Bad Theatre...

...I'm sick of it. The DC Metro Area has one of the largest theatre populations, community & professional, in the entire country. I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly...with far too many falling into those last two categories. Many a time I want to scratch my ears and eyes out during even the first act, or run away during intermission, but like a soldier in a war, I stay. I stay and sometimes watch the bloody massacre of something sacred to me.

As an actress who primarily works in community theatre, I'm appalled not just at the bad play selections, but at the dispassionate nature of those involved.

Community theatre. By very definition it's meant to be a volunteer effort, a local community coming together to entertain the masses.

I can forgive low budget. I can forgive crappy theater space and shoddy seats and lack of special effects and costumes that aren't fancy. I can understand why many groups do the same productions again and again...generally because they are for large casts to give everyone a chance and more importantly, they are guaranteed crowd pleasers.

What I can't forgive is the lack of effort by the directors, the stage managers, and many times, the actors themselves. Directors who don't direct, or fail to notice the little things that can make or break a production...like the femme fatale who constantly slouches, or the frosted lipstick on the 1940s heroine when it should be red red red...or the fact that the leading man has his backside to the audience more than half the time. The actors who don't work on their accents, or think about postures and vocalizations appropriate for the period or their particular characters, or who fail to establish communication (listening & responding) to their fellow actors. Or the stage managers who don't realize what their actual jobs are in rehearsals (prompting lines, getting lists of props and quick changes, writing down the blocking so the director can direct) and during the show (calling the show, being on headset, triaging problems, making sure all actors are in their places so they make their correct entrances, etc.)...these are things that need full attention and commitment.

I saw a show a while back that was truly terrible. People were falling asleep, the acting was overdone and comical (it was a drama)...and during the curtain call, I heard two women behind me, discussing the show..."That was just excellent." "What acting. I wish I could come again next weekend." Trust me...they weren't being facetious. What's more, this theatre had an almost sold out house. Hoards of people, spending their precious dollars during a recession to see something bad.

I think people have gotten so used to subpar productions that even a crappy hamburger looks like filet mignon after a while.

It kills me to see a production that I think is just phenomenal, and notice that the cast outnumbers the audience. Or to see those same terrific productions repeatedly passed over for recognition at the various award ceremonies just because they aren't on the radar for "great theatre" in this area. I have seen some of the "great theatre" in this area...and 80% of the time, it's all hype without substance. Confidence sells more than anyone realizes...theatres that are touted as being excellent convince others that they are excellent...even when the truth is that their productions are no better than anyone else's, and sometimes not as good.

I've been part of shows that I knew weren't the best, and shows that I was convinced were the best things ever. Because I'm objective and terribly critical of myself and of theatre in general, I think my assessments are generally right on the money.

I'm tired of seeing standing ovations for inferiority. And reviews that are effusive and over the top for inferior things. Maybe I'm jaded. But I also know that I approach every production professionally...I learn my lines immediately, I come to rehearsals on time, and there are no shows where I "phone it in." I try to help out with backstage stuff, publicity, set building, anything I am capable of doing...and try to bring a positive attitude to everything I do. It's community theatre. Everyone is equal, everyone is important. We don't get paid for it...so we may as well give every show our all...if not for the audience, then at the very least for ourselves.

I think that if more people had the respect for their own productions, and not in the "we're the best, our shit doesn't stink" way...but I mean acting as professionals...then the audience would pick up on that. Word of mouth would get out, not only would audience numbers be up but people might start dressing for the theatre again, and everyone's experience would be that much better.

This is just my rant. Feel free to agree or disagree...:)