Comments on: What Makes a Theater-Goer? http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2006/02/13/what-makes-a-theater-goer/ Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:52:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0 by: Renee Mumford http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2006/02/13/what-makes-a-theater-goer/#comment-37 Wed, 29 Mar 2006 00:42:25 +0000 http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2006/02/13/what-makes-a-theater-goer/#comment-37 Hello Steppenwolf Blog World! Attended 'Pajama Men' in the Garage Theater. Can I be completely honest? I was disappointed. Yes, I was! First off, the boyz played favortism to center section. Second, we were sitting stage left. Third, we couldn't hear very well. Fourth, I believe it would have been a more affective show if the boyz were puppeteers and did their schtick using little guys dressed and looking just like them. Then maybe fling them around a bit during their routine. All in all, I was pretty under-entertained. I do appreciate that the Garage is there and that new and cutting edge stuff is being given a spotlight. It is a very cool space and reminds me a little of the Curbside Playhouse in Joliet, an old bar that was converted to a little theater. Ah well, hope I'm accepted to the summer program this er, summer. I hope my age doesn't play against me or possibly me lack of talent! See you all on April 8th. Am going to be there and am happy to patronize one of the finest Theatrical Companies in the world!! Thanks a lot. Hello Steppenwolf Blog World! Attended ‘Pajama Men’ in the Garage Theater. Can I be completely honest? I was disappointed. Yes, I was! First off, the boyz played favortism to center section. Second, we were sitting stage left. Third, we couldn’t hear very well. Fourth, I believe it would have been a more affective show if the boyz were puppeteers and did their schtick using little guys dressed and looking just like them. Then maybe fling them around a bit during their routine. All in all, I was pretty under-entertained. I do appreciate that the Garage is there and that new and cutting edge stuff is being given a spotlight. It is a very cool space and reminds me a little of the Curbside Playhouse in Joliet, an old bar that was converted to a little theater. Ah well, hope I’m accepted to the summer program this er, summer. I hope my age doesn’t play against me or possibly me lack of talent! See you all on April 8th. Am going to be there and am happy to patronize one of the finest Theatrical Companies in the world!! Thanks a lot.

]]> by: Jason Pettus http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2006/02/13/what-makes-a-theater-goer/#comment-25 Mon, 20 Feb 2006 05:45:11 +0000 http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2006/02/13/what-makes-a-theater-goer/#comment-25 I have maybe a different experience than many of your regular readers; I didn't become an ongoing theatre lover until I moved here to Chicago in my mid-twenties. Coming here myself as a writer, I've discovered Chicago to be a fantastic place for cross-medium friendships among the artistic community, maybe the best city in the nation for intriguing blends of practices, being a patron and a fan at the same time, etc. Making early friendships with people in the Defiant Theatre, the Neo-Futurists, Collaboraction and more (usually through the temp jobs we were all working together); getting exposed to the entire creative process behind the live theatre; learning more about the play before seeing the finished production; watching even the financial struggles these companies go through; it was the personal connection I felt to these "storefront" companies that cemented my now continual love of the theatre. Perhaps Steppenwolf has grown too large to really be considered a storefront operation anymore; but I love that you've opened this blog, and are attempting to recapture that storefront attitude (direct conversations between staff and customers, that is). I'd love to see you post more of what you're already doing, plus more information concerning upcoming productions ("further reading," if you will), and of course any stories you could share about arts administration of such a well-known organization. And how about a contest for online writers, with the winner getting a feature slot in next year's "Traffic" series? This blog could be more than just your company getting the word out; it could also serve as a way to gather in a whole new generation of young, exciting creative talent. I have maybe a different experience than many of your regular readers; I didn’t become an ongoing theatre lover until I moved here to Chicago in my mid-twenties. Coming here myself as a writer, I’ve discovered Chicago to be a fantastic place for cross-medium friendships among the artistic community, maybe the best city in the nation for intriguing blends of practices, being a patron and a fan at the same time, etc. Making early friendships with people in the Defiant Theatre, the Neo-Futurists, Collaboraction and more (usually through the temp jobs we were all working together); getting exposed to the entire creative process behind the live theatre; learning more about the play before seeing the finished production; watching even the financial struggles these companies go through; it was the personal connection I felt to these “storefront” companies that cemented my now continual love of the theatre.

Perhaps Steppenwolf has grown too large to really be considered a storefront operation anymore; but I love that you’ve opened this blog, and are attempting to recapture that storefront attitude (direct conversations between staff and customers, that is). I’d love to see you post more of what you’re already doing, plus more information concerning upcoming productions (”further reading,” if you will), and of course any stories you could share about arts administration of such a well-known organization. And how about a contest for online writers, with the winner getting a feature slot in next year’s “Traffic” series? This blog could be more than just your company getting the word out; it could also serve as a way to gather in a whole new generation of young, exciting creative talent.

