[NEOPAL]Fear of possible dissolving of theatre in the U.S.

Thu Apr 6 18:09:23 PDT 2006

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Let me preface this by saying that I've been reading the list for close to a
year now (first post) and am "new" to the Cleveland area--I've been out here
for about 9 months... I'm 21 years old and a guy. 

One of the things that persuaded me to move to Cleveland from Southern
California (Temecula, to be specific - about an hour north of San Diego)
besides a job offer that was not to be refused was how vibrant and diverse
the live entertainment scene is in Cleveland. While I don't attend live
theatre as much as I should (or, really, would like to) I don't think it
will be going anywhere soon, I've spent time at the Cleveland Playhouse, and
Playhouse Square (GLTF, and the touring shows)

I've also noticed that >60% of the audiences at most of the performances I
attend have appeared to fall into the "senior citizen" category (dashing the
hope that I may strike up conversation with a theatrically-inclined woman of
my age in the lobby during intermission, but I digress). There's been many a
show where, upon walking into the theater my first thought has been along
the lines of "Wow, I just lowered the median age in here by thirty years".

I think a certain part of the "problem" may be "reliving the entertainment
of their youth", but I also think that a large part of it is that not many
young people can afford to drop $60+ per person for two hours of
entertainment - especially when they can see a movie for $10 -- disposable
income is limited (either because they're in college, they're paying for
college, starting a family, etc.)... I think the senior citizen is sort of
the "default audience" for live theater (appreciating the finer things, no
kids to worry about, plenty of time, retirement savings paying off, etc.). 

Certain things lend themselves to certain media... For example, Cleveland
Playhouse's recent production of I Am My Own Wife was the most stunning
presentation I have ever seen (and the sad part is, had it not been for a
discount ticket, I probably wouldn't have seen it); The way it was staged it
worked very well live... The same story as a film, TV series, or website
would have been nowhere near as powerful or moving. On a similar token, I
love musicals (specifically Tommy*, Chess*, Rent, Jersey Boys**, etc)
because of the sheer energy that the cast shares with the audience-You can't
really get that from a film, IMHO. 

I think (though, possibly selfishly) that the La Jolla Playhouse in San
Diego is headed in the right direction with their "Under 30" program - those
under the age of 30 (regardless of their student status) can purchase
tickets, up to one week in advance and with ID required at will call, for a
steep discount. This certainly brings the ticket into the realm of
affordability for most students. THE PROBLEM? They don't advertise it; in
fact the information on their website about the program is virtually
impossible to find unless you know what you're looking for
(http://www.lajollaplayhouse.com/rush/
<http://www.lajollaplayhouse.com/rush/> ).

Without having any factual basis for saying this, I think if some of the
local theaters implemented similar programs and advertised them on the
plethora of college/university campuses in the Cleveland area I think you
would start to see slightly younger audiences... and seed the pool of
potential older theater goers/donors. I can think of a few other things, but
I've rambled on long enough.

Just my $0.02

Lincoln

(Lincoln King-Cliby, CTS - a consultant/AV systems programmer by day... And
seriously bummed out that none of the upcoming Noises Off performances are
on days when I can attend them) 

*-Personal Bias Disclaimer: Part of the reason I have a particular affinity
for these shows is because I've done partial lighting design and full
lighting board programming/operation/set construction/tech for these. Fond
memories. 

** - The La Jolla Playhouse staging; haven't seen it on Broadway, but would
like to (would also like to visit NYC at some point)

  _____  

From: neohiopal-admin at lists.fredsternfeld.com
[mailto:neohiopal-admin at lists.fredsternfeld.com] On Behalf Of Ken Milota
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 2:54 PM
To: neohiopal at lists.fredsternfeld.com
Subject: [NEOPAL]Fear of possible dissolving of theatre in the U.S.

I am an active performing in community theatre in this area and I don't know
if this is just me or if somone else has been seeing signs of this also.

