7PMVNF-**/VNCFSr4QSJOHr Theatre and the Economy How Are Others Coping with the Downturn? Tips for Cutting Costs, Retaining Audiences Should You Join Equity? The Answer Is Yes – and No The West Georgia Theatre Company at UWG The Professional Degree Program Where Success is an Attitude! NAST Accredited Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Write, call or e-mail for more information Costume Design & Lighting Design by Senior Theatre Majors Costume Design & Lighting by Senior Theatre Program University of West Georgia www.westga.edu/~theatre 1601 Maple Street [email protected] Night – Twelfth Carrollton, Georgia 30118 678-839-4700 2008’s department of theatre & cinema at Virginia Tech We will surprise you. 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Uncommon Experiences • Unexpected Opportunities Immediate hands-on training: Performance - Acting, Directing | Design - Scenography, Costume, Props, Sound | Technical Design and Production | Cinema Studies and Production | History, Literature and Playwriting | Stage Management | Arts Administration CVolume LII Number 2ontents l Spring 2011 l Southern Theatre – Quarterly Magazine of the Southeastern Theatre Conference Features 8 Actors’ Equity Departments Why You Shouldn’t Say ‘Yes’ Too Early in Your Career 4 400 Words by Jerry Lapidus In Defense of Theatre Etiquette: No Pandering! 14 The Economy’s Dark Spell by Mark Charney How Theatres Are Surviving (and Some Even Thriving) by H. Duke Guthrie 6 Outside the Box: Design-Tech Solutions Survival Strategies Hypo-Allergenic Makeup: 17 Stage One Children’s Theatre Thrives in Down Economy Create Your Own Quick, Easy, by ‘Playing it Forward’ Inexpensive Base 19 American Players Theatre of Wisconsin Bucks Downward Trend with 6 Percent Growth by Emily Gill 21 Studio Roanoke Defies the Odds and Survives by Focusing on the Message 32 Words, Words, Words... Review of Broadway: The American 24 Economic Crunch Musical (updated and revised edition), Academic Theatre Programs Look for Ways to Innovate by Michael Kantor and Laurence Maslon and Continue to Educate reviewed by Chase Bringardner by Chris Hardin Cover Survival Strategies The winner of our 2011 professional theatre cover contest 25 Austin Peay State University Equips Set Using Pieces is Theatre By The Sea in Matunuck, RI, with a photo from Old Hospital Boiler Room from The Producers, which was produced by Ocean State Theatre Company. Bob Arnold (bottom) as Max 29 Peace College Theatre ‘Machine’ Generates Interest, Bialystock fights over the books with Doug Trapp as Leo Saves $10,000 Bloom. Scenic design: Robert Little. Costume design: Eric Hall. Lighting design: Joel Silver. Director: Jerome Vivona. Photo by Mark Turek. Cover design: Deanna Thompson. 400 Words from Mark Charney, Director of Theatre, Clemson University In Defense of Theatre Etiquette: No Pandering! n “Enjoy Your Night because the play fulfilled the summer members of correct theatre etiquette. I at the Theatre … reading assignment, so many students were Happily, we never had the problem again. or We’ll Make You!” using cell phones and computers that the In “The Art of the Difficult,” playwright (Winter 2011 Southern Theatre), Bret Jones performance itself was affected. Not only Tony Kushner encourages audiences to laments the rules that theatre imposes did the electronic equipment interfere with appreciate difficult theatre that challenges upon its audience, claiming that if we do microphones, but more serious audience their preconceptions and shocks them not stop asking audience members to “sit members found that their enjoyment of into understanding new perspectives. In still, turn off your cell phone, take out the production was marred by distractions the 21st century, theatre makers need to crying babies … ,” then we may lose poten- from loud and unruly students who had not embrace technology, reflect the pace of tial theatre supporters. He states, “Our learned proper theatre etiquette. contemporary society, and both embrace chagrin is aimed at the lack of people in our Yes, we want to attract folks to theatre, and critique the culture of our period. But seats, but when we do get them there, we especially a younger crowd. I applaud to allow and even encourage audience grumble about poor behavior, cell phone encouraging people to dress casually, members to bring in crying children and interference and lack of theatre courtesy.” bring drinks into the theatre, and include text their friends during a production is While I certainly agree that theatre talkbacks and pre-show conversations pandering. We may need audiences, but needs to remain current and even cutting- when the subject matter is challenging. But we do not want to betray the soul of what edge to attract and retain