The Pittsburgh Jewish chronicle: In her Oct. 24 talk in CMU’s Philip Chosky Theater, deRoy urged the students to refrain from “bad-mouthing” other people’s work in public, and to adhere to what she called “the three-block rule” after leaving a performance.
“If you don’t have anything positive to say, don’t say it within a three-block distance of the theater,” she said, because, with everyone leaving a theater at the same time, it is likely that someone who worked on that show will overhear the comments.
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I was so upset that I missed seeing Jamie, however reading this article gave me a glimpse into what she had to share. One thing that really stuck out to me in this article is the way she talks about having a positive attitude in this extremely competitive industry in which we all are pursuing. As artists, while it may seem that we are all going after the same job, it is so important to support one another and truly want others to succeed. She also goes on to reflect on her career, and she calls on the importance of getting out of your comfort zone, and see everything as an opportunity to learn and be seen even if that means not working on big glamorous projects right away. She also talks about the importance of putting yourself in new environments, saying that “you will not be discovered at home.” Overall, she had some very interesting insight to reflect on as an artist!
I am so glad that there is an article written about the insights Ms. deRoy shared with CMU, since I could not attend her talk. I thought her wisdom was very wise and I agreed with it. I sometimes find that people in a competitive industry can be rude or rag on other people just to enhance their self. I disagree with this a lot. I was raised to always be kind to people and have carried that throughout my life. Even if I don't know someone, or will only interact with them once, it doesn't hurt me or the other person for me to be nice. How can we claim to be human if we don't treat each other as such? Being kind doesn't take effort, just patience, which at times can be in short supply. But I believe it is very important in the theatre industry, as stated in this article, because you never know who might be listening. Also, being kind may in the end help a career more than hurt. I really resonate with Ms. deRoy's advice and I am saddened that I missed her talk, especially since her advice was so good.
I wish I had the time when she was here to go and listen to her speak, but alas I had a meeting. From what this article covers regarding her speech, it was full of meaningful life advice. One of the things I really liked that she talked about was the “three block” rule. I have been taught from an early age the mantra “if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” but this is hard when it comes to theatre. It is easy, for me at least, to walk out of a show and immediately start critiquing the production with whomever I saw it with. I never try to say necessarily negative things, but there always seems to be some aspects of shows that me and my friends want to discuss as interesting design choices. I do like how the notion of three blocks can at least dissipate a majority of the people around who may have been part of the production and take too close to heart what I have to say.
Her advice about keeping things positive left a big impression on me too. Moreover, I loved how she talked assuming that listeners are that side of people who will be/are already working on shows and getting involved, not simply sitting in the audience. However, I would like to be very honest about what struck me the most in the conversation. Her entire reference to being a CMU alumni and making connections with people weighed heavily on my mind. Being an exchange student (in fact the first one!) in CMU Drama is an absolutely amazing experience. I have never been this close to my childhood dream to work in the theatre industry. But at the same time, unlike everyone in this school, I have a time limit. I have to go back to where I was before. It is unchangeable fact that I am not included in the future CMU alumni. The conversation made me absorbed in deep thought about my future... But in the end, it’s all about how I can make the best out of my situation!
After reading Ms. deRoy's words, I truly feel like positivity is the key to humility. She has such a reverence for the work of other people, along with the works that do not reach a lot of people. That said, she urges artists to pursue experiences that will make them better in their individual crafts, not just waiting for your chance to work on Broadway. Her statement about not getting discovered at home really stood out to me. My home is quite far from the major locations of this industry, and while I love my home, that statement was a reminder of the reality of how comfort zones have no place in this business. That idea is startling, yes, but it is also exhilarating because it's so true that in order for the world to see me, I first have to see the world. I really wish I could have been at this talk because all of her advice makes theatre more welcoming and exciting, and therefore doing what you love as a profession does not seem as crazy of an idea.
I didn't get to see Jamie's talk here at CMU, but I really wish I had. I thought it was funny when the article mentioned her talking about the "three-block rule". My highschool participated in International Thespian Society competitions every year, and every year our director would give us the same speech. You never know who might be in the bathroom stall while you're chatting with your friends or who might be right around the corner of a building while you're discussing a performance that you just saw. "Keep it on the bus," she would always say. If you don't have anything nice to say about a performance, "Keep it on the bus and wait until we're two blocks away." It is often difficult to do that with theatre as a lot of people tend to step out of a production and immediately begin critiquing the show. I believe that there is a fine line between critiquing a production and completely tearing it apart which is what, at least, my director in high school was trying to get us to stay away from.
