Twittering at a Show

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Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/16/10 at 5:51pm

There's an intesting discussion happening on the Berkeley Rep Facebook page (they created "American Idiot") about the SF Playhouse (an Equity theatre company in SF) doing nights where selected audience members can Twitter during the performance:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/berkeleyrep?v=wall&story_fbid=132321026803693&ref=notif¬if_t=share_reply

I love this idea. How cool to see instant reviews happening and you'll get younger people who wouldn't usually think about theatre. I wish I could do this!

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/16/10 at 5:56pm

I really don't understand the need to Twitter, text or anything during a show. What is it with these very short attention spans?
Our constant need to connect has gotten way out of hand. I really don't think it should be encouraged.

Those Blocked: SueStorm. N2N Nate. Good riddence to stupid! Rad-Z, shill begone!

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/16/10 at 5:58pm

This is SO stupid.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/16/10 at 6:23pm

This is ridiculous. Allowing it under certain circumstances "tells" others that not only that it is ok, but that it is encouraged.

Not too long ago, NO ONE would have been caught dead texting a third party while at a table in a restaurant...or any table -- now look at us.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/16/10 at 6:38pm

Did anyone bother to read the info? The Twitter people were in the last row..no lights or clicking noises happend when texting..no on knew they were there.

It's about time theatre did something new and shocking to generate interest among the tech friendly younger set.

Theatre is about controversy. Everyone always hates the new...and then gipes that no one is talking about theatre.

Well..finally people are!

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/16/10 at 6:39pm

There has been a big discussion on this in the Australian theatre world this week, check out #tweetseats on twitter.

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/16/10 at 6:40pm

This is idiotic.

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/16/10 at 6:45pm

Sorry but there needs to be a gimmick or some sort of catch now to bring in people to sit through a play? And on top of that the catch is that at the end of the day, you actually don't need to pay attention to the play that much even if you do go to the poor trouble of going to an actual playhouse? This is so dumb.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/16/10 at 6:51pm

Jelly. I don't give a flying F*ck if it's two seats far left obstructed 70% view it is a dumb ass idea and only reinforces BAD (I repeat) BAD theatre going practices!

Those Blocked: SueStorm. N2N Nate. Good riddence to stupid! Rad-Z, shill begone!

#10

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/16/10 at 6:57pm

The reason I think it's stupid has nothing to do with reinforcing bad theatre practices...I just think it's a completely lame idea. But then again, I do not see the appeal of and do not use twitter.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#11

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/16/10 at 9:54pm

It doesn't matter what seats the person in, using Twitter or anything else like that during a show is absolutely disrespectful and distracting. No exceptions should be made at all.

ETA: By the way, I believe the verb is "tweeting".

Past 12 Months On Stage:

24 Hour Plays: Otawri (Other Black Woman, 9/11), Hairspray (Shayna, 11/18-21) Twelve Angry Men (5th Juror, 12/9-11), Wilson Winter One-Acts: Mannequins (Bloomingdales Salesperson, 2/11-12), Twelfth Night (Maria, 3/24-26), 30 Plays in 60 Minutes (Various Roles, 6/4), Ragtime (Sarah, 8/11-13)

Current Avatar: Me looking quite sleepy. This shot gives you a nice view of my various posters: ITH, Hair, The Lion King, the list goes on...

Updated On: 7/16/10 at 09:54 PM

#12

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/16/10 at 10:15pm

"something new and shocking"

The thing that should be 'new and shocking' - which isn't 'new' at all - is that it's real.

Turn off and give yourself over.

This is pointless.

#13

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/16/10 at 11:16pm

People need to learn how to behave in the theatre. It is an experience that is meant to be taken in and savored, not twittered away. I often review shows for websites and I find that even when I take a second to jot down a thought in a notebook, I am taken out of the performance. I can only imagine how distracting tweeting would be.

http://backstagebarbie.blogspot.com

#14

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/17/10 at 1:42am

My earlier thread (preceding the Berkeley Rep/SF Playhouse discussion): https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1018768

"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

#15

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/17/10 at 1:53am

Wow. This is ridiculous. It does not matter where they are seated or who they are. Texting and tweeting during a show is just not acceptable. How can the "reviewers" focus on the show if they are tweeting? Would a theatre critic text or tweet during a show they are reviewing? I don't think so. That's just my opinion.

