scrappy soulful nerds from around the country are rebelling against, but I sure don't *feel* like a handsome blonde bully in a convertible most of the time, or ever.<BR/><BR/>Actually, "theater juggernaut" is hilarious in any context I can think of.macrogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00763086848960021250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-54723251058018110542008-03-28T10:07:00.000-05:002008-03-28T10:07:00.000-05:00I read it. I liked it. Hmm. Just what IS the th...I read it. I liked it. Hmm. Just what IS the theater juggernaut afraid of? Very good question.Laura Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15499876318474562571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289867.post-20694987582920731012008-03-28T10:03:00.000-05:002008-03-28T10:03:00.000-05:00thanks for the 2 cents...yup!thanks for the 2 cents...yup!Devilvethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01425758108288436683noreply@blogger.com