DeRoy has a really positive attitude when it comes to working on a broadway show. Her advice to take the high road is something that I think we can all learn from, but I also really like her three block rule. After shows, I always hear something negative about the performance either down the hall, in the lobby or in the bathroom. This always reflects negatively on the person. If you do not have something nice to say, you should not say it anywhere near the theater or at all. DeRoy’s positivity is definitely why she is so successful. She is driven to succeed and really is an inspiration to us all. Unfortunately, I was not able to come see her talk in the Chosky, so I am really glad that this article was written to share some of her most important lessons from the event. It is really amazing to see how many notable alumni have come from the CMU School of Drama.
I was so content I got to go meet Jamie DeRoy at her talk. I didn't know of her previously, but she was so kind and so much fun to listen to. I know I am new to Carnegie Mellon University as a freshman but it still surprises me when faculty, students, and others name drop very well known productions that they have been a part of or even knew someone a part of it in some way. Jamie DeRoy talked a lot about productions that she's been a part of and also told the audience to not invest or be a producer for theater unless you are okay with not getting your money back. At the end of her talk, as a freshman Design and production student I made sure to get the "famous people chair" from our studio and I got to go up to Jamie and ask her to sign the chair and pose for a photo. It was great getting to do that and talk to her a bit more. Now her signature will forever live on that chair in the studio!
-Pablo Anton
I am sad that I missed this, as it sounds like it would have been a lovely talk to have attended. I appreciate her sage wisdom of just being a smart person in this industry. The number of times I have heard people (loudly) bad mouthing another artist or their work, and especially to people they *know* are acquaintances or friends with the person they are talking about, is mind-boggling. Theatre is SUCH a small world, and chances are that person is going to know what you said about them within the next 24 hours of you saying it. Be kind, be smart, don't talk about the show or your frustrations while you're still in the rehearsal room or the lobby.
Additionally, I like her common theme of just getting out there and keeping going. Even if it's not the most wonderful thing, but just to be creating art continuously and openly. The only warning I would say is that you shouldn't have to settle for something you hate or don't ever want to do just in order to have a job and get the experience or exposure. We're all coming out of here very skilled and intelligent, and we've worked too hard to get stuck in something we hate just because someone thinks we deserve to work our way up from the bottom.
I am also very sad that I missed Jamie DeRoy’s talk that she gave when she was on campus a few weeks ago. This article, however, seems to give a very nice overview of what DeRoy covered. I think her overarching concept of “taking the high road” is so important - especially in the uber small community that is the theatre industry. I have walked out of so many productions and heard people making comments on a piece that are often quite negative. Even just as an audience member, hearing those things often drags me out of the performance I just watched, casting perhaps a more negative shadow on my own thoughts about the show. Even as a designer, I try to watch shows impartially. I think it’s easy - especially for those in School of Drama - to walk out of a performance and begin “critiquing” the show we just saw, but there is a definite line between critiquing something constructively and absolutely tearing it to bits.
This was very heartwarming. I once attended a set of masterclasses where we also got to see various performances. A rule was imposed on us as a group that we weren't allowed to comment on or even speak about the shows that we saw until we were back at our housing complex. I understood then the reasoning being because we never knew who was around when we were still in the theatre, but the way it was forced upon us and the way we were monitored made it hard to respect it for what it was. While I completely understood it then, hearing Jamie deRoy say the same thing, but in a slightly different way, I can appreciate it more and I think this is something that I will not only practice, but also promote. Having sat in the audience of shows that I set designed and watched/heard other people's comments...it's a strange feeling. As artists we are taught and trained to have tough skin and to accept the fact that some people will not like your work or simply won't get it. There will always be that person. I have personally never had my worked bad-mouthed but I can imagine how gut-wrenching that must feel after working tirelessly over it and finally putting it into the world. So I agree that we must be mindful of what we say while we are in or around the theatre. Not just as audience members, but even as a community of people working with each other.
CMU Alum Jamie leRoy is from Pittsburgh and went to CMU for one year before moving to New York in 1967. Although I don’t plan to be an actor, stage manager, director, or dramaturg I think this article has some great advice in it. I think one of the best things that Jamie DeRoy says in this article is the three block rule and if you don’t have anything nice to say don't say it. The three block rule pertains to when your critiquing a show after you have seen the show. deRoy says you should wait until your three blocks away from the theater to talk about the show. That way if you have anything negative to say about it the people who worked so hard on the show won’t hear it and get bummed. She also really advocates for supporting one another in a show environment. DeRoy is currently producing 9 broadway shows including to Kill a Mockingbird, tootsie, and beetle juice.
