What happened to Committment?
Wed, 25 Feb 2004, 10:37 amHarbour12 posts in thread
What happened to Committment?
Wed, 25 Feb 2004, 10:37 amThere used to be a saying "The show must go on".
People were committed to a particular club (or two) and that no matter how bad the play was, or how unbearable the situation, there was a commitment from everyone involved in a production to carry on. There was a dedication to the audience to go ahead. That seems to have been lost over the last few years.
Now, actors are only interested in performing for themselves - stuff the audience, and if my ego gets hurt, then there is no hestitation in pulling out - stuff the consequences. And I can understand and sympathise with some of the reasons. It is very distressing to the self when there are 'problems' with a production, or a person, that can make the rehearsals very unbearable, and I think there isn't a time in every show when I would like to quit. BUT, we are not in this for yourselves. We do this to bring entertainment to others and by pulling out of a production before it goes up is a disappointment to the audience and to everyone else involved. Not to mention the cost of reimbursement of memberships, royalties, publicity, tickets, etc.
But this appears to be the way of the future, and it's sad. Virtually every club is struggling to find committed members to run the Club, or do backstage or FOH. It is often left to a few overworked and dedicated individuals, while all the rest flitter from club to club to perform, then move on when the going gets tough.
Well, it's not good enough. That is why productions and theatre's fold - no commitment. If you are going to perform in a show, be committed, otherwise DON'T waste yours and our time coming to auditions.
There, I got that off my chest. Now, is there anyone out there that cares?
People were committed to a particular club (or two) and that no matter how bad the play was, or how unbearable the situation, there was a commitment from everyone involved in a production to carry on. There was a dedication to the audience to go ahead. That seems to have been lost over the last few years.
Now, actors are only interested in performing for themselves - stuff the audience, and if my ego gets hurt, then there is no hestitation in pulling out - stuff the consequences. And I can understand and sympathise with some of the reasons. It is very distressing to the self when there are 'problems' with a production, or a person, that can make the rehearsals very unbearable, and I think there isn't a time in every show when I would like to quit. BUT, we are not in this for yourselves. We do this to bring entertainment to others and by pulling out of a production before it goes up is a disappointment to the audience and to everyone else involved. Not to mention the cost of reimbursement of memberships, royalties, publicity, tickets, etc.
But this appears to be the way of the future, and it's sad. Virtually every club is struggling to find committed members to run the Club, or do backstage or FOH. It is often left to a few overworked and dedicated individuals, while all the rest flitter from club to club to perform, then move on when the going gets tough.
Well, it's not good enough. That is why productions and theatre's fold - no commitment. If you are going to perform in a show, be committed, otherwise DON'T waste yours and our time coming to auditions.
There, I got that off my chest. Now, is there anyone out there that cares?
Re: What happened to Committment?
Mon, 1 Mar 2004, 04:27 pmWalter Plinge
Hi Rob,
I read your email and concur with the frustration.
I feel it may have as much to do with the number of clubs around these days as a general decline in people's attitudes.
Whilst one could harp on at great length about lack of commitment in life, I do note that since I began getting involved with community theatre about 15 years ago, there has been an explosion in the number of clubs and shows to choose from.
Add to that surfing the net, getting involved in multimedia productions, taking on a part-time job to pay for your mobile phone, and you can see how the competition has risen!
Perhaps if there were fewer shows in each clubs season, and more co-ordination between clubs to avoid overlap and repetition of the same show, there might be more 'stickability' among members.
And dat's me two bobs' worth!
Cheers,
PQ
I read your email and concur with the frustration.
I feel it may have as much to do with the number of clubs around these days as a general decline in people's attitudes.
Whilst one could harp on at great length about lack of commitment in life, I do note that since I began getting involved with community theatre about 15 years ago, there has been an explosion in the number of clubs and shows to choose from.
Add to that surfing the net, getting involved in multimedia productions, taking on a part-time job to pay for your mobile phone, and you can see how the competition has risen!
Perhaps if there were fewer shows in each clubs season, and more co-ordination between clubs to avoid overlap and repetition of the same show, there might be more 'stickability' among members.
And dat's me two bobs' worth!
Cheers,
PQ
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···