tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post4323480631661715855..comments2023-12-20T17:20:22.032-05:00Comments on 99 Seats: Awkward Age99http://www.blogger.com/profile/11955916620902994495noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-32621502739895139422009-05-29T11:18:01.356-04:002009-05-29T11:18:01.356-04:00Institutions are not inherently bad or destructive...Institutions are not inherently bad or destructive to the making of theater AT ALL. A well-run organization frees the company to make more and better creative choices! <br />Two examples: Soho Rep in NYC is a small company with an outstanding managing director and wonderful development support, so rather than "helping do everything" their terrific AD has time to direct, read plays, and plan their fabulous daring seasons. <br />There's a wonderfully creative young company in Chicago that I won't name where "everyone does everything." They have missed deadlines on seeking funding; I attended an oversold performance where sweaty, panicked staffers were trying to find places to fit audience and the show started nearly a half hour late, and while they are newly situated in great part of the city, a staff person frankly admitted they don't have "the time" to do marketing work to reach out to their new, young neighbors. The artistic work is promising and fresh, but without strong administrative support, they are going to go under.<br />There is no shame whatsoever is moving beyond the amateur attitude of "we all do everything (even if it means something doesn't get done because it isn't fun so no one wants to do it)", unless the company is more invested in hanging out together in an echo chamber than they are in reaching an audience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-7005277926681433492009-05-20T12:15:33.613-04:002009-05-20T12:15:33.613-04:00Well I obviously agree...
1. Institutions trap yo...Well I obviously agree...<br /><br />1. Institutions trap you with people, and work is work, no matter how much you enjoy going to the office. I work with one producing partner. That's my company. we work together because we choose to work together - EVERY TIME. When we work with others it's because we choose to work with them. The institution means that for many people they have no say in who they work with, which begins the road to "just another job" which isn't exactly how to maintain the passion.<br /><br />2. Institutions feel like safety. <br /><br />3. We copy the things that work. The corporate model (seemed to) work, so we aped it, and came up with the bizarre bifurcated management team and a board made of folks from outside the field. <br /><br />4. I wouldn't turn down an intern ;)<br /><br />5. If we treat companies like record labels - as entities that create a certain type of theatre, with the actual personnel drifting in and out, you will have continuity with lower burnout rates. If you want to do a collaged remix of Lear? Come work with us. We have some ideas on that, and the chops to make it look good. If you want to put up Brighton Beach Memoirs you find a company that leans that way.<br /><br />But all of that means finding a personal style for yourself, and then having the gumption to go talk to people who can make it happen. And it may mean risking your own money in the pursuit....Travis Bedardhttp://blog.cambiareproductions.comnoreply@blogger.com