I might not have the answers but I do have a couple of questions to at least get people thinking.
Before I go further I am talking about members, the people actively (in whatever capacity) put on there shows in a club. This is not to be confused with subscribers or patrons, the people who regularly, show up, hand over some money, and see a show.
I will also underline that I am talking about community productions and community companies.
From what is reported (see above), the downfall in the end of KTW was lack of the members, not patrons.
It's one thing to complain about 'transient membership', which I think is a contradiction is terms but what is meant is reasonably clear.
If a performer and a club member wants to be in a production that have to line up like everyone else (members and otherwise) at the next 'cattle-call'.
Technical roles and crew tend to be the whim of the director (who may be from outside the company) concerned so the entire performing ensemble and crew could be from could be from outside the company. I think where we have all seen programs where every person with biography lists their last show as being at another company (and/or their next as well!).
It has got to the point where there have been productions that a better description would be that they are being put on by the director concerned rather than by the company concerned. Looking at the the What's On list on this web-stie, this could be for some that are on even as we speak.
I'll get in with the most obvious answer to why this happens: That companies don't want to encroach on directors. I see this attitude as self-defeating as it undermines the resident company.
We have got to the point where being a member has become irrelevant.
This leads me to the question: What are the clubs doing to RETAIN members?
I'll also pick up on Anothertech's comments (Hello Don!) and ask: What are clubs doing to DEVELOP members? (both performers and technical).
In a lot of cases is not courses (although they are useful), but more of an apprenticeship model that is needed. This costs the company nothing. This could be, and I argue should be, in the DNA of companies if they want to move forward.
Members don't loose clubs. Clubs loose members.
Regards to all,
David.
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Date: 21/07/2012 - 19:58
I might not have the answers but I do have a couple of questions to at least get people thinking.
Before I go further I am talking about members, the people actively (in whatever capacity) put on there shows in a club. This is not to be confused with subscribers or patrons, the people who regularly, show up, hand over some money, and see a show.
I will also underline that I am talking about community productions and community companies.
From what is reported (see above), the downfall in the end of KTW was lack of the members, not patrons.
It's one thing to complain about 'transient membership', which I think is a contradiction is terms but what is meant is reasonably clear.
If a performer and a club member wants to be in a production that have to line up like everyone else (members and otherwise) at the next 'cattle-call'.
Technical roles and crew tend to be the whim of the director (who may be from outside the company) concerned so the entire performing ensemble and crew could be from could be from outside the company. I think where we have all seen programs where every person with biography lists their last show as being at another company (and/or their next as well!).
It has got to the point where there have been productions that a better description would be that they are being put on by the director concerned rather than by the company concerned. Looking at the the What's On list on this web-stie, this could be for some that are on even as we speak.
I'll get in with the most obvious answer to why this happens: That companies don't want to encroach on directors. I see this attitude as self-defeating as it undermines the resident company.
We have got to the point where being a member has become irrelevant.
This leads me to the question: What are the clubs doing to RETAIN members?
I'll also pick up on Anothertech's comments (Hello Don!) and ask: What are clubs doing to DEVELOP members? (both performers and technical).
In a lot of cases is not courses (although they are useful), but more of an apprenticeship model that is needed. This costs the company nothing. This could be, and I argue should be, in the DNA of companies if they want to move forward.
Members don't loose clubs. Clubs loose members.
Regards to all,
David.