Sunday, November 27, 2011
7 Theater things I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving
Ken Davenport - Opinions from a Broadway Producer: There's a whole bunch of things about the theater industry that I wish were a whole lot . . . different. But despite all that, on a day like Thanksgiving, it's important to remember that while there is a dump truck full of things we'd all love to change, there are also a bunch of things we should be thankful for.
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18 comments:
I'm Thankful that every day I wake up I get to work in theatre. I am not always the most enthusiastic about the work that is being done, but it is always challenging, or interesting. I'm thankful that I don't have to shovel dirt, rope cattle, Dry-clean clothes, or sell cell phones (all things I have done) Theatre allows me to be...me.
What a good/slightly amusing list! Theatre, and art in general, can turn into such a "woe is us" type or career sometimes. There is constant complaint about lack of funding, depletion of actual artistry, and how audiences are just plain lazier and more rude than before. So, especially during the holidays, when many theatre workers may be even busier than at other times of the year, it is good and even necessary to remember exactly why we are doing what we do. There ARE reasons!! There are definitely upsides - or else we would all just be crazy. Creating art isn't easy, but it is worth it - and we can realize that even just by making a small list of things that are good and right with the world right now. All in all, good and appropriate piece for the holiday season.
I think that this blog was a refreshing change to opinions about theater. There are many amazing qualities that the theater exercises daily and if anyone complains, they must be doing it with a little love. The theater industry is difficult and is not without the daily challenges but in the end, it is well loved and appreciated. I am happily surprised about how there is an increase in theater attendance. It is always good to hear, especially when there aren't stars filling the playbill. Theater is supposed to be celebrated and it isn't always the broadway shows that should get the attention, so again, happy to know that off broadway has it's voice heard. All around, may the theater have another great year.
I really loved this article. As a freshman in college studying technical theatre, it made me excited to see what my future holds. There are always some negatives with any career but the positives with theatre are ever changing and exciting! The possibilities are truly endless and I look forward to never being bored. I already have endless hours of preparation but I know I am being prepared for my life ahead. I am thankful for having the opportunity to study with outstanding teachers at Carnegie Melon University. I am happy to know that more people are attending theatre. In a world full of stress and chaos, retreating to another place and time is sometimes just what the doctor ordered.
This list is a really exciting one. It gives me confidence that there may still be a theater industry to work in a couple years from now. I especially appreciate that he pointed out the lack of a star in Book of Mormon. Like the author said, a show doesn't need to have a star to be successful, it just needs to be a star. I would like to see a similar list for the regional theater part of the industry (although I would imagine that it does not look as positive). Smaller arts organizations are still struggling from the onslaught of the economic depression and getting back on their feet might take some time. From what I understand, many theaters are still just getting by. Hopefully this increase in interest on Broadway will trickle down to the smaller theaters outside of New York City and give them a boost as well. It is important to realize that just because Broadway is doing well, it doesn't necessarily mean that the entire industry is doing well.
I'm thankful that theater is just apart of my life and that for my career I get to do theater! This article just boosted my love to theater and made me excited to join the professional world of theater when I graduate! Theater is just an exciting profession and all theater people should just feel so lucky to be able to participate in such an exciting industry! I know sometimes it can be an unattractive job but there are ups to it and those ups will hopefully keep me going when I'm living in New York eating Roman Noodles every night.
Like the other commenters, I found this article to be hugely uplifting! In these rough economic times, it's great to see the industry thrive. It's also great to look at this list and note all of the points that reflect new trends on Broadway. Broadway (in a way) is one of New York's greatest traditions, but it's a tradition that is always evolving and meeting the times. What a great list to read!
Given how bad the hours and pay can sometimes be, it's kind of nice to see things put in perspective every once in a while. Broadway is bouncing back, theater as an industry has somehow become interesting to the rest of the world, and given all the bad things happening to companies in the world right now it seems that our unions and shows are more then capable of adapting and then some to keep with the times.
