Theatre Geeks

The Geeks’ theatre Christmas gift recommendations — there’s more out there than you realize! What do you get a theatre geek for Christmas? We’re glad you asked! In this episode, the Geeks discuss the myriad possibilities for theatre Christmas Gifts, starting with a couple of books, some apps, some musical cast albums and even some ideas from the world of antiques. Listen in then check out some of the links to theatre Christmas gifts here in the show notes. Any of these will make your favorite theatre geek smile. In addition to the selections below, don’t forget the Geek . . . → Read More: Theatre Christmas Gifts for Theatre Geeks

Second City Conservatory student Carlie Barr talks about her work and study at the Chicago improv landmark Carlie Barr Second City is well-known as the launching pad for such talents as John Belushi, Joan Rivers, George Wendt, Tina Fey and many others. But did you know there’s actually a school for improv there, where aspiring actors can learn the craft and hopefully, make it to the theatre’s Main Stage? In this, the third of our 2013 live episodes at the Bristol Opera House, Second City Conservatory Student Carlie Barr gives us an inside look at the famous Chicago improv . . . → Read More: Second City Conservatory: A student’s view

Comic Dave Kempher shares his humor and his observations on stand-up comedy, improv and theatre Dave Kempher Dave Kempher is a long-time member of the Geeks’ home theatre group, but has also been honing his chops in stand-up comedy and improv for the the last decade. Currently, Dave appears at open mike and other improv and standup events around the midwest region, and has appeared in New York and other cities as well. Stand-up is a relatively new passion for him, however, In 2010, Dave was recruited by a local stand up comedy group named The political Stag Party . . . → Read More: Stand-up comedy and community theatre

The legacy of puppetry innovator Martin Stevens lives on in Northern Indiana (and around the world) Bob Walls, Dave, and Martin Stevens’ Cowardly Lion, built in 1966 and still performing. To the Geeks and many others in Northern Indiana who knew him, Martin Stevens was something of a one-man phenomenon. He was a brilliant artist, performer, storyteller and teacher, but it is his puppets for which he is best known. His company of wooden actors, known collectively as Stevens Puppets, began in 1933 and has now outlived him by over 30 years continuing to amaze audiences all over . . . → Read More: Stevens Puppets — “Theatre in the Little”

What’s your theatre meter? We Geeks got to talking about plays we’ve seen and NOT enjoyed, and realized that sometimes we don’t actually know we’re viewing a turkey until we start receiving certain signals. Basically, these are physical symptoms that, once we become attuned to them, reliably reflect the quality of plays we attend. Find out more as we discuss our play-rating secrets! You’ll know how bad the play is before the reviews come out! Vote for us in the Podcast Awards With your help, we made it onto the Podcast Awards ballot for the third year in a row! . . . → Read More: Scientific Theatre Analysis (Sort Of)

Social media tips from our first international guest ! Facebook, Twitter, Google + and the whole panoply of social media can be important tools for community theatre promotion, but using them effectively can be confusing. Our new best friend, Bettina Horvath of Capetown, South Africa, dropped in via Skype to share some thoughts for making these powerful social media work for community theatre. Bettina is a social media consultant for small to medium sized businesses and is also an honest-to-God theatre geek herself, so she knows what she’s talking about ln both counts. Bettina Horvath, Social Media Consultant One . . . → Read More: Using Social Media to Promote Theatre

A stroll down theatre memory lane with the Geeks Class play circa 1956 What is your earliest theatre experience? Dave teaches an intro to theatre class at Indiana University South Bend, and one of the class assignments is to write a short essay about a first theatre experience, either as a performer or audience member. Such experiencesare very meaningful and make a difference in how one views the theatre later. Each of us has a unique experience that means something to us. Some will remember being in a kindergarten play. For others, it’s a church pageant or a boy . . . → Read More: Early theatre experiences

