Just about every community theatre show I see gets some kind of standing ovation. Which is super duper and really supportive of the audience. And most folks I talk to after seeing these shows think they are just great. Which, again, is super duper and really supportive. Reviews of every community show tend to be neutral or glowing. Which, again, is super duper and really supportive. And, finally, a few days ago, I went to the ACTCO (Association of Community Theatres of Central Ontario) Gala, a party at which awards for community theatre are given out -- best actor, best show, etc. This gala is the final event in a process designed to teach community theatre folk how to present shows better. The awards were, for the most part, fairly and evenly spaced amongst the groups. Every group got a nod in terms of a nomination. Which, again, is super duper and really supportive.
What it isn't is discerning, which is too bad. Because healthy crticism can make us better performers or designers or directors or whatever.
Our impulse -- and don't forget, mine too! -- is to support our friends and fellows busting their butts out there for no money and little recognition. Ask me what I thought of the show in the lobby after and I am honestly going to tell you the positive bits because I, personally, honour all the effort and work put into every community theatre show.
But, wait. What if what *I* am doing as a director actually isn't that good? What if I'm not getting any better or floundering a little? If I (and let me tell you, I have lots of opinions) won't give negative feedback after a show, how would I expect anyone else to so do? And the corollory, if I am blind to something I am doing which is weak, how will I know without constructive criticism?
How does a director or actor or designer or whatever really know that what they are doing is entertaining or as entertaining and clear as it should be?
One would immediately say, what about that person's friends? A good friend will be honest, no? Well, not if one surrounds oneself with folks who idolize or who are politically silent.
Me? I rely on perfect strangers. And not even the kindness of perfect strangers but, really, their feet.
Firstly, audiences vote with their feet and I don't mean getting on their feet during the applause. The average theatre goer might not know all the whys of what they love about a show but it, usually, makes them want to come back for more. So, a solid indication of quality is a growing audience or growing subscription base. The group should be able to monitor by watching the figures over time what directors or actors or show choices their audiences love. There should be a direct correlation between whether the public likes a show and the sales of the NEXT one or subscriptions to the NEXT year - allowing, of course, for solid show choices that should appeal to your audience.
Secondly (this happens but rarely and it is so sweet when it does), you are standing in the lobby after a show and a complete stranger walks over to you, seeking you out, and tells you that this show was one of the best they have seen in the space in a number of years. Or they honestly tell you that you gave a great performance. Or that that nifty design thing you did was cool. Complete strangers. Crossing the lobby.
As long as I am impressing people I don't know enough for them to make that effort to cross the lobby and talk to me, I'm pretty sure I'm on the right track.
Jacqui Burke is
a freelance director, writer, and theatrical teacher living in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. She is currently directing Wrong for Each Other
for Encore Productions opening
in April, Kidsplay 2012: The Mayan Prediction
opening in June, and The Last Five Years
for TOKL Productions opening in July. She is, also,
serializing The
Pretender, her first novel,
online at http://thepretender-amarcienoelnovel.blogspot.ca/.
She is preparing for two Shakespeare is Boffo! summer camp
sessions for 2012.
Want to contact me?
Jacqui
Burke
Artistic
Director
Jaybird
Productions
talk/text: 647-292-0210
twitter: @jaybird01
skype: Jacquiburkecell, jacqui.burke
www.wordsnimages.com
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http://jaybirdproductions.blogspot.ca/
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Isn't it interesting, I keep seeing those standing ovations and wonder why?
ReplyDeleteBut when I read this I figured out why, if we stand and applaud we can see it as a way of avoiding personal contact with the performer/director or whoever. Many people are unaccustomed to actually addressing an issue directly, believing it is better to talk at the bar behind the performers back. But isn't it so nice when a perfect strangers speaks to you about your work. Doesn't matter if it is wonderful praise, a suggestion, or a question. They cared enough about the work, and about you, to make that tiny effort of making contact.