Is this just local or .....?
Tue, 23 Mar 2010, 11:03 amRapunzel15 posts in thread
Is this just local or .....?
Tue, 23 Mar 2010, 11:03 amI have noticed, over the past few months, what might be a local phenomenon. I wonder if it is not just confined to South Australia? I fear for the future...
Our theatre companies are in peril. There seem to be fewer and fewer people willing to do the hard work to actually run them. This isn't new but I'm starting to wonder if it's becoming a plague or pandemic. A recent post by a well established and long running company on our SA website is an example, see the link below.
http://www.theatreguide.com.au/current_site/notices/classifieds.php
Now there will always be people who are very earnest and willing but who shouldn't be let near anything resembling a committee or other organisation because they haven't a clue and wreak unwitting damage. Then there are people who shy away nervously at the thought of joining a committee, it makes them quake with fear. Others flit from company to company "I'm only interested in acting darling". There are others who become excellent apprentices and rapidly become mainstays. There are the tireless workhorses who keep the flipping thing going regardless...and these are the ones who are dying out. Which sometimes means the company will die too. Which means there will be less companies for the "flitters" to perform for, with, whatever...
I'm interested, is this a local disease, a theatrical form of H1N1 striking the hard workers of theatre companies, or is it Australia wide?
Flog Em!
Thu, 25 Mar 2010, 08:00 amAs a younger person in community theatre I find it highly frustrating when others don't want to do the hard yard and 'hang out with the oldies' on the committee.
I feel I have done my fair share of backstage, front of house, bar, committee duties, etc etc and I'm willing to keep at it - however - not if I'm going to be flogged to death.
When a new person is willing to be part of the support crew, welcome them in slowly. Don't use and abuse them. Don't dump all the cruddy jobs on them. Don't talk down and make them feel stupid for not knowing committee legislation (when they may have been working in offices for 12 years *breathe breathe*). Make them feel like they are part of a special group, so that they want to keep on keeping on for the next 20, 30 years. They are your community theatres future. Don't just drag them into a cloud of negativity and thoughts of 'no one helps' , 'we have to do everything our selves' , 'poor us'.
I found the moment I put my hand up to help out, I was given everything. And was basically burnt out and resentful rather quickly. I have noticed this happening to the other very few people that are new do-gooders.
This year I have put my time into being front-of-house manager and my husband is bar manager, I'm sticking to my guns (although not very successfully) and not picking up the slack anywhere else. I have recognised this and when recruiting for FOH & Bar staff for each show I've tried to make it as simple, fun, stressfree for all those that have been willing to help. The result - in past years only 3 or 4 people have helped and with our latest show (Dangerous Liaisons - Mandurah Little Theatre plug plug plug) I had 11 responses for helpers within 36 hours of putting the plea out. Most of them were first timers at the last show. But had a good time so were willing to volunteer again.
So maybe thats one of the many keys to unlocking the volunteer deadbolt. Ask, appreciate and go easy. Don't flog em to death the moment a newbie steps up. Turtle and the Hare.
Sky
Dangerous Liaisons
Koorliny Arts Centre – Sulphur Road, Kwinana
Friday 26th March & Saturday 27th March
Adult $18 Conc $16
9439 0290
Mandurah Little Theatre – Mandurah Senior College, Education Way (former Carleton Place) next to Peel TAFE, Mandurah
Friday 9th April & Saturday 10th April (matinee & evening show)
Friday 16th April & Saturday 17th April (matinee & evening show)
Adult $18 Conc $16
Mandurah Visitors Centre 9550 3999