Community vs the Troll

I was going to post a big essay like thing about Trolls but the topic has been done so much across the net that I would only be repeating much of what has been said and done before. Instead of going into lengthy detail, here are some links.

However, believe it or not, I am here today to say thanks to Trolls, as well as to say an honest thanks all those wonderful people out there who continue to offer their support to Community Theatre in general.

As most if not all of the ITA Regulars, and not so regulars, may be aware, I and a number of other high volume contributors to the site have been regular targets for a number of Trolls, both registered and anon. I do not plan to speak for anyone else as to their personal experiences yet will relay what I have learnt.

The intention of Trolls have been to disrupt and destruct. I and the shows that I have been involved in have frequently attracted the attention of the ranks dissenters, their goal to somehow upset my apparent 'fragile' ego (which as anyone who knows me will tell you is firmly in place and would probably take a thermo-nuclear device to dislodge.) :LOL:

The results have been anything but! I have been cast snipes for my directorial work in "Quake" and "Quality Street", and my performances in "Geometry of Love", "The Venetian Twins" and "Romeo and Juliet" have had swings taken at them, as recent examples. I have had posts posing as legitimate anon users, which is actually repeating Trolls, yet the tell-tale-signs are always there. The arguments are without basis or blatantly false. They are personal and usually of no constructive value what-so-ever. Tripe.

Yet in all these instances, there has been one constant that has never failed; the sense of community spirit that erupts from the obvious and not so obvious sectors of the industry. My latest production of "Romeo and Juliet" is a prime example. We had additional audience members turning up based on the posts of a certain registered member (who decided to post anonymously for a change) just to see what the fuss was about. I was offered so many words of support and encouragement as a result of the attacks that I felt immensely proud to be a part of such a wonderful community. The show itself became a focus point for so many people who may have otherwise not paid it any attention.

Best of all, it made audience members seriously consider their own personal opinions of the show they saw, rather than walking away saying "Well that was fun", and it is was always cast in a far better light than that of the Troll. This is true for all the shows I have been a part of. Even though it was not the intent of the Troller, they actually assisted in promoting the show (and inadvertantly myself) to a more positive view. For this, I thank Trolls.

This is why, at the end of the day, it is best to either ignore a Troll or to treat them kindly and with sympathy. After all, as my personal experience has shown me, they are only digging a hole for themselves.

This message was brought to you by a "Hammy and Aging 'Actor'."

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