"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "

Updated On: 7/17/10 at 01:53 AM

#16

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/17/10 at 2:40am

A fabulous idea...so glad that a theatre somewhere has the balls to embrace social media. It is the future, kids. But, as seen here, some dont want to admit it. Major kudos for the SF Playhouse for giving this a try. I've read their tweets and it's fascinating.

And I love the remark that a critic wouldn't text cause it would distract them from the performance. You're so right..taking notes, looking down at the notes, scribbling out words, erasing words, and writing down the order of the show while looking at the paper is giving full attention to a performance. Um. Yeah.

This board isn't the best place to have a good, solid discussion about a great project like this since it's filled with 12 year old wanna be actors.

Check out the thread on the Berkeley Rep Facebook page for a smart discussion.

And now we return you to your regular scheduled "Who's Playing Elphaba Now?" thread, kids.

Updated On: 7/17/10 at 02:40 AM

#17

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/17/10 at 3:19am

"since it's filled with 12 year old wanna be actors."

Interestingly, I was flowing right along with your thoughts, and then . . .

Enjoy your other preferred forum.

#18

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/17/10 at 3:42am

I actually find that I remember very specific moments at shows because I sit down and watch the show without feeling the need to turn to anyone and comment. There is nothing worse than commenting on what you are watching, because then you are not giving it your full attention. Theatre, for me, is uplifting and surreal because I willingly give myself over to it whenever I attend.

You don't get people back to the theatre with gimmicks. You get them interested with the how and what you produce.

I think tweeting and social networking are great tools. But there is no reason to let them distract us from the world around us.

How to properly use its/it's: Its is the possessive. It's is the contraction for it is...

Updated On: 7/17/10 at 03:42 AM

#19

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/17/10 at 5:18am

^ Exactly. Very well said.

"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "

#20

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/17/10 at 4:46pm

It's great to see that a theatre has finally found a creative way to use social media. This is such a super idea.

I love the elitist attitude here. "No on can touch the almighty theatre with new, innovative ideas. How dare they text during a show!!"

And these are the same people who go to YouTube and watch illegal videos of shows.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

#21

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/17/10 at 5:48pm

It is not an elistist attitude. It is the concept of listening. The theatre is live, and when you are in the prescence of a play, you respect the space and the intentness of the audience listening around you. There are times and places to text.

The classroom is a place where texting is also not appropriate. It is discouraged because then you are not being present and keeping yourself engaged with what is being taught you. There is a reason why we still go to school and not all switching to online courses: Present is better. Must we not ask ourselves to give the same presence to our theatre?

Do you know what's really innovative? Producing pieces of theatre that speak to the public in such a groundbreaking and/or new way that they can't help but see it, and squirm and respond as an audience in such a way that they can't help themselves. I saw a Chekov back in December that involved the entire audience listening so intently, sharing its energy so electrically that the responses to the twisting/turning actions onstage was overwhelming. It was thrilling.

How to properly use its/it's: Its is the possessive. It's is the contraction for it is...

#22

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/17/10 at 5:52pm

I'm all for theater being "new and shocking."

But I guess I'd prefer my innovative, exciting ideas to be expressed onstage, not by the schmo sitting next to me.

#23

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/17/10 at 7:00pm

Oh, but what if that poor Narcissistic, entitled schmo sitting next to you MUST have their opinions heard by their friends at THAT VERY MOMENT?

Those Blocked: SueStorm. N2N Nate. Good riddence to stupid! Rad-Z, shill begone!

#24

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/17/10 at 7:08pm

I just don't get how using a cell phone during a performance is considered "creative" and "innovative"?

This would never fly on Broadway, and I hope to God we never see the day it does.

*edit* according to their facebook it was only a one night thing, and they have no plans of regularly doing this. Thank God!

Updated On: 7/17/10 at 07:08 PM

#25

Twittering at a Show

Posted: 7/17/10 at 7:43pm

^You're being idiotic. Most people who have commented aren't against using twitter as a networking device. It's the actual act of "tweeting" during the show that they don't like. I agree with them. It's disrespectful and distracting. Using twitter as an advertising device is hardly an innovation.

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