Respect and Cell Phones

As many of you know, one of my pet peeves is cell phones being left on during performances .. Or worse yet being talked on ... or someone sending text messages. We all see the glow of the screen - you're not being discrete, trust me, you think you are but it's impossible for the rest of us to not notice.

It's disrespectful to the rest of the audience and to the performers.

It boggles my mind - why spend $10 or $20 or even $100 on a ticket and then spend the time on the phone? Theater is an escape vehicle for me, so I disconnect completely from technology. I want to be completely focused on the experience.

So what prompted this rant? Vinny Alexander's article - in which he takes a bunch of students to see the Crucible and the following is the result ...

"My colleagues and I took 150 high school students to see Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible" at The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. Our English department spends a lot of time studying the works of Miller and we were excited about the opportunity to see one of his most important works staged.

In my opinion, "The Crucible" is a tough piece to perform because of the language and the emotional intensity. I was impressed with the cast and enjoyed watching the play.

Unfortunately, at intermission, the house manager presented me with a handful of cell phones and reported a number of my students were on their phones during the show.

My heart sank.

I was embarrassed and extremely disappointed. The students in attendance were students of theater and literature. They know how to behave. We also asked them to turn off their phones when they entered the theater. What went wrong?" (read more)

Why? It happens in community theater, it happens on Broadway -Why are people so rude?
I'll leave you with this quote "Whatever happened to fair dealing, And pure ethics, And nice manners? Why is it everyone now is a pain in the ass? Whatever happened to class?"

Creative Fundraising?

There have been all sorts of painted items auctioned off for good causes - painted statues of cows, tigers, Mickey mouse and more ... Now the stagecrafters, a community theater group in Royal Oak Michigan is getting in on the action, auctioning off painted toilet seats.

Why Toilet seats? You may ask ... well it goes well with the production they are rehearsing right now - it's Urinetown: The Musical. So they have gotten local artists in on the fun and have hand painted, decorated and bedazzled seats for the throne fit for a King or Queen. Yup, evidently the seats were decorated in a manner so that they are still functional for the winning bidders to install in their homes. To learn more about this unique fundraiser and see more of the seats up for auction visit stagecrafter's website.

What unique and zany ideas do you have for fund raising to go along with a production? I'd be interested to hear your ideas in the comments section here ... My ideas are pretty silly (so help me out!!)

Toilet Seats - Urinetown
Lingerie or Corsets - Rocky Horror Show
Cat Artwork - Cats
Shrunken Heads - South Pacific

Attention Playwrights and Directors

This is something if I had time right now, I would be very interested in (the directing part, unfortunately the only play I wrote was when I was 12 and was tired of the same-old Christmas pageant for Sunday school)

The Brewster Theater Company is looking for directors and playwrights to participate in their fifth Annual Evening of One Acts. Brewster Theater Company's Evening of One Acts is an exciting collaboration of both experienced and new directors bringing to life an entertaining assortment of theme based pieces.

At this time they are accepting all plays with no specific theme. The theme is chosen based on the selections they receive.

Brewster Theater Company is committed to support presentation of original works by local playwrights who are encouraged to submit original works. Each play should be approx 5-10 minutes long with minimal props and staging. Interested directors can submit pieces they would be interested in directing, but may also choose from theme-based pieces chosen by the producer.

The show is scheduled for 3 performances in the first week of June at St. Andrews Church in Brewster, including 2 evenings and one matinee.

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Jennifer Darby at jdarby@brewstertheater.org by March 1st. Writers must submit their play to be reviewed by the Brewster Theater Company board. All submissions will be considered.

It's a Great Day for Irish! Caberet

Looking for a fun way to celebrate the Irish this Saint Patrick's Day Weekend?

The Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Centre will be presenting, It's a Great Day For the Irish!, a cabaret celebrating great Irish-American performers.

Photo: (L to R) It's a Great Day For the Irish! musical director Jonathan Delgado of Saugerties with director Mary Ellen Petti of East Durham and cast members Terri Massimi and John Thayer of Kingston.

