Performance or Attendance

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Do you prefer to perform or watch? Peformance means to actually be on-stage or assisting behind the scenes.

Yay

Author: Logos
Date: 14/05/2007 - 13:52

A new poll. Will this site attract many pure audience members. I see we already have one.
I go to the theatre very rarely, I should go more often to support ny friends but I make my living this way and I tend to be working when shows are on.

Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing.
www.tonymoore.id.au

Logos said>>Will this site

Author: Labrug
Date: 14/05/2007 - 13:59

Logos said
>>Will this site attract many pure audience members. I see we already have one.

I was hoping to find out Eye-wink

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

Actually, I hate sitting in

Author: Na
Date: 14/05/2007 - 14:20

Actually, I hate sitting in the audience. Mainly because I prefer working on a show than watching a show.

Also; I rarely see theatre these days due to the fact that I'm working both a day job and a 'theatre' job. While a show is on, I don't go to see other stuff, more because I'm sick of theatre by the end of the day/night. I really should see more.

(Although I have to admit, part of the reason is that there's usually nothing I'm interested in seeing. I have particular tastes)

50, 50

Author: Tari-Xalyr
Date: 19/05/2007 - 19:57

I see about as much theatre as I audition for. I'm in the audience at least once a month, for something or someone.

For example, saw Midsummers last night, for my cousin, whom I've been helping come to grapples with Shakespeare.

Although, admittedly, haven't done much active theatre work this year, been kind of "settling into life" - suppose thats the best way to put it.

~ Tari

The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

This year is the first year

Author: Sean B
Date: 19/05/2007 - 21:24

This year is the first year I've really started to go out and see alot of theatre.

My tally for this year so far is...
Noises Off (DTC)
Exit The King
Miss Saigon
Sweeney Todd (DTC)
Seeing another show in Frankston soon with Drama...can't remember the title. And if I hadn't of been on geography camp I could have seen 'Hoods' too.

I have tickets for Phantom in September and Spamalot is near my birthday...so I'll ask for tickets then!

Performance wise I've just come out of 'High School Musical' and I'm now preparing for my next show 'Boy Banned' in July. I know my school is also thinking about another of my scripts...if that happens I might be part of that production. After exams finish and I'm out in the wide world I have 'Ultimate Broadway Musical' planned so performance is big for me as well this year.
______________________________________________________________
Currently working on:
"Boy Banned" a fusion of live acting, video footage, corny songs, syncronised dancing boys and egos! JULY 2007, ticket information coming soon!!!

An actor is either onstage

Author: James McDonald
Date: 27/05/2007 - 20:45

An actor is either onstage in a show, or they are not. In the latter case, they might prefer to be onstage or they might be enjoying a break. Indeed, if someone chooses the fifth option, they are not an actor at all. If you are acting in a show, you cannot choose at all to be in the audience. And if you are not acting in a play at a particular time, you can't choose to be onstage at that time.

So, what is this poll getting at? An actor might hate doing it so much, or find it such an effort, that they would rather sit in the auditorium than be onstage and, conversely, an audience member who would love to be on the stage, eg., because they think they could play that character much better! But, you would not have any data from the poll that could tell you that.

A poll like this is only as useful as the question it addresses. In this case, the question, "do you prefer to perform or watch", presents a false dichotomy. This is in part brought out by the results thus far. 87% of respondents thus far are basically saying: "I perform in some shows and I attend others." Would you seriously expect any other result? The only interesting outcome is that any actor at all would not be interested in attending the theatre as an audience member. But with only 5 respondents, that is not statistically significant.

You might get some valid data by simply asking respondents whether they go to shows when they are not performing themselves, although I would have to be convinced that it would produce interesting data. But the notion of preference has thrown in an element that has stuffed up the poll!

If all you wanted to know was whether non-actors visited the site, you need only ask a yes/no question: do you perform (be on-stage or assist behind the scenes)? or a dual choice: I am primarily a performer/I am primarily an audience member at performances. A more complex program would then allow you to survey the characteristics of each.

Now for some qualitative data: yes, I do perform. And yes I do go to shows, both local community performances and professional companies. I do that as often as possible - so far as the budget will allow. But it is not a matter of choosing between each activity. And, I will have a rest after my third play this year - as a matter of preference: I need a holiday - but it would NOT be a matter of choosing BETWEEN being a member of cast or a member of the audience. The choice - if that is the right word - is a matter of timetabling opportunities to act and opportunities to attend. And sometimes those decisions are taken out of my hands, in any case.

Cheers,

Jim

Curious

Author: Labrug
Date: 28/05/2007 - 11:16

Firstly, Apologies to you Jim as I take it you find this poll either confusing or offensive. I was not intending to be either.

The question is a typical demographic question used quite frequently in customer/client surveys.

