Sunday, August 30, 2009
Once the victim of a cool reception, plucky nonprofit is suddenly a hot ticket
TwinCities.com: "Theater Space Project is a nonprofit that has spent nearly a decade providing low-cost performance space to theaters and dance companies. In 2008, the group couldn't give its space away, and its very livelihood was threatened. These days, though, the venue, which recently expanded to 120 seats, is enjoying an unprecedented period of activity."
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7 comments:
It seems to me that recently one of the best - and in some cases only - places to see new exciting theatre is in the non-profit arena. I think because the larger theatres are charging too much to rent their spaces, and smaller theatre companies can't afford to rent those large spaces, so they look to the lesser known spaces to showcase their work.
I'm not surprised that this theater is doing well. I feel as though not only will there be more people wanting to use the space, but the audience size will increase. The arts should be more accessible to people with lower budgets. There will always be a place for the big, expensive Broadway shows, but one should not underestimate the quality of smaller companies. In fact, what they have to say can be more interesting, because they don't always cater to mainstream ideas to attract the average theater goer.
The inability to pay rent at large professional venues has led to a lot of extraordinary theatre being produced in alternative, small, and/or new venues. I've always been fascinated by theater companies that don't have a traditional "home" and travel from venue to venue putting up their work. When the budgets are small, the focus becomes about the acting and the script, not the spectacle. While there may not be the budget to market new works, the timing is ripe for their creation and development and they are often influenced by the venue in which they are performed. Seeing performances in gutted out churches, old movie theatres, basements of office buildings, back rooms of bars, etc. puts the audience members in a unique setting that adds to the experience in a positive way.
Alternative theatre spaces are nothing new. In the early part of the 20th century there were groups doing theatre all over the place. Luis Valdez would stage plays on a truck bed out in the fields for the migrant workers in California. There were dozens of alt-theatre groups staging shows in every room they could stuff people into. All the way back to parlour shows being staged in rich peoples homes for their rich friends. This theatre space, like its predecessors, keeps alternative theatre alive and is a tribute to those who do alternative theatre. Without the small shows in alternative spaces the theatre world would not be anything like what it is. Not only does it provide a safe place for originality but it also gets many people interested in theatre who may not be otherwise. We need these alternative spaces, especially in these economic times. I was very glad to hear they are doing well, and I hope it offers inspiration to others to look outside of traditional theatres to put on shows.
People are becoming tired of seeing big spectacle theatre. Why pay $70+ for a ticket when you could pay $10 for a movie ticket? Innovative theatre taking place in box cars, under bridges, and other unusual spaces gives you an experience you can't find anywhere else AND it's cheap. I think this is a excellent evolution that should not be feared by theatre enthusiasts. Let's get back to emphasizing storytelling rather than all the bells and whistles.
It is great that there are spaces like this available for small theater group and companies. It is sad that in the economic climate so many of them are struggling and it is refreshing to hear that at least one is seeing steady business. The kinds of theater groups that use this type of space often have some good things to put out there and some very important messages. They also usually have a lot more freedom to make controversial message with the works they present. This type of theater is just as important the large Broadway productions that nobody can get enough of. If these small groups aren't able to present what they have to say in small non-profit theater spaces like this one, I'm afraid there messages will be all together lost.
What a fascinating business to be in--that of being a sort of "roadhouse" providing a venue to small not-for-profits! In these trying times it can be reassuring to know that theatre is still being made and is welcomed with open arms in many communities. Apparently people still have things to say, points to make, and feelings to express...and there are still people, places and communities willing to help make that happen. Awesome.
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