Talking About Talkbacks
Posted by Jürgen Hooper on 3/12/2007
Talkbacks are such an odd thing, eh? I remember my own time in high school, and being asked to share my opinion on anything in front of a sea of my peers was such a harrowing experience. And I’ve always been proud of my opinions. I don’t know why we always felt that keeping silent, shoe-gazing and playing at disinterest was cool – hiding who we truly are or what we truly feel because we fear so much turning the herd against us. I’m just as guilty of it as anyone else, so please don’t read this as an attack. It starts in high school, though it isn’t confined to this period in our lives. I’ve taken part in talkbacks filled with people from college through retirement, both as an artist and audience member, and heard the same uncomfortable silence when asked “Well, what did you think?” Is it just that we fear being “wrong?” Though what is “wrong” in a theatrical process and experience where so much is subjective? They’re our opinions and feelings on what we just saw and took part in, so how can they be wrong?
I remember in my own high school days being lectured extensively before traveling outside of school to see a play. Lots of don’ts and you-better-not’s, so by the time you enter the theatre you’re about as uncomfortable as can be and even if the play is hysterical all the laughter may have been lectured right out of you. It’s not that you shouldn’t have respect for the amount of work that goes into putting up a play, but it’s interactive and imaginative! You shouldn’t be too scared to respond, and if you’re already feeling separated from the show, the talkback’s going to be a nightmare. What I love about Laura’s adaptation is how much it considers its audience and refuses to talk down to them, which I’ve found to be much of the problem with theatre specifically aimed at young adults (I know it was my experience with many of the shows my school took me to see). All my naysaying aside, there has yet to be one performance of this show where I haven’t felt the support and enjoyment of the audiences, especially the weekday school performances. From what I’m receiving on stage, regardless of the random awkwardness of the talkbacks, the audiences are very taken with Huck Finn.
One final word on talkbacks: we, as actors come to expect questions like “How do you learn all those lines?” “How old are the actors?” and “How long did it take you to put this up?” and some (none in our show) scoff at these questions (”That’s all you can think to ask after this play?”) and I find that sad. Here an audience is sharing their amazement with you at how someone so young can show us so much, someone so old can have so much energy, how quickly you can rehearse and create something that’s as jaw-dropping as this or that performance was. We as actors should never lose our gratitude to those willing to show their awe, whether or not they ever choose to step into whatever socio-political problem or question the play may have been raising. It is amazing what we do, and whether or not the talkbacks ever produce a theatre full of raised hands waiting to participate doesn’t mean I felt their joy and appreciation any less during the show itself. I heard their laughter, I felt their tension and maybe that’s all I get today, and that was ever so much more than I came in with.
This process has been a blast and I’m grateful for the experiences and will be sorry to see this production behind me.
March 16th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Working front of house on Friday mornings, I have had the chance to watch some of the Huck Finn talkbacks and I would like to say that I applaud the SYA team and the actors for their post-show discussions. Giving the students a chance to verbally respond to the play is an important part of the process—for them to get the opportunity to talk to the cast and have a forum to contextualize the piece.
You never know how hard it is to facilitate a discussion until you are the one on stage moderating, and trying to moderate a discussion with 300 to 500 high school students is a daunting task. All talkbacks are going to be a little awkward—but I am happy to see that SYA balances the discussion well. They allow the students to ask production questions like “how long does it take to memorize a play” but at the same time, they challenge the students to look beyond. SYA opens the door to letting the students see why performing brings to life stories in a new and exciting way and why seeing these plays is an important part of their education.
March 19th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
As the Steppenwolf for Young Adults Apprentice I have had the opportunity to facilitate several Huck Finn student post-show discussions. I have also been present at almost all post-show discussions.
Institutionally, Steppenwolf has made a commitment to creating a deeper relationship with its audience. After every performance at Steppenwolf, we engage with our audience in a post-show discussion. “With” is the operative word. Talking at an audience is different than participating with a group of people. These conversations should provide the time and space for applause, response, critique, examination, and the opportunity to connect the art we communally experienced to the larger framework of our lives.
I believe it is important not to differentiate our audiences. Artists and educators do have a responsibility for creating artistic experiences that serve as learning processes. We also have a responsibility to engage with young adults. Yes, it is important to create work that is entertaining. But it is also important to create work that is challenging. Yes, it is meaningful to provide the chance for students to express their curiosity about how art is made. I do not think anyone at Steppenwolf (in the cast, or not in the cast) “scoffs” at this curiosity. However, it is also meaningful to explore with students the social, cultural, and political issues a piece of art raises.
In support of our commitment to dialogue, Steppenwolf also provides forums for people to converse outside of the theatre. We encourage discovery, debate, and discussion between those who work at our institution and those who participate with our institution. I believe then, the Steppenwolf blog should serve as a forum for this interaction. Discovery, debate, and discussion should not only allow for positive response, but also promote examination and critique. I encourage all to participate in this astounding opportunity for dialogue that Steppenwolf has provided us with; to discover, debate, and discuss, whatever the result may be.