The Community of Theatre

Episode 13: Austin Theatre Project

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 14:29:08 -0000

I'm joined by Barbara Schuler to discuss the history of Austin Theatre Project, one of the many local production companies that didn't make it through the Covid pandemic.

Follow the podcast: https://www.facebook.com/communityoftheatre

Austin Theatre Project’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100060741564764

Episode 12: Stage Combat

Mon, 01 May 2023 18:45:33 -0000

I’m joined by co-founder of The Broke Thespians Nate Nelson to discuss stage combat at the community theatre level.

Society of American Fight Directors https://www.safd.org/ Rogue Steel (stage combat weapon rentals) https://roguesteel.com/ Kult of Athena (stage combat weapon sales) https://www.kultofathena.com/

The Broke Thespians https://www.brokethespianstheatrecompany.org/

Contact or Follow the podcast: communityoftheater@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/communityoftheatre

Episode 11: Devised Theatre - Love and Information

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 11:00:00 -0000

The Broke Thespians’ latest production is an example of Devised Theatre - find out what that means, as we discuss how the experience of rehearsing this type of show differs from traditional narrative.

Get tickets or information about Love and Information at… https://www.brokethespianstheatrecompany.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrokeThespiansTheatreCompany/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokethespianstheatrecompany/

Follow the podcast: https://www.facebook.com/communityoftheatre Email the podcast: communityoftheater@gmail.com

Episode 10: The Time Before Directors with Doug DeGirolamo

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 21:07:08 -0000

I'm joined once again by Doug DiGirolamo, who walks us through a brief history of the role of directors, and what preceded them. We wander off onto a few tangents, including discussion of "Song of Spider-Man," script writer Glen Berger's behind the scenes tell-all about getting that production onto the stage.

Follow the show: https://www.facebook.com/communityoftheatre

Email the show: communityoftheater@gmail.com

Follow the host: https://twitter.com/DerekSmootz

Episode 9: Preproduction with Beth James

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0000

I’m joined by Beth James, Director of the upcoming production of 9-5 at the Gaslight-Baker in Lockhart. We discuss everything a Director undertakes prior to auditions, both in general and in particular for this production, for I’ll be serving as co-Music Director. We also touch on Directorial philosophy, dramaturgy, and the overlap between modern psychotherapy and an ethical production environment.

For those in Central Texas and listening close to this episode’s release date, 9-5 auditions are being held March 8 and 9 at the Gaslight-Baker. You can find details here: http://mygbt.org/

Or, email Beth directly at bethannejames91@gmail.com to reserved an audition time. Follow the show:

https://www.facebook.com/communityoftheatre Email the show: communityoftheater@gmail.com Follow the host: https://twitter.com/DerekSmootz

Episode 8: Reviews and Criticism in the World of Community Theatre

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 14:00:00 -0000

I’m joined by Michael Meigs, creator of CTX Live Theatre, to discuss the role of reviews and reviewers in the world of local, community theatre; we touch on an array of topics, including the distinction between reviews and criticism, how writers can, should, and do approach professional versus amateur productions, the relationship between artists and reviewers, and how the era of social media has impacted theatre journalism as a whole.

CTX Live Theatre https://ctxlivetheatre.com/

ATX Theatre https://www.atxtheatre.org/

Gilbert and Sullivan Austin GilbertSullivan.org McAdo auditions are Feb 25/26, email audition@gilbertsullivan.org to schedule.

The Broke Thespians (Love/Sick performances are Feb 17/19) https://www.brokethespianstheatrecompany.org/

Episode 7: Historic Theatres

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Recorded on site at the historic Bastrop Opera House, I’m joined by Executive Director Lisa Holcomb to discuss the pros and cons running a theatre company out of a historic venue.

Follow the Bastrop Opera House: https://bastropoperahouse.org/

Follow the show: https://www.facebook.com/communityoftheatre

Follow the host: https://twitter.com/DerekSmootz

Episode 6: Creating Inclusive Companies

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Tommie Jackson returns to discuss inclusivity. It's an ideal that most theatre companies espouse, but it's a challenge to truly and consistently foster through audition, rehearsal and performance spaces.

