LA Stage Blog - Beta

Check out Brenda Kiley writing a manifesto of sorts in Seattle’s “The Stranger”, declaring the ten things American Theatre needs to do now to remain vital for the next generation of artists and theatre-goers.

Here are my capsule reactions to each and how I believe they pertain to Los Angeles:

1) Enough with the goddamned Shakespeare

Well, okay, but how many theatre companies actually DO Shakespeare? Only a handful here in Los Angeles. And when they are done - there’s usually an odd variation - a female playing Richard III, Adding a musical theme ala “Much a Doobie Brothers About Nothing” (I think that was the title?). But I get the point: let’s nurture the next Shakespeare, concentrate on the thing that exemplifies our age, rather than one from 400 years ago. Fair enough.

2) Tell us something we don’t know

Well, duh. But I do agree with Brendan’s assessment on unions and how they can stifle good actors doing new - but unprofitable work. Then again we do have the 99 seat contract. But wholeheartedly agree that most plays are over-developed. Just do ‘em!

3) Produce dirty, fast, and often

This again builds off of #2. Pretty much agree here as well. I was part of a theatre company that got a big 30 thousand dollar grant. This was going to be their BIG show. Everyone was wondering what it was going to be. It turned out to be a pretty much crap play - and they EASILY could have split that money three ways, done three different plays, including the crap play - and they would have balanced their crap with something different. What a waste! I did a recent two week workshop run of my play “Only Say the Word” a couple months back. Our budget: $1500. Granted we had our rent taken care of - which would have added maybe another $2000 - but people were amazed at the production qualities from top to bottom. Could have easily ran the show as is. Probably would have cost us a total of $10,000 for the whole run. Poverty breeds invention, folks. Use it to your advantage.

4) Get them young

Always been my philosophy. Oh, he’s talking about an AUDIENCE? Beg your pardon. Again, agree, the question is: How? How to appeal to an attention-deficit generation that wants there entertainment in the palm of their hand. In every way.

5) Offer child care

An innovative idea, but could be costly to a company. And how many actors/theater artists want to be taking care of kids rather than doing a show? Granted, as Brendan mentions, you can turn the child care into an education opportunity, but really only for kids of a certain age - infants? Not so much. But a worthy idea. Works into the “get them young” idea.

6) Fight for real estate

Come on down to LA, Brendan, and get a load of our real estate crisis. Or better yet, call the “Church” of Scientology and schedule a meeting with the landlord for pretty much all of Hollywood.

7) Build bars

Always works for me. There’s nothing I love more than free drinks that I can bring INTO the Theatre with me. Everyone on stage instantly becomes my friend. But again, might be costly.

Boors’ night out

Well, this has it merits SOMETIMES. Frankly, I’m not always interested in what the audience has to offer a show, except for their undivided attention and active imaginations. But there’s a niche for this type of thing. Burglers of Hamm are notorious for such.

9) Expect poverty

Well, duh again. And again, Brendan is right to call out the unions for the most part. But I’ve always said that theatre artists should ask for what they think they are worth. If it doesn’t work out - then they should accept that what they do is a labor of love and STOP WHINING.

10) Drop out of graduate school

Brendan, if you were here I would kiss you. In a manly way, of course. Nothing has ruined American Theatre more than over-education. Actually, nothing has ruined America - the country - more than over-education. Education, the basics, fine. But folks, at some point, put down the fucking books, get out of the fucking studios and conservatories, and do your thing! Actors act! Writers write! Directors direct! Just fucking work!

Check out the article. Worthy of a peruse.