CMU School of Drama


Monday, October 20, 2008

American Buffalo Launches "Backstage" Web Series

Playbill News: "'American Buffalo: Backstage,' according to press notes, 'presents audiences with a rare view of what really happens backstage, in rehearsal, and outside of rehearsal on a major production. In addition to footage shot by the cast, the series features interviews with the cast, producers, and members of the production's creative team.' A new video will be released daily."

5 comments:

Sam Thompson said...

This sounds like a really cool series. I think it's great that they're giving people a chance to see what day-to-day backstage goings-on are like at a real theatre, and even filmed by the actors themselves. I know that when I first got into technical theatre, it added a whole new dimension to my appreciation and enjoyment of theatre, and I hope that it does the same for a lot of people through this series. This is a valuable opportunity for everybody.

Chris said...

This is a really good idea if it is done properly. I feel that sometimes theater-goers (especially inexperienced ones) forget or don't understand the amount of work that goes on to make a play from start to finish. All they see is the finished product and the actors on stage acting. I think that if the producers of the series are sure to include designers, technicians, and management, it would give the audience an much more enjoyable experience knowing how much work everyone involved went through to share this story with them.

MBerger said...

Like Chris said, often patrons do not understand the work that goes into a production. Or that the lighting/set/sound/costumes do not just "happen" that there is actually someone, rather a large group of people, working to make it happen. The devils advocate in me though is forced to ask if this ruins a bit the magic of theatre. We as theatre artists are given the unique opportunity where the audience suspends disbelief to enter the world we create. By opening this door into the process, are we letting them in on the secrets of how it is done and perhaps by doing that, ruining some of the magic?

AllisonWeston said...

I really like this idea. Backstage technicians are often ignored and I think this kind of coverage will help the audience show the sheer amount of work that goes on backstage. Perhaps it might even inspire some to look into the world of tech theatre as a possible hobby or career move.

Anonymous said...

I really like this idea of showing the audience the amount of work that goes in to a production. I feel that the audience, over time, tends to forget, or not know, how much work really goes into a production. Because they see an (ideally) flawless show, they don't often understand all the coordinating and creativity that goes into a show. I think its a great idea to open the eyes of an audience member, to illuminate some of the processes, maybe not all of them. If you don't illuminate all of the means by which to reach the final product, you still allow the audience to wonder, which is crucial.