Theatre Geeks

Theatre critics aren’t always nice, or fair. Is there anything we can do about reviews we don’t like? Episode 94 Lashing back at theatre critics makes for some interesting news stories, and there isn’t a community theatre actor or director who hasn’t wanted to give a theatre critic a piece of their mind. But is it really a good idea? Inspired by this Playbill.com article by Robert Simonson, the Geeks explore this issue as it relates to community theatre. Marcia, a theatre critic herself, has some special insights into what reviewers, editors and theatres deal with. When reviewing community theatre, . . . → Read More: When theatre critics attack, should a theatre fight back?

Miguel Nunez talks about his journey from community theatre to Chicago’s Theatre Scene Miguel Nunez The Geeks got to know Miguel as Michael Natoli a decade ago when he arrived at our home theatre (Elkhart Civic Theatre) with a thick Venezuelan accent but loads of enthusiasm. It turned out community theatre was just one step along the way to a professional acting career. Today, Miguel is a working actor in Chicago, performing in both traditional and Latino theatre productions around the Windy City. In this conversation, Miguel tells us about his progression from our beloved Bristol Opera House to . . . → Read More: Latino Theatre in Chicago

Some scripts read well, but don’t play well How do you save the show when the script that seemed great when you picked it, starts looking like a disaster once rehearsals are underway? Community theatre play selection is usually a careful process. Selection committees read dozens of scripts, consider their potential casting, and create a season the theatre’s patrons will like. But once in a while, there’s a play script that makes for a great read but somehow falls flat when the actors get hold of it. And the problem is, the director may not realize it until it’s too . . . → Read More: Saving the play when the script is a dud

Community support isn’t always about the dollars — ideas from an expert Community theatres are nothing without community support, but getting it can be difficult. Keith Martin, John M. Blackburn Distinguished Professor of Theatre at Appalachia State University has been helping performing arts organizations get community support of all kinds for more than 35 years. He joins the Geeks to talk about cultivating corporations and individuals for stronger monetary and in-kind support for community theatre, regardless of community size. Great ideas and examples of where, with a little imagination, he’s been able to get high-value support from donors who weren’t . . . → Read More: Building Community Support for Community Theatre

Twelve top rated play excerpts competed June 17-22 in Carmel, Indiana Carl Wiesinger and Brent Graber in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde AACTFest 2013 showed the world that community theatre may be, technically speaking, amateur theatre, but it’s often far above “amateur quality.” Twelve community theatres competed at Carmel, Indiana for the American Association of Community Theatre’s AACTFest, including the Geeks’ home theatre, Elkhart Civic Theatre, with a production of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. AACTFest is the culmination of a state-to-regional-to national competition season that brings some of the best amateur talent together for a week of excerpt . . . → Read More: AACTFest 2013 Showcased Excellence in Community Theatre

Emerging playwrights and unique plays gain exposure and a shot at publication Casey McLain (left) and Amy Marsh of Samuel French, Inc. The Geeks are joined by Amy Marsh and Casey McLain of Samuel French, Inc., in New York, to talk about the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival, a competitive play writing festival now in its 38th year. Samuel French, Inc, is the largest of the theatrical publishing and licensing companies, and has been around since the early 1800s. The company has offices in London and Los Angeles as well as in New York. The festival . . . → Read More: Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival

The more you know what to expect in the unusual world of competitive theatre, the better off you'll be. Here are some of our insights. . . . → Read More: Planning for festival competition? Here are some insights from the Geeks

Deirdre Lovejoy’s (and Tom Hanks’) opening night and more from Marcia Marcia and daughter Deirdre Lovejoy in New York in April Recorded before this week’s Tony Awards, this episode features Marcia telling us all about the opening of Tony-nominated “Lucky Guy” with Tom Hanks and daughter Deirdre Lovejoy, plus the revival of “Pippin” and more fun in the Big Apple. Marcia tells it so well. Congratulations to Deirdre on such a successful run of this play. She’s chronicled a lot of the experience on her LuckyGirlBlog.   Music provided by Music Alley. . . . → Read More: Marcia in New York for “Lucky Guy” Opening — her full report

Entertainment attorney Gordon Firemark shares insights about music licensing and more. Community theatres often use recorded music as part of pre-show or intermission, and sometimes within productions. All uses of recorded, copyrighted music require some kind of licensing -- a fact that somehow gets "forgotten" by many producers. The way in which a particular piece of music is used makes a difference as to what the licensing (and licensing costs) will be. And it can get complicated. . . . → Read More: Demystifying music licensing for theatre

Festival founder Jessica Hardy tells us all about this unique comedy event Chicago Comedy Film Festival Logo Now in its third year, the Chicago Comedy Film Festival encourages and rewards independent comedy film-makers and gives them a venue in Chicago. A few years ago, filmmaker, actress, Second City alum and improv teacher Jessica Hardy and her husband Brent Kado were making comedy “mockumentaries” and discovered that there was no Chicago-based venue for them and other comedy filmmakers to show off their work. So they decided to launch their own festival. Response has been huge, and some great comedies have . . . → Read More: Chicago Comedy Film Festival

Turns out Indiana Repertory Theatre faces many of the same issues community theatres do, including audience building and retention, dealing with changing demands, new vs old works, play selection and more. Janet Allen of IRT joins us for a fascinating episode of Theatre Geeks . . . → Read More: Indiana Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director, Janet Allen

Our old friend Jessica Hardy joins us to talk about the value of improv as a discipline for community theatres. Jessica trained at The Second City, and now teaches improv classes in Chicago and Indiana, and is also the co-founder of the Chicago Comedy Film Festival. Jessica can be contacted about improv training at jessica@chicagocomedyfilmfestival.com.

Are community theatre actors made or born? Can anyone be an actor or does it take something special, an innate talent that only certain people have? How much can training overcome an aspirant's basic nature. Heady questions to be sure, but ones the Geeks are definitely up to answering. . . . → Read More: Are actors made or born?

Special performances can benefit your community theatre in ways other than income The Geeks discuss their experience with special performances for corporate and other supporting groups, how they can build audience and provide a different experience for your actors. There are certainly some pitfalls but in general, we think special performances are a good idea. (Notwithstanding Dave’s not-so-nice experience playing the villain in a melodrama during a special performance for a corporate group.) SPECIAL PERFORMANCES: Elkhart Civic Theatre (the Geeks home theatre) at a special performance of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Other angles include: How to . . . → Read More: Build audience with special performances

Your “front of house” staff is your public face — use it well. Marcia, John and Dave revisit the front-of-house.  You know, the part where your audience first comes into contact with  your theatre?  It’s just as important as what goes on onstage, and can have a tremendous effect on your patrons’ experience. PS: It’s our 80th episode !  YAY!!! Music provided by Music Alley.