However, tonight's main question can from something someone said to me earlier in the day.... "Why do you do live shows at the Arcadia when there is already a community theatre group in Wellsboro doing really great shows?"
Now I have been asked this question before and I usually just shake it off with "I like having my own thing." as my default answer. But in my introspective boredom today, I seriously considered the first part of the question --- Why do I do shows?
Well I suppose the simple answer is because I love it. I love theatre. I love bringing a great story to life on the stage. I can lose myself in a great show. I really like working with talented people and seeing what they can bring to a role. I really love it when an actor surprises me and takes a role or a song to a whole new level of passion and interest. I will cite a moment -- when I did Sunday in the Park with George last year, the is a point in Act 1 -- We Do Not Belong Together and a point in Act 2 -- Move On. We were rehearsing these scenes but they just weren't clicking for me.. They lacked the emotional connection I thought the songs needed. After talking with the actors, we tried the songs again and I got chills -- they understood what I wanted and figured out how to deliver it and sang and acted with such passion and feeling that it was something beautiful to behold. In that moment, I remember saying to myself -- This is why I do what I do.
If I'm being honest, I must admit that I like being in control of everything, which is why I hardly ever let anyone help me. I guess I would have to also admit that I like the power that comes as a director. Telling people what to do and how to act can be fun. But on the whole, for me, it's all about love -- love of theatre, love of the people who share my joy in theatre.
I also like the friends I make. I have worked with dozens of actors. I stay in contact with many. But there are a special few that I now consider good friends and that means more to me than those people know.
Now, there are reasons why I don't do theatre. I don't do theatre for money. There is none. I don't do theatre for praise or awards or acclaim. I am happy with "Thanks for a great show." or "It was great working with you - I really enjoyed it and learned a lot." That means more to me than any award. Of course I like all that stuff. Who doesn't want to be praised? It doesn't happen very much but when it does, it's nice. I wish I could garner some awards, take shows to festivals and have all the great press that some other performing groups have --- but not for me -- I only want that to recognize the talent and passion of the actors I work with. But I can't deny that recognition for efforts would be appreciated.
Now there is a flip side to this question -- why do people want to do shows with me? To be honest, many times I am not sure. I'm certain there is the love of performing. And just as I do, there are many who just love theatre. There is also the getting to shine and be a "star" thing. But any actor can get any of that with any director. So, again, why me?
I have been told that I am fun to work with. Ok. That's nice. I like fun. Working on a show should be fun. But what else? The choice of shows I pick? Possibly -- I like to do challenging and different shows that actors and audiences may not get to experience. To learn something? I do try to make each show I work on a learning experience for those involved. But do people of high school or college age do a show so they can learn something, especially after spending all day in a learning environment? I would say maybe a few do. Many learn things without even knowing it. I can be sly like that - teaching things in a way that people don't even know they're learning.
So why else would people do a show with me? I can't promise trips to Europe to compete with other theatre groups. I can't promise the experience will generate those facebook comments like "I will remember this forever" or "What a life-changing musical experience!" Now maybe that happens. If so, great. I've never had anyone tell me that however.
All I can promise is a great theatre experience where we tell a good story and put forth a quality production .... and have a little fun along the way.
So I guess I am asking those who have worked on a show with me .... Why? Feel free to comment. I suppose I am looking for a little of that whole praise thing -- I could use a little ego boost I guess. But I am curious. Perhaps feedback will make me a better director.
Anyway ... thanks for reading. I promise the next post will be less heavy.