The point of the poll was to determine the audience base of the ITA site and will hopefully be the first in a series. It's purpose is to indicated the possible uses that the site has - is it mainly an actors resource or do potential audience members also use it. As simply Yes/No/Both is simply not enough detail for a demographical statistical result. It is considered to be a weighted question, the type of question asked when you are hoping to slant your results to support an already decided result.

As I do not wish to do that, I am giving more freedom of choice. This generates a sliding scale result which is far more useful from a statisical point of view.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

Crikey, Jeff, I didn't find

Author: James McDonald
Date: 30/05/2007 - 04:19

Crikey, Jeff, I didn't find the poll OFFENSIVE! But I still think it is not going to give you any meaningful data, because the question presents a false dichotomy, as I have tried to argue. I'm not statistical guru, but for the reasons I indicated, I don't think it reveals any interesting data. And I do know what Likert scales are! But are they helpful for the information you are trying to elicit?

The point of it, you say, is to indicate the possible uses that the site has - is it mainly an actors' resource or do potential audience members also use it? If that is so, why have you thrown in the question of preference, which creates the problems I have suggested?

OK, then, why not assume, first, that it is primarily a theatre performer site? It's a reasonable assumption. Let's take your definition: I would modify that definition to include producing and directing.

Ask the actual question you want to ask, eg.:

What is the principal reason people use this site? So:

I use this site because:

1. I am primarily a performer* principally seeking performance opportunities?
2. I am primarily a performer principally advertising performance opportunities?
3. I am primarily a performer principally using the site to see what's going on in theatre?
4. I am primarily an audience member, but I am principally interested in what theatre people (performers) are discussing?
5. I am primarily an audience member and I principally use the site to see what is coming up?
6. I am primarily an audience member, but I never go to theatre?
*as defined.

This might not be perfect, but you see, it directly addresses what you want to know, and that is, who is using your site and what use they put it to. The notion of preference confuses the issue and limits the choice of questions you can ask. This is not a scale - I don't think that is appropriate in this case.

If you want better data, it might be better setting up a questionnaire and emailing it out to the subscribers.

Hope that helps.

Jim

I go to theatre to watch my

Author: Rhiannon168
Date: 09/01/2008 - 18:48

I go to theatre to watch my brother, and because i beleive in order to learn more about your own work, studying others often helps. plus its fun! even though i screen act more than stage, stage is still soo fun! and i love it ^^ i just have a lack of theatres where i am *sniff*

the poll is fun.... does that count Jim? =P

Rannon ~ Who was the guy who defined the line between normal and abnormal? i wish to ask him something....

Quote

Author: Tari-Xalyr
Date: 24/01/2008 - 08:00

I do like to setlle by this quote said by Jacquin Phoenix in the film "Quills."

"A writer wo writes more then he reads? What sort of writer is he?"

Same applies to performance - for me anyway

~ Tari

The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

So if most people prefer to

Author: sarahv
Date: 02/10/2008 - 13:54

So if most people prefer to be in the performance, maybe that explains the low audience numbers...??

POV

Author: Labrug
Date: 02/10/2008 - 14:48

An interesting Point of View, however, I think there is a much simpler answer to the question of low audience numbers - awareness.

Far too often I speak to people (in fact even today) and the conversation goes a little like this...

Other Person: "I hear you're an actor?" or "I hear you do acting?"

Me: "Yes, from time to time."

OP: "Where do you do it?"

Me: "Oh, all over the place..."

Then I rattle off a few of the theatres that I have worked with and note that I haven't worked with even HALF of the theatre groups in and around Perth.

OP: "I didn't know there were so many. Are there any south of the river?"

Interesting point, more often than not, the other person is from that way rather than north.

Me: "Yes, there are a number of theatres south ..." and I rattle off a few of them also.

Without failure, they always are quite shocked to realise how much 'theatre' is out there. The Perth Theatre movement itself is quite large and yet a surprising number of people are unaware of it. I have a theory that if anyone in Perth was to play Degrees of Separation from someone in theatre, that the average number of steps would be about three. That's how close it is and yet they don't know it.

Doing shows does not cancel you from seeing other shows. Rehearsals very rarely exclude you completely from seeing other shows. My excuse is it is hard to find a baby sitter to enable my wife an I to get out. Doing shows is a different matter.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

Finding an Agent - ITA

POV

Author: Norma
Date: 02/10/2008 - 16:18

Yes Jeff you are absolutely spot on!!

I had the following conversation a while ago.

OP: What do you do with yourself now you don't "work" (!!!)

Me: Oh I'm involved with local theatre

OP: Oh, which one

Me: Listing several- including one in S. Perth

OP:I didn't know there was one in S Perth

ME: We've been there for nearly 60 years, do you live in the area?

OP: Yes, in South Perth, but I've never seen any information about a theatre

ME: do you go to any of the libraries or get the local paper?

OP: Yes a lot but I've never seen anything there.

ME:(Taking deep breath) Well there is always a poster and flyers there as well as the local shopping centres and the local paper.

