Uni Girl - Contemporary Performance

((Yes, sorry Jeff but I stole your idea of giving myself a name :P)) I am a second year university student at Edith Cowan University studying a BA in Contemporary Performance. Now, I work in classes in the WAAPA building. So in the class next door to us there could be a second year acting class. Which has got me thinking, mainstream vs. contemporary. Before everyone starts to bombard me with the fact that there are many contemporary written pieces being performed in the mainstream audience (ie. new shows being performed, new television shows etc.), I am refering to the notion of realism vs. other. It is my understanding that modern Australian culture isn't like that of (I suppose what you would call) Eastern cultures, in which traditional theatre refers to theatre forms which are clearly people one a stage presenting a piece stylised. And yet, there is something exotic and beautiful about these forms. But what we have is very American-ised mainstream theatre and otherwise, television. So, why do why follow this mainstream if we are closer to Asia and have a high multiculturalism rate? It's proven that those who create a hybrid theatre form, like Julie Taymore's version of 'The Lion King', is successful... why do we keep on coming back to realism? Isn't anyone willing to take a risk? So, what are your thoughts on mainstream vs. contemporary theatre?