Saturday, March 01, 2014
10 Lessons for Theater, from TEDxBroadway 2014
HowlRound: “How do you make the magic?” students from a middle school in the Bronx asked after seeing their first Broadway show. Their attendance was an outgrowth of a conference begun in 2012 called TEDxBroadway, and highlighted again Monday at TEDxBroadway 2014.
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7 comments:
This article seems to really be aiming at the idea that interactive theater is where much of the magic is. I would agree with that statement when it comes to really amercing the audience in the theatrical experience and not just turning the lights of and just showing a room full of people a story. When I went to see the Phantom or the Opera on Broadway I thought that part of the wonder of the experience was the extravagance of the theater itself, it fit the romantic esthetic of the actual show. The magic and beauty of the show was really brought out in that environment. I think that magic of theater does not include the use of phones or direct interaction with audience members like the article is saying. That brings me to the point number four. Cell phones do not make good theater. I have not seen a single show that I liked where people whipped out there phones, call me traditional but my phone is on airplane mode when the lights go down.
I agree with what Simone said about this article being all about interactive theatre aimed at making the audience feel immersed in the show. I think the article makes many good points but the part that sticks with me the most is immersing the audience into the show. Some of the best broadway show's I have seen our ones where the set spills into the house and makes you feel as if you are living in the world of the play. When I saw rock of ages the lighting designer lit up the audience with some of the same effects and lighting happening on stage which really made me feel like I was in the rock and roll world they created. I think the point about the cell phones was interesting because I can see where they could play an interesting role but at the same time I also feel like this is something that we should tread cautiously with. There are many shows where this new concept is simply not appropriate.
I really don't agree with some of the things in this article, especially the sections about cell phones and digital communication. Just because we live in a world of digital communication does not mean that we should indulge in it 24/7. I think the theater should actually be a time when we should remove ourselves from the outside world and truly experience the magic of the artform. There are ways to create interactive theater without distracting the audience and actors with cell phones and other forms of digital communication.
Based on the other comments, it looks like the piece about cell phones really stuck out; it did for me too. While I think new ways of engaging the audience are interesting, I have mixed feelings about what the article presented. A show doesn't need audiences up on stage or a web chat with the director to engage the audience. But for some shows, I can see how this can have a place. But like my class mates, I see no use for cell phone use by the audience in a show. Inside a theatre is one of the only places one can hope to see cell phones put away. I used to think restaurants were like that too, but now cell phone use during meals feels like it's been completely integrated into the practice. My former high school now allows cell phone use in the classrooms. I know it may be unprogressive to not embrace technology head first, but I think keeping theatre clear of the distractions of cell phones will keep audiences more engaged.
This article brings up some interesting points, for example, interactive theater is the way the industry seems to be going and audiences definitely enjoy it. But when people say interactive theater, what do they mean? Personally I say, and I think most agree with this, that this does not include having audiences on their phones. It seems like its been tried and not really successful. In some ways I guess I am old (even though I'm only 20), but being truly and constantly connected 24/7 seems to be a bit much. If a show is really good, you should be able to sit through it, enjoy it, be invested in it, and not be distracted by anything. So what is interactive theater, I would say it includes the examples Sam A brings up.
I think that the suggestions this article makes are for the most part insightful and interesting. i do agree with others that this article seems to lean to the interactive theatre approach. I very much am of the mindset of immersive entertainment over interactive entertainment. Especially as a designer, I want to create a world and then bring the audience into that world and surround them, but I dont think the audience's interaction with the show is that important. I do really like what they say about embracing new technology though. I think all forms of entertainment need to be doing this in order to succeed.
I love TED talks. I've seen a few of the TEDx Broadway talks from years past. I always find that the people who give TED talks have done a great job thinking though the ideas that they are presenting. They also have a great talent for explaining those ideas in a way that is accessible to everyone and perhaps more importantly, interesting to everyone. Of all the talks from 2014 I was most interested in the idea of finding ways to make theatre an experience that goes beyond the theatre space. The internet is a great way to help theatre find a new way of interacting with an audience. I am very interested in discovering more about this topic.
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