Comments on: Thoughts From The Artistic Director : Why do we do what we do? http://www.topekacivictheatre.com/blog/2008/07/10/thoughts-from-the-artistic-director-why-do-we-do-what-we-do/ Just another WordPress weblog Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:11:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: vjromig http://www.topekacivictheatre.com/blog/2008/07/10/thoughts-from-the-artistic-director-why-do-we-do-what-we-do/comment-page-1/#comment-158 vjromig Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:55:28 +0000 http://www.topekacivictheatre.com/blog/2008/07/10/thoughts-from-the-artistic-director-why-do-we-do-what-we-do/#comment-158 People go to the theater for many different reasons. I tend to prefer dramas, which is consistent with my preference for 'meaningful' movies...and books. I don't dislike comedy, but many commercially successful movies aren't funny to me. I agree that the key is balance: for both the performers and audience. Another key, at least in choosing productions, is quality. I'm not a die-hard theater-goer, but enjoy going. I did attend The Producers, and even tho I don't know much about what is required to produce a musical, I left the theater thinking: that was SOME production! I have a better understanding from the description in the third paragraph of the original post. I also left the theater thinking that I must write a note about how much I enjoyed The Producers, and compliment both the performers and everyone behind the scenes, but I didn't, and I'm sorry for that because The Producers was excellent. I have total stage fright and cannot even imagine how much of themselves the actors put into their performances. Even tho the audience applauds, I'm sure a note would have also been appreciated. So, I digress. The bottom line for us is that we enjoy going to the theater and have preferences, but will still attend when we have a chance. (Our schedules right now, due to work and a long-distance relationship, are such that we can seldom attend, but hope to attend more often in the future.) I think the description of how shows are selected is a good approach to meeting the mission of the theater and should continue. Thanks. (PS: I am overall totally impressed with Topeka Civic Theater. I've only lived in Topeka a short time and am sorry I did not attend sooner, and sorry our schedules don't allow us to attend every performance. We've attended a similar theater in Overland Park, which is also good, but the theater right here in Topeka is at least equal if not better. And closer, and in the community.) People go to the theater for many different reasons. I tend to prefer dramas, which is consistent with my preference for ‘meaningful’ movies…and books. I don’t dislike comedy, but many commercially successful movies aren’t funny to me. I agree that the key is balance: for both the performers and audience. Another key, at least in choosing productions, is quality. I’m not a die-hard theater-goer, but enjoy going. I did attend The Producers, and even tho I don’t know much about what is required to produce a musical, I left the theater thinking: that was SOME production! I have a better understanding from the description in the third paragraph of the original post. I also left the theater thinking that I must write a note about how much I enjoyed The Producers, and compliment both the performers and everyone behind the scenes, but I didn’t, and I’m sorry for that because The Producers was excellent. I have total stage fright and cannot even imagine how much of themselves the actors put into their performances. Even tho the audience applauds, I’m sure a note would have also been appreciated. So, I digress. The bottom line for us is that we enjoy going to the theater and have preferences, but will still attend when we have a chance. (Our schedules right now, due to work and a long-distance relationship, are such that we can seldom attend, but hope to attend more often in the future.) I think the description of how shows are selected is a good approach to meeting the mission of the theater and should continue. Thanks. (PS: I am overall totally impressed with Topeka Civic Theater. I’ve only lived in Topeka a short time and am sorry I did not attend sooner, and sorry our schedules don’t allow us to attend every performance. We’ve attended a similar theater in Overland Park, which is also good, but the theater right here in Topeka is at least equal if not better. And closer, and in the community.)

]]> By: KurtSchlanker http://www.topekacivictheatre.com/blog/2008/07/10/thoughts-from-the-artistic-director-why-do-we-do-what-we-do/comment-page-1/#comment-130 KurtSchlanker Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:06:37 +0000 http://www.topekacivictheatre.com/blog/2008/07/10/thoughts-from-the-artistic-director-why-do-we-do-what-we-do/#comment-130 I agree. I think that theatre's are obligated to produce the classics and expose audiences to shows they might not otherwise see. I understand the financial obligation to get "butts in seats", but the artistic duty must not be forgotten. I know of another community theatre in which there seems to be an unwritten rule to do any play written by Neil Simon and any farce, because those are the shows that the audience will come to see. Education of audiences and exposing them to the classics (which I was once told the audiences "didn't get") as well as more thought-provoking fare often goes by the wayside. I'm very happy that TCT provides audiences and actors with diverse seasons to choose from, seasons which entertain and allow actors to grow. I agree. I think that theatre’s are obligated to produce the classics and expose audiences to shows they might not otherwise see. I understand the financial obligation to get “butts in seats”, but the artistic duty must not be forgotten. I know of another community theatre in which there seems to be an unwritten rule to do any play written by Neil Simon and any farce, because those are the shows that the audience will come to see. Education of audiences and exposing them to the classics (which I was once told the audiences “didn’t get”) as well as more thought-provoking fare often goes by the wayside. I’m very happy that TCT provides audiences and actors with diverse seasons to choose from, seasons which entertain and allow actors to grow.