Article - “Broadway loves the white ‘diva’ but shuns the ‘difficult’ black performer”: https://www.onstageblog.com/editorials/broadway-loves-the-white-diva-but-shuns-difficult-black-performer

Follow the Broke Thespians, or find out about Love//Sick at… https://www.brokethespianstheatrecompany.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrokeThespiansTheatreCompany/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokethespianstheatrecompany/

Follow the show: https://www.facebook.com/communityoftheatre

Follow the host: https://twitter.com/DerekSmootz

Episode 5: Why Bother With Live Theatre, Anyway?

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 14:00:00 -0000

Does live, local theatre still have a place in the modern world? What does it have to offer that the streaming services don't? I'm joined by Tysha Calhoun, who has worn All The Hats at the Gaslight-Baker Theatre in Lockhart, Texas, to address this fundamental question.

Follow the show: https://www.facebook.com/communityoftheatre Follow the host: https://twitter.com/DerekSmootz

Episode 4: The Broke Thespians

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 14:00:00 -0000

What does it take to start a theatre company from scratch…in a pandemic?

We’re joined by three core members of The Broke Thespians Theatre Company as they enter their 4th season. Find out how they’re managing to grow an organization, and audiences, in a college town where community efforts are frequently overshadowed by the university.

Follow the Broke Thespians at… https://www.brokethespianstheatrecompany.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrokeThespiansTheatreCompany/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokethespianstheatrecompany/

Follow the podcast: https://www.facebook.com/communityoftheatre

Follow the host: https://twitter.com/DerekSmootz

Episode 3: Where Does the Money Go?

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 14:00:00 -0000

Did you know you can pick up arts grants at your local grocery store?

Our guest is Doug DeGirolamo of the Gaslight-Baker Theatre, who walks us through the myriad expenses any theatre is likely to face. However expensive those local production tickets might seem, their sales cover only a fraction of any show’s expenses. Given that reality, we then get into the the other sources of income that theatres can use to make ends meet.

As referenced in two sequential episodes now, if you're on a local theatre board, it's probably worth making sure your organization is a member of the American Association of Community Theatres: http://aact.org

You can find out more about the Gaslight-Baker here: https://mygbt.org/

Follow the show: https://www.facebook.com/communityoftheatre

Follow the host: https://twitter.com/DerekSmootz

Episode 2: Who Picks the Shows?

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0000

How do you get a group of passionate, opinionated theater fans to agree on a few specific shows to produce for a given season?

Join us as we discuss how the Wimberley Players craft their season, how show selection differs across the spectrum from amateur to professional companies, and the myriad considerations - both practical and philosophical - in how to use the limited resource that is “stage time.”

Our guest is Trish Rigdon (Artistic Director of the Wimberley Players), an arts administrator who’s worked with performing arts organizations from local community theaters to nationally renowned professional organizations like the Peter Hall Company in England. You can find out more about the Wimberley Players here: https://www.wimberleyplayers.org/

Follow the show: https://www.facebook.com/communityoftheatre

Follow the host: https://twitter.com/DerekSmootz

Episode 1: No Small Parts, Only Small Actors

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 13:00:00 -0000

"Yeah, well, you know...no small parts...", he said, rolling his eyes.

Join us as we discuss the use and misuse of one of the theatrical community's most enduring adages. Our guest for this episode is Jason Jones, President of the Gaslight-Baker Theatre (https://mygbt.org/) in Lockhart, Texas.

Recorded on site at the Gaslight-Baker, Oct. 7 2022.

You can find production photos from Blithe Spirit, as referenced in the show, on the Gaslight-Baker’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GaslightBaker

Follow the show: https://www.facebook.com/communityoftheatre

Follow the host: https://twitter.com/DerekSmootz