It's a Great Day For the Irish!, arranged and directed by East Durham resident and well-known local performer Mary Ellen Petti, traces the musical careers of such notable Irish-American performers as George M. Cohan, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney. Along the way there will be a variety of song styles, from Vaudeville, to Broadway, to standards, to reinterpretations of Irish folk songs, that follow the paths of Irish-American performers as they blazed their way to stage and screen stardom.

Performers from Greene, Dutchess and Orange Counties will be musically directed by Jonathan Delgado. With songs such as "Swinging on a Star," "Over the Rainbow," and "Yankee Doodle Dandy," as well as traditional Irish favorites like "Danny Boy" and "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra," there will be "a little something for every appreciative ear of popular music," according to director Petti. What better way to welcome in the greenest of all holidays?

The Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural Centre most recently produced On the Expectation of White Christmases, an original Irish-American play that was called "a magnificent work (that) deserves a great success on the national scene" by Hudson-Catskill Newspapers' John Paul Keeler. The Centre is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit corporation founded in 1987 in the hamlet of East Durham, N.Y. Its mission is to promote and preserve the cultural and artistic heritage of the Irish and those of Irish descent.

When & Where
Saturday, March 15th at 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 16th at 2PM

Weldon House
Rt. 145
East Durham, NY.

The admission of $12.00 benefits the non-profit Centre and reservations can be made by calling 518-634-2286. Group rates and senior discounts are available.

Hudson Valley Theater Events: On Stage Feb 28 - March 2

So what is on stage this weekend in the Hudson Valley? A lot as usual, while you're wishing for spring (or enjoying the snow and ice) grab a friend or take just yourself to see one of these great shows!

Psycho Beach Party
February 28, 29 March 1 at 8:00PM
March 2 at 2:00 PM

Dutchess Community College Masquers Guild
53 Pendell Road
Poughkeepsie, NY
Dutchess Hall

The Promise Keeper
February 28, 29 March 1, 6,7,8 at 8:00PM
March 2, 9 at 2:00 PM

SUNY New Paltz
1 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, NY 12561
Parker Theatre
Call: 845-257-2121

The Medal
February 28, March 1 at 8:00 PM
February 29, March 2 at 3:00 PM

CENTERstage Productions
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080

Grease
February 29, March 1 at 8:00 PM
March 1 at 1:00 PM
March 2 at 2:00 PM

Millbrook High School
70 Church Street
Millbrook, NY
Call: (845) 677-5937

Hamlet
February 29 at 7:30 PM

Hudson Valley Shakespeare
Mount Saint Mary College
330 Powell Ave.
Newburgh, NY 12550
Aquinas Hall
Call: 845-561-0800

A Pirates Life for Me!
February 29, March 1 at 7:30 PM
March 2 at 2:00 PM

Arlington Middle School
601 Dutchess Turnpike
Poughkeepsie, NY
Arlington Middle School Theater
Call: 845-486-4480

Defiance
February 29, March 1 at 8:00 PM
March 1 at 3:00 PM
March 2 at 7:00 PM

New Day Repertory Company
Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center
12 Vassar St.
Poughkeepsie, NY

Hello Dolly
February 29, March 1 at 8:00 PM
March 2 at 2:00 PM

Webutuck High School
194 Haight Road
Amenia, NY
Call: 845-373-4108

The Two Gentlemen of Verona
February 29, March 1, 7, 8 at 8:00 PM
March 2 at 2:00 PM

The Storm King School
314 Mountain Road
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
Call: 845-373-4108

Students Help to Restore Old Theater

Here's an inspiring story of the "Community" part of community theater - in Fort Lupton, Colorado. The school district was partnered with the owner of the Star Theater, closed since 1992 to help restore, market and run the theater.

FORT LUPTON - If high school students at Fort Lupton High School get their way, stars will once again be seen at the Star. The Star Theater has been closed since 1992.

"It's pretty ugly," said Mario Hernandez, a junior at the school.

The school district has partnered with the owner of the theater, Frankie Clark, to create a non-profit community theater, for movies, performances and parties.

"I thought this would be a good thing for the high school in the community and have a place for everybody to go," Clark said. (read more)

Break a Leg to all those involved in the project!

