Theatre Nerds: There’s no denying that technology and theatre have a complicated relationship. While some shows, such as “Dear Evan Hansen” and “The Encounter,” have embraced social media, others have sworn against it. Let’s be real, no one wants to get Patti LuPoned during a show (yes, it’s a verb now). So, then, what role does technology and social media play in theatre, both in the audience and onstage?
13 comments:
I agree with the author, that any new work that is taking place in modern day needs to include social media, because it is in everyones day to day life. Dear Evan Hansen looked at it in a really practical way and incorporated it into the design of the show, not ever show needs to do that, but they need to acknowledge the presence it would have in characters lives. Last year I was having a conversation with a senior actor about how casting directors had asked about his social media presences and the numbers of followers/friends he had. At first I was amazed, thinking that it was silly, as an actors abilities do not have anything to do with what they post online. However, for the marketing of a show it does make a difference. If someone has a lot of people they can reach online, then by casting them in a show, the show will reach a wider audience. Honestly, I don't really like that concept, because I still want to think of social media as just a platform to chat with with friends and family, not networking - but I know that it really is not true anymore.
I think that Tony Howell has absolutely the best ideas and directions for the cross over of social media and theatre. We all know what a problem the use of phones and social media during a production has caused over the last few years and the various attempts that have come as a result of these incidents. It is evident that Howell's approach really will "embrace technological advances while still maintaining the integrity and beauty of live theatre". The way in which we as human beings view and interact with technology has changed and therefore the way in which theatre does should absolutely evolve as well. I think that finding ways to incorporate social media in new ways such as the suggestion to have a "social media" spot in the lobby will allow for audience to have their moment and then be able to put the phone away. As well as the idea of seeing technology and social media incorporated more in shows as a part of normal life which will allow for people to connect more with what's happening on the stage.
In today's world, theatre cannot simply ignore the presence and impact of social media on audiences and the production itself. Though checking one's facebook during the show is never an appropriate decision, writing reviews and sharing experiences of a show one went to can totally change the public perception of a production. When marketing comes from other people, instead of faceless advertisements, it holds a much stronger ethos. I am far more likely to trust a friend's recommendation for take-out Chinese food than I am an ad on Facebook for the same restaurant, after all. Thus, the theatre industry ought to do a better job of embracing the existence of social media. Don't we hail ourselves as the flag of progress? How can we do so when we refuse to embrace such an integral piece of everyday life?
Social media is definitely changing theatre and it is becoming more of the experience on and offstage. I am really interested in the use of social media in shows where it works. In shows like Dear Evan Hansen it works perfectly because it is a show about being connected to others and people connect over social media now, especially the younger generation. Social media can be overwhelming and when it is used in theatre it can help enhance that overwhelming feeling for an audience for a certain affect. Social media is also helping widen the theatre industry and getting more people interested. Every Broadway show has a twitter account and facebook account where they are able to give news to their fans, share stories and music. Those accounts also give the audience a chance to talk to the people running those show accounts and feel more connected to the shows. People can share their experience and love for their time at the show and also fan art or covers they made. A lot of the show accounts retweet and share what their fans are saying so other fans can see them as well. It is also very satisfying when a show likes or retweets something you posted because you feel heard and noticed. Theatre social media accounts are definitely helping the theatre industry and increasing popularity.
Ignoring social media in theatre would be equivalent to ignoring electric lighting. It is a part of our future and a part of our society, so of course it makes sense for it to be a part of theatre. Of course it has to be regulated and controlled, but in doing so it could become an integral part of the theatre experience. The applications of someone designated in the audience to live tweet a show for instance could have endless possibilities for the show itself. We cannot be the grandparent who refuses to get a cell phone because we are unused to it. We have to embrace things like social media or lose the fight for good.
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Rather than social media and theater being treated as a "yes" or "no" question, I think it's prominence within society instead offers a spectrum of potential. At one end of this spectrum lies the "no", that within certain artistic projects and productions there is no place onstage or in the audience for social media. At the other end is performances that not only contemplate social media, but also invite audience participation by way of social media. In between, however, there are innumerable opportunities and levels at which to involve social media.