When do microphones on stage hurt more than they help a performance? Microphones on stage can be a boon or a bane, depending on the production, the house, the point of view of the director and the skill of the performer(s) involved. They can be a technical nightmare as well, and quite often they affect the level of performance. The Geeks get into all of this in this great episode. . . . → Read More: Microphones on stage:To Mike or Not to Mike

Make your stage photography tell the story and promote your show The Geeks discuss what’s needed in good, promotional stage photography. Whether it’s to record the show’s progress, preserve a record of the set, costumes etc., or for publicity purposes, your photos need to work for you and tell a good story. Midway through the show, “surprise” guest Deirdre Lovejoy pops in to talk about digital outlets, and in particular, the importance of social media in the distribution of stage photography to build pre-show interest and excitement. By the way, you can follow Theatre Geeks on Instagram (@theatregeeks) and Twitter . . . → Read More: Get the picture! The importance of good stage photography.

It’s our 100th episode and Lucky Us! Deirdre Lovejoy joins the Geeks! Deirdre Lovejoy joins Theatre Geeks’ 100th episode to talk about her Lucky Guy experience, her new one-woman show, Broadway and more.  Dede (as we know her) was in the cast of Lucky Guy with: Tom Hanks, Courtney B. Vance, Peter Scolari, Maura Tierney et al.  Deirdre, who was once a player at the Geeks’ home theatre, certainly considers Lucky Guy  a career high point, one which she chronicled in her Lucky Girl blog.  Over the course of the run, she posted lots of pictures, many of which, including the one at right, . . . → Read More: 100 Deirdre Lovejoy talks about Lucky Guy, Tom Hanks, her new one-woman play and more!

Taking a chance on new talent when casting a play Most directors have faced this casting problem: the known quantity, an actor you know gives a good audition. You’ve worked with him before and you trust him. But a new face, someoone you don’t know, gives a better audition. Who (and how) do you choose. The Geeks talk about this common issue and explain how new actors can overcome being less-known during the audition. Music provided by Music Alley.

The Geeks air some pet peeves about audience etiquette Every once in a while we just have to have another audience smackdown. Whether we’re creating or attending theatre, we are very aware of those audience members who are rude, crude, illegal, out-of-order, loud, boorish and just plain annoying. In this episode we talk about some of our most recent audience etiquette observations. Some other audience etiquette references Audience etiquette is not a new subject. Even Emily Post has a column about it, And while adults ought to know how to act, many need a refresher. In this age of TV-you-can-talk-over . . . → Read More: Audience etiquette: another smackdown

Good theatre productions require an eye (or several) watching the “little stuff”. You’re attending a theatre production of Annie Get Your Gun (stay with us here), and you’re enjoying the production numbers but suddenly realize that one of the women is wearing shoes from today. Or that a character’s dress really doesn’t fit very well. or that the set has an unpainted detail that, once you notice it, pulls focus and takes us out of the moment. Or an onstage gun looks too much like plastic. making us start thinking about Super-Soakers and Mattel Toys. These are the kinds of . . . → Read More: In theatre production, it’s the little things that matter

At an audition, we’re often asked what role(s) we’re interested in, and sometimes, if we’re willing to take another role if offered. What to do? Many actors say they’ll only accept a particular role, but when there are many parts to fill, a director may offer a different part anyway. At times, a director will feel that an actor is better for a role he didn’t request at the beginning of the audition. Geeks advice: be flexible, consider other roles. BUT, if you really don’t want a role, be honest about it. And if you DO take an alternate role, . . . → Read More: All or nothing at all? Honesty at the audition

When it comes to wigs and beards, one-size doesn’t fit all Wigs and beards (and other hairy add-ons) require a lot of care in their selection, use, styling, and maintenance, and this week, the Geeks explore their use on stage. Most community theatres have had the experience of an actor or actress who needs a wig for a particular role, but plainly doesn’t look good in it. There are several possible reasons for this: Fit (we’ve all seen the poor actor with a wig that looks more like a wild animal crawling on his/her head than a well trained hairpiece). . . . → Read More: Wigs and beards: the pleasures (and horrors) of hair on stage