I have noticed ever since I started performing 5 1/2 years ago, each year
there seems to be less people interested in theatre around here.  With all
the new forms of entertainment that exist today, it seems as theatre has
been pushed aside, and is made to be a game people play when they can't
think of anything else to do.

Throughout the performances I have been in, I have noticed that well over
65% of the audience are senior citizens, and I believe that they are
enjoying the kind of entertainment they had when they were young, and it is
rare you see teenager attending musicals unless they have a friend appearing
in one.

I have also noticed the disappearing of men in shows.  The past 3 shows that
I have been in we had to go out of our way and ask men to perform, and even
get some to do it when they didn't really even want to, and some who
couldn't sing and just mimed it.

I am wondering how much further this pattern will go, and will musical
theatre still be around once the elderly that attend musicals and plays
today around around many years from now, who will be viewing the shows?  Who
will be performing in the shows?

As technology increases, theatre seems to dissolve.  It seems as if people
have too much now days to entertain themselves that they see no need or
desire to see a live show.

I hope this is just me and somone else has a more positive opinion on the
future of live theatre.  I would like to hear your theory because I hate
mine.

Thanks,

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------

Ken Milota

Coldwell Banker Hunter Realty

KM Videos

440-781-1401

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<div class=3DSection1>

Let me preface this by saying that =
I've
been reading the list for close to a year now (first post) and am "new"
to the <st1:City w:st=3D"on"><st1:place =
w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:City>
area--I've been out here for about 9 months... I'm 21 years old
and a guy. <o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=

One of the things that persuaded =
me to
move to <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:City> from Southern =
California
(Temecula, to be specific - about an hour north of <st1:City =
w:st=3D"on">San
 Diego</st1:City>) besides a job offer that was not to be refused was =
how
vibrant and diverse the live entertainment scene is in <st1:City =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:place
 w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:City>. While I don't attend =
live theatre
as much as I should (or, really, would like to) I don't think it will =
be
going anywhere soon, I've spent time at the Cleveland Playhouse, and =
<st1:Street
w:st=3D"on"><st1:address w:st=3D"on">Playhouse =
Square</st1:address></st1:Street>
(GLTF, and the touring shows)<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=

I've also noticed that >60% of
the audiences at most of the performances I attend have appeared to =
fall into
the "senior citizen" category (dashing the hope that I may strike
up conversation with a theatrically-inclined woman of my age in the =
lobby
during intermission, but I digress). There's been many a show where, =
upon
walking into the theater my first thought has been along the lines of =
"Wow,
I just lowered the median age in here by thirty =
years".<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=

I think a certain part of the =
"problem"
may be "reliving the entertainment of their youth", but I also
think that a large part of it is that not many young people can afford =
to drop
$60+ per person for two hours of entertainment - especially when they =
can
see a movie for $10 -- disposable income is limited (either because =
they're
in college, they're paying for college, starting a family, etc.)... I
think the senior citizen is sort of the "default audience" for live
theater (appreciating the finer things, no kids to worry about, plenty =
of time,
retirement savings paying off, etc.). <o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=

Certain things lend themselves to =
certain
media... For example, Cleveland Playhouse's recent production of =
I Am My Own Wife was the most =
stunning
presentation I have ever seen (and the sad part is, had it not been for =
a
discount ticket, I probably wouldn't have seen it); The way it was =
staged
it worked very well live... The same story as a film, TV series, or =
website
would have been nowhere near as powerful or moving. On a similar token, =
I love
musicals (specifically Tommy*, Chess*, Rent, Jersey Boys**, etc) =
because of the
sheer energy that the cast shares with the audience-You can't
really get that from a film, IMHO. <o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=

