Comments on: Connecting with the Audience http://nikku.net/blog/connecting-with-the-audience/ The Art in the Business of Theater - Collaboration Tools and Technology and the Storefront Theater Movement Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:10:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: A Better Way to Paper the House | Theater For The Future http://nikku.net/blog/connecting-with-the-audience/#comment-380 A Better Way to Paper the House | Theater For The Future Sun, 08 Jun 2008 01:50:50 +0000 http://nikku.net/blog/connecting-with-the-audience/#comment-380 [...] redeemed. Yeah, that’s right - he tested the idea, collected data on it, and executed it. Remember we were talking about that? He’s also identified ways of making the $1 comp practice better next time around - by [...] [...] redeemed. Yeah, that’s right - he tested the idea, collected data on it, and executed it. Remember we were talking about that? He’s also identified ways of making the $1 comp practice better next time around - by [...]

]]> By: A Meme with a Pulse | Theater For The Future http://nikku.net/blog/connecting-with-the-audience/#comment-270 A Meme with a Pulse | Theater For The Future Fri, 02 May 2008 18:07:24 +0000 http://nikku.net/blog/connecting-with-the-audience/#comment-270 [...] the way blogging goes, but in the interest of experimentation and continuing the growth of dialogue, I’d like to propose a meme to play with the dynamics [...] [...] the way blogging goes, but in the interest of experimentation and continuing the growth of dialogue, I’d like to propose a meme to play with the dynamics [...]

]]> By: Jess http://nikku.net/blog/connecting-with-the-audience/#comment-260 Jess Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:30:51 +0000 http://nikku.net/blog/connecting-with-the-audience/#comment-260 Also to be filed under unique audience interaction - a moment toward the end of OUR TOWN at the Hypocrites. I don't want to give it away, but like the movie theatre element mentioned above, it involves the sense of smell. And it was definitely engaging in a way I haven't yet experienced. But I don't know if it will result in long-term engagement/buy-in in the way that I think New Leaf is looking for, or even in the directiong that Building Stage (big fat kudos to you guys, by the way!) is heading. Also to be filed under unique audience interaction - a moment toward the end of OUR TOWN at the Hypocrites. I don’t want to give it away, but like the movie theatre element mentioned above, it involves the sense of smell. And it was definitely engaging in a way I haven’t yet experienced. But I don’t know if it will result in long-term engagement/buy-in in the way that I think New Leaf is looking for, or even in the directiong that Building Stage (big fat kudos to you guys, by the way!) is heading.

]]> By: Nick Keenan http://nikku.net/blog/connecting-with-the-audience/#comment-259 Nick Keenan Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:00:01 +0000 http://nikku.net/blog/connecting-with-the-audience/#comment-259 Nice work, Blake! I can attest to the value of online collaborative tools for theater in between production meetings - and I agree that there's value there even if the audience interactivity element comes in fits and starts. When the entire team buys into the idea of publicly discussing your ideas in a rich environment like a blog or a forum, the ideas continue to work for you. I think your idea to devote someone to contextualizing the discussion for a lay-person is also critical as you move forward... An editor or curator role, for instance. Alternatively, it may be worthwhile to have each contributor write with the lay person in mind - that way you retain the benefit of multiple voices on your blog. For some examples of this, check out the excellent <a href="http://blog.steppenwolf.org/" rel="nofollow">Steppenwolf blog</a> and our blog over at <a href="http://www.newleaftheatre.org/blog/" rel="nofollow">New Leaf</a> - both of which use some coaching of contributers (but rarely editing) behind the scenes to keep the blog on schedule, open, and honest. Keep us posted as time goes on, and in the spirit of experimentation, let us know what works and what you find! Nice work, Blake! I can attest to the value of online collaborative tools for theater in between production meetings - and I agree that there’s value there even if the audience interactivity element comes in fits and starts. When the entire team buys into the idea of publicly discussing your ideas in a rich environment like a blog or a forum, the ideas continue to work for you.

I think your idea to devote someone to contextualizing the discussion for a lay-person is also critical as you move forward… An editor or curator role, for instance. Alternatively, it may be worthwhile to have each contributor write with the lay person in mind - that way you retain the benefit of multiple voices on your blog. For some examples of this, check out the excellent Steppenwolf blog and our blog over at New Leaf - both of which use some coaching of contributers (but rarely editing) behind the scenes to keep the blog on schedule, open, and honest.

Keep us posted as time goes on, and in the spirit of experimentation, let us know what works and what you find!

]]> By: Blake Montgomery http://nikku.net/blog/connecting-with-the-audience/#comment-258 Blake Montgomery Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:59:34 +0000 http://nikku.net/blog/connecting-with-the-audience/#comment-258 Regarding the Building Stage and our blog... I have no idea how it will appeal to our audience, our how it will pull in more audience to our shows, or whether it will allow them to continue their connection with us during these closed door periods... Only time will tell. But it has been useful for us as a creative tool. To enchange ideas outside of the rehearsal room, keep in touch about what we're all individually thinking, etc. That dual function is really helpful for a small company that is already as booked as can be in the creation of work without worrying too much about creating material exclusively for marketing purposes. I do think, ideally, that we would have one person whose sole job is the provide additional material about the process. Placing it in a context for the average reader. Adding interviews and other more specially presented materials. In the meantime, back to creating the show. Regarding the Building Stage and our blog…
I have no idea how it will appeal to our audience, our how it will pull in more audience to our shows, or whether it will allow them to continue their connection with us during these closed door periods… Only time will tell.
But it has been useful for us as a creative tool. To enchange ideas outside of the rehearsal room, keep in touch about what we’re all individually thinking, etc.
That dual function is really helpful for a small company that is already as booked as can be in the creation of work without worrying too much about creating material exclusively for marketing purposes.
I do think, ideally, that we would have one person whose sole job is the provide additional material about the process. Placing it in a context for the average reader. Adding interviews and other more specially presented materials.
In the meantime, back to creating the show.

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