It's great that Broadway is getting more attention and more revenue. I love that the best musical didn't have a "star" in the cast. I think we too often focus too much on who is in a musical, and we lose a little bit of the whole experience. I'm proud of everyone who worked on Spiderman, and kept working on it even though it took some pretty heavy blows. I hope that continues to go well, and the producers settle things with the original director so they can make money overseas.
It's nice to see some things to be thankful for in theater. Too often people are on the critical side. I'm not sure what the statistics are in general for a down turn in the economy and how that effects theater, but it is good to see Broadway sales are up. I think many people are very much in need of entertainment in tough times and hope that our work can bring good things to the world. I'm thankful to be able to be creative and make people smile.
Agreeing here that this article seems to be full of great news for the industry, many of which were unknowns at this time last year (namely the life of Spiderman and would anybody actually come see a musical Off-Broadway?). I am most impressed by #1, the ratification of the new AEA contracts. Other than a few mumbles from friends about an added Sunday performance option in the Production Contract, I also had no idea they were even happening. Unlike the craziness happening on the West Coast with the AFTRA and SAG contracts, it's nice to see civil and progressive union negotiations.
I share a lot of the thanks that Mr. Davenport doles out in this article. He has a way of turning a lot of Broadway's "problems" on their heads and showing that there's good to be found there. I'm especially glad he mentioned Book of Mormon, since it's been a while since a non-star fueled original musical made it big, won the Tony, or managed to play to sold-out houses. The fact that spider-man is open and grossing decently does mean lots of actors, SMs, and stagehands being employed, which is good for us. There is both some good and some bad to the trend of moving back off-broadway, since I worry that it takes away spots that could be given to new original works, whereas a show that leaves broadway could be said to be "past its prime" and maybe ready to close, but again, there are theatrical employees getting paid, so that's good too. I just hope New World Stages doesn't turn completely into a Broadway recycling bin...
I thought this was a strange thing to be thinking about on Thanksgiving. It worries me when thinking of things to be thankful for that "Spiderman joining the $1mm club" would cross your mind. I'm thankful to be in a position where I may have a shot at making a living doing what I love. But this list is sort of superficial. The message isn't "I'm glad I'll be able to work another year doing what I love", its really economic and kind of reminds of an advertisement for Broadway. I'm glad that the economy on broadway is turning around, I don't know if I'd list it as one of the top things I was thankful for.
Yayyyy we can all still be employed. I am always glad to hear that things are going well. But Taylor brings up some good points... I am thankful that I found an industry I can get excited about. And it's great to hear that it's doing well. And without movie stars in the cast, and with extended runs. And sure, Spiderman was reviewed terribly, but it got people talking about theatre for awhile? So maybe that helps us all out in the long run. But as exciting as working in theatre is... Having a roof over your head is better. So I'm glad to hear that the state-of-the-art is good, and maybe I can pay my rent.
This is refreshing to see. When I first came to CMU for theater, it was with a certain level of concern, as theater and our economy had not been doing well at all. Now it seems that although our economy is still struggling, theater is still surviving, and in some cases becoming stronger. With all the articles we read about the lack of funding and struggling theaters, this article really sticks out. Whether or not we should get our hopes up based on the fact that Hugh Jackman has once again graced Broadway with his presence remains to be seen, but, like Hannah, I am thankful to know that there is a positive future for me to work in a field that I've always loved.
That's quite a list! Especially the 7th one about Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark- it's still successful even though the production took a Rebecca Black approach to success (getting publicized for being horrible, which made it famous). I'm reminded at least once a day of how grateful I am to be working in theatre. I get to work every day alongside the most brilliant and talented people I know, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world.
I love almost everything that Ken Davenport posts. He seems pretty level-headed and he's comes across as funny too.
I'm glad that reviews aren't determining whether or not a show is a success, and I'm equally glad the Off-Broadway is starting to come back into the public eye.
It's nice to finally see an article about theatre that isn't taking itself to seriously. Theatre is supposed to be fun! It's extremely refreshing to see a producer with a great attitude and an understanding of who theatre is for.
It is kind of amazing that at CMU, we get to come to school to do theatre. And furthermore that once we get out of here, it its possible to make a career out of it.
It is so amazing that the ability to represent real life onstage is a job and that creating that world can be someones 9-5.
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