Theater as a "Hub"?

I was reading through my favorite blogs today and was inspired to continue the discussion started by Joe of Butts in the Seats, which is a continuation of the conversation started here: regarding theater becoming a hub.

"In all this talk about declining audience, diminished subscriptions rates, low paid actors and overpriced tickets . . . I think we may have missed the point of the arts.

We keep talking about finding ways for people to connect with our particular art form.

But people don't want to connect to art . . . they want to connect to other people.

So instead of a theatre company seeing their performance on stage that night as the point of the evening, perhaps they should just see themselves as the hub . . . as the thing that connects all the people in the audience to each other."

Now this is why I started blogging - to create an online community around community theater. So let's dream for a moment ...

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have full houses of people interested and excited about the art, the theater we are creating?

Wouldn't it be Lover'ly to be an activity that draws people in - an EVENT not just entertainment.

Then for the practical part the 'How do we create this?'

The writer of the quote is correct - Theater needs to become an experience, part of the evening but not the center of the evening. Creating an environment where people connect will keep them coming back and talking about the experience to their friends. That's why online social networking sites (myspace, facebook and many many others) work - because they connect people.

Some times of theater already do this naturally - theater in the round, for example lends itself nicely to interaction. Murder Mystery Whodunits. What other types of interactions could naturally occur at the theater?

• Ushers who interact and introduce audience members
• Encourage mingling before the show and during intermission
• Discussion panels with the actors, production crew, etc?
  
• Giving the Audience members tools to help spread the word about the show - Postage paid postcards or free postcard emails to send to friends ... right in the lobby of the theater
• Bringing and continuing the discussion of the show after it's over - a series of thought provoking plays or themed shows that include discussion or fun activities?
  
• Having online forums to discuss the show or have online Q & A's.
• Having Live theater blogging/podcast/video cast of events
  

The only word of caution is best made in the words of Seth Godin in Meatball Sundae: Is Your Marketing out of Sync?, a book in which he describes the errors that old media keeps making - that is putting social media (sundae toppings) on legacy products (meatballs) without a care for if the flavors go together. (yuck! - but the book is a good read)

In making Theater a 'hub' and creating a community or new experience, let's make sure we're applying the tools in a way that makes sense.

What ways do you think community theater could add a dimension of interaction or work towards becoming a hub? I'd love to know your thoughts.

Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Movie Musicals Blogs Entertainment

On Stage Hudson Valley Theater Events Feb 14-17

On Stage - This weekend in the Mid Hudson Valley February 14 to 17, 2008. Same two as last weekend - if you are in an upcoming show or know of an upcoming show and would like to see it featured here in our weekly On stage section, please let me know, email me at midhudsontheater@gmail.com.

Nuts
February 15, 16 at 8:00 PM

County Players
County Players Falls Theatre
2681 W. Main St
Wappingers Falls, NY
Call: (845) 298-1491

The Crucible
February 15, 16 at 8:00 PM
February 17 at 3:00 PM

CENTERstage Productions
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080

Top 10 Reasons Why Community Theater Rocks

We've been focusing on areas that need improvement in local community theater, so this week I wanted to focus on some positive areas. So here we have the top 10 reasons why community theater (in the mid Hudson valley) rocks.

10) Strong Support for the Arts - Not only for Community theater - there is a strong community support for all of the arts, music, dance, fine arts and artisan crafts in the mid Hudson valley.

9) Opportunity - Where else but community theater can your couch spend more time on stage then you do? No seriously - there is a amazing opportunity to learn, grow and gain experience as an actor, director or many of the other jobs in the theater.

8) Abundance - There is something going on almost every weekend in our local community theater. That's because we have so many different groups, venues and a great group of supporters and patrons.

7) Variety - Interested in Shakespeare? Check! Popular Broadway Musicals? Check! New plays and musicals by up-and-coming playwrights? Check! Straight Plays or Dramas? Check! From Classical to Modern and from obscure to everyone-knows-that-show, there is a huge range of variety in local community theater.