]]> By: DanHeinz http://www.topekacivictheatre.com/blog/2008/07/10/thoughts-from-the-artistic-director-why-do-we-do-what-we-do/comment-page-1/#comment-129 DanHeinz Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:20:06 +0000 http://www.topekacivictheatre.com/blog/2008/07/10/thoughts-from-the-artistic-director-why-do-we-do-what-we-do/#comment-129 Having more than a vague interest in this topic, I'm glad to read this. I obviously am in the pro-Shakespeare/Classic camp, and find it galling when confronted with the notion that these works shouldn't be seen at TCT. Setting aside questions of taste (which, as stated, are impossible to completely resolve), the most obvious point to be made is the need for balance, which Shannon states effectively in multiple contexts. A secondary point that deserves greater mention is the benefit to area schools. Having participated in the last two productions of Shakespeare at TCT, I've had a lot of opportunity to hear from both students and teachers about how much they gain from seeing these plays performed. Students talk about how they more clearly understand the text; teachers talk about how it inspires their students to ask more questions and become more engaged. If we gained nothing further from these shows, it might be said that they're worth the effort. But the fact is, we gain a good deal more than that. As Shannon said, there are a number of performers and audience who value these productions above all else that TCT does. These works are "classic" for a reason- they speak to aspects of our basic humanity, and are essential parts of the development of the theatre in society, both past and present. Producing these works is part of what I feel that a good theatre should do, and there is no mistaking that TCT has built itself into a very good theatre. For those who disagree, I can understand the pull. We all seek our share of uncomplicated distractions- to "get away from it all", as Shannon's e-mailer put it. And in fairness, there are musicals and comedies that deserve to be held up as "classics" in their own right. But to contend (as some have) that the entire season should omit dramatic fare is overzealous at best. The key is balance, both fiscally and thematically. Having no access to TCT's finances, I can only guess at figures. But I have a hard time believing that MacBeth did worse than Cabaret, from a financial perspective. That's not a slight to Cabaret- merely an example of how surprises happen, and why theatres can't strictly offer musicals as a failsafe. Thematically, Shannon's "steak" analogy is a good one- as it's said, variety is the spice of life. Anything can be made mundane through overexposure. With all of that said, my answer to Shannon's question is a qualified "yes"- pleased with current progress and hopeful that the shows I love are not genuinely threatened. I have performed in two Shakespearean shows for TCT, and I hold each production up as work that I felt proud to display to this community. I'm also proud to have seen and heard some of the positive responses that TCT receives for these types of shows. I respect that there are some who don't value this fare. However, the season is dominated by musicals and comedies; I fail to see how our theatre will be stronger in any respect by rendering that dominance complete. Musicals and comedies are necessary parts of the theatrical season- but they aren't the only parts that we need at TCT. Having more than a vague interest in this topic, I’m glad to read this. I obviously am in the pro-Shakespeare/Classic camp, and find it galling when confronted with the notion that these works shouldn’t be seen at TCT. Setting aside questions of taste (which, as stated, are impossible to completely resolve), the most obvious point to be made is the need for balance, which Shannon states effectively in multiple contexts. A secondary point that deserves greater mention is the benefit to area schools. Having participated in the last two productions of Shakespeare at TCT, I’ve had a lot of opportunity to hear from both students and teachers about how much they gain from seeing these plays performed. Students talk about how they more clearly understand the text; teachers talk about how it inspires their students to ask more questions and become more engaged. If we gained nothing further from these shows, it might be said that they’re worth the effort.

But the fact is, we gain a good deal more than that. As Shannon said, there are a number of performers and audience who value these productions above all else that TCT does. These works are “classic” for a reason- they speak to aspects of our basic humanity, and are essential parts of the development of the theatre in society, both past and present. Producing these works is part of what I feel that a good theatre should do, and there is no mistaking that TCT has built itself into a very good theatre.

For those who disagree, I can understand the pull. We all seek our share of uncomplicated distractions- to “get away from it all”, as Shannon’s e-mailer put it. And in fairness, there are musicals and comedies that deserve to be held up as “classics” in their own right. But to contend (as some have) that the entire season should omit dramatic fare is overzealous at best.

The key is balance, both fiscally and thematically. Having no access to TCT’s finances, I can only guess at figures. But I have a hard time believing that MacBeth did worse than Cabaret, from a financial perspective. That’s not a slight to Cabaret- merely an example of how surprises happen, and why theatres can’t strictly offer musicals as a failsafe. Thematically, Shannon’s “steak” analogy is a good one- as it’s said, variety is the spice of life. Anything can be made mundane through overexposure.

With all of that said, my answer to Shannon’s question is a qualified “yes”- pleased with current progress and hopeful that the shows I love are not genuinely threatened. I have performed in two Shakespearean shows for TCT, and I hold each production up as work that I felt proud to display to this community. I’m also proud to have seen and heard some of the positive responses that TCT receives for these types of shows. I respect that there are some who don’t value this fare. However, the season is dominated by musicals and comedies; I fail to see how our theatre will be stronger in any respect by rendering that dominance complete. Musicals and comedies are necessary parts of the theatrical season- but they aren’t the only parts that we need at TCT.

]]>