How important is theatre in your life???

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 9:14pm

???

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 11:10pm

Very.
!!!

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 11:38pm

How often do you see shows?

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 11:51pm

At least once a week. Theater is, for me, a necessity that I budget for, along with rent and cat food.

(I work in the industry, so I get my fair share of comps, but I pay for a lot of what I see. (Cheapest tickets possible, but still.)

[Weez]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 2:01pm

I'm sorry, I don't understand this question. "Theatre" I get, but what is this "life" you speak of?

Theater is, for me, a necessity that I budget for, along with rent and cat food.

Now *there's* a scenario that sounds all too familiar! XD

I score the occasional comp through friends if I'm lucky, but mostly pay for my own stuff. This is why I spend most of my summer at Shakespeare's Globe, where standing tickets are £5, and the National Theatre, where the Travelex sponsorship means I can get a lot of £10 tickets. And in winter, I queue for cheap dayseats. I swear I spend more time sat outside theatres than sat in them some months. XD But when I'm actively theatre-going (sometimes I'll take a month or so off for financial recuperation), it's generally 6-8 times a month. I also do as many amateur productions as I can squeeze in, spend most of my online life here or at WhatsOnStage.com, keep a scrapbook of everything I see, read a lot of playtexts (rereading Angels in America right now) and I never leave the house without at least one Shakespeare play.

Not really important at all. *shrugs*

Updated On: 2/18/10 at 02:01 PM

[once a month]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 2:56pm

Extremely. I try to see a show once a month, or more. Excessively when I'm involved in a production, and if directing, I can't even avoid it in my sleep.

Last weekend my Broadway Basement flooded, ruining over 200 color programs from shows I've attended. A pal actually sent me a sympathy card...I felt like I lost a bunch of old friends.

How sad...

[Dre2387]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 3:27pm

Once a month, I am so sorry for you!! I don't know what I would do if that happened to me. I mean, that's how I keep track of what shows I saw when.

For me, theater is my life. I'm working my way up to eventually be a stage manager on Broadway. Right now, I'm a SM intern at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater in FL, and I love it!! I have no idea what I would do without theater.

When I live in NJ, I try to see at least 2 shows a month, maybe more. lottery or student rush.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 3:32pm

Extremely important! In fact, aside from health and family, it's the most important! I try to attend the theatre as often as possible, but unfortunately that's not as often as I'd like. Here's a recent conversation I had with my mom:
Mom- what did you see?
Me- Hair!
Mom- again?! How many times have you seen that?
Me- Ma, this was my first time seeing it!
Mom- really?! You haven't seen it before?!
Me- no, not since we saw it at my HS!
Mom- but don't you have a friend in the cast?
Me- yes, I TRIED to see it multiple times, but I never won the lotto so I finally just got standing room today so I could see it before she leaves.
Mom- ohhh...

[phantomcrazy14]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 4:01pm

It's an obssession for me. As a high school student (and living in PA) I try to see as many shows as I can. My dad will say "Ok that's enough for now ok?" And then next month I'll see another show I want to go to. Also, I want to be on Broadway so bad (as an actor) and if I don't make it in my life, I'd consider my life a failure. And Bwaylvsong I love your signature! I totally agree and try telling my guy friends that when they make fun of me!

[roadmixer]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 4:46pm

phantomcrazy14 - Please don't consider your life a FAILURE if you don't make it to Broadway as an actor

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 4:49pm

Thanks! And yeah, I don't understand how people can call watching hot girls dancing gay yet consider watching a bunch of guys chasing a ball extremely masculine.

[phantomcrazy14]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 4:52pm

Haha ok. I'll just be dissapointed all these extra things I'm doing is for nothing. I wish I could drop all my other classes and do performing arts school.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 5:49pm

It is important but is becoming less & less so as prices continue to go thru the stratosphere due to out & out greed.

Regretfully, I can see the day coming when Broadway will be another memory except for a really special occasion.

I thought it would be far off in the future but the increases are just escalating much more rapidly than I thought they ever would. . When you pay the same for a straight play as you do for a musical, it is sad. It is equally sad to see a show like ALNM charge premium prices for regular seats & than hear the luscious scored played by 7 pieces.

I shudder to think of the reduced orchestrations for any Jule Styne score that may be revived.

Updated On: 2/18/10 at 05:49 PM

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 7:16pm

Theatre is extremely important to me. As others have said, it's one of my top priorities, and I often schedule and budget my life with theatre in mind. I see at least one Broadway show a month, and make an attempt to see some type of performance (professional or otherwise) at least once a week. I don't know what I would do without it.

[ThatG0es4u2]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 7:29pm

Since I work professionally it's very important! I just wish more backstage people got more credit or their work than just the actors!!

Those wigs don't fix themselves!!!

[mc1227]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 7:44pm

Theater has always been very important to me. However, like most other creative outlets, I am finding it harder to find the quality I once did in theater. It seems as if there are very few unique ideas or productions.

I am still an avid theater goer(8-10 shows per year) but find myself attending Broadway productions less and off-Broadway, regional and community theaters more. I'd much rather see mediocre theater than anything on tv or in movies.

[Scottsacto]

Posted: 2/18/10 at 8:29pm

The Ultimate!! I believe that to exist on this planet we must have at least one Passion---if not someone, then something. For me that is the Performing Arts! I wish I could afford to live in NYC, but I do get the chance to see alot of theatre out here in California. Many of the shows I see here ie. "Wishful Drinking", "American Idiot" & "Passing Strange"--end up on Broadway. I attend either a theatrical event or concert at least 3-4 times a month. And love my annual Broadway Sojourns.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/19/10 at 12:08am

"I'd much rather see mediocre theater than anything on tv or in movies"

Me too!

"And love my annual Broadway Sojourns"

Those are truly amazing!!!

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/19/10 at 1:05am

It's where I work.