Are there too many of us?
Tue, 29 Aug 2000, 04:38 pmWalter Plinge21 posts in thread
Are there too many of us?
Tue, 29 Aug 2000, 04:38 pmHi Thespians,
I have been pondering this quite alot lately. Could some of the problems which are plaguing some amateur/community theatre groups (eg: inadequate venues, low audience attendance, financial struggles) be occuring because there are too many of us?
Two or three groups could merge into one which would:
1. Increase the membership.
2. Increase the pool of skills, ideas, abilities etc.
3. Increase the audiences.
4. Allow the clubs to pool finances and resources towards upgrading or establishing a venue.
These new groups could be re-named to save any arguments and managed initially by a committee consisting of members of each group's current committee. Since many Community Theatre people are not necessarily involved with the club closest to them, I can't see location being a problem. People will travel almost anywhere to be involved in a show that interests them.
Why should three groups keep struggling when as one group they may thrive?
Does anyone agree?
Cheers,
Gill
I have been pondering this quite alot lately. Could some of the problems which are plaguing some amateur/community theatre groups (eg: inadequate venues, low audience attendance, financial struggles) be occuring because there are too many of us?
Two or three groups could merge into one which would:
1. Increase the membership.
2. Increase the pool of skills, ideas, abilities etc.
3. Increase the audiences.
4. Allow the clubs to pool finances and resources towards upgrading or establishing a venue.
These new groups could be re-named to save any arguments and managed initially by a committee consisting of members of each group's current committee. Since many Community Theatre people are not necessarily involved with the club closest to them, I can't see location being a problem. People will travel almost anywhere to be involved in a show that interests them.
Why should three groups keep struggling when as one group they may thrive?
Does anyone agree?
Cheers,
Gill
RE: Are there too many of us?
Sat, 2 Sept 2000, 10:56 amWalter Plinge
Just a couple of quick questions?
Why would the merging of clubs increase the quality of productions? It would surely still be the same people creating the shows. And before everyone gets upset - I am not suggesting in any way that the quality of amateur productions is not good, just that the same theatre makers must equal the same quality - some excellent, some not so good.
Why would the merging of clubs increase the resources available? Surely they would be the same resources - only pooled together. In my experience, any club that I have approached to lend support with equipment, costumes, technical expertise, actors or just plain old bums on seats has always responded quickly and generously without exception. Maybe anyone who is having trouble getting resources through this wonderful network of theatres that we have, needs to rethink their approach. Asking nicely and returning the favour has always worked for me.
Why would the pooling of resources increase the number of seasons? Any director, actor, techie, set designer, choreographer, stage manager knows that the number one priority for any production is quality stage time. While less stage time may not necessarily decrease the quality of productions I can guarantee it will not increase it and probably produce some in house squabbling into the bargain.
While I think that the merger of resources and facilities sounds very attractive in theory, under closer scrutiny I think we are doing just fine as we are.
INDI
Why would the merging of clubs increase the quality of productions? It would surely still be the same people creating the shows. And before everyone gets upset - I am not suggesting in any way that the quality of amateur productions is not good, just that the same theatre makers must equal the same quality - some excellent, some not so good.
Why would the merging of clubs increase the resources available? Surely they would be the same resources - only pooled together. In my experience, any club that I have approached to lend support with equipment, costumes, technical expertise, actors or just plain old bums on seats has always responded quickly and generously without exception. Maybe anyone who is having trouble getting resources through this wonderful network of theatres that we have, needs to rethink their approach. Asking nicely and returning the favour has always worked for me.
Why would the pooling of resources increase the number of seasons? Any director, actor, techie, set designer, choreographer, stage manager knows that the number one priority for any production is quality stage time. While less stage time may not necessarily decrease the quality of productions I can guarantee it will not increase it and probably produce some in house squabbling into the bargain.
While I think that the merger of resources and facilities sounds very attractive in theory, under closer scrutiny I think we are doing just fine as we are.
INDI
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