Social media is an intrinsic part of modern culture, and as such it must be embraced to some extent by theater companies, though not necessarily within the sole context of performances. I think to try and write it off, or eliminate it from the theatrical sphere is to make a critical and potentially crippling mistake. Instead, I think efforts should be made to educate audiences and create a more discerning population of viewers, so that people might come to understand their own preferences and see performances accordingly. We should enable them to figure out for themselves whether or not they want social media to be an integrated part of their performance experience, and to what extent.
I agree with the author's closing comment, "Frankly, it’s 2017. Technology and social media are bound to start to find their place within theatre, whether onstage or offstage. While this does present some potential negatives to the experience of live theatre we’ve come to know and love, with the right rules and guidance, it could have a profound effect on the art form."
Social media is everywhere now. It is few and far between for someone to not have any social media presence at all. It is such an addiction that I've seen many people attempt to give it up for lent or for a certain period of time just to see if they can, which is pretty remarkable in and of itself.
I agree with Amanda that social media's presence in live theatre is about potential. It has the potential to increase access and live theatre to those who perhaps wouldn't have considered it before. It also has the potential to derail a show or take away from the live action onstage by the audience being glued to their phones. I think that like the author says, theatre needs to realize that social media isn't going away, and in this day in age, it is more prominent than ever. Often accused as a dying art form, it could be beneficial to consider just how much outreach could increase with incorporating it when appropriate and possible.
My favorite tid bit from this article was the brief mention of a place to take selfies and encourage social media sharing that way. At one theatre I went to, the curtain speech had the standards: phone on silent, don’t take pictures, but also “please don’t be on your phone during the show, but during intermission or after the show, please do share your experience on Facebook and let your friends know they should come see…” They then went on to say that the audience was important and the best advertising. It was far too long and wordy, but I thought that was a great way to give a little lesson on etiquette, but also tell them how they can help the theatre. I think the encouragement of social media in appropriate ways is really important for theatre to move with the times.
Social media in theater has absolutely been a tough subject to navigate because theater and social media are to very different from each other. Before, people came to the theater to escape the world outside and maybe they still do, but that world has become a more digital one and one that is hard to escape. I think the many options that Mr. Howell suggests in ways that will engage your audience using social media before and after the show are great ways to not only involve your audience, but get free marketing from the audience. I agree with Mr. Howell that social media used in the show is a little more complicated. You want to be progressive and make the audience feel comfortable, but you don't want them to get distracted. I think a more structured use of social media can be the key to how it's involved in shows.
Social media seems to be the hot new topic in all art forms and walks of life. I, personally, am of the opinion that phones should be off and away during performances, be it the movie theatre or live stage production, heck, I don’t even take pictures or videos at concerts most of the time. Live productions and other experiences I pay for a physical ticket to see, I want to experience everything about it unencumbered by social media and connecting to the outside world. That being said, the word of mouth publicity has really taken a shift to the virtual world in terms of effectiveness. I would know very little about popular broadway shows and other touring productions if it weren’t for everyone posting those playbill and proscenium pictures that Howell brings up in the article. By being able to cast a wider net over facebook and twitter and other social media platforms, more people will grow an interest for seeing that production and ticket sales could rise exponentially.
Most successful advertisements currently take place over social media so to ignore such a powerful outlet when promoting theatre would just be wasting a good opportunity. I think the article's suggestion of a step and repeat is a great one, especially in our current selfie culture. I think also something similar to movie standees but themed for whatever show is being performed would be great for audience to take pictures with as well and post onto social media. Finding creative avenues like that to create acceptable spaces for social media will not only boost the word of mouth about the show, but also make a clearer defined space for where social media is acceptable in the theatre and where it is not. I think we are to a point where there will always be that one person in the audience who is on Facebook during the show, but we can attempt to teach the rest our audience the best social media etiquette we can. Short of buying signal jammers for every theatre I think that's the best we can do.
Its a sad thought to think that future generations won't have the attention span to sit though a musical with a idol in the cast. But I can see how this is becoming truer everyday. I myself take the program and proscenium photo before every show I see, which as descried in the article is a good way of promoting. But I have faith that like music, you can never replace the live performance. Its the experience that makes true theatre goers thrive. If anything the problem we are facing is being disrupted by people who are not true theatre enthuses. Is there a fix to this? I don't know, but I don't blame the tech. I blame the people not having enough respect. It we just teach our kids to really appreciate the theatre we will be fine.
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