]]> by: Justin Palmer http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2006/02/13/what-makes-a-theater-goer/#comment-21 Wed, 15 Feb 2006 20:43:15 +0000 http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2006/02/13/what-makes-a-theater-goer/#comment-21 Martha -- I think having post-show discussions 8 times a week is an excellent idea! As both a theatre-goer and a theatre-maker, I feel like post-show discussions are an incredible way of connecting to the audience. It is quite a literal manifestation of the phenomenon of theatre (i.e. <em>people</em> in a <em>room</em> that are <em>communicating</em> with one another), which makes it a wonderful experience for all. Especially after challenging plays. Kudos to Steppenwolf for making that commitment! Martha — I think having post-show discussions 8 times a week is an excellent idea! As both a theatre-goer and a theatre-maker, I feel like post-show discussions are an incredible way of connecting to the audience. It is quite a literal manifestation of the phenomenon of theatre (i.e. people in a room that are communicating with one another), which makes it a wonderful experience for all. Especially after challenging plays. Kudos to Steppenwolf for making that commitment!

]]> by: Jolanda van Huizen http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2006/02/13/what-makes-a-theater-goer/#comment-19 Wed, 15 Feb 2006 18:32:50 +0000 http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2006/02/13/what-makes-a-theater-goer/#comment-19 Theatre-world is really different over here (NL). Theatres over here do not only show plays but also stand-up comedy, bands, musicals and magicians. Point of view is entertainment in general. Theatre groups here depend on government money. Sadly. Cause the government is cutting down on arts. So less money for the groups. There’s no way an actor can survive over here by just doing plays. There are a few groups over here in the main cities that can survive with government money and private sponsors. But since most groups don’t have any money there are hardly any ways to promote them. So not many people go see a play which is a sign for the government to cut down on money again so they’re running around in circles (comedians performing in theatres are really, really popular here though, just like bands performing in theatres). How did I start to go see a play? I saw my first play when I was 16 or so, through discount tickets from school. All I remember is that I didn’t like that particular play since it was in Dutch (my native language). Since you start learning English at a young age here, I realized that, just like with music, I liked plays in English best. A couple of years after the first play I went to see LAMDA (The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) in our local theatre and I LOVED it. So I went to see them every year from then. Unfortunately they stopped coming to Holland. What makes theatre interesting for me is to see the ability of actors to change from their ‘normal’ life into a life of somebody else. I so admire the actors who can play such different roles all through their acting career. What I specifically like about Step is the atmosphere. I remember walking in the main stage area when I saw The Time Of Your Life. The actors started before the audience came in so you actually walked in to the play. That was so awesome. To enter the main stage area that is so compact, so close to the stage that you felt one with the actors. I hope I get to see many more plays at Step. Jo Ps please skip the Ms :) Theatre-world is really different over here (NL).
Theatres over here do not only show plays but also stand-up comedy, bands, musicals and magicians. Point of view is entertainment in general.
Theatre groups here depend on government money. Sadly. Cause the government is cutting down on arts. So less money for the groups. There’s no way an actor can survive over here by just doing plays.
There are a few groups over here in the main cities that can survive with government money and private sponsors. But since most groups don’t have any money there are hardly any ways to promote them. So not many people go see a play which is a sign for the government to cut down on money again so they’re running around in circles (comedians performing in theatres are really, really popular here though, just like bands performing in theatres).

How did I start to go see a play? I saw my first play when I was 16 or so, through discount tickets from school. All I remember is that I didn’t like that particular play since it was in Dutch (my native language). Since you start learning English at a young age here, I realized that, just like with music, I liked plays in English best. A couple of years after the first play I went to see LAMDA (The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) in our local theatre and I LOVED it. So I went to see them every year from then. Unfortunately they stopped coming to Holland.

What makes theatre interesting for me is to see the ability of actors to change from their ‘normal’ life into a life of somebody else. I so admire the actors who can play such different roles all through their acting career.
What I specifically like about Step is the atmosphere. I remember walking in the main stage area when I saw The Time Of Your Life. The actors started before the audience came in so you actually walked in to the play. That was so awesome. To enter the main stage area that is so compact, so close to the stage that you felt one with the actors.
I hope I get to see many more plays at Step.

Jo

Ps please skip the Ms :)

]]> by: Martha Lavey http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2006/02/13/what-makes-a-theater-goer/#comment-18 Tue, 14 Feb 2006 19:32:31 +0000 http://blog.steppenwolf.org/2006/02/13/what-makes-a-theater-goer/#comment-18 Ms. Van Huizen, We would be honored to have your comments about theater. In fact, hearing about how other countries fund and support the arts is really helpful to our understanding as Americans. Best wishes, Martha Ms. Van Huizen,

We would be honored to have your comments about theater. In fact, hearing about how other countries fund and support the arts is really helpful to our understanding as Americans.

Best wishes,

Martha

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