6) Fun - What is Community theater? I'd be lying if I said it wasn't work, and sometimes even hard work. But, in between the work there is a lot of fun. The inside jokes, the real drama backstage, the slip-ups and bloopers. Things you laugh about years later.

5) Friendship - Every show you do has a different dynamic, and creates a new family. In every show there is the opportunity to make new friends. Some that will be pals for the run of a show or a couple shows, or friends that will become people you talk to every day.

4) Education - Community theater gives you an opportunity to grow and learn. Want to know more about lighting, sound? There are educational classes offered by local theater groups. Acting classes for both experienced and beginners, adults and children. Theater Camps and after school programs for children and teens. There is an amazing amount of education offered locally and economically.

3) Diversity - There is an opportunity to meet and work with people of all sorts of abilities and backgrounds. From the retired Broadway gypsy or Broadway star to teachers, lawyers, retirees and youngsters. There is a lot of diversity to explore.

2) Community - There is an awesome group of dedicated members of the many local theater groups in the mid Hudson valley. People and groups who create amazing theater and create a warm, loving, nurturing group that allows you to learn and grow in your abilities, both on stage and back stage.

1) You - The people that make up community theater in this area are the number one reason that local community theater rocks. From our volunteers to our patrons the individuals that create and support the arts are the best.

Hudson Valley Theater Auditions

Lots of opportunities to audition for community theater productions in the mid hudson valley coming up in the next few months. Know of a audition not listed here? Please let me know - email me at midhudsontheater@gmail.com.

_____________________
Murder Among Friends
Feb 23, 24, 2008 at 1:00 PM

Creative Theatre-Muddy Water Players
The Playhouse at Museum Village
Route 17M
Monroe, NY

_____________________
The Prisoner of Second Avenue
Feb 23, 24, 2008 at 3:00 PM

Creative Theatre-Muddy Water Players
The Playhouse at Museum Village
Route 17M
Monroe, NY

_____________________
Dinner With Friends
Feb 26, 27, 2008 at 7:00 PM

The Pound Ridge Theatre Company
Conant Hall
Pound Ridge, NY

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Evita
March 24 at 7:00 PM
March 25 at 7:00 PM
Callback: March 26

CenterSTAGE productions
Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Route 308
Rhinebeck, NY
In the downstairs studio

Needed: singers/actors/dancers ages all sizes and ages.

Please prepare a brief song, either from, or in the style of, the show. Please bring your sheet music in the appropriate key. Be prepared to dance in appropriate clothing and shoes.

Performance dates: June 27th – July 20th 2008

For further information call director Kevin Archambault at (917) 647-1559.

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West Side Story
April 7 at 7:00 PM
April 8 at 7:00 PM
Callback: April 9

Up In One Productions
Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Route 308
Rhinebeck, NY
In the downstairs studio

Needed: singers/actors/dancers over 17

Please prepare a song, preferably from the show (bring a copy of your sheet music if not from the show). Wear shoes appropriate for dance movement.

Performance dates: July 25 – August 17, 2008

For further information call producer, Diana di Grandi, at (845) 876 – 5348.

On Stage in The Hudson Valley February 8-10

We have a couple choices this weekend for shows to see ... I don't know anyone in the cast of Nuts, but some of my favorite people are in The Crucible. I've never been disapointed by performances of either of these groups. As always, I advise you to grab a friend and go see a show this weekend!

Nuts
Feb 8, 9, 15, 16 at 8:00 PM
Feb 10 at 2:00 PM

County Players
County Players Falls Theatre
2681 W. Main St
Wappingers Falls, NY
Call: (845) 298-1491

The Crucible
Feb 8, 9, 15, 16 at 8:00 PM
Feb 10, 17 at 3:00 PM

CENTERstage Productions
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080

MHVTheater Blog Interviewed!

A very exciting thing happened this week - I was contacted regarding the post I wrote on Respecting your Volunteers. Not only did we receive a fair amount of feedback, both online and also personal calls but I was also asked to interview with Your Neighborhood Stage Community Theatre Podcast. I really enjoyed podcast from last week. It covered the pilot programs for Phantom of the Opera and Avenue Q. Visit the site and take a listen.

Take a Listen to my interview: Episode 3.06