I think (though, possibly =
selfishly) that
the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego is headed in the right direction =
with their
"Under 30" program - those under the age of 30 (regardless of
their student status) can purchase tickets, up to one week in advance =
and with
ID required at will call, for a steep discount. This certainly brings =
the
ticket into the realm of affordability for most students. THE PROBLEM? They don't advertise =
it;
in fact the information on their website about the program is virtually
impossible to find unless you know what you're looking for (<a
href=3D"http://www.lajollaplayhouse.com/rush/">http://www.lajollaplayhou=
se.com/rush/</a>).
<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=

Without having any factual basis =
for
saying this, I think if some of the local theaters implemented similar =
programs
and advertised them on the plethora of college/university campuses in =
the <st1:City
w:st=3D"on"><st1:place w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:City> =
area I think you
would start to see slightly younger audiences... and seed the pool of
potential older theater goers/donors. I can think of a few other =
things, but I've
rambled on long enough.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Just my =
$0.02<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=

<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font =
size=3D2
  color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
  color:navy'>Lincoln</span></font></st1:City></st1:place><font =
size=3D2
color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

(<st1:PersonName =
w:st=3D"on">Lincoln
 King-Cliby</st1:PersonName>, CTS - a consultant/AV systems programmer =
by
day... And seriously bummed out that none of the upcoming Noises Off
performances are on days when I can attend them) =
<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=

*-Personal Bias Disclaimer: Part =
of the
reason I have a particular affinity for these shows is because I've =
done partial
lighting design and full lighting board programming/operation/set
construction/tech for these. Fond memories. =
<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>** - The La Jolla Playhouse =
staging; haven't
seen it on Broadway, but would like to (would also like to visit NYC at =
some point)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=

<div>

<div class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><font =
size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>

<hr size=3D2 width=3D"100%" align=3Dcenter tabindex=3D-1>

</span></font></div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 face=3DTahoma><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font =
size=3D2
face=3DTahoma><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
neohiopal-admin at lists.fredsternfeld.com
[mailto:neohiopal-admin at lists.fredsternfeld.com] <b><span =
style=3D'font-weight:
bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Ken Milota<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Thursday, April =
06, 2006
2:54 PM<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b>
neohiopal at lists.fredsternfeld.com<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [NEOPAL]Fear of =
possible
dissolving of theatre in the <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on"><st1:place =
w:st=3D"on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region></span></font><o:p></o:=
p></p>

</div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>I am an active performing in community theatre in this area and =
I don't
know if this is just me or if somone else has been seeing signs of this =
also.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>I have noticed ever since I started performing 5 1/2 years ago, =
each
year there seems to be less people interested in theatre around =
here. 
With all the new forms of entertainment that exist today, it seems as =
theatre
has been pushed aside, and is made to be a game people play when they =
can't
think of anything else to do.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>Throughout the performances I have been in, I have noticed that =
well
over 65% of the audience are senior citizens, and I believe that they =
are
enjoying the kind of entertainment they had when they were young, and =
it is
rare you see teenager attending musicals unless they have a friend =
appearing in
one.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>I have also noticed the disappearing of men in shows.  The =
past 3
shows that I have been in we had to go out of our way and ask men to =
perform,
and even get some to do it when they didn't really even want to, and =
some who
couldn't sing and just mimed it.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>I am wondering how much further this pattern will go, and will =
musical
theatre still be around once the elderly that attend musicals and plays =
today
around around many years from now, who will be viewing the shows?  =
Who
will be performing in the shows?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>As technology increases, theatre seems to dissolve.  It =
seems as
if people have too much now days to entertain themselves that they see =
no need
or desire to see a live show.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>I hope this is just me and somone else has a more positive =
opinion on
the future of live theatre.  I would like to hear your theory =
because I
hate mine.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>----------------------------------------------------------------=
-------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p>=
</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>Ken Milota<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>Coldwell Banker Hunter Realty<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>KM Videos<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>440-781-1401<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<div class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><font =
size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>

<hr size=3D1 width=3D"100%" align=3Dcenter>

</span></font></div>

How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low <a
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