| Ahhh... Well, ahhhh...
Dearest Robert, Thanks so much for your interest in rm 120 theatre, and in particular, to my offhanded comment...you know. I'd also like to throw out there that how thrilled I am to be a new RAT and as per usual, I often wonder why I can't just sit in the back of the classroom and keep my mouth shut. Oh well. Fuck 'em!!! *Just kidding.* Well, let me first say that I do care about audiences. Theatre is about sharing. Even if the audience consists of three winos and a monkey, why do it at all, if it isn't to impart some deeper knowledge or concern or sensibility or some other equally ardent response? You might as well be out in the woods. Or for that matter, you might as well be at some huge corporate supported, blue-hair, 50-dollar-a-ticket charging, elitist, 600-seat safe-house. Know what I mean, Allison? When I wrote previously that I thought this stream was topical, it was in response to the rehearsal that we had had earlier that day of a play which my distinguished colleague, Greg Romero, wrote. As the director and one of two actors, I find myself in the interesting position of having to balance my insecure actressosities with my responsibilities as the director to get out there and make something interesting. As I often say, the fruit of the tree...is out on the limb. So, basically, I believe that any audience member, by way of becoming part of the experience, has the same responsibility as any other party involved in the experience. Whatever spoke you are in the wheel, you got to roll with it. Again, for all of us, as performers, as artists, as audience members and patrons, you have to get out on the limb. If you are not willing to do that, well...what else can I say? I think it is safe to say that Shakespeare did not expect the guys with the cheap seats to understand every nuance and reference in any of his great works. One wonders, who then, was he writing all of that for. Perhaps he was jacking off. Perhaps he thought that if your arm was long enough to reach the fruit, then of course, you would reach out there and get it. And, if your arm was long enough, but you refused, citing laziness, maybe you don't deserve that ripe, juicy peach, anyway. Whatever. I'm glad to be a part of such a lively discussion. You all have my deepest esteem. Ann Taylor rm 120 theatre |