OP: Well I've never seen anything

ME: (almost at a loss for words for once) Well here is a flyer, do come along

I wonder??

Yoda's Ideal

Author: Labrug
Date: 02/10/2008 - 16:22

Yes Norma, it's not like we don't try to let people know, anyway we can. I believe there is some weird Douglas Adams like effect when most common folk see anything to do with 'Local' or 'Community' - I call it the Eye-slip Effect, the Too-Easy Syndrome. LOL Eye-wink

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

Finding an Agent - ITA

Forest

Author: Na
Date: 02/10/2008 - 16:24

for the trees.

Some people don't see what's right in front of them.

Some writers are too busy

Author: Toni Maynard (not verified)
Date: 02/10/2008 - 14:19

Some writers are too busy writing... they don't have enough time to do all the reading they might like to do.

aim?

Author: Tari-Xalyr
Date: 03/10/2008 - 09:24

Sorry Toni if that was aimed at my previous comment it was merely an analogy.

Similar to what Rannon said. I believe a performer can always learn more by watching others who work the craft. Tis all.

Also is there ever enough time to do all you want to do? meh.

~ Tari

The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

Writers write. Wannabes

Author: Toni Maynard (not verified)
Date: 03/10/2008 - 15:32

Writers write. Wannabes read and ponder. Similarly, how many times have I been asked "How does one get into amateur theatre?" - I say "You go and audition for something" - but the fact these people just can never be bothered, it's just something that lingers in the back of their mind.

I suppose we shall soon see

Author: Tim Prosser
Date: 03/10/2008 - 16:10

I suppose we shall soon see 'wannabe' appearing as a legitimate entry in the Oxford English Dictionary . . . if it isn't there already!

Daunted

Author: Labrug
Date: 03/10/2008 - 16:12

Actually, Toni, you raise an interesting point - "How does one get into theatre?" - "Audition for something." And it got me thinking?

That is certainly one way, and now here is where I go into diatribe mode...

Is auditioning the best way to get into theatre? Maybe not. After all, an audition can be just as daunting as a job interview or public speaking, and that's for those of us who have actually auditioned for something. I dread to think what the process would be like for a total newb. For starters, imagine the kock-back effect - get turned down and never show up again.

There are of course many other, non-horrifying ways to get into theatre such as simply joining a club, watching a few shows, helping Front-of-House, helping to build sets/paint, working backstage or other behind the scene activities. There is never an audition purpose and I think these areas are far more in need of extra bodies than the performance arena. You also get to work in a theatrical environment, talk with other performers, directors, etc. Also, if someone walks out, you are in a prime position to step up to the plate.

How did Harrison Ford get to play Han Solo? Lucas wasn't prepared to cast him initially having already used him American Graffiti, so he was working on-set putting his hand to a bit of carpentry, sweeping, you name it when Lucas asked him to read in as he was a Solo short. The rest is history.

This I think is true meaning behing the idea that a writer continues to read, an actor continue to watches, a director continues to be directed. By not observing what occurs around us, we can stagnate and fester. Think of it as 'training' if you like. After, a professional sportsperson doesn't stop training just because they have won their first race. Neither should those in the arts profession, but you do not have to be directly involved in somthing to be able to learn about it either. One can always work their way in from the sides and maybe develop a bigger view of the picture in the process.

So getting back to the statement at the top of my post - is it possible that we ourselves inadvertantely put-people off by our 'confidence' and 'laid-back' attitude? I only ask this as I know I have done as Toni has and said "Go audition for something. It's easy really."

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

Finding an Agent - ITA

kock-back effect

Author: Na
Date: 03/10/2008 - 16:16

God, I hope that's a typo... Eye-wink

agree

Author: Tari-Xalyr
Date: 03/10/2008 - 19:21

Yeh my thoughts exactly, Na. But I;m pretty darn sure Jeff meant kNock-back. . .but ya never know.

Jeff you've just explained the "back-door" into so many arenas. Jobs. Theatre. Uni. If you are too worried about the door man stealing your watch then try the back door, it's more then likely lacking a doorman.

I don't know where that analogy came from.

My scatty mind's two cents worth.
~ Tari

The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

agree

Author: Tari-Xalyr
Date: 03/10/2008 - 19:21

Yeh my thoughts exactly, Na. But I;m pretty darn sure Jeff meant kNock-back. . .but ya never know.

I don't know where that analogy came from.

My scatty mind's two cents worth.
~ Tari

The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

That perhaps is the most

Author: SpankySpanglepants
Date: 07/01/2012 - 17:12

That perhaps is the most intelligent thing i have read for a while...I forgot to apply normal life skills to this realm. it's been a while Smiling

I think it's more a case of

Author: Toni Maynard (not verified)
Date: 03/10/2008 - 16:31

I think it's more a case of "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink". You can offer them help, send audition notices, offer to go to auditions with them but ultimately it's up to them to take the plunge. You can only treat them with kid gloves for so long.

Performance or Attendance

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