As someone who didn't get the chance to see Jamie deRoy speak, I'm glad this article is here to help fill me in on what I missed. The idea of keeping things positive is a very important one, not only for the reason of being around people who you might work with or who might have a say in your employment, but also for reasons of supporting the art form. The advice of seeing lots of shows is also one that seems important as well, and I am glad she suggested ways to see these shows on a budget. I thought it was really cool to know that she keeps in touch with the people she went to school with. In addition to all of this, I really admire her commitment to producing shows that she likes in terms of artistic and not necessarily what is going to make the most money.
I went to the talk with Jaime DeRoy and I really enjoyed her coming here. Over the my years hear at Carnegie mellon I have really gotten into producing and have worked with a few Broadway Producers. Because of this I am starting to understand what it truly takes to be a Broadway Producer. The reason Jaime is Successful is because she has her hand in multiple projects at the same time at different stages of development and as different titles. She is either producing/coproducing or investing in multiple shows. This way she is able to keep connections. One moment from the talk that I very much related to was the three block rule. When I go see a show in new York you never know who you are standing/ sitting next to so it is always wise to keep your opinions to yourself. I usually wait until im outside the theatre district.
DeRoy's fostering of a positive work environment was nice to see. I think a current societal belief is that we can say what we want because our voices should not be oppressed by what others think of it. And while it is always important to feel like your voice is being heard it is also important to think about how what you are about to say will affect the people who worked on or are what you're critiquing. So many times I've heard people say non-constructive and blatantly rude things about a show, a person, or an organization without thinking of whos ears their words would be falling on. Remembering that your thoughts and words and opinions matter reminds you to proceed with more caution as well as create a more friendly and non-threatening work space. Kindness goes a long way. Especially when you're showing it to everyone because you never know who you'll be collaborating with next.
This same advice was given to me when I left my undergrad. Even if you have the worst experience ever, if anyone asks you how it was to work with X person, say it was a great learning experience. Cause at the very least, you learned you don’t want to work with them again, but you never ever know who does the person you are talking to knows, and how are they related. You might be digging a hole. This I treasure and apply almost all the time. Same goes with the “3 block rule”. But I have a hard time embracing the “I go with what I’m passionate about, not what’s going to make the most money” part of this article. Mainly because its coming from an established person that can afford to fail, or do projects that are just for the greater purpose of art. When one its starting in this world, we have to make choices, and we can’t really pay rent with a greater purpose.
I did not have a chance to hear Jamie deRoy talk when she came and visited, but it is very interesting to hear some of the advice she gave my peers while she was at Carnegie Mellon. Her advice, as the article mentions, is also advice that can be translated outside of the theatre world, as it is just good practice of spreading positivity and not outwardly putting negative energy into the environment. I really like the idea of supporting one another and everyone else making art, which is something I think we can fall out of touch with in a school setting. There is a large part of this environment at Carnegie Mellon that is highly competitive, and competition can be a good thing, but it also sometimes blinds us from the fact that we are all doing creative work and we can support each other through those processes. Hearing about deRoy’s trajectory and how she ended up in the places she did is so interesting and impactful- and a good reminder to not be afraid to jump into the unknown.
I think what Jamie deRoy had to say is so so important (as said in the article) not just for theatre, but for life. I strongly believe that it's our duty as human beings to be kind to each other and lift each other up, not tear each other down. This industry is just so competitive in its essence that it's hard to not participate in it and escape that mindset. I think that I've had a hard time so far this year, especially considering that I don't consider myself an artist and have been surrounded by such peers who are so talented in that area. It's hard not to compare yourself to that, but the way that I've learned to get past that insecurity is everyone's kind, helpful, and supportive attitude about my art. It's really important to be surrounded by a positive atmosphere. It's built my confidence, and if anything, has helped me create even better art.
I think what Jamie deRoy had to say is so so important (as said in the article) not just for theatre, but for life. I strongly believe that it's our duty as human beings to be kind to each other and lift each other up, not tear each other down. This industry is just so competitive in its essence that it's hard to not participate in it and escape that mindset. I think that I've had a hard time so far this year, especially considering that I don't consider myself an artist and have been surrounded by such peers who are so talented in that area. It's hard not to compare yourself to that, but the way that I've learned to get past that insecurity is everyone's kind, helpful, and supportive attitude about my art. It's really important to be surrounded by a positive atmosphere. It's built my confidence, and if anything, has helped me create even better art.
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