audiences, I to pander to audiences who are being rude makes theatre theatre to find them. n argue with Jones’ assertion that this means to performers is unacceptable. Because we Have an opinion you would like to share allowing them to act irresponsibly. In a did not foresee such poor behavior, for the on a topic related to theatre? Send your recent production at my university, one rest of the run of our show I made a curtain column of 400 words or less to deanna@ that freshmen were required to attend speech, one that gently reminded audience setc.org. Blackfriars Playhouse... The Discovery Space for Shakespeare 2011 Professional Training Program Performance Training 9 0 0 2 d a e July 4-23, 2011 r D e l e • Designed for theatre professionals and r g A o o n r graduate students K e s t s e c n n e • Taught by a nationally acclaimed faculty a d l r i F u t G • Integrated curriculum includes: n a d p n i c a i t z - Classes in text, acting, voice, and r t a n p a r movement h c t i n e w s - Interaction with ASC actors in coaching , o g R n and discussion sessions i n n i i t a r n - Attending ASC productions and rehearsals T u l f B o r k c o i • Tuition and housing $2,200.00 t c R e r d i n ($2,000.00 early registration) D a AmericanShakespeareCenter.com , y n l l e e b • Limited enrollment application deadline or contact Colleen Kelly, o K H n e a April 1, 2011 Director of Training e n l l n i o 540-851-1733 ext. 20. G C s o u t h e r n heatre From the SETC President TSETC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Elizabeth N. Baun EDITOR Deanna Thompson ADVERTISING Claire Wisniewski, [email protected] Southern Theatre brings you timely ideas, imaginative strategies and cutting- BUSINESS & ADVERTISING OFFICE edge developments. Whether you are a seasoned theatre practitioner or an Southeastern Theatre Conference PO Box 9868 emerging artist, you’ll find meaningful tools for your toolbox in the pages of Greensboro, NC 27429-0868 this magazine. 336-272-3645 PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE S In this issue, we take an in-depth look at how the economic downturn has Chris Hardin, Chair, Austin Peay State University (TN) affected all of us in theatre. Duke Guthrie writes about the impact on community David Balthrop, Murray State University (KY) J. Caleb Boyd, University of West Georgia and professional theatres, summarizing the results of a survey we conducted Sam Sparks, Independent Theatre Artist (TX) in the fall and sharing strategies that community and professional theatres are Scott Phillips, Auburn University (AL) using to reduce costs and boost audiences. He also spotlights some theatres that EDITORIAL BOARD Jesse Bates, Alabama School of Fine Arts took risks that paid off in the down economy. Amile Wilson shares the story of a Sonya/Tim Bixler, Washington School/Delta Center Stage (MS) theatre that opened at the worst possible time – just as the recession took hold. Doug Brown, Freelance Technical Director (NC) Tessa Carr, Lees-McCrae College (NC) Chris Hardin examines the effect the downturn has had on schools, colleges Denise Gillman, Christopher Newport University (VA) and universities. In addition to survey results, he shares innovative ideas and Kendra Johnson, Clemson University (SC) Jerry Lapidus, Independent Theatre Artist (FL) cost-cutting strategies that others may be able to put in place. Ray Paolino, University of Georgia One of the great mysteries of life for young actors is Actors’ Equity Association, Scott Phillips, Auburn University (AL) Richard St. Peter, Texas Tech University the union that represents actors and stage managers in professional theatre. Jim Stacy, Louisiana State University at Alexandria Who can join? How do you join? Should you join? Jerry Lapidus, a former Steve Willis, Bennett College for Women (NC) Amile Wilson, Pippin & Maxx Arts and Entertainment (MS) off-Broadway and regional theatre company manager and former Equity PROOFREADERS representative, answers those questions and more. Judi Rossabi, SETC Communications and Marketing Manager Those working in the design-tech area will find helpful advice in our regular Denise Halbach, Freelance Director (MS) “Outside the Box: Design-Tech Solutions” column. In this issue, Emily Gill PRINTING Clinton Press, Greensboro, NC shares information on how to create a home-made makeup base to avoid allergic NOTE ON SUBMISSIONS problems with commercial products – or just to give you more versatility in Southern Theatre welcomes submissions of articles pertaining creating an actor’s look. to all aspects of theatre. Preference will be given to subject matter closely linked to theatre activity in the Southeastern Responding to last issue’s “400 Words” column, Mark Charney, director of United States.